Researchers in Sweden are breaking boundaries in the field of nerve cell communication by creating the first artificial nerve cell capable of communicating with human nerve cells. The research will fuel understanding in the pathophysiology, molecular targets and therapies for the treatment of various nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The findings have been published in the journal Nature Materials.
The American Health Information Management Association has announced the official opening of a Global Services Office in Brussels, Belgium, establishing itself as the first multinational membership association serving health information management professionals on a global scale.
A team of EU-funded researchers has succeeded in embedding sensing devices directly into textiles to create garments that are not only comfortable and practical to wear, but also smart. The devices will help physicians keep an eye on their patients. Healthwear (Remote health monitoring with wearable non-invasive mobile system) was supported with EUR 990,000 by the EU's eTEN programme.
On 22 July the European Commission called on EU Member States to pool their resources and better coordinate research efforts to combat Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. The proposals adopted by the Commission follow a 2008 recommendation by the Council of the European Union to launch a joint programming initiative in this field in 2009.
A revolution in healthcare treatment and diagnosis may be imminent with a pan-European personalised healthcare project, the Virtual Physiological Human (VPH), a Network of Excellence (NoE). Funded with EUR 72 million under the Information and communication technologies Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the VPH aims to create an entire framework to deliver personalised patient computer models for the predictive healthcare of the future.
An initiative to boost cancer prevention, treatment and care throughout Europe by improving communications within the cancer community kicks off yesterday (Monday 20 July) with the launch of a new website. The project will involve all those with an interest in cancer, from researchers and doctors to patients.
The National Cancer Research Institute's free online cancer research portal, ONIX, has launched to the public today. ONIX (ONcology Information eXchange) enables scientists and clinicians to search through and access international research data held online - to improve the flow of cancer research information between individuals, institutions and organisations.