Health News: $200 million settlement in 2012 meningitis outbreak ♦ MS Scientists identify cause of movement, balance problems ♦ Redesigned' antibodies may control HIV

Judge approves $200 million settlement in 2012 meningitis outbreak A Federal bankruptcy judge approved a $200 million settlement with the now-closed New England Compounding Center pharmacy following a 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 64 people and sickened more than 750 others across 20 states as a result of tainted drugs produced by the pharmacy. The settlement will be distributed among the victims and 14 former employees of the compounding center

Multiple sclerosis: Scientists identify cause of movement, balance problems New research into the causes of the excessive inflammation that drives multiple sclerosis has identified a faulty 'brake' within immune cells, a brake that should be controlling the inflammation. This points to a potential target for developing new therapies to treat multiple sclerosis.

Cancer drugs may hold key to treating Down syndrome and other brain disorders A class of FDA-approved cancer drugs may be able to prevent problems with brain cell development associated with disorders including Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.

'Redesigned' antibodies may control HIV With the help of a computer program called “Rosetta,” researchers have “redesigned” an antibody that has increased potency and can neutralize more strains of the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than can any known natural antibody.

Potential new drug target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis A novel drug target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been identified, which focuses on the cells that are directly responsible for the cartilage damage in affected joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that leads to stiff, deformed joints and often crippling pain. The immune system's attack on the body's own tissue leads to chronic, painful inflammation in the affected joints.

Health Research: E-cigarette advertising makes one crave tobacco ♦ Exercise magnifies exhaustion for chronic fatigue patients ♦ Nanoparticles could allow brain stimulation + more

E-cigarette advertising makes one crave tobacco Television advertisements for e-cigarettes may be enticing current and even former tobacco smokers to reach for another cigarette. The researchers studied more than 800 daily, intermittent, and former smokers who watched e-cigarette advertising, and who then took a survey to determine smoking urges, intentions, and behaviors. Continue Reading

Why exercise magnifies exhaustion for chronic fatigue syndrome patients The mechanism that causes high-performance athletes to 'feel the burn' turns out to be the culprit in what makes people with chronic fatigue syndrome feel exhausted by the most common daily activities, new research shows.Continue Reading

High cholesterol, triglycerides can keep vitamin E from reaching body tissues  In the continuing debate over how much vitamin E is enough, a new study has found that high levels of blood lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides can keep this essential micronutrient tied up in the bloodstream, and prevent vitamin E from reaching the tissues that need it. Continue Reading

Magnetic nanoparticles could allow brain stimulation without wires  Researchers have developed a method to stimulate brain tissue using external magnetic fields and injected magnetic nanoparticles -- a technique allowing direct stimulation of neurons, which could be an effective treatment Continue Reading

Inflammation in mouth, joints in rheumatoid arthritis Periodontitis shares pathogenic mechanisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may trigger its onset, scientists say. In a new study, researchers performed joint and dental examinations, determined Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) antibodies, and examined inflammatory microenvironments in early and chronic RA patients Continue Reading