Researchers used new approaches to track Lyme disease in Texas, finding an overlap between tick-bite locations and human cases. The study suggests that tick-bite location may serve as an indicator for human disease risk in nonendemic areas.
Michael E. von Fricken, Assistant Professor at George Mason University, is supporting COVID-19 research efforts with CDC funding. The project, initiated in July 2021, aims to address the coronavirus public health emergency.
A survey of over 17,000 pregnant and lactating individuals who received the COVID-19 vaccine found that they did not experience symptoms more severe than non-pregnant counterparts. The study's lead author notes that pregnant people do well with the vaccine and should be included in clinical trials for other relevant vaccines.
A CDC mask guidance update in May 2021 ignored realities that left vulnerable communities exposed to increased transmission of COVID-19. The guidance relied on the honor system to ensure unvaccinated individuals wore masks, but experts say this approach was flawed due to lack of verification methods.
Dr. Jitender Mehla has received a National Institutes of Health Grant to study small molecule-based inhibition of multidrug efflux pump in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a serious threat to hospital-acquired infections. The proposed research aims to develop antibacterials effective against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
A WVU researcher is launching a pilot program to prevent amputations in West Virginia, utilizing an NIH grant. The program aims to reduce mortality rates by educating the population and primary care providers about peripheral artery disease and foot exams.
A new model developed by NYU Tandon School of Engineering researchers provides a data-centric approach to reopening towns and can serve as a blueprint for areas with low vaccine rates. The model shows that increasing access to social gatherings and public transportation at a certain rate supports a safe, rapid reopening.
The AZ HEROES study, led by the University of Arizona Health Sciences, has received a $15 million award from the CDC to continue its research on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. The study will expand to include children aged 4 months to 17 years and focus on underserved populations.
A study by Cleveland Clinic found that combining a weight management program with FDA-approved anti-obesity medications leads to significant weight loss among adults with obesity. The research showed that participants who had access to the medications averaged -7.7% weight loss at 12 months, compared to -4.2% in those without medication.
A lack of genomic sequencing impedes the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The US ranks 33rd in variant surveillance, highlighting the need for improved international sequencing efforts to track and respond to new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Enhanced sequencing is crucial for understanding disease transmission and severity.
A March 2020 survey of central Pennsylvania adults found early concern for COVID-19 outmatched concern for influenza, with respondents trusting CDC guidelines and healthcare websites. Knowledge about COVID-19 was generally high, with a majority intending to follow social distancing recommendations.
The UK HealthCare team has been awarded a prestigious CDC grant to optimize stroke prevention and care in Kentucky. The three-year grant will focus on implementing comprehensive stroke systems for those at high risk and stroke patients, with the goal of reducing mortality rates and addressing disparities.
A joint task force of healthcare stakeholders recommends educating patients and staff about prevention measures, including standardized oral care. The initiative aims to reduce harm from non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP), which causes high mortality rates and prolonged hospital stays.
A study of 3,758 individuals found that those with diabetes, obesity, rheumatologic disease, or organ transplants had longer positive PCR test results. The median length of time for negative results was 16-22 days in immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised groups respectively.
A study by Penn State and Quest Diagnostics researchers found a 63% decrease in STI testing for men and 59% for women during the early months of the pandemic. This may lead to an increase in future STI cases, potentially resulting in adverse health outcomes such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
A new study from Washington State University found that workplace cultures adopting COVID-19 prevention measures led to fewer employees showing up to work and public places with symptoms. This effect was observed both inside and outside of work, and remote workers were also influenced by their employers' climate.
A new microchip technology test kit has been developed and validated for efficient point-of-care testing in remote locations. The kit provides similar accuracy to traditional RT-qPCR tests while using 10-fold less reagents and taking results in as little as 30 minutes.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia have a lower mortality rate compared to non-pregnant women. The study analyzed medical records from over 1,100 pregnant patients and more than 9,800 non-pregnant women, revealing less than 1% of pregnant patients died...
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University will assess safety measures against airborne transmission of viral infections. They will evaluate various protective measures, including facemasks and air filters, to develop experimentally verified computational strategies for mitigating airborne transmission.
A new case report details the treatment of a patient with VITT (vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia) using bivalirudin, an alternative to heparin. Early outcomes suggest that this approach may be safe and effective in treating these rare but serious clot reactions.
A Cornell-led research survey found that many Americans believe the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines provide weak protection against COVID-19 after a second dose. The study highlights the need for improved guidance on continued public health precautions, such as wearing masks, to combat vaccine attrition and prolong pandemic recovery.
The ANTICOV study is testing a new potential treatment that combines nitazoxanide and ciclesonide to treat people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The trial aims to identify early treatments that can prevent progression to severe disease and potentially limit transmission.
A new study suggests that pandemic eviction bans reduced infection rates and protected not only evicted individuals but also entire communities from the spread of COVID-19. The researchers found that without eviction bans, people who experience eviction or live with evictees have a higher risk of being infected, increasing transmission...
Researchers at UofL's Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute aim to estimate how many people in a neighborhood are infected with COVID-19 by analyzing wastewater samples.
Researchers and healthcare professionals will discuss future innovations in patient care, effective practices for improving healthcare quality, and strategies for combating emerging pathogens. The event aims to identify gaps in infection control and expand prevention approaches across healthcare settings.
A new analysis suggests that public health institutions must address white supremacy to achieve true equity. Researchers propose strategies for dismantling white supremacy, including tracking exposure to police brutality and educating policymakers on its impact.
A new study finds that people with HIV who experienced intimate partner violence are more likely to engage in riskier behaviors and have poor adherence to HIV treatment. IPV is associated with increased depression, anxiety, and poor clinical outcomes, highlighting the need for screening and supportive services.
A new CDC study reveals that state-issued mask mandates significantly reduced COVID-19 cases and deaths. On-premises restaurant dining restrictions also showed a notable decrease in virus transmission, highlighting the importance of public health measures during the pandemic.
A pilot study found COVID-19 transmission is rare in schools with proper precautions such as masking, distancing and frequent hand-washing. Only two people received positive test results indicating probable school-based SARS-CoV-2 secondary transmission.
A recent study found a significant increase in heart infections and strokes in the US, primarily due to IV drug use during the national opioid epidemic. Medical costs associated with these cases were also significantly higher, translating to over $100,000 per patient.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that healthcare personnel who contracted COVID-19 had stronger risk factors outside the workplace than in their hospital or healthcare setting. Having a known exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the community was the strongest risk factor.
Researchers found that cotton fabrics become better filters when exposed to humid conditions, increasing filtration efficiency by an average of 33%. Synthetic fabrics performed poorly relative to cotton and did not improve with humidity.
A CDC compilation of scientific research found telephone call centers, or quitlines, to be a successful intervention for smoking termination. The study highlights the importance of call centers as an essential population-level tool in tobacco control, particularly among high-risk populations.
Researchers successfully targeted Cryptococcus species using reprogrammed CAR T-cells, effectively controlling the growth of fungi. The treatment showed promising results in vitro and in mice, with reduced titan cells indicating a good prognosis for new treatments. This innovative approach could also be applied to other fungal infections.
The MDI Biological Laboratory will collaborate with the Maine CDC to test 500 wells from student households in Maine, focusing on arsenic mitigation and data literacy. The grant aims to reduce environmental health hazards and develop tools for effective program evaluation.
As of mid-January, over 60% of long-term care facility residents and staff received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose through the CDC's public-private partnership with CVS, Walgreens, and Managed Health Care Associates. The study highlights a significant increase in vaccination rates among vulnerable populations.
A new LSU Health New Orleans study found a positive association between social vulnerability and COVID-19 incidence at the census tract level. Census tracts with higher levels of social vulnerability were associated with higher COVID-19 cumulative incidence, suggesting targeted interventions could reduce transmission in vulnerable popu...
Researchers at the NIH used bacteriophages to treat mice infected with multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 258, showing promising results in reducing bacterial loads. However, phage resistance was also observed in some cases, highlighting the need for further investigation.
The American College of Cardiology recommends prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination for patients with advanced cardiovascular disease over those with well-managed conditions. The policy statement considers exposure risks, clinical risks, and disparities among racial and ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels.
A new study found that pregnant women living in areas with high social vulnerability are at increased risk of preterm birth. The CDC's Social Vulnerability Index was used to determine the likelihood of preterm birth, with socioeconomic and household composition themes showing the strongest association.
A new intervention program aimed at preventing sexual abuse has received a $1.5 million CDC grant to assess its effectiveness. The program, developed by UMass Lowell criminology researcher Ryan Shields, aims to prevent child sexual abuse and provide support for victims.
The CDC will discuss how COVID-19 has impacted Legionnaires' disease incidence and testing, as well as introduce new control tools to reduce the risk of contraction. The conference aims to provide building owners and managers with information and methods to ensure a safe environment for tenants and visitors.
A study found that older cancer patients residing in areas with high social vulnerability are less likely to achieve textbook outcomes following surgery. The research used the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to analyze the impact of socioeconomic challenges on health outcomes.
A new treatment combining naltrexone and bupropion shows promise in reducing methamphetamine use disorder, with a response rate of 13.6% compared to 2.5% in placebo groups. The therapy also led to reduced cravings and fewer adverse effects.
A recent study published in MMWR found that shortening the length of COVID-19 quarantine for college athletes can increase compliance without increasing risk. The analysis showed that nearly 49% of positive test results occurred within the first two days of quarantine, and the positivity rate decreased over time.
A research team at Florida Atlantic University has developed a simplified COVID-19 testing protocol that detects minimal quantities of SARS-CoV-2 using saliva samples. The protocol requires minimal molecular biology equipment and expertise, making it easily adaptable to high-throughput platforms.
A team of researchers, including K-State's Kyle Goerl, analyzed data from 1,830 quarantined college athletes and found that the risk of COVID-19 transmission decreases after 10 days of quarantine. The study suggests that shortened quarantine periods may be effective in reducing transmission if people follow important mitigation measures.
A study by the University of Houston found that managers who followed CDC guidelines made employees feel grateful, while those who ignored recommendations enhanced fear and anger. This mixed messaging can have significant long-term negative consequences for both employees and organizations.
The Innovation Partners Institute at Purdue University has launched a new technology tool, KeepOthersSafe, to help organizations monitor COVID symptoms, track test results, and connect users to support tools. The app uses interactive questions to reinforce healthy behaviors based on CDC guidelines.
Researchers found that Black churches are trusted messengers of COVID-19 information, with high levels of community engagement and positive feedback. The FAITH! program helped establish emergency preparedness teams and culturally relevant messaging channels within participating churches.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a bilayered capsule that can deliver bile acids to the colon, reducing cramping and providing constipation relief. The new treatment has shown promise in preclinical studies and is expected to begin clinical trials within 18 months.
A retrospective cohort study found that opioid prescriptions to patients at risk of misuse remained similar before and after CDC guidelines, with only a 14% decrease in oxycodone prescriptions. The study highlights the need for continued education on reducing high-abuse potential opioids for high-risk patients.
A new study by Boston Medical Center reveals that opioid overdose deaths involving multiple substances are more prevalent among youth than opioid-only deaths. Cocaine and other stimulants were found to be the most common substances involved in these deaths, contributing to a significant increase in rates between 2010 and 2018.
A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that 95% of pregnant women who tested positive for COVID-19 had no adverse outcomes, while the virus was transmitted to the fetus in only 3% of cases. The study also found that diabetes may increase the risk of severe or critical maternal illness.
A new multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay has been developed as a simpler, more cost-effective alternative to existing SARS-CoV-2 testing methods. The assay performs comparably to the modified CDC test while allowing for increased patient throughput and reduced reagent consumption.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found a significant increase in excess deaths among men between 15 and 59 years of age, and women between 25 and 44. However, females between 5 and 14 saw a decrease in deaths, suggesting a potential protective effect of the shutdowns on young girls.
A comprehensive review of research studies on SARS-CoV-2 infections in infants less than 3 months old found that the majority experience mild to moderate cases and usually recover with supportive care. No deaths were reported, contradicting earlier findings suggesting myocarditis as a rare but possible complication.
A Rutgers study found that nursing staff had the highest rate of COVID-19 infections among health care workers. Health care workers with direct patient contact and those caring for multiple patients with suspected or confirmed cases were more likely to test positive.
A new study found that rising temperatures make brown dog ticks more likely to choose humans over canines, elevating the risk of Rocky Mountain spotted fever infections. As climate change expands areas with high temperatures, public health authorities must be vigilant for increased disease risks.
Researchers discovered that the Chapare virus can spread from person to person in healthcare settings, posing risks of additional outbreaks. The virus was found to be transmitted through bodily fluids and may have been circulating in Bolivia for several years.