Diabetes :: Novartis GALIANT study – clinical trials for diabetes drug Galvus – vildagliptin

Novartis announced the start of GALIANT, a significant clinical trial set to involve more than 7,500 people in the United States comparing the investigational oral type 2 diabetes medication Galvus? (vildagliptin) with commonly prescribed anti-diabetic oral medicines called thiazolidinediones (TZDs).

Allergy :: Food allergies could be fought with friendly bacteria in alcoholic milkshake

Feeding babies alcoholic milk may help to protect against some food allergies. Kefir, a traditional fermented drink, is consumed in Eastern Europe as a health food, and is often used to wean babies, as it is easily digested. Food allergy prevalence is especially high in children under the age of three, with around 5-8% of infants at risk. Currently the only treatment is avoidance of the problematic food.

Reiki :: The Power of Reiki – An Ancient Hands-On Healing Technique

Reiki means universal life energy, and its practice simply refers to the technique of transferring healing energy from giver to receiver. Although this practice dates back some 2500 years, it’s a relative newcomer on the Western healing scene. In this beautiful, practical step-by-step guide the reader is introduced to all aspects of this fascinating therapy.

Influenza :: Tamiflu for Prevention of Influenza in Children

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) for prevention (prophylaxis) of seasonal influenza (“flu”) in children 1 to 12 years of age who had close contact with an infected individual. This is the first drug approved for prevention of both influenza A and B in pediatric patients.

Influenza :: Promise Against H5N1 Influenza Virus

Experiments in mice show that an antiviral drug currently used against annual influenza strains also can suppress the deadly influenza virus that has spread from birds to humans, killing dozens of people in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand since early 2004. This study, the first published report conducted on oseltamivir against the H5N1 influenza strain circulating in Vietnam, found that the drug, sold commercially as Tamiflu, dramatically boosted the survival rate of infected mice.