> The FDA awarded the first waiver for a nucleic acid-based flu diagnostic, the Alere I Influenza A & B test, to be used in non-traditional laboratory sites including physicians' offices, emergency rooms and health department clinics. Release
> 23andMe and Genentech are teaming up to analyze 3,000 genomes from patients with Parkinson's disease to develop new therapies to treat the condition. Story
> Abbott Laboratories ($ABT) completed its $250 million acquisition of electrophysiology diagnostic outfit Topera. More
> Med Fusion struck a deal with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to cover its advanced diagnostic laboratory services. More
> Empire Genomics acquired molecular diagnostic reagents company ID Labs for an undisclosed sum. Story
> Palo Alto, CA-based Neurotrack Technologies raised $1 million in debt. The company is working on a test for Alzheimer's that predicts the disease three to 6 years before symptoms appear. More
> U.K. cost watchdog NICE in final medical technology guidance decided not to recommend a device that detects diabetic nerve damage. Release
> The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded grants of more than $28 million to researchers studying the language of gene regulation. More
And Finally… A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the increase in autistic Danish children stems from how the disorder is diagnosed and tracked. Story