The article highlights the alarming rate of chronic diseases and injuries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with seven out of ten deaths attributed to these causes. The authors argue that lack of funding for health research is hindering efforts to address this crisis.
The article highlights the importance of reliable estimates of global demand for an HIV vaccine in achieving various policy objectives. These objectives include convincing governments and industry to invest more in research and product development, guiding government planning of HIV vaccination programs.
Researchers developed a new, simple, and accurate dipstick test to identify the cause of bacterial meningitis outbreaks in Africa. The test uses patient spinal fluid and can determine the presence of four common meningococcus groups, paving the way for targeted treatment decisions.
The sequenced genome of Tetrahymena thermophila encodes over 27,000 protein-coding genes and lacks centromeres, shedding light on the single-celled organism's unique biology. The discovery provides a valuable model for studying eukaryotic evolution.
Researchers report first case of total suppression of male killing in a butterfly, revealing genetic conflict between elements promoting life and death. Breeding experiments show that counteracting elements can spread quickly through the population, potentially leading to widespread disappearance of male-killing bacteria.
Children with childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exhibit lower full-scale IQ scores and impaired executive function. The study suggests OSA may lead to permanent cognitive changes if left untreated.
Researchers found that children exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) receive lower antibody protection after vaccinations. The study suggests that reducing exposure to chemicals that harm immune systems is crucial for young children.
A large study found that traveling for more than 4 hours increases the risk of venous thrombosis by 2-fold. High-risk groups, including those with factor V Leiden and oral contraceptives, have a significantly increased risk of thrombosis after air travel.
New research reveals that the UCP1 gene was inactivated 20 million years ago in pigs, causing them to lose the ability to use brown fat for body heat. As a result, piglets shudder to maintain their body temperature.
Health development agencies contribute to insufficient public health budgets by requiring host countries to fund interventions sustainably. Public health budgets increase with stronger national and international financial commitments, improving healthcare capacity within host countries.
Researchers link cutaneous leishmaniasis cycles to temperature and El Niño Southern Oscillation patterns. The study predicts disease incidence up to 12 months in advance, offering insights into this emerging disease in the Americas.
Researchers found that macrophage entry into the eye encourages new vessel formation, while direct injection of macrophages significantly inhibits this process. This suggests regulators of macrophages may be a possible therapeutic target in AMD.
Researchers say international patent laws and US-negotiated trade agreements are impeding access to life-saving HIV medicines, particularly in resource-poor settings. The current intellectual property law allows pharmaceutical companies to monopolize markets, making treatments unaffordable for many.
A mathematical model predicts that voluntary household-based quarantine and isolation can substantially reduce the number of infected individuals and deaths from pandemic influenza. The study estimates a 27% reduction in symptomatic cases and a corresponding decrease in deaths, with potential benefits for cities worldwide.
Researchers found different types of immune response in children with varying levels of infection, including pro-inflammatory and regulatory responses. These findings may help design vaccines to prevent trachoma infection.
Recruitment incentives have grown due to competition among research sponsors, offering substantial finder's fees. This raises concerns about physician judgment, patient safety, and public trust in clinical research. The issues cannot be resolved by sanctioning individuals, but rather require broader institutional and regulatory reform.
A study of premature babies found that their brain development follows an abnormal pattern, with the surface area growing faster than the volume. The rate of growth is critical in predicting whether a child will experience delayed development. The more premature and male the baby, the slower the growth rate and higher the risk of delay.
A new study suggests that shorter TB treatment courses of just 2 months could reduce new cases and deaths by 13% and 19% respectively. This would free up resources to improve detection efforts and potentially lead to greater impact on TB control. Implementing such treatments earlier than planned in 2012 could yield even more benefits.
A study found that patients with somatization syndrome incorrectly remember the likelihood of medical explanations for their symptoms. Doctors can reduce this bias by asking patients for summaries about what they've been told, benefiting both patients and the healthcare system.
Research ethics committees run for profit face criticism for prioritizing sponsors' interests over study safety. Examples show that well-performing for-profit IRBs exist, but critics argue that the financial stakes create a conflict of interest. Huge profits from clinical trials can lead to delays in approval and impact patient care.
New research shows that British American Tobacco (BAT) has been complicit in China's cigarette smuggling crisis, benefiting from illicit trade. BAT's internal documents show the company has restructured operations to control and expand contraband trade across Asia.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that zebra finch siblings reared on lower-quality diets showed improved growth rates after switching to a normal diet, but at the cost of impaired learning performance. Compensatory growth, rather than diet quality itself, was linked to poor cognitive ability in adulthood.
A cross-sectional study of 1,268 adults in Botswana found that routine HIV testing is widely accepted and may reduce barriers to testing. The authors emphasize the importance of informed consent and human rights safeguards to protect individuals from discrimination and violence related to testing.
A survey found that public funding for cancer research is inadequate in Europe, with an average of €2.56 per person spent compared to $17.63 in the US. The US spends four times as much on cancer research as a percentage of GDP.
Researchers have discovered a potent inhibitor of HPV infection in the compound carrageenan, found in sexual lubricants and baby food. The study suggests that carrageenan could be effective in preventing HPV-related genital disease, complementing existing vaccines and treatments.
A new study resolves a long-standing debate on dinosaur metabolism by using mathematical modeling and fossil data to estimate body temperatures. The results suggest that the largest dinosaurs had relatively constant body temperatures maintained through thermal inertia.
The Ptolemy Project provides electronic health information access to African surgeons, helping them deal with regional health problems. Patient navigators also aid under-served populations in accessing cancer care and services, reducing disparities. Researchers debate providing antiretroviral therapy to HIV-infected trial participants.
A large trial suggests that male circumcision reduces HIV infection risk by 60%. If all men were circumcised, 2 million new infections and 300,000 deaths could be avoided. Long-term benefits would include saving 1.6-5.8 million lives after 20 years.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that avoiding punishment activates the same brain reward centers as receiving a reward. Researchers used fMRI to scan the brains of humans performing an instrumental conditioning task, where participants could either lose or win money. The results showed that the medial orbitofrontal cortex (...
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that gene expression patterns in human lung tumors most similar to those seen in early mouse lung development stages predict poorer outcomes for lung cancer patients. The researchers developed a classification system based on genomic analysis, which may help improve treatment options.
A Spanish newspaper launched an HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B information service online, which became extremely popular in both Spain and Latin America. The service answered over 900 queries in its first year of operation.
The situation of Nepalese children is dire, with over 1 in 11 dying before reaching the age of five, and almost 70,000 annual deaths from preventable causes. The ongoing conflict has disrupted healthcare delivery and education, exacerbating human rights violations.
Researchers developed a strategy combining two human monoclonal antibodies to combat SARS virus, offering potential breadth of protection against all strains and preventing escape variants. The study presents the characteristics of this antibody combination in cell-culture experiments.
Researchers used modeling to predict cost-effectiveness of treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Peru. Individualized treatment was found to be the most cost-effective approach, despite increased costs.
A randomized trial in Zimbabwe found that providing HIV testing at the workplace significantly increases uptake of voluntary counselling and testing. The study suggests that this approach could improve HIV testing rates in Africa, and that intermittent provision might be as effective as continuous testing.
A comprehensive training plan is needed to deliver HIV medicines to patients in poor countries. The authors suggest research is required to define the best approach, including the implementation of such programs.
A genetic variant of BARD1 has been found to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly in women who carry the BRCA2 mutation. The study suggests that inheriting this allele may increase a woman's breast cancer risk, but for most women, the risk is only slight.
The study analyzes data on 9,500 bird species and finds that most have small geographic ranges, while the northern hemisphere shows high variation. Biodiversity peaks in tropical regions, and there's a link between species richness and range size, with high biodiversity areas having smaller ranges.
A study in PLoS Medicine found that US suicide rates fell from 12.2 to 10.4 per 100,000 between 1960 and 2002, coinciding with an increase in fluoxetine prescriptions from 1988 to 2002. The researchers suggest that fluoxetine may have saved up to 33,600 lives during this period.
The study found that environmental quality increases the heritability of birth weight, but selection strength weakens in better environments. This suggests that biologically realistic models are crucial for predicting evolution in wild populations.
Researchers at PLOS Medicine analyzed gene expression in labor and autoimmune disease APS1, finding complex networks of co-regulated genes. The study highlights the importance of making original data available for reanalysis.
A new 'roulette wheel' tool can help patients visualize the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening, allowing them to make more informed decisions. The tool presents probabilities in a clear and accessible way, helping patients weigh the potential benefits against the risks.
A fake malaria drug, artesunate, was found to be contaminated with only 20% of the active ingredient, leading to the death of a 23-year-old man in East Burma. The study highlights the risks of counterfeit antimalarial medicines in Africa, where genuine artesunate is scarce and expensive.
The study finds that HIV/AIDS has a substantial impact on both armed forces and peacekeeping troops worldwide, compromising their effectiveness. Increasing rates of HIV in Russia, India, and China could lead to political, economic, and military repercussions, potentially diverting resources away from the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Researchers De Paepe and Taddei found that bacteriophages exhibit life history trade-offs between survival and reproduction, with rapid reproducers suffering higher casualties outside the host. Two physical parameters account for most of the observed variation in survival, suggesting a fundamental property of evolving entities.
PLOS ONE introduces a new approach to open-access publishing, eliminating barriers between authors and their audience. The platform employs powerful search tools, annotations, and discussion threads to facilitate exploration and understanding of diverse content.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that patients who receive randomly assigned treatments in clinical trials have similar health outcomes as those receiving individualized treatment. The researchers analyzed data from 25 trials involving nearly 18,000 patients and found no significant differences in health outcomes between th...
Research highlights the threat of biological diversity loss to human health, citing Lyme disease and West Nile virus as examples. A rapid autopsy program for a rare lung disease called interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) also improves medical research outcomes.
Researchers found that a bacterial parasite, Pasteuria ramosa, produces intermediate levels of virulence to maximize spore production and host fitness. This tradeoff between host and parasite fitness has important implications for public health strategies to contain emerging parasitic diseases.
The Chikungunya outbreak in the Indian Ocean affects several islands and India, with a large portion of populations infected. The disease is caused by the chikungunya virus, spread by mosquito bites, and has no specific treatment. Genetic analysis reveals unique molecular features among outbreak strains.