New Zealands first specialist stroke nursing course will be underway next year for registered nurses. The University of Aucklands School of Nursing will be up-skilling registered nurses with the six-day course starting in February. It will be open to any registered nurse with an interest in nursing stroke patients. "Were responding to increasing demand," says Dr Julia Slark, who will be leading the course. "The need for specialist knowledge in this area is really growing. This is partly because of New Zealands ageing population, and partly because stroke as a nursing specialty is new to New Zealand." Dr Slark says The National Clinical Guidelines for stroke nursing, highlight the need for nurses caring for stroke survivors to acquire specialist training. Doing so will "ensure patients with complex needs receive the best quality of care," she says. Dr Slark recently joined the School of Nursing as a senior lecturer and member of the Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group. She brings with her from the United Kingdom, 12 years experience as a clinical nurse specialist in stroke nursing. Before moving to New Zealand this year, Dr Slark steered Londons largest hyper-acute stroke unit, through the implementation of the London … Continue reading →

Public release date: 14-Oct-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Aeron Haworth aeron.haworth@manchester.ac.uk 44-161-275-8387 University of Manchester The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) has formed a partnership with the Peking University Health Sciences Centre to establish an international centre of excellence in genetic medicine. The new Peking-Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, announced by British Chancellor George Osborne in Beijing today (Monday), will comprise three separate but interdependent research facilities the International Centre for Rare Diseases, the Centre for Cancer Genetics, and the Joint Clinical Trials Facility. MAHSC's involvement is being led by the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, an integrated centre bringing together University of Manchester researchers and Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust's clinical services, to form a world leader in genetic and genomic medicine for research into inherited diseases and delivery of services to families with inherited disorders. Speaking at Peking University, the Chancellor, who is in China to promote UK business and encourage Chinese investors to choose Britain, said: "I am delighted to announce here the establishment of a new partnership between Peking University and Manchester University in the UK with the creation of a new joint centre for genomic medicine. Here, in the oldest and … Continue reading →

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (October 15, 2013) - The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the nonprofit organization responsible for managing and promoting research aboard the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, has announced grant awards for seven researchers focused on non-embryonic stem cell biology. The award amounts total over $2 million. CASIS continues to facilitate groundbreaking research through solicitations for proposals that are designed to expand the knowledge of the scientific community and advance research processes, technologies and treatments. These winning experiments were chosen from among numerous submissions in response to the CASIS Request for Proposals titled "The Impact of Microgravity on Fundamental Stem Cell Properties." Stem cells are cells that have not yet completed differentiation, the change that occurs when cells and tissues become more specialized in their functions. They display remarkable plasticity in their ability to give rise to a spectrum of cell types and ensure life-long tissue rejuvenation and regeneration. Each experiment will use the unique microgravity environment aboard the space station to conduct experimentation that could produce tremendous health benefits for humankind - via advancements in drug screening, tissue engineering/regeneration, cell replacement therapy and cell reprogramming. The award recipients and winning proposals … Continue reading →

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 15, 2013 Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), Inc., and Magellan Health Services (MGLN) today announced the implementation of Skills: The Online Autism Solution (http://www.skillsforautism.com) across Magellans network of behavioral health providers who work with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The Skills curriculum will enable providers to assess a childs strengths and weaknesses, design individualized and comprehensive treatment plans, and track treatment progress. Skills is based on the scientifically-proven principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). It was created by researchers and top-level clinicians at CARD, the worlds largest provider of comprehensive, early intensive behavioral intervention for individuals with ASD. Using the Skills platform will allow us to substantially increase our offering of scientifically-based tools to help understand the treatment needs, progress, and outcomes in this extremely complex condition, says Dr. Sunil Sachdev, SVP of Medical Operations and Strategy, Behavioral Health at Magellan Health Services. We believe this will also further our ability to engage with providers of ABA services to provide affordable and cost-effective care producing the best outcomes. We very much value the relationship that CARD has developed with us over time and believe we have the same focus on clinical excellence … Continue reading →

ARDSLEY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced data from a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study of dalfampridine extended release tablets, 10 mg (dalfampridine-ER) in people with post-stroke deficits. In the study, treatment with dalfampridine-ER was well-tolerated and improved walking, as measured by the Timed 25-Foot Walk test (T25FW). The data were presented at the American Neurological Association 2013 Annual Meeting, being held in New Orleans. Top-line data from this study were disclosed by the Company in April 2013. Post-stroke deficits refer to chronic neurological deficits, such as impaired walking, motor and/or sensory function that persist in people who have had a stroke. There are currently no pharmacologic therapies indicated to improve function in people with post-stroke deficits. In this proof-of-concept clinical trial of dalfampridine-ER in post-stroke deficits, we were encouraged to see a clear signal for improved walking in this population, consistent with the preclinical data. More than half of the seven million stroke survivors in the United States have walking impairment, but there are no approved medications to address this problem, said Enrique Carrazana, M.D., Acordas Chief Medical Officer. Based on the strength of the data, we are planning a larger clinical trial to further assess dalfampridines safety … Continue reading →