A program to train parents how to manage the disruptive behavior of children with Tourette syndrome (TS) and tic disorders works well, according to a pilot study conducted by Yale School of Nursing and the Yale Child Study Center. [click link for full article]

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions have published a clinical guideline to improve treatment and care for people with anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease. [click link for full article]

Biosignal Ltd (ASX: BOS) has engaged US company Bioduro Inc to further develop two different classes of therapeutic compounds based on Biosignal’s novel technology. Biosignal’s therapeutic target markets are respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. BioDuro is a leading life science outsourcing services company with particular strengths in discovery and pre-clinical chemistry. [click link for full article]

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today issued guidance to the NHS on the use of docetaxel and paclitaxel for the treatment of early breast cancer following surgery.NICE has recommended that:Docetaxel, when given concurrently with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (the TAC regimen) in accordance with its licensed indication, is recommended as an option for the treatment of women with early node-positive breast cancer following surgery. [click link for full article]

Somali refugees escaping the conflict between the Union of Islamic Courts and the Transitional Federal Government have pushed the number of refugees in Kenya to the highest level in a decade, threatening to exhaust food aid stocks unless urgent donations are made, the United Nations World Food Programme said today. There are now 240,000 registered refugees in Kenya, with thousands more new arrivals. [click link for full article]

New research funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme suggests that using bedside pulmonary artery catheterisation (PAC) in the management of critically ill patients provides no demonstrable benefit for patients. Researchers found no evidence that PAC, which has been the standard of care for people in intensive care units (ICUs) for nearly 30 years, enable patients to recover faster or improve survival. [click link for full article]

The United Nations World Food Programme has said that it has recently started airlifting urgent food aid to at least 8,800 needy people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, although it has not yet received any funding pledges for next year’s operations. More than 70 nutritional centres, run by NGO partners, desperately need food supplies for children, pregnant mothers and returnees. [click link for full article]

We live in a world where the cold virus (rhinovirus) lingers on 35% of surfaces touched by unwashed hands - and that is many surfaces, say scientists from the University of Virginia Health System, USA. Even 18 hours after being touched by dirty hands, scientists detected traces of the rhinovirus. The rhinovirus is responsible for about half of all common colds in children and adults.In the USA adults usually catch about two colds a year - children catch about seven to ten. [click link for full article]

The Executive Director of the UN World Food Program (WFP), James Morris, has sounded a call to action to end child hunger, describing the plight of hundreds of millions of poor, malnourished children who die, or fail to develop properly, as “an affront to conscience”. [click link for full article]

The number of companies offering nationwide Medicare drug benefit to US seniors and disabled people will increase from 9 to 17, say officials. Several new regional companies will also offer coverage. Those who are satisfied with their current coverage will not have to do anything when the new period for open enrollment starts on November 15th.However, even if you are happy with your present coverage, it may not be a bad idea to compare what you have with what will be available. [click link for full article]