A randomised trial found that blood stem cell transplant improved disease-free survival in children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, compared to chemotherapy. The study showed a significant gap between the two strategies as patient risk profiles worsened.
Researchers found a strong positive association between FGM and primary infertility, particularly with the most extensive form of the practice. The study suggests that women who have undergone FGM are at a higher risk of infertility due to anatomical changes, highlighting the need for preventive work against female genital mutilation.
A German study found that patients with right-brain stroke were less likely to receive thrombolysis treatment and be admitted to hospital within 3 hours of stroke onset compared to those with left-hemispheric events. This underdiagnosis poses challenges for optimizing stroke management, particularly in the early stages.
A study of over 3,200 HIV patients found that HAART substantially reduces the rate of AIDS progression by 86% compared to no treatment. The effectiveness of HAART increases with time since initiation, but its benefits are reduced for patients who contracted HIV through intravenous drug use.
The Coalition's failure to collect data on Iraqi civilian deaths is a grave concern, rendering the Geneva Conventions' principle of protecting civilian lives farcical. The Lancet comments that this omission makes it impossible to verify the Coalition's claims of respecting Iraq's people and upholding international law.
The UK government's patient-led NHS approach is unlikely to improve health as patients struggle to sift useful information from online sources. The Lancet comments that doctors and patients need to listen to each other more, rather than focusing on complaints culture, for effective care.
The GMC's judgment against Roy Meadow has raised concerns that children will be put at greater risk of abuse and murder. The decision is also expected to deter trainee paediatricians from pursuing a career in child protection, further compromising the system's ability to protect vulnerable children.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that a single dose of chemotherapy is comparable to radiotherapy in treating stage 1 seminoma. Patients who received chemotherapy had fewer seminomas occurring in their remaining testicle and were less likely to develop tumors.
A study found high concentrations of arsenic in a sample of the King's hair, suggesting exposure to heavy metals may have exacerbated his porphyria attacks. The researchers believe antimonial medications containing arsenic were the probable source of the toxin.
Radioisotopes used in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can render patients radioactive, triggering false security alarms at airports. Patients may remain contaminated for up to 30 days after the procedure.
A randomized controlled trial in Pakistan found that handwashing with soap reduced the incidence of pneumonia by 50% and diarrhoea by 53% in children under 5. Handwashing also prevented impetigo. The study highlights the importance of regular handwashing as a cost-effective technique for preventing childhood diseases.
A recent study has found that abdominal injuries in children under 14 are twice as likely to be caused by abuse as road-traffic accidents. The researchers analyzed data from over 180 injured children and found that small-bowel injuries are more common in abused children, especially those under five.
A recent study has shown that buccal midazolam is more effective and faster-acting than rectal diazepam in treating seizures in children. The research, published in The Lancet, found that buccal midazolam was successful in 61% of episodes compared to 27% for rectal diazepam.
A study of over 700 patients undergoing coronary procedures found that distant prayer did not improve clinical outcomes, but patients receiving music therapy had less emotional distress and slightly lower mortality rates.
A study of over 2,200 US girls found that decreased physical activity was the main reason for weight gain and obesity. Increasing physical activity by 2.5 hours of brisk walking per week could potentially prevent weight gain and reduce obesity risk during adolescence.
A large study found that acupuncture significantly improves symptoms in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. However, its effectiveness when compared to standard treatment remains uncertain, and further research is needed to confirm its benefits.
Global HIV/AIDS cases are increasing worldwide, with Africa being only one of the regions affected. The Lancet study highlights the need for international cooperation and resource allocation to address this growing epidemic.
A study found that the cortical zone of the upper femoral neck becomes thinner with age, reducing its ability to absorb energy before buckling. Exercise may be a potential solution, as it can load this region differently than walking, which is the primary source of load on older adults.
Bioethicists who accept funding from pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may be more likely to prescribe industry drugs, even if they believe it has no influence. Researchers argue that stronger measures are needed to ensure independence and credibility in bioethics scholarship.
A study found that withdrawing full karyotyping from prenatal diagnosis for Down's syndrome could lead to undetected other chromosome abnormalities, resulting in preventable mental or physical handicaps. The researchers suggest using PCR plus karyotyping for more efficient detection of clinically significant chromosome abnormalities.
Richard Horton argues that the GMC is not equipped to handle complex medical-law cases and advocates for a Royal Commission to improve judicial processes and strengthen child protection services. The causes of Sally Clark's sons' deaths remain unascertained, highlighting the need for a broader approach to learning from the Clark case.
Rates of HIV-1 infections are growing rapidly in Moscow, with the epidemic spreading beyond high-risk groups to heterosexual populations. The study highlights the urgent need for intervention, such as screening and health education, particularly among women and young people at risk.
Infectious disease transmission in prisons can be prevented with simple and safe harm reduction strategies, yet governments remain reluctant to endorse alternative approaches. The Lancet emphasizes the need for a global approach to acknowledge prison health's contribution to health inequalities.
A study found that routine immunisation of infants with the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine significantly reduced meningitis incidence rates in The Gambia. The researchers hope their findings will encourage other developing countries to adopt Hib vaccination programmes, helping achieve the United Nations' goal of decreasing...
A study of over 13,500 mothers and their partners found that paternal postnatal depression was associated with adverse emotional and behavioral problems in children, especially boys. The effects persisted even after controlling for maternal postnatal depression.
A new study estimates that an additional $5.1 billion annually will be needed to deliver universally available interventions in 42 countries, which will save the lives of 6 million children. The authors conclude that this cost is affordable and reflects a choice made by policy makers and donors.
A randomized trial found that antibiotic treatment does not significantly improve cure rates in children with conjunctivitis. The researchers suggest parents treat children themselves without medical consultation unless symptoms persist or worsen.
A new scoring system, ABCD, predicts the risk of stroke within 7 days of a 'mini-stroke'. The system helps identify high-risk individuals who require emergency investigation and treatment. Most strokes in the UK occur in patients who have been referred to hospital clinics but not seen.
A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology has found that keyhole surgery is a safe and effective option for treating colon cancer. Patients who underwent keyhole surgery had less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times compared to those who received open surgery.
A recent study found that an 8-week course of doxycycline effectively eliminated adult Wuchereria bancrofti worms, a key cause of elephantiasis. The treatment also reduced larval offspring populations, suggesting a promising approach for mass treatment.
Researchers extended the lifespan of blood vessel cells from elderly donors, enabling successful culture of engineered blood vessels. This breakthrough advances tissue engineering towards treating vascular disease.
The Lancet emphasizes the need for open discussion to understand the true extent of drug use, its risks, and effective management strategies. Doctors are lacking essential knowledge due to a lack of transparency and open debate.
Researchers found that nearly 60% of patients with a minor ischaemic stroke died within 10 years, and 54% experienced at least one new vascular event. Event-free survival after 10 years was just 48%. The risk of vascular events decreased over time, but continued secondary prevention is crucial.
Researchers found that obesity and smoking accelerate aging by reducing telomere length, which decreases steadily with age. Smokers experience an average of 4.6 years of accelerated aging, while obese individuals see an additional 8.8 years of age loss compared to lean women.
A randomised trial found that a brief pain management programme delivered by physiotherapists was as effective as a package of physiotherapy incorporating spinal manual-therapy techniques in treating low back pain. The programme resulted in fewer treatment sessions and referrals to secondary care.
A review of published and unpublished data reveals striking gaps in information about childhood disease burden, especially in the poorest countries. The study highlights the need for targeted investment in health research to obtain accurate data from regions with limited access.
A study of 1400 patients with single or infrequent seizures found that delaying antiepileptic drug treatment reduced short-term seizure recurrence. However, there was no significant difference in long-term outcomes, suggesting that immediate treatment may not offer long-term benefits.
A pooled analysis of 15,000 individuals found that current drinkers had a 27% lower risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma compared to non-drinkers. The risk did not vary with alcohol consumption type or age of onset, but was lowest for Burkitt's lymphoma subtype.
A simple packaged intervention improved storage of groundnuts among farmers in Guinea, reducing aflatoxin levels by over half. The intervention significantly lowered disease burden related to the potent environmental toxin, which is associated with increased risk of liver cancer and impaired child growth.
A new study suggests that regular oral visual screening can significantly reduce mortality from mouth cancer, particularly among tobacco/alcohol users. The research found a 50% increase in 5-year survival rates and a 34% reduction in mortality for those screened, highlighting the potential of this simple yet effective procedure to save...
A study found that exposure to aircraft noise impairs reading comprehension in children, with a 5-decibel change causing delays of up to 2 months. Road traffic noise improved recall memory, but increased exposure to both types of noise led to stress and reduced quality of life.
Cancer centers are urged to implement tobacco cessation services, promoting a smoke-free environment for patients and staff. The public is aware of tobacco's risks, and excuses about staff smoking should not justify continued smoking in healthcare facilities.
The UK's chronic need to recruit health professionals from overseas is exacerbating the brain drain in English-speaking sub-Saharan Africa. Experts suggest increasing training of doctors and nurses in the UK and providing practical assistance to African countries affected by loss of health professionals.
A large-scale distribution programme of free NRT in New York found that 33% of recipients successfully quit smoking, compared to 6% in the comparison group. The programme accounted for at least 6,000 successful quits, with a cost of US$464 or less per quit.
The CRASH trial found that corticosteroids increased the risk of death at two weeks compared to a placebo. The study also showed higher risks of death or severe disability in the corticosteroid group than in the placebo group. Corticosteroids are widely used to treat head injuries, but this practice may be harmful.
The Lancet urges Martin Rees, the new President of the Royal Society, to conduct a wide-ranging review of the organization's purpose, programs, and aspirations. The society is criticized for being self-serving and superficial, lacking intellectual substance and international scope.
The World Bank and IMF's public health expenditure ceilings limit external financing for HIV/AIDS projects, forcing countries to allocate funds from existing budgets. This restricts the flow of desperately needed funds to combat the epidemic in developing nations.
The National Children's Study aims to track 100,000 children's health from birth to 21, but faces $2.7 billion funding gap over 25 years. The study will examine environmental factors contributing to childhood chronic disease, with potential economic benefits of reducing disease burden by 1% annually.
Despite China's genetically modified (GM) rice ambitions, poverty and unequal land distribution will persist, hindering efforts to eliminate hunger. The Lancet notes that GM technology is not a solution to food insecurity, but rather a Band-Aid on the symptoms of deeper issues.
A meta-analysis of eight studies suggests that moderate dietary vitamin E intake reduces the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. However, no protective effects were found for vitamin C or beta-carotene.