A study found that paid tobacco industry consultants dominated the journal's editorial board, influencing research on environmental tobacco smoke. 61% of relevant papers published during this period had positive conclusions favorable to the tobacco industry.
The Lancet report highlights the 'silent humanitarian crisis' of 3900 children dying daily from inadequate sanitation and safe drinking water. The authors recommend scaling up efforts to expand coverage by 2015 without significant financial investment or technological breakthroughs.
Vaccination of healthy children in the US and Canada shows limited efficacy in reducing disease spread, hospitalizations, and complications. The study's findings suggest that immunization of very young children does not support a reduction in mortality and community transmission.
Countries like Canada, USA, Australia, and New Zealand have adopted stringent policies for compulsory screening of new entrants for TB and HIV. However, UK public inquiry concluded that such a policy would not be effective at protecting public health.
A two-year pilot scheme to offer free Chlamydia trachomatis testing in UK pharmacies aims to combat rising infection rates. However, concerns surround adequate training for pharmacists and the provision of follow-up care for those testing positive.
Researchers found that adding a vaccine targeting the Philadelphia chromosome protein can reduce residual disease and increase molecular response in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia. The vaccine was shown to be effective in combination with imatinib and interferon alfa treatments.
Researchers identified a 76-gene signature that can predict disease relapse in patients with lymph-node negative breast cancer. The signature showed high sensitivity (93%) but lower specificity (48%) in predicting distant recurrence within five years.
A review of North American studies found consistent evidence that media violence is associated with increased aggressive play and behavior in younger children. The effect is small but significant, particularly in boys, and persists even when socioeconomic factors are considered.
A novel mosquito control strategy using Mesocyclops crustaceans has proven effective in eradicating Aedes aegypti and reducing dengue fever cases in Vietnam. The approach involves inoculating large water storage containers with the crustaceans, targeting areas with high mosquito larva production.
A study found significant variations in antibiotic use across European countries, with higher rates in southern and eastern regions. The research suggests that population-based studies are needed to understand the motivations behind antibiotic use and develop effective strategies to reduce resistance.
A recent study reveals that HIV/AIDS deaths were likely three times as high as reported by the government in 2000-01, due to misclassification on death certificates. The South African Government must acknowledge and tackle the HIV/AIDS crisis, which has been slow to progress in providing antiretroviral treatment.
A new study found that a once-daily treatment of the antibiotic tobramycin is effective in treating cystic fibrosis patients, particularly in reducing kidney-related side effects. The trial recruited 219 patients and showed similar results in both children and adults.
The RAE's focus on funding has compromised training of medical students and high-quality translational research. The authors propose abolishing the RAE, recommending efficient peer-review mechanisms to recognize research excellence without compromising clinical academics.
A study of WHO database records found 93 cases of SSRIs associated with neonatal convulsions or withdrawal syndrome. Paroxetine was linked to the most cases, suggesting it may cause more severe symptoms than other SSRIs. The findings recommend careful monitoring and lower doses for paroxetine use during pregnancy.
A study combining data from 11 trials found that early supported discharge services reduced deaths, dependency, and hospital stays by 8 days. The service, which provides rehabilitation and support in a community setting, is especially beneficial for patients with mild to moderate disability.
Alcohol contributes significantly to global health, with 4% of the global burden attributed to it. Raising prices and reducing availability can lower consumption and mortality rates. However, ineffective policies hinder progress in controlling excessive drinking.
A recent US study reveals that a significant portion of African Americans hold conspiracy theories about HIV/AIDS, which may frustrate efforts to combat the epidemic. Public health officials need to address these concerns and develop culturally sensitive strategies to reach at-risk populations.
Breast implant infections can occur due to various risk factors, including capsular contraction. Experts propose diagnostic and management strategies for such problems. Antibiotics may prevent capsular contraction caused by subclinical infection.
A large study found that early surgery does not reduce deaths and disability in patients with brain hemorrhage. Only patients with small blood clots near the surface of the brain may benefit from surgical intervention.
A study estimates that a person would need to eat at least 1.5kg of neural tissue from an infected animal to be at risk of developing vCJD. The investigation found the efficiency of infection from cow to primate could be 7-20 times lower than intraspecies infection for cattle.
A case report reveals a traveller from a tsunami-affected region developed mucormycosis, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and treatment. The study suggests that travellers repatriated from affected areas can serve as predictors of infections in survivors.
A Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO) project has successfully brought together Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian health professionals to address common health issues. The program has expanded to include activities on maternal and child health, young people's health and infectious diseases.
A recent study found that Vioxx increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 34%, with a higher risk associated with standard and high doses. The study estimated that 88,000-140,000 excess cases of serious coronary heart disease occurred in the US due to Vioxx use.
A comprehensive review of UK asthma frequency and health service use found that south Asian people had lower asthma symptoms, while black people had similar symptoms. South Asians were three times more likely, and blacks twice as likely, to have emergency hospital admissions for the condition.
A single gene mutation in the LRRK2 gene has been identified as a cause of around one in 25 cases of Parkinson's disease worldwide. The mutation is associated with both inherited and sporadic forms of the disease, suggesting new diagnostic and treatment options on the horizon.
The UN Millennium Project reports that many poor regions, especially sub-Saharan Africa, are far off-track to achieve the MDGs. However, the goals are still achievable if the world takes bold steps in 2005 to improve hundreds of millions of lives and save millions annually.
The global prevalence of high blood pressure is expected to increase from a quarter to a third by 2025, totaling over 1 billion adults. Developing countries are projected to bear the brunt of this increase, with three-quarters of the world's population with high blood pressure in these regions.
Researchers used Mendelian randomization to investigate the link between homocysteine levels and stroke risk. They found that individuals with a specific genetic variation had higher homocysteine levels and increased stroke risk, suggesting a potential role for folic acid and B vitamins in preventing strokes.
A new institution is proposed to measure and prioritize all major global threats, enabling governments to formulate informed policies. The World Institute for Risk Evaluation (WIRE) would gather evidence, quantify risks, and provide data-driven conclusions.
A study reveals tobacco companies' strategies to counteract research linking tobacco smoke to cancer-causing mutations in the p53 gene. The industry supported studies that appeared to cast doubt on this link, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and the integrity of scientific research.
Pegylated interferon-alpha shows promise in treating chronic hepatitis B infection, with higher sustained viral response rates compared to monotherapy. The study highlights the importance of hepatitis B virus genotype as a predictor of treatment response.
A UK study found that isolating patients with MRSA in ICUs does not significantly reduce cross-infection. The study suggests that standard precautions and hand hygiene are more effective in preventing MRSA transmission.
The Lancet proposes two solutions to address aid coordination issues in tsunami-hit regions: an inter-governmental panel and an International Commission on Global Responses to Complex Emergencies. These measures aim to prevent competing agendas from hindering relief efforts.
A simple sputum test has been developed to confirm childhood tuberculosis diagnosis in infants and young children. The test uses sputum induction, which was found to be effective even in young infants, with almost 40% of children under one year of age having a positive culture.
The article discusses limitations of trial data generalizability and proposes recommendations to improve reporting and external validity. It emphasizes the need for increased consideration of external validity in guidelines and primary reports of RCTs and systematic reviews.
A recent study analyzed 6373 infants who completed a support program for parents experiencing SIDS. The findings suggest that most second and third unexpected infant deaths are due to natural causes. Eighty to ninety percent of cases were determined to be natural, with the remaining ten percent having unclear or suspicious circumstances.
A US study found a strong link between frequent fast-food consumption and weight gain, as well as increased insulin resistance in young black and white adults. The study of over 3000 participants showed that those who ate at fast food restaurants more frequently gained more weight and developed insulin resistance.
A study comparing the relative sensitivity of colonoscopy, ACBE, and CTC found that colonoscopy detected 98% of large and 99% of small lesions, outperforming ACBE and CTC. The results have important implications for clinicians considering colon imaging tests and potentially for colon cancer screening programs.
A randomized trial involving over 650 participants found that OTC acne treatments were as effective as oral antibiotic tablets. Benzoyl peroxide was identified as the cheapest and most cost-effective treatment, with a significant difference in cost-effectiveness between regimens.
A new study suggests that implantable pacemakers could identify and prevent potentially fatal cardiac abnormalities in patients with epilepsy. The devices monitored heart rhythms during seizures, revealing that four patients had periods of asystole and received permanent pacemaker insertion.
The Lancet's Paper of the Year 2004 exposed flaws in pharmaceutical companies and highlighted the need for an international register of randomized clinical trials. The paper also mentioned notable contributions from Richard Doll and Salim Yusuf.
A new gene therapy approach has successfully corrected immunodeficiencies in 17 of 18 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease. The treatment, which involves introducing a 'good' gene into stem cells, has shown clear and sustained clinical benefits.
Deep-fried Mars bars are widely sold in Scottish fish and chip shops, with 15 shops reporting health concerns. The Mediterranean diet appears to be influencing local food trends, with deep-fried pizza also gaining popularity.
A study published in The Lancet found an underlying autoimmune process linked to narcolepsy in people with a certain genetic profile. This breakthrough could lead to improved disease treatment and earlier diagnosis using a clinically useful assay.
A European study has found a persistent three-decade increase in childhood cancer incidence, with rising rates in all tumour types. The study also shows that survival rates have improved substantially over the past three decades, with 5-year actuarial survival rates reaching 75% for children in western Europe.
Child survival must be UNICEF's priority to address the global plight of children and prevent unnecessary deaths. The agency needs a visionary leader with the skills and experiences to tackle institutional weaknesses and promote child health.
The ATAC study's 5-year follow-up results show anastrozole increased disease-free survival and reduced cancer recurrence, with fewer side effects compared to tamoxifen. Anastrozole is now considered the preferred initial adjuvant endocrine treatment for postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive localised breast cancer.
A study from Honduras found that direct cash payments to poor families increased the take-up of antenatal and infant health services, with a 15-20% increase in coverage. This suggests that such interventions could improve maternal and child health outcomes in developing countries.
A study of over 2700 children found repeated prenatal ultrasounds during pregnancy had no long-term impact on growth or development. Physical and developmental assessments showed similar outcomes between children exposed to multiple ultrasounds and those with a single scan.
The editorial concludes that deworming programs have substantial public health benefits and reductions in global burden of disease. Simple, effective, safe, and cheap treatments are already available, but systematic delivery requires industry, funders, and political will.