Researchers have found that infusing patients with their own bone-marrow stromal cells may lead to improved cure rates for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. The study showed 16 patients treated with MSCs were deemed cured at 18 months compared to only 5 without MSC treatment.
The Lancet research series aims to increase value and reduce waste in biomedical research by setting clear priorities, improving research design and conduct, and enhancing regulation and management. The series proposes metrics for stakeholders to monitor the implementation of recommendations.
A daily step increase of just 2000 steps can cut the risk of cardiovascular disease by 8% in those with a high risk of type 2 diabetes. The study, which analyzed data from 40 countries, also found that increasing physical activity levels through walking can substantially reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
A study found that female prisoners in England and Wales self-harmed at an alarming rate, with women accounting for roughly half of all incidents. Self-harm was associated with a higher risk of suicide, particularly among male inmates.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that long-term exposure to fine particles poses the greatest threat to health even within concentration ranges well below EU limits. Annual exposure to PM2•5 increases the risk of dying from natural causes by 7%.
A large systematic review found no link between vitamin D supplementation and reduced risk of acute and chronic diseases, casting doubt on its benefits. Decreases in vitamin D levels are likely a marker of deteriorating health rather than a cause of disease.
A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology found that cancer survival rates still differ significantly between European countries, with Nordic countries having the best survival rates for most cancers. However, there is evidence of narrowing gaps between east and west, particularly for breast and prostate cancers.
The study highlights that many people remain sexually active well into later life and positive sexual experiences are related to overall health and wellbeing. It also shows changes in sexual behaviour over the last century, including earlier onset of sex, increased older people's activity, and a closing gap between men and women.
The report highlights the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, its major causes and consequences, and identifies key areas in which action is urgently needed. The authors call for a fundamental shift in how antibiotics are developed, financed, and prescribed to address this threat.
Researchers identified a novel avian-origin H6N1 virus that closely resembles chicken H6N1 viruses circulating in Taiwan since 1972. The virus has a mutation that could increase its preference for human SAα-2,6 receptors, making it more infectious to humans.
South Asian men have lower resting energy expenditure and metabolically active brown fat compared to Caucasians, which may contribute to their increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Increasing BAT activity through cold exposure or medication could potentially help alleviate this risk.
A new '1-stop' radiotherapy technique has shown non-inferiority to traditional treatment in reducing breast cancer recurrence. The TARGIT trial found a single dose of targeted radiation during or soon after surgery reduced local recurrence risk by 80% compared to standard radiotherapy.
Researchers identify 18F-NaF as a promising tool to detect high-risk coronary plaques in patients with stable and unstable heart disease. The study suggests that this non-invasive technique could transform the way doctors identify, manage, and treat patients at risk of heart attacks.
Experts warn that a Syria polio outbreak could spread to Europe if vaccination coverage is low, particularly in Bosnia, Ukraine, and Austria. High hygiene standards and large refugee populations are key to preventing transmission.
A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that metformin had no significant impact on cardiovascular risk factors in non-diabetic individuals with heart disease taking statins. However, the medication did reduce body weight and other related risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
A new combination pill of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir has been shown to be highly effective in treating genotype 1 hepatitis C, even in patients with cirrhosis or previous treatment failure. The study found a sustained virological response rate of nearly 97%, offering new hope for patients with currently untreatable virus.
A study of four European trials found that HPV-based screening provided greater protection against invasive cervical cancer than cytological screening. The analysis showed that HPV-based screening protected 60-70% more women from invasive cancers, with increased protection seen in women aged 30-35 years and those screened every 5 years.
A new drug, pimavanserin, has shown significant improvement in reducing psychotic symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients. The study found a 37% improvement in psychotic symptoms compared to placebo, with no worsening of motor symptoms reported.
Closure of live poultry markets (LPMs) in four Chinese cities reduced daily human H7N9 infections by over 97%, according to new research. The study confirms LPM closure as a highly effective intervention to prevent human disease and protect public health.
The Xpert test improved same-day diagnosis and reduced treatment drop-out rates in a real-life clinical setting. However, it did not reduce the severity of TB-related illness or overall number of cases treated.
A new class of drug RPL554 has been developed to treat obstructive airway diseases like asthma and COPD. It works by both reversing the narrowing of the airways and reducing inflammation, producing a 17% increase in respiratory function.
Stroke cases among young and middle-aged people have increased by 25% over the last 20 years, with the total number projected to double by 2030. The global burden of stroke is expected to more than double worldwide due to rising disability and premature death.
A 30-year-old Colombian mother received a tissue-engineered trachea in 2008, and five years later, she continues to enjoy a good quality of life without immunological complications or rejection. Regular testing reveals retained lung function and no scarring, although some symptoms remain monitored through bronchoscopies.
A large-scale trial found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly reduced symptoms of health anxiety in medical patients, with improvements sustained at 2 years. The treatment was delivered by non-specialist staff with minimal training and cost-effectively reduced healthcare costs.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that HIV-negative partners who know they are protected from HIV transmission do not engage in significantly more risky sexual behavior. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 participants and found no increase in unprotected sex, despite knowledge of protection.
The study found no clinically meaningful differences in overall quality of care between the LCP-I wards and control wards. However, families rated key aspects of care such as respect, dignity, and kindness, showing some improvement in the LCP-I wards.
A large European study found that exposure to even low levels of air pollution during pregnancy increases the risk of lower birthweight babies. The study estimated that reducing PM2.5 levels could prevent up to 22% of cases of low birthweight.
The EU's total cancer cost was estimated to be €126 billion in 2009, with health care systems accounting for two-fifths of the expenditure. Lung cancer had the highest overall cost, while breast cancer was responsible for the largest share of spending on drugs.
A large meta-analysis of 23 studies involving over 4,000 healthy adults found no significant benefit from vitamin D supplements in preventing osteoporosis. The study's authors conclude that continuing widespread use of vitamin D for osteoporosis prevention in healthy adults without specific risk factors is inappropriate.
A recent trial found that honey did not offer better protection against infection than standard antibiotics in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The study involved 371 participants and showed no significant difference in the time to first infection between the two groups.
A recent 'gold standard' imaging study found no significant difference in rates of venous narrowing among people with MS, their unaffected siblings, and unrelated individuals. The study suggests that chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is not a valid theory for multiple sclerosis.
A new class of RNAi drugs has shown promising results in lowering cholesterol levels by up to 57% in healthy volunteers. The treatment, ALN-PCS, works by blocking the production of PCSK9, a protein that destroys low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors.
A clinical study found that stem-cell enriched fat grafts retained 80.9% of their initial volume, compared to 16.3% for non-enriched grafts, after 121 days. The treated grafts showed significantly higher amounts of adipose tissue and newly formed connective tissue.
A study found that dextrose gel treatment can almost halve the likelihood of hypoglycaemia treatment failure in at-risk babies. Babies treated with dextrose gel were less likely to be admitted to intensive care and formula fed, reducing hospital admissions and costs.
Researchers found that alefacept preserved the body's ability to produce its own insulin, with fewer episodes of hypoglycemia, while selectively targeting disease-causing T cells. The study suggests a potential new strategy for treating type 1 diabetes by restoring balance between immune cells.
Even in the best-case scenario, just 15 countries are expected to meet post-2015 targets for reducing child mortality rates by 2035. The study analyzed data from 69 low- and middle-income countries and found that efforts to improve maternal and child health must intensify to achieve further substantial reductions in child deaths.
A large genetic analysis of MERS-CoV genomes suggests the virus has transmitted from animals to humans on multiple occasions. The study found that the virus evolved quickly and spread between locations, making it unlikely that a single transmission occurred. Further animal studies are needed to establish the source of the virus.
Researchers found that a 3-week radiotherapy course is comparable to the traditional 5-week treatment in terms of tumour control rates. The study also revealed reduced damage to healthy tissue and fewer hospital visits with the shorter treatment schedule.
New research published in The Lancet finds that caseload midwifery is just as safe as standard maternity care, with similar outcomes for women of any risk. Women who received caseload midwifery care had lower costs and improved breastfeeding rates.
A pilot study found that comprehensive lifestyle changes increased telomere length by an average of 10%, while control group telomeres decreased by 3%. The study suggests that such lifestyle changes may significantly reduce the risk of diseases and premature mortality.
Researchers developed a novel DiaRem score to predict likelihood of diabetes remission after gastric bypass surgery. The score considers four factors: insulin use, age, haemoglobin A1c concentration, and type of anti-diabetic drugs.
A new meningitis vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of all cases of meningitis by 94% and carriage prevalence of the epidemic strain by 98%, according to a recent study. The vaccine was found to be highly effective in vaccinated regions, with no cases of serogroup A meningitis identified.
A new simple and rapid test can clearly identify artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites in people with the disease. The test was developed using ring-stage survival assays (RSAs) and shows promise for use in field-based settings to monitor artemisinin resistance.
A multi-country study surveyed over 10,000 men in Asia-Pacific regions, finding that 11% reported raping a woman not their partner, rising to 24% including partners. Factors associated with rape perpetration include sexual entitlement, entertainment, and history of victimization.
A US-funded national smoking cessation campaign, 'Tips from former smokers,' helped at least 100,000 smokers quit smoking. The campaign, which ran from March to June 2012, saw a 12% relative increase in smokers trying to quit during the campaign period.
A trial comparing e-cigarettes with nicotine patches found they were comparable in helping smokers quit, with e-cigarettes showing higher reduction in cigarette consumption after six months. The study suggests e-cigarettes have potential as effective smoking cessation aids despite regulatory uncertainty and inconsistency.
Children with inherited metabolic diseases, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or multiple risk factors have worse prognosis. Younger age, lower weight, congestive heart failure, and abnormal left ventricle structure are significant risk factors for death or transplantation.
A team of researchers found multiple roundworm eggs in soil samples taken from Richard III's pelvis, indicating a genuine infection. The presence of no eggs in skull soil and few in surrounding grave soil suggests the infection was internal, not from external contamination.
Mental and substance use disorders were the leading cause of non-fatal illness worldwide in 2010, with depressive disorders accounting for 40% of the burden. The analysis also found that mental and substance use disorders were responsible for more deaths than HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, with opioids causing the greatest health burden.
A large-scale analysis of nearly half a million death records in South Africa reveals that the death rate from tobacco is more than twice as great in the coloured population. Smoking causes one in four deaths among middle-aged men and one in six deaths among middle-aged women in this group.