| November 12, 2009 | News for the transfusion medicine and cellular therapy community |
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- Facility slated to be 2nd largest blood testing lab in the U.S.
Florida Blood Services and Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Blood Systems Laboratories have formed a joint venture called Creative Testing Solutions, which is expected to become the second-largest donor-blood testing facility in the country -- next to the American Red Cross. The facility, which has a $200 million budget, is slated to open Jan. 1. It will screen about one of every four units of collected blood nationwide. American City Business Journals/Tampa, Fla.
(11/11)      
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- Scientists use stapled peptide to target protein linked to leukemia
U.S. scientists working on mice were able to design a synthetic stapled peptide that can disrupt the function of Notch, a protein that plays a role in tumor growth. The discovery could pave the way for additional treatments for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other cancer types. BBC
(11/12)
- NIH's $1M grant to help scientists combine MRI, nanotech
The Texas Heart Institute and Houston-based Rice University have received a $1 million grant from the NIH to improve MRI's sensitivity fortyfold by using gadonanotubes, or carbon nanotubes containing ultrasensitive contrast agents. The researchers will combine the two technologies to better track stem cells in the body. Healthcare IT News
(11/11)
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| | Now Accepting Proposals!
AABB's National Blood Foundation (NBF) is accepting proposals from all researchers in the Blood Banking, Transfusion Medicine and Cellular and Related Therapies fields. NBF awards grants for one or two-year research projects, up to $75,000 per grant. The deadline for proposal submissions is December 30, 2009. For more information please click here. | |
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| Emerging Trends |  | |
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- Report: U.S. hospitals show improved median profit margin
Hospitals across the country saw an increase in median profit margin from almost zero in the third quarter of last year to more than 8% in this year's second quarter, according to Thomson Reuters' analysis of more than 400 hospitals. About 20% of hospitals showed negative total margins for the second quarter, which is better than the 30% for the year's first quarter and the 50% for 2008's third quarter, the report said. "U.S. hospitals are on track to come out of the recession in better financial shape than they were in when the downturn began," a study author said. HealthImaging.com
(11/12)
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Hospitals' profits dip in FY 2008, AHA says: The more than 5,000 nonfederal community hospitals in the U.S. reported a 61% year-over-year decrease in overall profit, according to the American Hospital Association. Return on investments accounted for a significant portion of profitability. The AHA guide also said the number of community hospitals was more than 5,000 for the first time in a decade. Modern Healthcare (free registration)
(11/11)
| Industry News & Practice | | |
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- Donors responding to national crisis could boost local blood supply
 The surge in local blood donations at a time of a national crisis, such as the Fort Hood tragedy, could alleviate the stress of transporting and supplying blood to the affected area, according to this Times Record News editorial. The Robertson Blood Center in Fort Hood, Texas, and other adjacent facilities received more than 800 units of blood products following the shooting, much higher than the 30 to 40 blood units usually maintained by the center. Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas)
(11/12)
- Cipla rolls out generic Tamiflu, Relenza in India
Cipla launched its versions of Roche Holding's Tamiflu and GlaxoSmithKline's Relenza in India as the H1N1 virus continues to spread. The company has the capacity to produce 2 million doses of generic Tamiflu, oseltamivir, and is ready to supply the U.S. if necessary, Cipla Chairman Y.K. Hamied said. Business Standard (India)
(11/12)
| Government & Regulatory | | |
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- Lawmakers take health reform efforts to their hometowns
Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, chairman of the House Republican Conference, called on his fellow GOP lawmakers to use the Veterans Day recess to make their case for opposing the health reform bill in town hall meetings in their respective districts. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee is planning its own meetings in 32 Congressional districts represented by those who voted for President Barack Obama in the elections but rejected the House health bill. NYTimes.com/Prescriptions blog
(11/10)
- Edwards CEO: Device sector recognizes need for health reform taxes
The medical-device sector agrees that an industry tax is necessary to help pay for a health care overhaul, but hopes the final fees will be lower than the Senate's proposed $40 billion tax, said Michael Mussallem, CEO of Edwards Lifesciences. "We're not huge fans of it, but I think at this point we very much believe that this is something that we need to do that's our contribution to health care reform to help pay for this big bill," Mussallem said at the Reuters Health Summit. Reuters
(11/12)
| Association News | | |
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FAQs for 2009 National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey now available
A set of frequently asked questions about the 2009 National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey is now available. The answers to these questions will assist hospital, blood center and cellular therapy facility personnel in completing the survey, which is collecting 2008 data to support blood-related initiatives by the federal government and the transfusion medicine community. All surveys must be completed by Dec. 18. Read the FAQs, complete the survey online or contact AABB's Center for Data and Special Programs with questions.
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