The Child Opportunity Index 3.0 finds significant inequities in opportunity for children of different races and ethnicities in US metros, with White kids living in high-opportunity neighborhoods and Black and Hispanic children facing large gaps. The index ranks neighborhoods by a Child Opportunity Score ranging from 1-100.
Researchers have identified 13 strategies to advance racial and ethnic equity in the academic health sciences. The 'roadmap' aims to create more diverse and equitable graduate health programs.
A decade-long study suggests Indigenous-managed forests can absorb up to 26,000 metric tons of dangerous pollutants from wildfires each year, preventing an estimated 15 million cases of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. This absorption saves Amazon cities US$2 billion a year in healthcare costs.
Industrial mining is responsible for more than half of tropical deforestation globally, with Indonesia accounting for 58.2% of the deforestation directly caused by mining activities. The study highlights the need for stronger measures to protect tropical forests from economic activities like mining. For Indonesia, Brazil and Ghana, tro...
A new study by Emory University researchers suggests that antibiotics can accelerate the growth of malignant melanoma in mice by depleting their intestinal flora and weakening their immune response. This depletion leads to a higher tumor burden in infected mice compared to those with intact gut microbiomes.
Researchers found that blocking FNDC5, the precursor of irisin, prevents severe muscle atrophy and weakness in cancer-induced cachexia. Mice lacking FNDC5 showed improved body weight and skeletal muscle mass compared to control mice with tumors.
A new study predicts a sharp increase in hip fractures globally, with men and the oldest old facing particularly high risks. The study's findings highlight the urgent need for improved prevention and care strategies to address this growing public health concern.
A global study found that deforestation-fuelled heat is making work increasingly intolerable for millions across the Tropics. The research highlights how tropical forests provide natural air-conditioning services, and warns of disproportionate heat exposure for populations in deforested areas.
New research reveals that destroying tropical ecosystems leads to reduced soybean income by an average of US$100 per hectare per year due to increased extreme heat. Conservation of the Amazon and Cerrado biomes can prevent this damage, estimated to cost the sector US$3.55 billion annually.
A comprehensive study identifies specific ocean areas that must be protected to safeguard over 80% of endangered marine species' habitats and boost fishing catches. The research also finds that trawling is pumping hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the ocean every year, highlighting the need for strict protection.
The new supplement offers practical recommendations for managing hospitalized COVID-19 patients in low- and middle-income countries, addressing critical care challenges. The articles provide valuable insights into infection prevention, diagnostic testing, therapeutics, and rehabilitation measures.
A new study finds that the high cost of antiparasitic drugs used to treat hookworm and other soil-transmitted parasites is driving up patient costs and decreasing the quality of care. In rural areas, these diseases are more prevalent, and patients often receive inadequate treatment.
A new tool, DECODR, scans for potential errors in CRISPR gene repair, revealing risks to patients. The affordable app uses open-source software and can detect a wide range of DNA mutations at a fraction of the cost.
The COVID-19 pandemic is diverting funding and expertise away from other dangerous diseases, putting clinical trials on indefinite hold. Global health experts warn of a long-term harm to the field due to budget constraints and talent redirection.
A study in Uganda reveals that school-age children with asymptomatic malaria infections can serve as stealth super spreaders responsible for the majority of malaria parasites circulating in local mosquitoes. This hidden reservoir poses a barrier to long-term efforts to eliminate malaria and an immediate threat for disease resurgence.
A new study finds that infrastructure and mining projects in tropical forests will destroy forests and increase development, harming wildlife and people. The report highlights the urgent need to factor in forest value and protect critical habitats.
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.
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.
A new global assessment report finds that forests and trees can alleviate poverty, but benefits are unevenly distributed among communities. Agroforestry systems, community forest management, ecotourism, and forest producer organizations show promise in reducing poverty, while protected areas can exacerbate local income inequalities.
Researchers found that hypochlorous acid can chemically modify malodorous compounds and rapidly inactivate infectious particles, promoting greater latrine use. The study also shows potential for HOCl to improve latrine odor and reduce transmission of diseases such as dengue fever.
A new report identifies priority areas for ecosystem restoration, which could rescue land-based species and soak up vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Protecting these areas and restoring natural ecosystems can deliver significant biodiversity and climate benefits at a relatively low cost.
Key findings from TropMed20 include new research on climate-related health impacts, such as increased tick bites and fetal health risks. The conference also addresses racism in tropical medicine and explores the potential of monoclonal antibodies to combat diseases like COVID-19 and malaria.
Researchers have identified key genetic markers associated with heat and drought tolerance, inflammation resistance, and tick control in African cattle. The study reveals how Asian cattle breeds influenced the development of indigenous breeds through genetic 'time travel', enabling them to thrive across Africa.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene highlights the importance of understanding COVID-19's origins to prevent future pandemics. The journal emphasizes the need for increased funding for medical research and public health measures, warning that politics can undermine these efforts.
A peer-reviewed study published in Science finds that 18-22% of Brazil's annual soy exports to the European Union are potentially contaminated with illegal deforestation. The study identifies specific producers responsible for 'poisoning the barrel' and estimates greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation-linked soy and beef exports.
Scientists at ChristianaCare's Gene Editing Institute have developed a new CRISPR advance that can safely target and disable the NRF2 gene linked to a bleak prognosis in lung cancer tumors. This approach aims to improve the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments while minimizing harm to normal cells.
A recent study found that radiation can trigger an inflammatory response in breast cancer cells, leading to the survival and growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells. This finding highlights the importance of understanding the microenvironment in cancer development.
A new study reveals that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a cellular abnormality that impairs production of myelin, a fatty substance that facilitates efficient electrical communication across the brain. This impairment could lead to abnormal brain development and neurological problems associated with ASD.
A new study suggests that Indigenous territories and protected areas in the Amazon are emitting low amounts of carbon, outperforming other land categories. However, these lands are under siege due to government concessions for mining and petroleum extraction, threatening their role in protecting vulnerable landscapes.
A new study reveals a new tool that can analyze CRISPR edits in just 48 hours, identifying multiple outcomes of the process. The tool detects subtle mutations to DNA near the site of repair, which may have no consequence for patients but are essential to gauge patient risks.
A new study warns that large-scale bioenergy projects can have a high carbon footprint and excessive land use, making them less viable in the long term. The authors recommend prioritizing cost-effective alternatives like waste-to-energy and carbon capture technologies to reduce reliance on land-intensive bioenergy.
Researchers found that children sleeping under bed nets treated with a new compound had significantly lower malaria parasite rates, and fewer mosquitoes carrying the disease. The results suggest that these nets could be a valuable stopgap measure while new insecticides are developed.
Research shows a 76% reduction in dengue transmission in Indonesia and similar declines in Brazil, highlighting the potential of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in reducing mosquito-borne diseases. The approach has several advantages over conventional methods, including minimal toxicity and cost-effectiveness.
A new study in Hawaii tallies nearly 82 human infections from the rat lungworm parasite over a decade, highlighting snails and slugs as primary carriers. Meanwhile, research on bednet monitoring reveals high variability in household use, which could be contributing to declining efficacy in malaria prevention.
Researchers have pinpointed restoration hotspots in 15 countries across four continents, offering the biggest carbon, water, and wildlife benefits. The study identifies over 100 million hectares of lost lowland tropical rain forests that can be restored to overcome rising global temperatures.
A global study of 1,284 adolescents aged 10-14 in low-income urban settings found that boys are more likely to report physical neglect, sexual abuse, and violence victimization. The study suggests that addressing childhood adversity and intervening earlier can help prevent adolescent violence and depression.
A California study reveals chronic Q fever cases may be more common than previously believed, with a higher case fatality rate than national averages. Meanwhile, a mass treatment campaign in Bolivia has effectively eliminated human fascioliasis, a parasitic worm disease once prevalent in up to 25% of the population.
A new clinical pathway at Christiana Care Health System's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute has shown better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs for cancer patients. The SCOOP pathway, launched in 2016, improved patient experiences by reducing emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and readmissions.
The partnership aims to develop two new anti-TB drugs that can treat all forms of TB in less than two months, addressing the growing threat of drug-resistant TB. The project is supported by a $28.4 million grant and brings together key expertise on three major drug targets.
A breakthrough CRISPR gene-editing tool allows for the simultaneous execution of multiple edits in DNA extracted from human cells. This technology, developed by the Gene Editing Institute and licensed to NovellusDx, can rapidly reproduce an individual patient's cancer tumor genetic features and identify driver mutations.
Researchers analyzed sentinel chickens to detect Eastern equine encephalitis virus, finding its presence year-round in the Florida Panhandle. A new hand-washing product, SuperTowel, shows potential to limit disease spread in humanitarian crises. The global 'pandemic' of fake medicines kills over 250,000 children annually.
A new report from a global task force of bone health experts suggests that surgical procedures for spinal fractures may not be effective in reducing pain or improving quality of life. The report recommends against the use of vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty, citing a lack of evidence supporting their benefits.
A new study published in Molecular Therapy Oncolytics found that combining chemotherapy with CRISPR-Cas9 can stop tumor growth and reduce existing tumor volume in both tissue culture and mouse models. The CRISPR application disables the NRF2 gene, which helps lung cancer tumors develop resistance to chemotherapies.
A new study reports that over 100 working dogs in the US have been infected with Chagas disease, a tropical parasite known to cause heart problems. The dogs were tested for antibodies to the parasite and many showed signs of heart abnormalities associated with the disease.
Three experimental Ebola vaccines showed persistent immunity for at least two and a half years, driving new vaccine development against diseases like Lassa fever, Nipah virus disease, and MERS-CoV. The study's findings have implications far beyond the Ebola fight, providing insights that could expedite vaccine development.
A new study has successfully trained sniffer dogs to detect malaria infections in socks worn by African children, with an accuracy rate of 70% and a potential to assist in malaria elimination campaigns. The dogs were able to identify the distinctive odor emitted by malaria parasites, which was not present in uninfected individuals.
Researchers found that men have a three-fold higher risk of sustaining a secondary fracture within one year of a first fracture compared to women. Engaging in at least moderate physical activity can help reduce this risk and improve bone strength.
The ASBMR Fracture Prevention Initiative Coalition releases new clinical recommendations to tackle the public health crisis of osteoporosis and its debilitating hip and spine fractures. The guidelines aim to increase diagnosis and treatment of high-risk individuals, particularly those over 65 with a history of hip or vertebral fractures.
Researchers detected the Angiostrongylus cantonensis parasite in two patients in a Chinese hospital who consumed raw wild centipedes, linking it to foodborne illnesses. The parasite can cause meningitis, paralysis, and death, and has been found in snails, giant African land snails, and other regions.
A Phase 2 study published in the NEJM found that vaccination can reduce the rate of sustained TB infections, with a 45.4% vaccine efficacy against BCG revaccination. The trial also showed promise for an investigational subunit vaccine candidate, H4:IC31, which reduced sustained infections by 30.5%.