A boron-based compound has shown safety and efficacy against stage 1 and 2 of the disease, with its oral formulation and short treatment duration promising for patient care. The collaboration between biotechs Anacor Pharmaceuticals and SCYNEXIS Inc., and not-for-profit DNDi, brings hope for a breakthrough in treating sleeping sickness.
A four-fold increase in global malaria R&D funding has generated the strongest pipeline of control and prevention products in history. However, sustaining this momentum requires modest increases in annual funding, which could lead to a larger jump by 2016.
A group of medical experts recommends limiting resident work hours to 12-16 hours, with comprehensive fatigue management, and requiring attending physicians' supervision. The current system poses an 'abuse of patient trust,' and adopting best practices has been extremely poor.
Experts from the Middle East and 12 African countries meet in Dubai to develop a strategy for preventing Rift Valley fever outbreaks, which can disrupt livestock trade and threaten food security. The new approach aims to expedite the flow of livestock products while increasing safety in the region.
New opportunities exist to overcome remaining vaccine challenges and save 6.4 million lives over the next decade, Health Affairs reports. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $10 billion to make life-saving vaccines available to millions of children.
Researchers are close to producing super varieties of wheat that will resist the deadly Ug99 pathogen, while boosting yields by as much as 15 percent. The new varieties have genetic resistance to rusts, including stem rust, yellow rust, and leaf rust, which has infected up to 90% of global wheat production.
The introduction of a new vaccine, MenAfriVac, has led to a dramatic fall in cases of meningitis A in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The vaccine, which costs less than $0.50 per dose, is highly effective and protects children as young as one.
A new analysis finds that most countries participating in REDD+ cite agriculture as the main cause of deforestation, but few provide details on how to address this issue. Countries pursuing food and biofuel production policies are intensifying agriculture-related pressures on forest lands.
Project ECHO demonstrates that primary care providers can be trained to manage complex chronic conditions via videoconferencing technology, expanding their ability to treat very sick patients. The model has been shown to improve treatment outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in minority communities.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene found that increases in rain and temperature can predict cholera outbreaks months ahead. A mere 1°C increase in average monthly minimum temperature doubles the number of cholera cases within four months.
Scientists have launched a major push against Striga, a parasitic weed causing up to $1.2 billion in damage to maize and cowpea crops in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to introduce proven technologies for fighting the weed, resulting in 50% higher yields for farmers.
Researchers urge the EPA to partner with academic institutions to test and evaluate the risks of high-priority chemicals, prioritizing those that pose a risk to children's health. The authors also propose reforms to the Toxic Substances Control Act to improve chemical policy and reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Aggressive new strains of stem and stripe rust have decimated up to 40% of farmers' wheat fields globally. Developing resistant varieties and improving country capacity are key strategies to combat the problem.
Researchers at IITA and CIFOR found that widespread deforestation in West Africa's tropical forest region is driven by low-input farming practices. Increasing fertilizer use could have spared 2 million hectares of forest from being cleared, instead promoting sustainable agriculture and higher yields.
A growing livestock industry is fueling animal epidemics that threaten food security in developing countries, where people rely on farm animals for their families' survival. The lack of veterinary capacity to track and control outbreaks poses a significant risk to human health, particularly in Africa and Asia.
The Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) launches a research initiative to improve rice yields and reduce environmental impact. The project aims to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide.
The Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) varieties, developed through a public-private partnership, show promising results with preliminary evidence of 24-35 percent higher yields. The project aims to test transgenic maize in confined field trials to evaluate their potential in drought conditions.
Researchers are exploring the cowpea's high protein content, drought resistance, and ability to infuse soils with nitrogen, making it a promising crop for Africa's food security. The conference highlights innovative approaches to breeding resilient varieties and using biotechnology to combat pests and diseases.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages significantly reduces disease, injury, crime, and death rates. Doubling state alcohol taxes could lead to a 35% reduction in mortality, as well as decreases in STDs, violence, and crime.
A new task force report reveals a possible connection between long-term bisphosphonate use and atypical femur fractures. The report recommends additional product labeling, international patient registry, and research to determine the relationship between the two.
A recent study found that nearly half of surgeons who made over $1 million from orthopedic device companies did not have their relationship disclosed in their scientific articles. The study highlights the need for full disclosure in medical journal articles to avoid biased scientific conclusions.
A new report suggests that conserving and wisely using existing antibiotics is key to slowing the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections. The proposal would reward pharmaceutical companies for marketing drugs in a way that keeps resistance rates low by setting 'effectiveness targets' and coordinating with physicians and hospitals.
A new report highlights the need for increased investment in diverse water storage options to reduce uncertainty and improve production of rainfed farming. The study argues against overreliance on single solutions like big dams, proposing an integrated approach that combines large- and small-scale storage options.
A new study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that increasing alcohol taxes can significantly reduce death rates from diseases caused by chronic heavy drinking. The study analyzed data from 1969 to 2004 and estimated that adjusting for inflation, would save around 1,500 Floridian lives per year.
Researchers have successfully transferred green pepper genes into African bananas, giving them resistance to the deadly Banana Xanthomonas Wilt disease. The banana varieties exhibit strong resistance to the disease and could potentially save millions of farmers' livelihoods.
The AWARD Fellowship program recognizes and supports top African female scientists conducting critical food security research. Since its inception in 2008, the fellowships have empowered over 1,600 women scientists to strengthen their research and leadership skills.
A new report by FARA and Imperial College London reveals that crops can be produced for bioenergy on a significant scale in west, eastern, and southern Africa without harming food production or natural habitats. The study suggests that policies are needed to address potential conflicts, but views bioenergy as crucial to unlocking Afric...
Rapid losses of African native livestock threaten the continent's food supply as investments are needed to preserve unique traits and prevent extinction. Experts urge urgent action to stop the loss of genetic diversity, particularly in West Africa, where drought- and disease-resistant animals are under siege.
The discovery of four new mutations of Ug99 stem rust poses a significant threat to global wheat production and food security. The new variants have acquired the ability to defeat two of the most important stem rust-resistant genes, making existing breeding programs less effective.
New scientific advances offer significant promise for reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, including novel TB drugs, rapid diagnostic tests and bold prevention approaches like PrEP. Experts call for policymakers to capitalize on these advances to save millions of lives from these deadly epidemics.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that adolescent smokers who do not smoke daily still recognize early symptoms of nicotine dependence, such as irritability and desire to smoke. The study, which surveyed over 370 adolescent smokers, shows a correlation between nondaily tobacco use and increased smoking frequency.
Exclusive licenses to gene patents hinder competition and innovation in genetic testing, according to researchers at the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy. The findings suggest that overly broad patent claims are the primary issue, rather than patents themselves.
Studies reveal significant health disparities among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, with culturally appropriate care shown to reduce cancer rates and heart disease. Immigrant women face high risk of death from breast cancer, while obesity and high blood pressure are major concerns for Native Hawaiians.
A new study found that watching R-rated movies increases the probability of adolescents trying alcohol, with high sensation seekers already at risk. Parents are advised to take movie ratings seriously and restrict access to R-rated films for children under 17.
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine estimates that sepsis and pneumonia caused by hospital-acquired infections kill nearly 50,000 people each year, with healthcare costs totaling $8.1 billion in 2006. The conditions can be prevented with better infection control measures, reducing both deaths and healthcare expenses.
Smallholder mixed farmers, who feed most of the world's poor people, are neglected by aid and policies. The authors urge wealthy countries to support small-scale farming systems that combine crop and livestock production, which can increase food production sustainably.
A new study reports a significant surge in drug-resistant Acinetobacter infections among US hospitals, with over 300% increase in cases resistant to imipenem. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive solutions to address this growing public health threat.
New study finds that thrill-seeking teenagers are more susceptible to fruit-flavored cigarettes, which can lead to lifelong addiction. The FDA's ban on flavored cigarettes aims to reduce smoking among youth.
A new analysis by the ASB Partnership reveals that a porous definition of forest in the REDD plan could lead to large areas of deforested landscapes being overlooked. The researchers propose broadening the plan to include all alterations to land cover that release or retain greenhouse gases.
The report concludes that performance-based financial incentives could provide the necessary political will for action in developing countries. It also highlights opportunities for progress in the short-term by addressing broader causes of deforestation, such as agricultural sector pressures.
A new study reveals a seven-fold increase in community-associated MRSA strains in hospital outpatients between 1999 and 2006. This poses a significant threat to patient safety as these strains can spread rapidly into hospitals.
Scientists are developing genetically modified mosquitoes resistant to malaria and creating a rapid saliva-based diagnostic test. Researchers are also exploring ways to manipulate bacteria found in mosquito guts to kill the parasite without harming the insect.
The article highlights the looming financial pressures in the world's response to HIV/AIDS and neglected tropical diseases. Experts propose various strategies to combat these challenges, including investing in high-impact prevention and efficient treatment efforts, and shifting from emergency responses to evidence-based initiatives. By...
A new study projects variable impacts of climate change on maize and bean harvests in East Africa, presenting both threats and opportunities for farmers. With adequate investment, the region can achieve food security despite predicted declines in staple crop production.
Experts outline steps for federal, state, and local governments to reduce the $2 billion healthcare burden from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use and abuse. Research roadmap covers treatment of drug and alcohol use disorders, preventing drug abuse, and policies to achieve a smoke-free society.
The global scientific conference highlights the importance of developing science-based methods for monitoring and assessing land degradation. It aims to find ways to combat desertification in drylands, where climate change is expected to worsen droughts and impact rural poverty.
A new study using satellite images found that nearly half of the world's farmed landscapes include significant tree cover, exceeding 10% in over 1 billion hectares. This reveals a vital role of trees in agricultural production globally, providing benefits such as carbon sequestration and nutrition for people.
By February 2008, 45% of US hospitals had adopted smoke-free campus policies, with not-for-profit hospitals more likely to implement them. The majority of US hospitals are expected to adopt similar policies by the end of 2009, according to the study.
The region may need to import over a quarter of its rice, wheat and maize if current irrigation management is not improved or innovated. A new study warns that Asia's vast irrigation systems must be revitalized to meet the growing food demand without further straining water resources.
Eliminating polio requires global cooperation on lowering vaccine costs and strengthening surveillance. Experts argue that coordinated efforts are necessary to succeed in eradicating the disease.