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People in state high-risk insurance plans often feel left behind
The federal health law set up new plans that are cheaper and more comprehensive than the older ones run by states but consumers need to go without insurance for six months to qualify.
Biotechnology
Hutch hosts lecture series for the public next month
Next month, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center offers its annual “Science for Life” series in which the center’s top researchers will explain the latest science in a fun and informal atmosphere.
Holiday health reading: Journals and the killer flu, why women have late abortions, and unhappy hospital docs
Why do mothers seek abortions late in their pregnancies? How much detail should journals provide about killer flu research? Obama originally opposed the individual mandate and Romney supported it – now it’s the other way round. What’s up with that?
Generic Lipitor now at stores near you
How much might you save on Lipitor now? If you have insurance, you should be able to get atorvastatin for the price of a generic copayment. Around $10 is typical.
RNAi explained: Animation by Ballard’s Arkitek Studios
A video explaining RNA interference — or RNAi — from the journal Nature Reviews Genetics. The animation by Ballard-based Arkitek Studios.
Finding cures for rare diseases: Film and discussion, Dec. 13th
NWABR’s Community Conversation Series this month will include a showing of excerpts from the soon to be released film RARE, a documentary about the struggle to find new treatments for Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS), a rare genetic disorder.
Animal research can be humane and ethical — animal psychologist argues
The use of animals in medical research is justified provided that the research is worthwhile and that animals are treated humanely, noted animal psychologist Temple Grandin argues.
State’s life sciences sector grows despite recession
Despite a recession, the number of jobs in Washington state’s life sciences sector rose 9 percent from 2007 through the first quarter of this year, according to a report released at the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Associations 2011 Governor’s Life Sciences Annual.
FDA pulls approval of Avastin for breast cancer
After more than a year of deliberations, the FDA has revoked approval of the biotech blockbuster Avastin, a medicine that chokes off the blood supply to various cancer cells, as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Drug shortages affect more than half a million cancer patients
So far this year, shortages of 200 drugs — treatments for conditions ranging from cancer to high blood pressure — have been reported. How many patients have been affected? Try 550,000 cancer patients alone for the year that ended June 30.
Physicians strongly favor larger role for palliative care — poll
96 percent responding that they believe enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill patients is more important than extending life as long as possible.
Cystic fibrosis drug improves lung function and symptoms, Seattle-led study finds
A new drug, called ivacaftor or VX-770, significantly improves lung function and other symptoms in cystic fibrosis patients with a specific mutation — Seattle Childrens/UW study finds
Public health, medical research face deep cuts if super committee deadlocks
Federal funding for medical research, disease prevention and a host of public health initiatives could be sharply reduced if the congressional super committee fails to agree on a deficit-reduction package, triggering automatic cuts.
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