INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES

HOUSTON — A recent clinical trial involving a new drug formulation incorporating aspirin with soy-derived phosphatidylcholine found that the drug combination significantly can reduce irritation to the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract.

WASHINGTON — A poll released by the American Cleaning Institute found that nearly three-quarters of Americans use antibacterial soap, and many of them wouldn't be happy if the government banned such products.

The poll, which consisted of 1,000 U.S. adults, ages 18 years and older, found that 74% of consumers use antibacterial soap — with 56% of those respondents using them on a regular basis — and deemed antibacterial soap as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of germs.

Additional findings included:

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Global Industry Analysts on Wednesday released its report on the future growth of the diabetes diagnostics market.

In "Diabetes Diagnostics: A Global Strategic Business Report," GIA projected that the global market for diabetes diagnostics is expected to reach $26 billion by 2015. GIA noted that the United States is the largest regional market, followed by Europe. The report also noted that the increasing number of diabetics worldwide will prompt boosts in certain segments, including blood-glucose test strips and meters.

MINNEAPOLIS — During the Super Bowl, football fans look forward to guilt-free snacking and will fumble on healthy eating goals for the day, according to the 2011 "Supervalu Snack Down Survey" by Harris Interactive.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — When consumers are offered a cost-neutral choice to fill their 90-day prescription medications in a retail store or through a mail-order pharmacy, they tend to split their preferences, largely depending on their past experiences, according to the findings of a first-of-its-kind study from CVS Caremark.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Attention personal care product marketers and manufacturers: Consumers' attitude toward innovation is not what conventional wisdom has been dictating, and there are differences between their current perception of the industry and desired reality. That's according to the findings of Kline & Co.'s new report that leverages a unique form of emerging research methodology.

NEW YORK — A new study published in BioMed Central's open-access journal, Reproductive Health, found that essential fatty acids may reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms among women.

WASHINGTON — Nearly 2-of-every-3 Americans said they would oppose any further cuts to federally funded care for seniors needing long-term care.

A newly released nationwide survey from the Zogby polling firm found that 65% of Americans expressed opposition to policies that resulted in cuts to Medicaid funding for nursing home care for the nation’s poor and elderly. The American Health Care Association, which sponsored the poll, also reported these findings Friday: