Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Misinformation: Psychological Science shows why it sticks and how to fix it

A new report highlights the cognitive factors that make misinformation sticky, including the need for cognitive effort to reject information. Effective strategies for debunking or counteracting erroneous beliefs include providing alternative narratives, focusing on facts rather than myths, and considering audience beliefs. Research has...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateSep 19, 2012

Better vaccines for tuberculosis could save millions of lives

Researchers propose a novel vaccine strategy using lipidated-promiscuous-peptide vaccines to overcome limitations of existing BCG vaccine, which fails to prevent disease in adults, especially in endemic regions. This new approach has shown promise in animal models and is being tested in human clinical trials.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Molecular Medicine·DateAug 28, 2012

Scientists report successful vaccine developed against deadly Nipah virus

Researchers successfully developed a highly effective vaccine against the deadly Nipah virus, which has shown complete protection in African green monkeys with no evidence of disease. The vaccine, known as Hendra-sG, is a recombinant piece of the virus produced in the laboratory and can be used safely for human treatment.

Antibodies for new rotavirus vaccines

CSIRO will produce a large quantity of antibodies specific to rotavirus strains used in developing vaccines, aiding the project's goal of increasing access and effectiveness of existing commercial vaccines worldwide. The production facility will supply antibodies for five years, supporting the development of new, affordable rotavirus v...

Overweight? There's a vaccine for that

Researchers developed two somatostatin vaccinations that reduce body weight and increase energy expenditure in diet-induced obese male mice. The vaccines induce antibodies to somatostatin, effectively removing inhibition on growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Animal Science and Biotechnology·DateJul 8, 2012

BWH researchers discover new vaccine candidate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a new vaccine candidate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that causes severe lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. The vaccine is based on a new mechanism of immunity mediated by T helper 17 (Th17) cells and has been shown to protect mice from lethal pneumonia.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJul 6, 2012

New vaccine for nicotine addiction

Weill Cornell researchers develop a novel vaccine that protects mice against nicotine addiction, using the liver to continuously produce antibodies. The vaccine is designed to prevent nicotine chemicals from reaching the brain and heart, offering hope for smokers who struggle with addiction.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 27, 2012

Short-term risk of shingles recurrence low

A Kaiser Permanente study of over 6,000 individuals found a low short-term risk of developing shingles recurrence among those with healthy immune systems. The study's findings suggest that the risk is low regardless of vaccination status.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJun 5, 2012

An unexpected virus reservoir

Scientists from the University of Bonn found over 60 new paramyxovirus species in bats and rodents, revealing that bats are the original hosts of these viruses. The study suggests that bats may be a reservoir for dangerous viruses, making it challenging to eradicate them.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2012

Shingles vaccine is safe, according to new study

A recent Vaccine Safety Datalink study found the shingles vaccine to be generally safe and well-tolerated in adults aged 50 and older, with a small increased risk of local reactions. The study also ruled out any increased risk for serious conditions such as cerebrovascular diseases or meningitis.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateApr 23, 2012

A physician's guide for anti-vaccine parents

A Mayo Clinic expert and pediatrician refute three immunity-related misconceptions about vaccines, citing a recent review of 1,200 articles that found no autoimmune side effects. The experts also emphasize the risk of illness and death from under-vaccination, including whooping cough and measles.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalHuman Immunology·DateApr 23, 2012

From herd immunity and complacency to group panic: How vaccine scares unfold

A new model based on game theory and social learning can predict the patterns of vaccine scares, explaining why vaccine uptake takes time to recover after a scare. The model highlights the interplay between disease dynamics and vaccination behavior, suggesting that herd immunity can lead to complacency among unvaccinated individuals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 5, 2012