Researchers have identified the first gene mutation associated with a chronic and often fatal form of neuroblastoma that typically strikes adolescents and young adults. The finding provides the first clue about the genetic basis of the long-recognized but poorly understood link between treatment outcome and age at diagnosis.
The study involved 104 infants, children and young adults with advanced neuroblastoma, a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Investigators discovered the ATRX gene was mutated only in patients age 5 and older. The alterations occurred most often in patients age 12 and older. These older patients were also more likely than their younger counterparts to have a chronic form of neuroblastoma and die years after their disease is diagnosed.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52992-st-jude-pediatric-cancer-genome-project-neuroblastoma-research
The fight against youth tobacco use was accelerated today by Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, with the release of the Surgeon General’s Report, Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults. This report details the scope, health consequences and influences that lead to youth tobacco use and proven strategies that prevent its use.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health will launch the Surgeon General’s Video Challenge to engage youth and young adults in developing original videos that feature one or more of the report’s findings. More information can be found at www.Challenge.gov.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54916-surgeon-general-releases-new-report-on-teen-smoking-tobacco-prevention
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 34.6 million adults ages 18 and above do not have a high school diploma. In an effort to combat this critical issue, the Ad Council and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation joined today to launch new public service advertisements (PSAs) on behalf of their national GED Achievement campaign. This multimedia campaign is designed to provide high school dropouts the encouragement and information needed to begin the road to a GED diploma.
Recent data shows that students who drop out of high school tend to earn less and have a lower quality of life. Many of them must work multiple jobs just to support their family. Moreover, as of 2009, nearly 30% of adults with household incomes at or below the federal poverty line did not have a high school credential.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55571-ad-council-dollar-general-literacy-foundation-your-ged-pep-talks-psa
Car crashes are the no. 1 cause of teen deaths and the fast-approaching summer months prove to be the deadliest. In advance of National Youth Traffic Safety Month® in May, The Allstate Foundation and National Organizations for Youth Safety® (NOYS) are partnering with TV star and singer Victoria Justice to encourage young adults to Act Out Loud® for stronger teen driving laws. Justice asks teens to visit Facebook.com/ActOutLoud to create an Act Out Loud Yearbook from now until May 6.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55118-allstate-noys-victoria-justice-act-out-loud-yearbook-youth-traffic-safety
Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX) today announced that the Light Study, a long-term research study of Contrave® (naltrexone SR/bupropion SR), a new, investigational drug being evaluated for weight loss, has begun enrolling patients at clinical sites throughout the United States. The Light Study is designed to assess the cardiovascular health outcomes of Contrave.
Nearly 93 million Americans are affected by obesity, and that number is predicted to increase to 120 million Americans within the next five years. More than one-third of adults in the United States are affected by obesity. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, sleep apnea, and a variety of other conditions. Medical research suggests that losing just five percent of your body weight can significantly improve your health and reduce the risk of complications from type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56480-lightstudy
Morning after morning, countless adults stare morosely at a boring breakfast table. Faced with a humdrum meal and a routine breakfast, they ask themselves if there’s any fun in sight. Who can save their day? Behold, The Crunchy Nut™! No, he can’t leap over tall buildings in a single bound. But he can sweep away boring breakfasts and spread fun with a single bowl – of Kellogg’s® Crunchy Nut™ cereal.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56707-kellogg-s-crunchy-nut-breakfast-cereal
Adults over the age of 60 are at the greatest risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Yet, according to a recent survey conducted by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), more than 25 percent of Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 have never heard of AF. Today marks the kick-off of HRS’ second annual “A-Fib Feels Like” campaign to help educate Americans about the symptoms and warning signs associated with AF and encourage those who suffer from the disorder to talk to their doctors about their risks and potential treatment options.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57735-a-fib-feels-like-campaign-warning-signs-atrial-fibrillation
For more than 85 years, kids and adults alike have enjoyed Chef Boyardee®, a brand of ConAgra Foods, from ravioli at slumber parties to Beefaroni at grandma’s house. And with last year’s introduction of recipes that feature the iconic brand as an ingredient, adults have been reliving those fun memories with meals the whole family can enjoy. Enjoying dinnertime together is only half the fun, which is why this year Chef Boyardee is celebrating the fun of families cooking together through the launch of its “The Little Chefs Project” virtual cookbook and a six-part online cook-along series.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58456-chef-boyardee-the-little-chefs-project-virtual-cookbook-cooking-classes
An Extra-Ordinary Beginning, the debut novel by A.D. Winch about a new kind of superhero, is out now. Children and adults around the world who are tired of the stereotypical superhero – white adult male with his underpants outside his trousers – will find this story is for them.
Ursula and Eric are characters readers can relate to and whose super powers are within their reach. Ursula is originally from Africa and promises to be the first significant superhero for girls regardless of colour, nationality or race. In a genre in which girls are seen as side-kicks or sub-plots, along comes a female character who is central to an entire series of books. This is not to say that the internationally educated Eric is irrelevant. There are more than three million students being educated worldwide who now have a hero who shares their experience and can truly be described as a global citizen.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58648-AD-winch-novel-an-extra-ordinary-beginning
A recent Harris Interactive survey on the attitudes of the American public towards healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) revealed that almost one quarter (24%) of U.S. adults or someone they know have had an infection as a result of a stay in a hospital; and that 37% are most concerned about the spread of germs and bacteria in hospitals, as compared to other public places.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 2 million people acquire infections while in U.S. hospitals each year; and almost 100,000 die as a result.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58854-antimicrobial-copper-kills-bacteria-healthcare-equipment
Almirall, S.A. (ALM:MC) and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRWD) announced today that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization to Constella® (linaclotide 290mcg) for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) in adults . This approval follows the positive recommendation received from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in September.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58658-almirall