Newborns and young infants with severe bacterial infections can be effectively treated outside hospital with simplified antibiotic regimens, reducing deaths and improving adherence. The Lancet study found that treatment failures were low in all three trials, and the risk of death was similar to infants who received hospital care.
Researchers have developed a new Ebola vaccine based on the 2014 virus strain, showing it to be safe and provoking an immune response. In a phase 1 clinical trial, participants receiving high doses of the vaccine had a 100% positive immune response rate.
A new risk score called Globorisk predicts 10-year heart disease and stroke risk for individuals aged 40+, using data from eight cohort studies with over 50,000 participants. The score can be updated to fit local conditions and risk factor levels in different countries.
The Xpert MTB/RIF assay shows improved sensitivity for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis in children compared to smear microscopy. However, the test's sensitivity remains suboptimum compared to culture tests, highlighting the need for continued research and clinical acumen in TB diagnosis.
The World Health Organization's End TB Strategy aims to eliminate tuberculosis through optimized implementation of current tools, universal health coverage, and adequate research investment. By implementing these approaches, the authors assert that ending the tuberculosis epidemic is achievable within two decades.
Climate change is expected to accelerate the emergence of vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue fever in the UK. Rising temperatures could enable disease-carrying mosquitoes like Aedes albopictus to survive across large parts of England and Wales within decades.
A phase 3 trial shows that brentuximab vedotin significantly increases progression-free survival in adults with hard-to-treat Hodgkin lymphoma. The drug was found to be well-tolerated, with side effects including peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia.
A 30-year study of nearly 3500 newborns found that longer breastfeeding duration is associated with increased intelligence, longer schooling, and higher adult earnings. The longer a child was breastfed, the greater the magnitude of the benefits.
Acute kidney injury affects 13 million people annually and contributes to 1.7 million deaths. Experts believe it can be nearly eliminated in 10 years with current treatments costing $150 per patient. The Lancet Commission proposes a three-pronged strategy to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and invest in sustainable infrastructure.
A new study reveals that at least 2.3 million people may have died prematurely from kidney failure in 2010 due to lack of access to life-saving treatment. The researchers predict that the number of patients needing dialysis or transplantation will more than double to 5.4 million by 2030.
A global tobacco-free world is achievable in less than three decades with sufficient political support and stronger action against the tobacco industry. The Lancet experts call for a 'turbo-charged' effort to phase out tobacco sales by 2040, citing one billion expected deaths from smoking if efforts are not accelerated.
A comprehensive programme providing healthy eating guidance, exercise, and brain training appears to slow down cognitive decline in older people at risk of dementia. The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability found a 25% increase in mental function scores in the intervention group.
A large nationwide cohort study found that people with ADHD have a lower life expectancy and are more than twice as likely to die prematurely as those without the disorder. Accidents were the most common cause of death in individuals with ADHD, and women had a higher relative risk of premature death compared to men.
Three Austrian men have undergone a new technique called 'bionic reconstruction', enabling them to use a robotic prosthetic hand controlled by their mind. The technique restored a high level of function, aiding in activities of daily living and improving quality of life.
The Lancet's Obesity Series reveals that global progress towards tackling obesity has been 'unacceptably slow', with only one in four countries implementing policies on healthy eating. The series calls for a radical shift in approach, including smart food policies and increased accountability to governments and industries.
Global diet quality has improved for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables over the past two decades, but unhealthy foods have increased in consumption. The study found that diet patterns vary widely by national income, with low-income countries having poorer diets.
A meta-analysis of 52 studies found that short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing the two most common types of ovarian cancer. Women who used HRT for 5 years or more had a 40% higher likelihood of developing ovarian cancer compared to those who never took HRT.
A leading group of obesity experts argues that obesity is a chronic disease with biological causes that cannot be cured by diet and exercise. Many people with obesity struggle to lose weight and regain it, as their bodies have adapted to conserve energy during times of food scarcity.
A long-term analysis of 63 countries between 2000 and 2011 found that unemployment is associated with a 20-30% increased risk of suicide. The study estimates that about 45,000 suicides are linked to unemployment annually.
A large meta-analysis involving over 200,000 people with type 1 diabetes found that women face a 40% increased excess risk of death from all causes and have more than twice the risk of dying from heart disease compared to men. Women with type 1 diabetes also face a greater excess risk of strokes and kidney disease.
A global study found that socioeconomic differences in adolescent mental and physical health increased between 2002 and 2010, with poorer youth more likely to be less active, have larger BMI, and report more symptoms. The study highlights urgent action needed to tackle inequities in adolescent health.
New research published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that video-based therapy can modify the emergence of autism-related behaviors and symptoms in infants at risk of autism. The therapy showed improvements in infant engagement, attention, and social behavior, with a moderate effect on reducing some children's risk of autism.
A new study found that reducing fear avoidance beliefs is crucial for improving symptoms and reducing disability in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. The analysis of PACE trial data revealed that graded exercise therapy (GET) was more effective than cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in reducing fear avoidance beliefs.
A study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that smokers who metabolize nicotine quickly have better quit rates with varenicline, a non-nicotine replacement therapy drug. In contrast, slow metabolizers have similar success with the nicotine patch but without side effects.
A meta-analysis of 12 studies involving over 39,500 women found a moderate increase in HIV risk associated with DMPA use, with no increased risk for oral contraceptive pills or other hormonal methods. The study highlights the need for further research on high-risk groups
A phase 1 trial confirms two experimental Ebola DNA vaccines are safe and stimulate a similar immune response in Ugandan adults as reported in US adults earlier this year. The vaccines generated neutralizing antibodies and T-cells against the virus proteins, providing comparable safety and immune response.
A Ugandan doctor contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone and was flown to Germany for aggressive treatment involving the experimental drug FX06. The doctor developed severe multi-organ failure but made a marked improvement under intensive care and drug treatment, with no Ebola virus genetic material detected after 30 days.
A study published in The Lancet found that prostaglandin analogue eye drops can reduce the risk of vision loss in people with open angle glaucoma by over 50% over 2 years. The treatment showed significant benefits even after just 12 months, and more frequent testing can lead to faster data collection and improved drug development.
Despite global improvements in life expectancy, death rates for certain causes such as drug use disorders, liver cancer, and chronic kidney disease have increased since 1990. Global life expectancy has risen by 5.8 years in men and 6.6 years in women between 1990 and 2013, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013.
A new study in The Lancet has found that combining insecticide spraying with bed nets offers no additional protection against malaria. In fact, the researchers suggest that investing more resources into providing bed nets may be a more effective solution to tackle malaria, as it is a low-cost and cost-effective method.
A study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that obesity is associated with a dramatic increase in risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As a result, adults who are overweight or obese may lose up to 19 years of healthy life, while those who are very obese may lose up to 8 years.
Ebola virus disease is a febrile illness with severe gastrointestinal symptoms that can cause profound water and electrolyte depletion leading to circulatory collapse and death. Implementing practical protocols for managing fluids and electrolytes has not been given sufficient priority, which could substantially reduce the death rate.
A systematic review found that premature birth, neurological disorders, and multiple medical conditions significantly increase the risk of hospitalization in children with influenza. The study highlights the need for clearer guidelines on which children should be prioritized for seasonal flu vaccination.
Improvements in cancer survival mean half of all people diagnosed today will survive at least 10 years, compared to a quarter 40 years ago. However, cancers like lung, stomach, and pancreatic cancer remain extremely challenging to treat.
Medical experts call for radical improvements in UK liver disease treatment and detection, citing a 'postcode lottery' for patients. The commission recommends increasing specialist centers and improving primary care services to address excessive alcohol use and obesity.
The CONCORD-2 study shows extreme variations in 5-year cancer survival estimates among countries, with some countries achieving high survival rates for certain cancers. Improvements are seen in developed countries and South America, but deficiencies remain in developing countries.
New estimates suggest excess body weight causes around 481,000 new cancer cases annually in adults, with a quarter of these cases (118,000) avoidable by reducing rising BMI since 1982. Obesity-related cancer disproportionately affects women, particularly post-menopausal breast and endometrial cancers.
Despite estimates suggesting that universal health coverage for US military veterans is within reach, over a million veterans remain uninsured. The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion offer opportunities for coverage, but political hurdles and misinformation hinder progress.
The Lancet highlights that current efforts to prevent violence against women and girls are inadequate, with 1 in 3 women experiencing physical or sexual violence. The series urges policy makers, health practitioners, and donors to take five key actions to address the crisis.
A brief coping strategies therapy significantly improves dementia carers' mental health and quality of life, reducing depression and anxiety by 7 times. The START programme is a cost-neutral intervention that can be widely available to support family carers.
Research suggests that guidelines limiting duration of overseas deployment in UK troops may have prevented 138 cases of PTSD, among other mental health issues. The Harmony Guidelines, introduced in 2006, limited tours to 13 months or less over a 3-year period.
This Special Issue examines the evolution of knowledge on infectious diseases, military psychiatry, and surgical pain since World War I. Research highlights the need for new antimicrobial drugs and improved treatments for post-amputation pain, while also discussing the impact of war on healthcare and public health policy.
As people live longer, soaring levels of chronic illness and diminished wellbeing threaten the quality of life of older people. Strategies are needed to prevent and manage chronic conditions through affordable healthcare and social environment changes.
A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by around 80% in obese people compared to standard care. This significant reduction was observed even after controlling for other important factors such as smoking and high blood pressure.
The Lancet Commission argues that cultural understanding is crucial for advancing healthcare and prioritizing individual and community wellbeing. The commission highlights the need for greater recognition of cultural assumptions and biases among medical professionals.
A new study predicts that current international efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in Montserrado, Liberia, will not be sufficient to contain the epidemic. The research estimates that up to 170996 total cases and 90122 deaths are projected by December 15, 2014, without expanded control measures.
A new series on homelessness in high-income countries highlights the alarming health risks faced by homeless individuals, including higher rates of tuberculosis and depression. The series also notes that despite an expansion of services, the risk of death among homeless people has remained similar over the past 20 years.
Researchers predict that without effective exit screening, Ebola-infected travelers will continue to pose a significant risk of international spread. With 2-3 cases predicted to travel abroad every month, countries with limited medical resources may struggle to respond effectively to imported cases.
The incidence of early-onset and late-onset group B streptococcal disease increased in the Netherlands after guidelines were introduced, mainly due to a rise in virulent clonal complex 17 strains. Universal screening and antibiotic prophylaxis for pregnant women may be necessary to prevent all infections.
The Surgical Trauma Series examines the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of large-scale trauma. Researchers discuss the systemic immune response to trauma, its association with reduced resistance to infection, and the role of ageing in influencing survival rates.