A significant body of evidence suggests that folic acid supplements have no association with an increased likelihood of having a multiple birth. In this large-scale Chinese study, around 240,000 women who used daily folic acid supplements did not show a higher rate of multiple births compared to those who did not use supplements.
International health experts urge the British Prime Minister to consider the humanitarian impacts of war on Iraq, citing estimates of 48,000 to 260,000 potential deaths. The letter highlights the long-term negative effects of collective violence and opposes military intervention in Iraq.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that single-parent children are at a higher risk of experiencing severe health outcomes, including psychiatric disease, suicide attempts, injury, and addiction. Children in single-parent households were twice as likely to have psychiatric disease compared to those in two-parent households.
A new treatment, interleukin-11 (IL-11), has shown early promise in reducing the risk of infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy for blood cancer. Patients who received IL-11 experienced significantly fewer cases of bacterial infections compared to those who received a placebo.
The World Trade Organisation serves the interests of pharmaceutical companies and wealthy countries, hindering efforts to make affordable medicines available in poor countries. A proposed global deal aimed at increasing access to generic drugs has been rejected due to US opposition, prompting calls for a re-evaluation of the issue.
Dutch researchers found a possible link between IVF and eye cancer in children. The study suggests that IVF children are 5-7 times more likely to develop retinoblastoma, a rare form of childhood eye cancer. Researchers are now calling for closer follow-up and monitoring of IVF-conceived children.
A cross-sectional study of Tibetan adults found that low back pain is a significant problem, impairing health and productivity. Effective interventions, such as safer back positioning and flip-charts, can help reduce the burden of low back pain in rural societies.
A rapid diagnostic test for plague has been developed to detect antigens at low concentrations within 15 minutes of infection. The test is 100% sensitive and reliable, detecting more infections than conventional laboratory assessments and providing opportunities for bioterrorism preparedness and response.
Researchers found that recombinant activated factor VIIA significantly reduced blood loss during abdominal prostate removal surgery. Patients given the drug required no blood transfusions, whereas those receiving placebo did.
A new study from the Liverpool Diabetic Eye Study has proposed optimal screening intervals for diabetic eye disease, based on incidence data. The findings suggest that patients with no baseline retinopathy should be screened every 3 years, while those with background retinopathy can be screened annually.
Women with atypical lobular hyperplasia are three times more likely to develop invasive breast cancer, often on the same side as the atypia. The study challenges current beliefs that risk is equal in both breasts after a diagnosis of this condition.
The World Health Organization is strengthening its anticancer initiatives by tackling corporate influence and improving the handling of expert declarations. Several prominent scientists have raised concerns about inappropriate corporate influence on the International Agency for Research on Cancer, prompting changes to be made.
A comprehensive analysis of 23 trials involving 7700 patients found primary angioplasty to be superior to thrombolytic therapy in reducing short-term death, non-fatal heart attacks, and strokes. The benefits were sustained over longer-term follow-up.
Experimental evidence suggests that stem cell implantation can trigger angiogenesis in damaged heart tissue, leading to improved blood flow and potentially safe treatment outcomes. However, further controlled studies are needed to fully understand the role of cell transplantation in myocardial regeneration.
The study found that nearly half of promotional claims were not supported by corresponding references, with the most common error being recommending treatment to a different patient group than those assessed in the reference study. Doctors should be cautious when assessing advertisements claiming greater efficacy, safety, or convenience.
Research explores whether animal antibiotics contribute to rising human resistance rates. The study finds that animal antibiotics can indeed fuel human antibiotic resistance, highlighting the need for stricter regulations on their use.
A study of 213 terminally-ill cancer patients found that only 7% expressed concern over losing dignity. The majority reported psychological distress and symptom distress instead. This highlights the need for dignity-conserving care in palliative care.
Researchers explore the role of statins in preventing CNS leucocyte accumulation in multiple sclerosis, a condition that increases dementia risk. A review on mild cognitive impairment highlights the urgency to address these disorders.
A study found that folic acid fortification of grain foods in Ontario, Canada reduced the risk of neural tube defects from 1.13 to 0.58 per 1000 births. The researchers recommend adopting a programme of folic-acid food fortification and increased use of periconceptional folic acid tablets.
A study of 1000 postmenopausal women who survived a first heart attack found no difference in recurrent heart attacks or cardiac death between those given oestrogen therapy and placebo. The study provides insufficient evidence to alter current guidance against HRT for cardiovascular disease prevention.
A meta-analysis of over 1 million participants from 61 studies found that lower blood pressure is strongly linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular causes, including stroke and ischemic heart disease. The study suggests that even small reductions in average blood pressure can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes.
A new antibiotic, fosmidomycin, has been shown to be effective against the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, with rapid parasite elimination and fever reduction. Cure rates after two weeks were 89%, 88%, and 60% for treatment durations of 5, 4, and 3 days, respectively.
Research suggests that sunlight influences brain serotonin activity, which is linked to seasonal mood changes and depression. The study's findings provide insight into the role of environmental factors in regulating mood disorders.
A joint campaign between The Lancet and the Rockefeller Foundation aims to highlight critical issues in WHO's Director-General election, including a pressing need for leadership, funding reform, and prioritizing global health equity. The campaign seeks responses from candidates on key questions and calls for public scrutiny and debate.
A randomized trial found that a single dose of 1.5 mg levonorgestrel is as effective as traditional regimens for emergency contraception, with no significant differences in pregnancy rates or side-effects. The new regimen simplifies use and reduces side effects, allowing women to begin regular contraception sooner.
A new study has identified azithromycin as an effective single-dose antibiotic treatment for children with cholera, reducing diarrhoea duration by 24 hours compared to erythromycin. However, the high cost of azithromycin may limit its widespread adoption in treating childhood cholera.
Researchers found that normalizing induced sputum eosinophil count reduces asthma exacerbations by 63% and severe asthma attacks by 67%. The strategy has implications for regular monitoring of airway inflammation to treat moderate to severe asthma.
Research in China identifies eight significant risk factors for suicide, including depression, previous attempts, and chronic stress. The study suggests that focusing on individual risk factors may not be effective in reducing suicide rates, emphasizing the importance of a multi-factor approach to prevention.
Research found that children from low socioeconomic backgrounds experienced poorer cardiovascular health and higher rates of adult periodontal disease in adulthood. Upward mobility during childhood did not reverse negative health outcomes associated with a poor environment.
A study in Hong Kong found that reducing sulphur emissions led to a 2% decline in all-cause deaths and a 5% decrease in respiratory disease-related deaths. The policy change also resulted in increased life expectancy, with women experiencing a 20-day lifetime increase and men experiencing a 40-day increase.
Graham Dukes argues that the pharmaceutical industry prioritizes shareholder interests over global public health. He criticizes the industry's practices, including excessive pricing and promotional activities, which do not account for societal needs.
A recent study found that pravastatin treatment reduced coronary death, non-fatal heart attack, and fatal or non-fatal stroke by 15% in adults aged 70-82. The benefits were most pronounced for reducing death from heart disease, with a nearly 25% relative risk reduction.
The pharmaceutical industry's focus on high-income markets is hindering access to essential drugs in less-developed countries, where millions lack access to life-saving medications. Voluntary licensing arrangements and freer trade could improve access to patented drugs, according to experts.
A new study led by Alan Scott found that screening men for aortic aneurysms can significantly reduce aneurysm-related deaths. The Multicentre Aneurysm Screening Study showed a relative risk reduction of around 50% among screened men, with a corresponding decrease in absolute risk.
Researchers found a fourfold increase in cerebral infarct deaths compared to hemorrhage between the 1930s and 1990s. This trend closely matched that of coronary heart disease, suggesting a common cause for these diseases, but differing from cerebral hemorrhage which showed a steady decline
The pharmaceutical industry's political power can hinder effective drug regulation, leading to unsafe and ineffective drugs. A robust regulatory system is necessary to protect public health from the interests of the industry.
A large study of over 17,000 Dutch adults found that those who drank seven or more cups of coffee a day were 50% less likely to develop type-2 diabetes. The study suggests that components of coffee other than caffeine may be beneficial for glucose metabolism, but long-term effects are unknown.
A randomized trial of 1000 patients with a history of CAD found that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in alpha-linolenic acid significantly reduced cardiac events and mortality. The study demonstrated improved metabolic profiles without increased non-cardiac deaths.
Research suggests that low-grade glioma patients treated with early radiotherapy have impaired cognitive abilities, particularly memory. High doses of radiotherapy (over 2 Gy) exacerbate this effect. The study's findings imply that radiation therapy should be cautiously applied to asymptomatic patients and used in moderation.
The pharmaceutical industry invests heavily in medical information, which can impact clinical practice and patient outcomes. However, this information is often kept secret, duplicated, and biased towards commercial interests, undermining public health needs.
The World Health Report 2002 reveals that childhood and maternal underweight, unsafe sex, high blood pressure, and tobacco consumption are the leading causes of global burden of disease. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption can be a simple step towards reducing certain risk factors.
Quorum sensing allows bacteria to coordinate unified attacks on hosts through the production of virulence factors. Disrupting quorum sensing might be used to control infection. Other reviews discuss athogenesis of coagulase-negative staphylococci, Q fever in children, and testosterone therapy in HIV wasting syndrome.
Imatinib mesylate has shown significant effectiveness in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), a previously difficult-to-treat cancer type. The drug's success is attributed to its ability to target KIT tyrosine kinase mutations, which are present in most GISTs.
Researchers have found that high-frequency stimulation of the brain can alleviate obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Two patients who underwent electrode implantation showed significant improvement in compulsive behaviors, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for severe OCD.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that endovascular coil therapy is significantly more effective than neurosurgical clipping in treating subarachnoid hemorrhage. For patients with suitable conditions, the treatment resulted in a relative reduction of 25% in risk of dependency or death after one year, as well as an absolute r...
A study compared the impact of young adult teams (YAT) and ad hoc services on young disabled people's participation in society. YATs were found to be more effective, with participants being 2.5 times more likely to engage in activities. The findings suggest that coordinated multidisciplinary teams can make a difference at no extra cost.
A study found that conventional explanations of consent forms were insufficient to ensure understanding among research participants in Haiti. In contrast, in-depth explanations with visual material resulted in high pass rates on an oral test, highlighting the need for new techniques to improve informed consent processes.
Two studies found that reducing air pollution through coal bans and emission controls leads to significant decreases in mortality rates, particularly for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Estimated reductions include 116 respiratory deaths and 243 cardiovascular deaths per year.
A preliminary study found that the peritoneal fluid of women with early-stage endometriosis reduces ciliary beat frequency by around a quarter compared to fertile controls. This reduction may be linked to impaired ciliary action and tubal transport, which could negatively impact fertility.
A randomized, double-blind trial found that magnesium supplementation had no effect on 30-day mortality in patients with acute STEMI. The study's results support current coronary care practice and suggest that routine administration of intravenous magnesium is not indicated.