Newswise — The rate of diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the same among all racial groups — one in 110, according to current estimates. However, a study by a Florida State University researcher has found that African-American children tend to be diagnosed later than white children, which results in a longer and more intensive intervention. The reasons for later diagnoses include a lack of access to quality, affordable, culturally competent health care, according to Martell Teasley, an associate professor in Florida State’s College of Social Work who has conducted a comprehensive review of researchliterature on autism and African-American children. In addition, the stigmaattached to mental health conditions within the black community contribute to misdiagnoses of autism, and underuse of available treatment services. “There are no subjective criteria for diagnosing autism. Only brain scans can truly provide appropriate diagnoses, because we are dealing with biological and chemical imbalances in the brain,” Teasley said. “Not every child is going to have access to this kind of medical evaluation, particularly those who are indigent and don’t have health care funding.” Teasley examined ASD diagnosis and treatment strategies, and their effect on African-American families, in “Autism and the African-American Community,” a paper … Continue reading →

STRATHAM, N.H., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium Swiss chocolatier, Lindt, announces today it is once again partnering with Autism Speaks to raise funds and awareness for autism during the Easter season. Lindt will support the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization through donations from sales of the iconic Lindt GOLD BUNNY.   Lindt GOLD BUNNY will support the Autism cause as it celebrates its 60th birthday in 2012. The #1 selling chocolate bunny in the United States*, Lindt GOLD BUNNY, is available in five sizes and three chocolate varieties: milk, dark and white chocolate. Starting today and continuing through Easter, April 8, 2012, Lindt will donate 10 cents to Autism Speaks for every Lindt GOLD BUNNY purchased in the United States, up to $100,000. Lindt will also donate $2 for every Easter basket sold at Lindt Chocolate Shops, Lindt.com and through Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P., Lindt's home sales program. In addition, Lindt will donate $1 for every free Lindt Easter e-card sent, up to $5,000, to the organization, and up to $10,000 for consumers who use Pinterest to express their Easter traditions. Lindt is raising additional funds and awareness for Autism Speaks by hosting the third Lindt GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction. … Continue reading →

The researchers are from the PCMD-based National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Peninsula Collaboration for Health, Operational Research and Development (PenCHORD), which is part of the NIHR Peninsula Collaboration for Leadership and Applied Health Research and Care (PenCLAHRC). The study is investigating the whole process of emergency treatment that follows when a person suffers an acute stroke from a blocked artery in the brain. For most patients in this situation, the earliest possible administration of the clot-busting drug Alteplase can greatly improve their chances of recovery – called thrombolysis. The drug is currently licensed for delivery up to three hours from the onset of a stroke, but in that time the patient needs to call an ambulance, get to hospital, have a brain scan, and be assessed by specialists before receiving the treatment. The research team is working with healthcare professionals from SWASFT and the RD&E to analyse the various steps by which a stroke patient is identified, transported to hospital and treated. This includes paramedics, the emergency department (ED) team, triage nurses, the acute stroke team and the radiology department (which performs the brain scans). By investigating what happens 'on the ground', researchers have been able to create computer … Continue reading →

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -02/15/12)- Stem cell stocks have performed well of late, outperforming the S&P 500 by a large margin over the last three months. Since mid-November, TickerSpy's Stem Cell Stocks index (RXSTM) has returned more than 20 percent, as favorable news from some of stem cell industry heavyweights has boosted investor optimism in the sector. The Paragon Report examines investing opportunities in the Biotechnology Industry and provides equity research on Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX - News) and Cord Blood America, Inc. (OTC.BB: CBAI.OB - News). Access to the full company reports can be found at: http://www.paragonreport.com/CYTX http://www.paragonreport.com/CBAI Shares of Cytori Therapeutics have skyrocketed nearly 70 percent year-to-date. The company develops, manufactures, and sells medical products and devices to enable the practice of regenerative medicine. The Company's technology is the Celuion family of products, which processes patients' adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) at the point of care. In late January, Cytori received an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval from the U.S. FDA to begin the "ATHENA" trial. ATHENA will investigate the use of the Celution System to treat a form of coronary heart disease, chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI). The Paragon Report provides investors with an excellent first step … Continue reading →

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -02/15/12)- Stem cell stocks have performed well of late, outperforming the S&P 500 by a large margin over the last three months. Since mid-November, TickerSpy's Stem Cell Stocks index (RXSTM) has returned more than 20 percent, as favorable news from some of stem cell industry heavyweights has boosted investor optimism in the sector. The Paragon Report examines investing opportunities in the Biotechnology Industry and provides equity research on Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX - News) and Cord Blood America, Inc. (OTC.BB: CBAI.OB - News). Access to the full company reports can be found at: http://www.paragonreport.com/CYTX http://www.paragonreport.com/CBAI Shares of Cytori Therapeutics have skyrocketed nearly 70 percent year-to-date. The company develops, manufactures, and sells medical products and devices to enable the practice of regenerative medicine. The Company's technology is the Celuion family of products, which processes patients' adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) at the point of care. In late January, Cytori received an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval from the U.S. FDA to begin the "ATHENA" trial. ATHENA will investigate the use of the Celution System to treat a form of coronary heart disease, chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI). The Paragon Report provides investors with an excellent first step … Continue reading →

Editor's Choice Main Category: Stem Cell Research Article Date: 15 Feb 2012 - 8:00 PST email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions   Current Article Ratings: Patient / Public: Healthcare Prof: According to a study published in the February issue of the STEM CELL Translational Medicine Journal , a world-first technique for generating adult stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs]) has been developed by researchers at the University of Queensland. This new method can be used to repair bone and possibly other organs, and will considerably affect individuals suffering from a variety of serious diseases. Professor Nicholas Fisk, who leads the collaborative study between the UQ Clinical Research Center (UQCCR) and the UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), explained: "We used a small molecule to induce embryonic stem cells over a 10 day period, which is much faster than other studies reported in the literature. The technique also worked on their less contentious counterparts, induced pluripotent stem cells. To make the pluripotent mature stem cells useful in the clinic, they have to be told what type of cell they need to become (pre-differentiated), before being administered to an injured organ, or otherwise they could form tumors. … Continue reading →