Perlegen, a leader in discovering clinically important genetic variations that affect patients' drug response and predisposition to disease, announced today that it has launched a new, proprietary approach to discovering rare genetic variations.

Results from two new clinical studies announced at the Third European Influenza Conference (ESWI) demonstrate that Prepandrix™, GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) H5N1 adjuvanted pre-pandemic influenza vaccine, confers broad cross-clade immunity that is maintained when the second dose is given many months after the first dose, and even if the second dose is formulated from a different H5N1 strain.

Seroquel XL (quetiapine prolonged release) a new, once daily formulation for schizophrenia and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, has today become available in the UK.[1] The new formulation was developed to address the needs of patients who require effective control of symptoms in a once daily rather than twice daily tablet.

People with severe, chronic heartburn that does not respond to medication now have a new surgical treatment option at UPMC that does not require any incisions. Heartburn, which also is known as acid reflux disease, is a condition in which acid from the stomach creeps up into the esophagus and causes a burning sensation in the chest. According to medical literature, as many as 14 million Americans live with acid reflux disease and complications can lead to esophageal cancer.

Queen's University Belfast scientists are involved in two international projects aimed to protect Northern Ireland's agri-food industry from Bird Flu and African Swine Fever, a disease which kills pigs. Working with colleagues from other EU-member states and the Far East in the FLUTEST project they are providing improved diagnosis and early warning systems for bird flu.

People with migraines may also be more likely to develop blood clots in their veins, according to a study published in the September 16, 2008, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. In the condition, called venous thrombosis or thromboembolism, blood clots form in a vein, which can limit blood flow and cause swelling and pain. Those clots can then dislodge from the vein and travel to the heart and the lungs, which can be fatal.

Advanced Medical Institute Inc. (OTCBB:AVMD)(AMI), a leading provider of treatment for Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation in Australia and New Zealand, will expand its operations into the United Kingdom on September 15, 2008, it was announced today by Dr. Jack Vaisman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Founder and President of AVMD and its chief operating subsidiary, AMI Australia Holdings Pty Limited.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is leading a novel clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of online cognitive behavioral therapy, delivered through a Web site and augmented with therapist-moderated, weekly online chat sessions, to face-to-face group therapy for the treatment of bulimia nervosa.

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that 52.3 percent of newly diagnosed bipolar disorder patients are prescribed antidepressant drugs first line. The new report entitled Treatment Algorithms in Bipolar Disorder finds that this high preponderance of early-line antidepressant use stems from primary care physician prescribing.

Remember when you pigged out on birthday cake? If you're an impulsive eater, that memory might help you choose a fruit salad next time around. When it comes to tempting or fattening foods, some people are a lot more impulsive than others. And according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, impulsive people think and act differently than non-impulsive people after they remember a time when they resisted or succumbed to temptation.