New research finds that adding zinc to standard antibiotic therapy significantly reduces treatment failure risk in young children with suspected serious bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and meningitis. The study showed a 40% lower risk of treatment failure and a 43% reduced risk of death among children given zinc.
The Lancet Commission on Healthy Cities highlights the need for active planning to address urban health issues, with examples from Mumbai, London, and Bogota. The report recommends five key recommendations to improve urban health, including building political alliances and experimenting with diverse urban health projects.
Research shows that lung transplant patients receiving organs from smokers tend to survive longer than those waiting on the list, with significant benefits for patients with septic lung disease and fibrosis. The UK's current selection policy of including both smoking and non-smoking donors improves survival rates and should be continued.
A new study published in The Lancet found that intravenous magnesium sulphate does not reduce poor outcomes after haemorrhagic stroke. No difference was observed between patients receiving magnesium and those receiving placebo.
Researchers found that a multidisciplinary approach combining cognitive behaviour therapy with sound-based tinnitus retraining therapy significantly improves quality of life and reduces symptoms in adults with tinnitus. The study recruited 492 adults and showed that the new treatment programme is beneficial for both mild and severe cases.
Recent studies have shown that alteplase can benefit stroke patients aged over 80 years, confirming the benefits of rapid treatment across age groups. The trials found that earlier treatment with alteplase resulted in more patients being alive and independent at 6 months, with a significant reduction in disability.
A large study suggests dementia incidence in middle-income countries is similar to higher-income countries, with education and literacy providing significant protection against the disease. Individuals with dementia face a nearly three-fold increased risk of dying compared to those without.
A new study has shown that giving a daily low-dose of the chemotherapy drug carboplatin at the same time as radiotherapy significantly prolongs survival in elderly patients with lung cancer. Patients who received combined chemoradiotherapy were nearly a third less likely to die than those given radiotherapy alone.
The Lancet review finds that poor-quality antimalarial drugs are a major threat to global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. In Southeast Asia, over a third of analyzed drugs failed chemical testing, while in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly half were found to be fake or contained incorrect active ingredients.
Diabetes-related neuropathy affects 1 in 50 people, causing numbness, tingling, and pain, with costs estimated at $4.6-13.7 billion annually in the USA. A new review suggests various metabolic risk factors, including prediabetes, may be linked to neuropathy, offering potential targets for disease-modifying drugs.
Dabrafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, demonstrates substantial tumor shrinkage in patients with brain metastases from melanoma. The study also reveals potential for the treatment to prolong survival beyond 12 months.
A meta-analysis confirms statins reduce major vascular events by 21% in those with low risk of vascular disease. Statin therapy outweighs known side effects, suggesting current guidelines may need revision.
Recent studies using mendelian randomization have failed to support a causal association between higher concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower risk of heart attack. Instead, findings suggest that raising HDL cholesterol may not uniformly reduce the risk of myocardial infarction in humans.
Pazopanib nearly tripled progression-free survival in patients with metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma whose disease has progressed following standard chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 15 months, and common side effects included fatigue, diarrhoea, and hypertension.
The study found that preventable infectious diseases were responsible for nearly two-thirds of global child under-5 deaths in 2010. Despite progress in reducing certain causes of death, such as pneumonia and measles, significant work remains to be done to meet international targets for improving child survival by 2015.
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that having several medical conditions is not exclusive to old age, but rather affects people under 65. The UK health system must be radically changed to cope with this scenario, as current approaches can be duplicative and inefficient.
New estimates suggest that around 16% of all cancers worldwide are infection-related, with a significant disparity between developed and developing countries. Infection-related cancers are largely preventable, particularly those associated with human papillomaviruses, Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B and C viruses.
A new research published in The Lancet reveals that coordinated efforts across multiple sectors in Millennium Village sites in sub-Saharan Africa have led to a third reduction in child mortality rates under 5 years old. The study found that integrated interventions, including agricultural inputs and basic improvements in water and sani...
A new bivalent recombinant vaccine has been shown to be safe and immunogenic in adolescents, inducing bactericidal antibodies against 90% of invasive meningococcus serogroup B strains. The vaccine's broad protection and high seroprotection rates suggest it may help reduce the global burden of invasive meningococcal disease.
Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive chronic disease causing vision loss worldwide. New treatments like Lucentis and Avastin have transformed management of the condition.
A tidal wave of myopia is sweeping across East Asian countries, with up to 90% of school-leavers affected. Lack of outdoor exposure is thought to be the major cause, while increased schooling and environmental factors also play a role.
Rapid advancements in corneal transplantation have led to the decline of complete cornea transplantation (PK), with newer forms of lamellar transplantation surgery selectively replacing diseased layers offering better visual outcomes and lower risks of complications.
A systematic review of 50 years of data found antipsychotic drugs significantly reduce relapse rates and hospitalizations in patients with schizophrenia. However, they also experience more adverse side effects, including movement disorders and weight gain.
Longer breastfeeding with antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission and improve infant survival. The study found that continued breastfeeding with prophylaxis given for an extended period may be advantageous in improving infant survival.
The report emphasizes the need for more attention and resources devoted to issues facing older children. Adverse trends include early marriage and birth among girls, and high adolescent birth rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Lancet Series on Adolescent Health highlights the worsening health status of adolescents worldwide, who face new challenges such as social media. The authors emphasize the need for improved adolescent health, considering factors like poverty, education, and digital media.
The Lancet comments urge major investments in adolescent health, with a focus on preventive interventions. The authors argue that adolescence is critical for global health goals and that investing in the second decade of life will determine economic success and quality of life.
Prevention programmes in adolescents are vital to prevent problems in adolescence and into adulthood. Successful policies include providing minors with free contraception, raising taxes on alcohol, and graduated licensing policies.
Structural changes to improve access to education and employment are crucial for improving adolescent health, with studies showing completion of secondary school provides great benefits. Education also improves survival rates, reduces injury mortality, and lowers HIV prevalence among adolescents.
The Lancet emphasizes the importance of measuring adolescent health and behavior, setting goals for healthy development, and implementing preventive interventions. By prioritizing adolescent health, policymakers can harness young people's energy, innovation, and productivity to drive progress.
The Lancet series highlights the major challenges facing adolescents today, including disparities in access to resources and services. Sexually transmitted infections with protracted courses are of particular concern, exacerbated by poverty and social inequalities in countries of all incomes.
The largest generation of adolescents worldwide faces significant health risks, including high rates of tobacco and alcohol use, obesity, and physical inactivity. The study highlights the need for better coordination across UN agencies and countries to produce regular reports on adolescent health.
Global measles mortality decreased by 74% from 535,300 deaths in 2000 to 139,300 in 2010. Despite this progress, India and Africa remain major concerns due to low vaccine coverage. The authors suggest intensified control measures are needed to achieve mortality reduction targets.
Silicosis, a preventable lung disease caused by silica inhalation, remains a significant occupational health concern globally. Despite prevention efforts, cases continue to rise in developing countries, highlighting the need for improved workplace safety and regular medical assessments.
A systematic analysis of prison populations worldwide shows that female prisoners are more obese than the general female population apart from in the UK, while male prisoners are slimmer. The study highlights the importance of addressing public health risk factors in vulnerable populations.
A new study shows that magnetically-controlled growing rods can treat scoliosis in children without the need for repeated invasive surgery. The non-invasive procedure, called MCGR, allows for frequent outpatient distractions and has been shown to be effective and safe.
A study by the Institute of Physics suggests that requiring applicants to hold A-level physics qualifications could improve patient outcomes and diagnostic techniques. Medical schools are encouraged to revisit this requirement to provide students with a strong foundation in physics-based medicine.
Physics has made significant contributions to health since its inception, with Nobel Prizes awarded for X-ray discovery. Investments in physics technology and education will enable innovations like nanomedicine and personalized healthcare.
The Lancet series highlights the need for full recognition of medical physics as a profession to ensure patient safety. Inadequate training and recognition can lead to fatal mistakes, emphasizing the importance of proper education and authorisation.
Despite advances in scientific understanding and medical treatments, much work remains to be done to fully understand the causes of dyslexia. Early identification and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for children with dyslexia, according to experts.
A review of the initial medical response after a Christchurch earthquake found that careful preparation and effective triage helped reduce death rates and the burden of injury. The response was critical due to the city's only hospital being damaged, but radiotelephones and mobile phones were used to keep staff updated.
Research suggests that individuals with polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, including Huntington's disease, have a lower risk of developing cancer. This reduced cancer risk is thought to be due to the expansion of certain sequence repeats in specific genes, which impairs gene activity and leads to cell death.
A mobile stroke unit (MSU) strategy roughly halves the time from initial call to treatment decision and can increase the number of eligible patients receiving life-saving treatment. The MSU approach breaks reported times for stroke management and substantially reduces delays in diagnosis and therapy.
A new study reveals that artemisinin-resistant malaria has emerged and increased rapidly along the Thailand-Myanmar border, with parasite clearance half-lives lengthening from 2.6 hours in 2001 to 3.7 hours in 2010. The proportion of slow-clearing infections increased from 0.6% in 2001 to 20% in 2010.
A new fractionated dosing regimen of gemtuzumab ozogamicin significantly improves event-free survival and overall survival for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. The regimen reduces toxicity while delivering a high cumulative dose of the drug.
The Lancet report emphasizes the importance of transforming old attitudes towards aging and addressing non-communicable diseases in older adults. Effective interventions like hypertension management and promoting healthy lifestyles can improve health status with relatively cheap treatments.
A study by Dr. Andreas Engert and colleagues found that six cycles of BEACOPPescalated chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy are more effective in treating advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma with fewer treatment-related events. This approach also reduces toxicity compared to the standard eight-cycle regimen.
A cervical pessary significantly reduces the likelihood of premature delivery in women with a short cervix. The pessary also leads to improved pregnancy outcomes, including reduced rates of low birthweight and respiratory difficulties.
The study finds that early initiation of breastfeeding is the most equitable intervention among various maternal and newborn health interventions. Community-based interventions were more equally distributed than those delivered in health facilities, suggesting a need for targeted efforts to reach poorest individuals.
A new point-of-care genetic test identifies CYP2C19*2 allele, a common variant associated with increased risk of major adverse events. The test enables personalized dual antiplatelet treatment, reducing complications and improving outcomes for patients after coronary interventions.