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"How Does The Human Brain Work?" - Leicester Researcher Explores New Methodologies That Shed Light On This Age-old Mystery
"Nature" journals are synonymous with the very best in research. Earlier this year, an article by University of Leicester bioengineer Professor Rodrigo Quian Quiroga not only appeared in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, but also featured on the magazine cover. In the article, Prof. Quian Quiroga and co-author Dr. Stefano Panzeri discuss new methodologies that are enabling scientists to better understand how our brain processes information.

MP Speaks Out Over Libel Threat To Scientific Debate
The MP Evan Harris is among a group of leading academics, publishers, journalists, performers, clinicians, and scientists backing science writer Simon Singh in his application to appeal against a libel judgment in the High Court today.
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Rep. Stupak Signals Willingness To Compromise On Abortion Coverage In Health Reform Legislation
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) on Monday said that he and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) are negotiating to resolve the concerns of antiabortion-rights Democrats who want to exclude abortion coverage from the House health reform bill (HR 3200), Dow Jones reports. Stupak said that the compromise would affect how state abortion laws are handled under the bill (Yoest, Dow Jones, 7/20.). According to the AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Stupak did not give details on the negotiations, and aides said that no final deal has been reached (Werner, AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/21).Stupak said that he and Waxman"s staff discussed the compromise over the weekend. According to Stupak, a compromise could be voted on this week as an amendment during the committee"s markup of the bill. According to Dow Jones, Stupak holds a key vote on the health bill, which faces opposition from some other conservative Democrats on the panel over costs. His comments on Monday suggest "an easing of tensions" between antiabortion-right Democrats and supporters of the bill, Dow Jones reports. Stupak and 19 other House Democrats last week sent a letter to party leaders stating that they "cannot support a health care reform proposal unless it explicitly excludes abortion from the scope of any government-defined or subsidized health plan." They also stated that they want to ensure that a health benefits advisory council created under the bill "cannot recommend abortion services be included under covered benefits or as part of a benefits package." The advisory council would make recommendations to the HHS secretary, who would make final determinations on what public and private plans would be required to cover in a health insurance exchange. Stupak said that the two sides are "working in good faith" and that other members of the committee should not push their own abortion-related amendments (Dow Jones, 7/20). On Monday, committee voted 20-35 to reject an amendment, offered by Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.), that would have eliminated a provision requiring states to adhere to minimum benefits requirements that employer-sponsored insurance must include. Deal said that states could be required to cover abortion or "out of mainstream" services. Stupak responded, "I hope we"re not going to start using reproductive rights as a red herring on every amendment that comes up." Panel Approves Sex Education AmendmentThe panel voted 33-23 to approve an amendment that would authorize $250 million through 2014 for "evidence-based" sex education programs for teenagers. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), who offered the amendment, said that abstinence-only programs would not be excluded if they are proven effective. Following debate on Capps" amendment, Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) offered an amendment that would reauthorize the Title V abstinence-only sex education program. Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said that Title V "has been a failure," adding that 25 states refused to accept the money through the program because it is ineffective. Terry"s amendment was rejected 26-29.The committee also voted 36-23 to adopt an amendment that would provide $150 million in grants through 2014 to state and local governments and not-for-profits for educating residents in "medically underserved" areas on various topics, including sexual behavior (Wayne, CQ Today, 7/21).
Mental Health

Pelleve Receives FDA Clearance For The Treatment Of Mild To Moderate Facial Wrinkles

Ellman International, Inc. announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to Pelleve(TM), a skin tightening system for the non-ablative treatment of mild to moderate facial wrinkles and rhytids for skin phototypes I-IV. The clearance was granted based on clinical data demonstrating that a single treatment with the high frequency radiowave device can safely and effectively tighten and improve the appearance of skin on the face through six months. "Today"s FDA clearance of the Pelleve system represents a very exciting step in the introduction of next-generation high frequency radiowave technology to physicians and patients in the United States," said Rick Epstein, CEO of Ellman International, Inc. "Pelleve offers safe, non-invasive facial rejuvenation with no need for a local anesthetic and minimal discomfort -- a significant evolution from previous-generation technologies in this class." Pelleve uses the advanced radiowave technology of the Ellman International Surgitron(R) Dual RF(TM) S5 and a proprietary Pelleve handpiece to precisely deliver energy through the skin to the dermal tissue beneath without damaging the epidermis. This gentle heating of the deeper dermal tissue induces collagen denaturization and contraction. As the dermal tissue recovers, new collagen synthesis occurs, which creates a tightening effect. The result is a noticeable improvement in skin quality and appearance with minimal side effects and healing time for patients. In a clinical trial conducted to determine the effectiveness of the Pelleve system, 83 women and 10 men were given a single treatment with the Pelleve handpiece. The procedure was performed in an ambulatory (outpatient) setting with no need for skin cooling products or anesthesia and took an average of 15 to 20 minutes, depending on size of the area. More than 87% of patients showed measurable and immediate positive results in a blinded assessment of skin laxity and wrinkle improvement with continued response at six months after treatment. Patients were typically able to return to work and social activities immediately after treatment. Of the study population, two patients experienced small abrasions that healed within three days. "Our research clearly demonstrates the power of the Pelleve Skin Tightening System. With a single Pelleve treatment, over 87% of our patients experienced an improvement in skin laxity and fewer overall facial wrinkles at six months. The Pelleve Skin Tightening System is an effective, non-invasive, economical and safe tool," said Dr. Antonio Rusciani, Division of Dermatology, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Rome in Rome, Italy. Ellman"s skin tightening technology has been marketed with a CE Mark in many countries since 2005 under the name Radiage. "We have seen positive results in many patients outside of the United States. Because this unique technology does not require anesthesia or cooling of the skin during the procedure, the physician can safely achieve the look of lifted, tighter skin without surgery, resulting in a more youthful appearance for the patient," said Dr. Kai Rezai, a noted dermatologist and Radiage user from Munster, Germany. Designed to work in conjunction with the Surgitron Dual RF S5 platform, Ellman"s patented 4.0 MHz radiowave unit, Pelleve handpieces represent just one of hundreds of accessories available for office and clinic environments. The Surgitron Dual RF S5 provides maximum control in precision cutting and energy delivery, with more versatility than other energy-based technologies. "Ellman"s proven product platform enables medical professionals to perform surgical procedures that produce less tissue damage and pain than the competition. Adding Pelleve offers tremendous value to physicians, as customers ask for the latest in cosmetic correction from their dermatologists, plastic surgeons and other healthcare professionals," said Epstein. Pelleve will be introduced to the U.S. market this month through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ENTs and other cosmetic surgery clinics. About Ellman International Established in 1959, Ellman International (Oceanside, New York) is a privately held manufacturer of medical devices used to perform a variety of surgical procedures principally requiring cutting, coagulating, tissue ablation and vaporization. The company"s products are based on patented and proprietary technologies utilizing high frequency radiowaves to perform traditional scalpel, scissor, electrosurgery and laser procedures. Ellman International, Inc


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