A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that individuals prescribed thiazolidinediones for type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of bone fractures. The self-controlled case-series study analyzed data from over 6 million patients and found a nearly one-and-a-half times higher fracture rate among those taking the medication.
The PLoS Medicine editors discuss maintaining integrity in clinical effectiveness research, highlighting the need for transparent methods and objective reporting. They also warn against practices that distort scientific evidence, such as cherry-picking studies or fishing for favorable conclusions.
A study published in PLoS Medicine discusses the challenges of designing clinical trials when there is no consensus on usual medical care. The authors recommend specific criteria for assessing proposed study designs and highlight the importance of comparing management of conditions to standard care.
A study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that HIV transmission in UK heterosexuals can occur within networks of up to 30 people. The research used phylodynamics to reconstruct viral sequence divergence, revealing smaller clusters and slower transmission rates compared to homosexual men.
Research shows that spontaneous preterm birth rates are rising alongside medically-induced preterm births in Scotland, with maternal complications playing a decreasing role. The study suggests that reducing both types of preterm births is crucial for improving infant survival rates.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a potential vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections, which affect 53% of women and 14% of men. The vaccine targets iron receptors on bacteria that cause infection, inducing an immune response in mucosal tissue.
The GRADE framework has been criticized for its reliability, with Brian Kavanagh arguing that it lacks evidence-based support. International collaborations are crucial in evaluating eHealth, as highlighted in two related articles by Mohammed Ansari and David Bates, who recommend increasing knowledge generation and data exchange.
Research papers published in PLOS Medicine identified gaps in TB treatment guidelines, suggesting improvements are needed. Regimens with shorter rifampin use had higher failure rates, while longer duration and more drugs were associated with lower relapse rates.
Research reveals that parasitic worm infections are prevalent in Northern Rwanda, with those infected more likely to be underweight. The study also found a link between parasite infections and anemia, but not significant growth stunting.
A new study uses genome sequencing to profile genetic diversity among M. ulcerans isolates, showing clonal relationships but distinct single nucleotide polymorphisms. The findings suggest a focal transmission pattern for Buruli ulcer, with local genetic variants not quickly spread over long distances.
A team of researchers uses PageRank, a web ranking algorithm, to identify critical species in food webs and predict ecosystem collapse. By applying the algorithm to ecological networks, they find that certain species play a disproportionate role in maintaining ecosystem function.
A new study projects that California's bird communities will undergo significant changes by 2070, with some species shifting distributions and others forming novel assemblages. This could have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and biodiversity management strategies.
A study analyzing Thai data found that reduced birth rates and changes in population demographics are linked to the increase in average age of dengue cases. This shift has implications for clinical management and vaccine development, particularly as more adults become part of the case mix.
A genome-wide association study has identified a novel genetic region on chromosome 9q21.31 as a susceptibility locus for asthma in Mexican children. The research highlights the importance of considering ancestry and environmental factors in understanding childhood asthma prevalence.
Researchers define global conservation priorities for endangered carnivores considering socioeconomic and life-history factors. The study identifies 41 ecoregions worldwide as key areas for cost-effective conservation investments.
A study analyzing business return to New Orleans post-Katrina found that businesses reopening cited damage to physical locations and financing as primary concerns, while those remaining closed ranked levee protection as top concern. The study used repeated telephone surveys of businesses from December 2005 to October 2007.
A new analysis reveals that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in sub-Saharan Africa cause immense suffering, with helminth infections accounting for approximately 85% of the NTD burden. The study suggests that investing $200-$400 million annually could significantly reduce the burden of these diseases.
Researchers found that presenting risk as natural frequencies and using bar charts helped participants make decisions consistent with their values. The studies also showed that different data presentations can be more persuasive, regardless of the participant's values. Healthcare providers should strive to maintain objectivity while re...
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that adults born with very low birth weight have significantly lower bone mineral density compared to their term-born peers. This increased risk of osteoporosis in adulthood highlights the importance of monitoring and addressing this issue for individuals born preterm.
The PLOS Medicine journal has made all 1500 ghostwriting documents publicly available, revealing a coordinated campaign by Wyeth and medical writing companies to promote hormone drugs. The editors call for action to eradicate ghost-writing, including retraction of papers and investigation by academic institutions.
A new study reveals that impaired axonal transport in neurons is a key factor in the development of prion diseases. The research shows that clinical symptoms correlate with reduced axonal transport in specific brain centers, providing new insights into the disease.
Researchers identified a new protein that protects sensory cells in the ear, crucial for maintaining potassium balance and preventing intoxication. The study found mutations in the claudin-9 gene lead to functional defective sensory cells, highlighting the importance of this protein in hearing.
Research published in PLOS Medicine found that severe breathing disorders during sleep are associated with a higher risk of dying. Men between 40 and 70 years old with severe sleep-disordered breathing were twice as likely to die from any cause compared to those without the condition.
A recent analysis published in PLOS Medicine found that twenty-five years of healthcare reforms in Mexico have increased access to medical care, but at the cost of inefficiency and inadequate addressing of health inequities. The study highlights the need for comprehensive reform to improve the Mexican healthcare system.
A recent study emphasizes the importance of evaluating eHealth interventions to improve the quality and safety of healthcare. Aziz Sheikh and Lorraine Catwell from The University of Edinburgh highlight the need for continuous systemic evaluation of eHealth solutions to address potential risks and challenges.
The ongoing Somali civil conflict has severe consequences on public health, particularly in southern Somalia. Researchers from PLoS Medicine present evidence for concerted health interventions and access to food aid. In a related debate, experts discuss approaches to reviewing complex health interventions.
A systematic review of 20 studies found that individuals with schizophrenia are at increased risk of violence, but this risk is greatly outweighed by the effect of substance abuse. Substance abuse significantly increases the risk of violence for those with a psychotic illness, similar to those without a psychotic illness.
A new study reveals that mental disorders beyond depression, such as anxiety and impulse-control issues, are strong predictors of suicidal thoughts and attempts, especially in developing countries. The researchers found that these disorders were equally predictive of suicidal behavior in both developed and developing countries.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that sensations of touch can be felt and mislocalized towards where a virtual body is seen, altering the mapping of touch sensations in space. This research demonstrates the crucial role of brain mechanisms in multisensory processing for conscious experience.
A new study identifies criteria for detecting prolonged grief disorder (PGD), a condition characterized by enduring distress and dysfunction after a loss. The criteria, supported by experts, may help clinicians diagnose PGD and provide targeted treatments.
A study found that human populations began to expand in size in Africa around 40,000 years ago, supporting the hypothesis that population growth played a significant role in the evolution of human cultures. The research used genetic evidence and computational approaches to simulate the evolution of genetic lineages over time.
Researchers discovered that rewarding correct decisions can enhance brain function in the cortex and improve learning. Targeted manipulation of dopamine levels may lead to new possibilities in treating patients after a stroke or improving cognitive abilities.
Research reveals that blood-derived macrophages with interleukin-10 expression have an anti-inflammatory effect on spinal cord injuries. This finding suggests that these cells may contribute to the recovery process after injury.
Researchers developed models to understand the growth and progression of serous ovarian cancer, identifying key properties for a biomarker-based screening test. The study aimed to guide rational design of an early detection strategy, potentially leading to improved outcomes for women diagnosed with this aggressive type of ovarian cancer.
Researchers at Yale University have recorded movies of viral activity within cells, revealing that retroviruses assemble daughter viruses at the point of contact between cells. This process is facilitated by a sticky viral protein called Env that attracts viral particles to these sites.
A new FDA regulation on tobacco products has been met with criticism from advocates, who argue that it compromises long-term progress in tobacco control. The law repeals federal pre-emption of state and local regulations, but also allows the tobacco industry to rehabilitate its image through FDA-regulated products.
A subset of infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages, expressing interleukin-10, exhibits an anti-inflammatory role in spinal cord injuries. This suggests that these cells may have a beneficial effect on recovery from such injuries.
Researchers have developed a yeast model to identify genes that contribute to cancer growth. The study found that point mutations in just a few genetic loci are responsible for the faster growth of cells, rather than aneuploidy. This discovery could help guide the search for new cancer genes in humans.
Researchers found bats possess two spectral cone photoreceptor types for daylight and colour vision, as well as increased sensitivity to UV light in cone-stimulating conditions. This adaptation is expected to improve visual orientation at twilight, predator avoidance, and flower detection.
A study found that babies exposed to malaria before birth are more susceptible to the disease and anemia, while others develop a tolerant phenotype. This finding has implications for malaria vaccine design and prevention strategies during pregnancy.
The article describes the functioning of MSF's independent ERB, which has reviewed over 23 proposals since its inception. The board provides crucial ethical oversight to ensure community empowerment and vulnerable individuals' protection in research settings. Additionally, PLOS Medicine editors discuss the role of journals in addressin...
The PRISMA Statement updates guidelines for transparently reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, providing straightforward checklist and flow diagram templates. The updated guidelines aim to improve the quality and consistency of these studies in healthcare.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and Emory University found that human movement is a crucial factor in understanding disease transmission for mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. The study used satellite-based GPS and culturally-sensitive interviews to track individual human movement, revealing how fin...
A new global subsidy, Affordable Medicines Facility–malaria (AMFm), will be rolled out in 2009 to address poor access to artemisinin combination therapies for malaria. The authors argue that the AMFm should focus on quality patient care by funding fixed dose combinations and rapid diagnostic tests.
Macaque monkeys learned to control a robotic device using brain signals and formed stable motor memories, demonstrating stability, rapid recall, and resistance to interference. This breakthrough could lead to more natural neuroprosthetic devices for physically disabled individuals.
Researchers at University of North Carolina have discovered a new approach to delivering a corrected CF gene to lung cells using parainfluenza virus, which could potentially cure cystic fibrosis lung disease. The method has shown promise in laboratory models and may pave the way for future clinical trials.
Experts debate whether financial ties between doctors and drug companies can be a corrupting influence. Emma D'Arcy argues for 'authentic alliances' with transparent interactions, while Ray Moynihan calls for complete disentanglement to prevent pharmaceutical industry distortion of medical practice.
Researchers propose a novel two-agent combination therapy that selectively kills tumors while sparing healthy cells. The approach leverages the frequent absence of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase in various lethal cancers, allowing for increased doses and reduced toxic side effects.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that encouraging the use of pedometers and promoting physical activity through mass media campaigns are the most cost-effective interventions. These programs can reduce death and illness from heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, with an overall cost-saving for the health sector.
The Centre for Vulnerable Women and Children in Dharavi, Mumbai, addresses the needs of crisis victims by prioritizing family unity. Successful intervention relies on strong partnerships with healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community organizations.