Device-associated infections show higher resistance rates for antibiotic-resistant bacteria compared to surgical site infections, highlighting the need for improved infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship in hospitals.
The University of Illinois Chicago will help young breast cancer survivors navigate post-treatment care and survival with a $1.8 million CDC grant. The program aims to reduce disparities in survival and quality of life due to social factors among breast cancer survivors.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study provides specific data on when young children reach different developmental milestones. The researchers found that a high percentage of children demonstrate behaviors by the ages specified in CDC guidelines, but only half meet certain milestones.
A study by UC Davis Health physicians reveals that opioid dose tapering is becoming increasingly common, with rates often exceeding CDC recommendations. The study found that nearly 20% of patients tapered at a rate of 40% per month, highlighting the need for more training and guidance on safe tapering practices.
The study assesses the performance of dengue forecasting models across 8 seasons in Peru and Puerto Rico, revealing improved accuracy late in the season. The results provide a framework for refining future epidemic forecasting models, improving predictive skill over time.
Researchers found that ultra-processed foods account for over half of daily calories and are linked to lower cardiovascular health measures. Adults who consumed 70% of their calories from ultra-processed foods were half as likely to have ideal cardiovascular health.
A new diagnostic/treatment algorithm complements early guidance from the CDC for managing vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI). The tool was developed by pulmonary and toxicology experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the New York State Department of Health.
A study by University of Utah Health found nearly 33% of reproductive-age women with chronic conditions are using ineffective forms of birth control. Women with preexisting health problems are often missing out on crucial counseling about safe and effective birth control options.
A University of Arizona health sciences researcher is working to identify effective strategies for preventing healthcare-associated infections. The study aims to inform hospital-cleaning protocols and ultimately protect patients and healthcare workers from serious infections.
The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center is receiving funding from the CDC to focus on LGBTQ+ mental health and healthcare. The center aims to increase the availability of affirming and supportive mental health care for the community, addressing stigma, discrimination, and violence.
Carnegie Mellon University has been designated as a CDC flu forecasting center of excellence, receiving $3 million in funding to develop more accurate forecasting tools. The new center will also explore how to effectively communicate forecast information to the public and leaders.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been selected as a CDC Influenza Forecasting Center of Excellence, receiving up to $3 million in funding to develop accurate flu forecasting models. The team will work closely with the CDC and collaborate with industry partners to improve public health response and communication.
The West Virginia Prevention Research Center will receive $750,000 in funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address vaping and substance abuse issues. The grant aims to reduce rates of youth substance use and foster community resilience through a prevention model focused on building local capacity.
Researchers have found no evidence of lipid accumulation as the cause of vaping-related lung injuries, suggesting a direct chemical injury from noxious fumes instead. The study's findings support concerns about the risks of vaping and call for better regulation and education.
The University of California, Irvine will conduct a major multi-site health study on the relationship between PFAS-contaminated drinking water and health outcomes. The study aims to advance scientific evidence on human health effects of PFAS and provide answers to communities exposed to contaminated water.
A new study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that nearly one-third of patients with lupus use prescription opioids to manage chronic pain. The research, led by Emily Somers, aims to determine current levels of opioid prescribing for lupus patients.
A new study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found a strong association between obesity and chronic diarrhea, independent of dietary, lifestyle, or medical factors. Obesity was 60% more likely to cause chronic diarrhea compared to normal weight individuals.
A new study by Boston University School of Medicine found that CAUTI rates decreased significantly after the implementation of value-based incentive programs, but not due to improved patient outcomes. The change in definition likely led to artificial inflation of hospital performance scores.
A recent study found that over 70% of US adults are unaware that human papillomavirus (HPV) causes anal, penile, and oral cancers. The study, led by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, also showed low HPV vaccination rates among eligible individuals.
A Rutgers New Jersey Medical School study has found a genetically tractable cause of drug tolerant tuberculosis, paving the way for researchers to develop new drugs. The reversible mutations in the M.tuberculosis glpK gene produce a transient form of tolerance that disappears after treatment withdrawal.
A study by Emory Vaccine Center and CDC found immunity against mumps virus insufficient in a fraction of college-aged people who received MMR as children. The results highlight the need for better understanding of immune response to mumps and vaccines.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals' vaccination attitudes are shaped by their proximity to a disease outbreak, particularly for those who distrust government medical experts. On the other hand, people with high levels of trust in government experts are not affected by disease proximity.
Severe malaria cases in the US are increasing, with limited access to IV treatment. Malaria expert Mark Travassos calls for improved access to intravenous quinidine gluconate, a critical medication for serious cases.
A new study finds that enterovirus antibodies were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of most patients with acute flaccid myelitis, suggesting a possible link between the two conditions. The research provides further evidence that enterovirus infection may be a factor in AFM.
Researchers found EV RNA in CSF of 4 out of 567 total confirmed AFM cases, but significantly higher antibodies to EV peptides in 11 of 14 AFM patients. The study suggests enterovirus infection as a cause for acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in children.
A new University of Washington study finds that firearm retailers are willing to learn about suicide prevention and train their employees to spot warning signs. However, a lack of awareness and reluctance to discuss personal issues inhibit greater progress in suicide prevention.
A new whole-genome sequencing technique is being adopted to detect salmonella in the food industry. This method provides a more reliable and precise identification of salmonella strains, enabling the origin and path of outbreaks to be determined.
Researchers found that CDC-developed Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO) traps successfully protected people from chikungunya virus infection in Puerto Rican communities. The study showed a significant reduction in CHIKV seropositivity among participants in intervention areas with AGO traps compared to those without traps.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham will organize and implement an international, multi-site study to learn more about AFM incidence and progression. The study aims to better understand how the disease develops in children and identify potential risk factors.
A UC Davis study found that educating physicians and patients about safe antibiotic use can reduce overuse by one-third. The study compared two approaches, including educational materials and on-site physician champions, and found significant reductions in inappropriate antibiotic treatment.
Researchers have identified an experimental antiviral drug that cures mice infected with Bourbon virus, a deadly tick-borne illness. The drug, favipiravir, inhibits a key protein the virus needs to multiply and has been shown to be effective in treating infected mice in multiple experiments.
A new $10,000 federal grant will provide bilingual training on suicide and HIV/AIDS prevention to community health workers in rural New Mexico. The goal is to increase knowledge and raise awareness about these public health issues among Hispanic/Latino populations.
Researchers found that remdesivir completely protected four African green monkeys from a lethal dose of Nipah virus. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, provides promising results for the treatment of Nipah virus infection.
A new supplement to The Gerontologist journal calls for a comprehensive approach to cancer prevention in older adults, including improved health literacy, sun protection, and positive attitudes toward aging. Experts identify opportunities to reduce cancer risk through evidence-based measures and best practices.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention has received a five-year, $3.75 million grant from the CDC to expand its Med-South Lifestyle Program, which aims to reduce chronic disease risk in rural and minority populations.
A review panel led by Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist Kurt Kroenke found that clinicians, policymakers, and payers are misapplying CDC opioid guidelines, negatively affecting patients. The panel identified challenges with implementing the guidelines, including overly restrictive prescribing policies and burdens on clinicians.
A study by Fertility Centers of Illinois found that children conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) achieve similar developmental milestones as those conceived naturally, with a slight advantage at 12 months. The study analyzed data from over 1,800 parents and showed no significant impact on childhood development.
A new study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that mothers delivering via cesarean section covered by Medicaid had a 1.4 fold increase in surgical site infection compared to those covered by private insurance. The risk of infection may be linked to factors such as patient health literacy, provider variability...
A recent study found that adults at high risk of HIV infection have significantly lower rates of HPV vaccination, with only 3.39% fully vaccinated among those with high-risk behaviors. The lowest vaccination rates were seen in non-Hispanic black respondents and LGBTQ+ individuals.
The university will conduct research on the health and well-being of migrant children using an evidence-based parenting program. The goal is to improve parent-child relationships, alleviate stress, and boost children's social-emotional health. The center will work with community partners to design and implement projects.
A new study by CDC researchers found that US hospital breastfeeding policies improved slightly between 2009 and 2015, with over 70% of hospitals still offering free infant formula. The study analyzed data from the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey, which showed increases in model policy adoption and early breastfe...
A study published in Scientific Reports analyzed forecasts from 14 predictive models submitted to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's influenza season forecasting challenge. The results show that teams with more experience and combined model approaches performed better, highlighting opportunities for future improvement.
Nonmedical prescription drug use leads to 360,000 ED visits in US, mostly benzodiazepines and opioids; young adults under 35 most affected. The study proposes expanding naloxone distribution and implementing screening for polysubstance use.
A simple age-based recommendation for pneumococcal vaccination at 50 may improve immunization rates and mitigate racial disparities, with potential cost-effectiveness improvements as vaccination rates increase
New research on spina bifida provides insights into how to manage the disorder, including a transition model that prepares patients for adult life. The study's findings highlight the importance of continuity of care and teamwork between pediatric and adult providers.
A researcher at Georgia State University has received a $3.86 million grant to develop a universal flu vaccine using a microneedle patch that can protect against any strain of the influenza virus. The vaccine aims to induce strong cross-immune protection and overcomes seasonal flu limitations, which have been ineffective in recent years.
Research led by Dr. Karen A. Robbins found that mothers whose infants had suspected food allergies reported breastfeeding them for significantly longer periods, with an average of 45.8 weeks compared to 32 weeks for those without concerns. This suggests a potential link between breastfeeding duration and the development of allergies.
Children who were exclusively breastfed for three months or longer had significantly lower odds of having eczema at age 6. This study found that exclusive breastfeeding may protect children from experiencing extended flare-ups of eczema.
Researchers analyzed cervical precancers over seven years and found a 21% decline in CIN2+ cases attributed to HPV16/18. The proportion of these cases declined among vaccinated women, suggesting the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing cervical disease.
Researchers at MUSC created an online software package to train health care workers using simulation in safe Ebola disease response, increasing knowledge of effective prevention by up to 19% and reducing critical errors. The program aims to reduce the number of critical errors and risky actions committed when treating an Ebola patient.
Researchers found that stroke incidence jumped by 61 percent within 14 days of shingles onset, with the increased risk remaining elevated for six months. The study suggests that getting the shingles vaccine may be the most effective way to prevent shingles-associated stroke risk.
A recent Rutgers University study reveals that South Asian immigrants who travel frequently to countries with widespread tuberculosis may have latent infection without symptoms, highlighting the need for better screening and treatment. Approximately 1.7 billion people worldwide, including 13.6 million in the US, have latent TB.
A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that nearly a quarter of employed adults obtain high-calorie foods at work. The CDC investigated food acquisition habits through the Food Acquisition and Purchasing Survey, which revealed that these foods often don't align with the Dietary Guidelines f...
Scientists at North Carolina State University and CDC develop technique to measure insecticide distribution on mosquito netting. This allows determination of how long the nets remain effective in killing mosquitoes.
Chemical synthesis breakthrough offers hope in combating lethal drug-resistant infections; researchers develop efficient, scaleable antibiotics to fight Staphylococcus aureus and other bacterial species.
Contact lens wearers are advised to remove their lenses before sleeping to avoid microbial keratitis, a potentially serious infection. Proper eye care is crucial to prevent such health issues.
A new study models potential habitat for the Asian longhorned tick in North America, suggesting a large swath of eastern US could be suitable. The tick's adaptable nature and ability to reproduce via parthenogenesis make it a significant public health concern, with over 300,000 people infected with Lyme disease each year.
The website tracks flu cases in Houston's eight-hospital system, offering real-time data on influenza A, B, RSV, and other pathogens. This tool helps physicians make informed decisions by providing timely information, often just hours or days before CDC data becomes available.
The FluChip-8G test promises to reduce influenza A and B characterization times from two weeks to eight hours. The study uses the test alongside standardized WHO/CDC rRT-PCR tests, employing specimens collected from various locations including Vietnam, Malaysia, and the US.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an algorithm that uses supercomputers to analyze genetic data, identifying genes linked to pain and opioid addiction. Meanwhile, a team from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory used deep learning methods to improve weather forecasting, leveraging high-performance computing and in...