December 27, 2011 — The January 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE) will feature a new resource for guidance on three-dimensional echocardiography (3-DE). The document, titled The EAE/ASE Recommendations for Image Acquisition and Display Using Three-Dimensional Echocardiography, provides a practical guide on how to acquire analyze and display the various cardiac structures using 3-DE.

December 27, 2011 – In a move to re-engineer the process of translating scientific discoveries into new drugs, diagnostics and devices, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The action was made possible by Congress’ approval of a fiscal year 2012 spending bill and the president’s signing of the bill, which includes the establishment of NCATS with a budget of $575 million.

December 23, 2011 — Independent research firm KLAS recently bestowed a ‘2011 Best in KLAS Award’ for Teleradiology Services to Teleradiology Solutions (TRS). This ranking measures performance based on customer surveys and interviews conducted by KLAS and published in the organization's ‘2011 Best in KLAS Awards: Software & Services’ report.

December 22, 2011 — Mindray Medical Intl. Ltd. announced it has entered into an agreement with Novation to allow its more than 65,000 members and affiliates to purchase Mindray's M7 and M5 ultrasound systems.

December 22, 2011 — The results of a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis of long-term effects of violent video game play on the brain were presented at RSNA 2011. The study found changes in brain regions associated with cognitive function and emotional control in young adult men after one week of game play.

December 21, 2011 — Varian Medical Systems is introducing a new line of PaxPower X-ray tubes that offer the heat management capabilities of conventional X-ray tubes in a much smaller and lighter package. The tubes are designed to be paired with the company's PaxScan digital detectors for filmless imaging. They will be debuted in Varian's exhibit at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago, Nov 27 – Dec. 1. The company will also display its technologies for treating cancer with targeted radiotherapy and radiosurgery.

December 20, 2011 — Accuray announced that 23 leading medical centers globally have installed both a CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System and a TomoTherapy System. Combining the two systems will enable the delivery of personalized treatment for the full spectrum of radiation oncology patients.