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Social media use is associated with more frequent vaccination

Researchers found a consistent positive relation between social media use and vaccination across all major political parties. For Democrats, social media exposure predicted greater vaccine uptake due to increased information about new pathogens. For Republicans, believing others were vaccinated was the key factor.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJun 24, 2024

Reexamining misinformation: How unflagged, factual content drives vaccine hesitancy

A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that unflagged, factual content about COVID-19 vaccines is more damaging to public health than intentionally false or misleading information. Factual articles with sensational headlines and statistics can lower users' intentions to get vaccinated by 2.3 percentage points.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 30, 2024

APPC scholars find knowledge a factor in closing black-white COVID-19 vaccination gap

Research by APPC scholars found that increased knowledge about Covid-19 vaccination made a significant difference in reducing the disparity between Black and White Americans' vaccination rates. This increase was associated with improved trust in vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as reduced skepticism towards vaccines.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Health Communication·TypeSurvey·DateMay 30, 2024

Association of new-onset seizures with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

A systematic review and meta-analysis found no association between new-onset seizures and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The study included over 118,000 participants from randomized clinical trials and found the incidence proportion of new-onset seizures to be similar across vaccine recipients and unvaccinated participants.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 29, 2024

Future parents more likely to get RSV vaccine when pregnant if aware that RSV can be a serious illness in infants

A nationwide survey found that pregnant people are more likely to receive the RSV vaccine if they believe the virus can be a serious illness in infants. The study also shows that parents with an existing child at home are more likely to get vaccinated, highlighting the importance of awareness and education.

A new coating method in mRNA engineering points the way to advanced therapies

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed a novel method for coating engineered messenger RNA molecules with polyethylene glycol (PEG), allowing selective delivery to the spleen. This breakthrough enables fine-tuned control over mRNA therapy, facilitating effective treatment of diseases previously considered inc...

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalSmall Science·DateApr 10, 2024

Swedish study indicates a significant decline of neutralising antibodies to monkeypox virus already during the first month after vaccination

A Swedish study reveals that neutralising antibodies to the monkeypox virus decline significantly after two doses of the MVA-BN vaccine within the first month. The findings suggest that a booster dose may be necessary to maintain immunity, emphasizing the need for scientific evidence before policy decisions are made.

New vaccine against a highly fatal tropical disease – and potential bioterror weapon – demonstrates efficacy in animal studies

A new vaccine developed by UCLA researchers demonstrates high protection against melioidosis, a tropical disease that causes 89,000 fatalities annually. The vaccine was tested in mice and found effective even against a highly lethal strain of the bacteria.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2024

U.S. could cut cervical cancer cases & deaths by up to 20% if more patients got follow-up after screening, study suggests

A new study suggests that removing barriers to cervical cancer screening, surveillance, and diagnostic procedures can save lives and reduce disparities. If every eligible person gets the full screening and follow-up tests recommended, up to 23% fewer people would be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 20% fewer would die from it.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 19, 2024

Vac to the future

A competition among researchers predicted B. pertussis vaccine responses based on a simple correlation between calendar age and antibody responses. The result highlights the need for further research to understand variability in vaccination outcomes.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Reports Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 14, 2024

Major typhoid fever surveillance study in sub-Saharan Africa indicates need for the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines in endemic countries

A new study finds that the high burden of typhoid fever in sub-Saharan African countries calls for stronger prevention strategies, including the use and implementation of typhoid conjugate vaccines. The study estimates that there are 12.5 to 16.3 million cases of typhoid every year with 140,000 deaths.

SourceInternational Vaccine Institute·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2024

In fight against brain pathogens, the eyes have it

Researchers found that vaccines injected into mouse eyes can disable the herpes virus and activate an immune response through lymphatic vessels along the optic nerve. This discovery highlights a shared immune response between the brain and eyes, providing a potential new approach to combating ocular and central nervous system diseases.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateFeb 28, 2024

Five grand challenges for the future at the interface of engineering and medicine

Researchers identify five grand challenges in biomedical engineering to address social needs, existing gaps, and technological limitations. The Convergence Revolution and Fourth Industrial Revolution are expected to shape the future of medicine, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaborations and next-generation training.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalIEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 26, 2024

A patch of protection against Zika virus

A new vaccine patch has delivered an effective immune response to Zika virus in mice, providing rapid protection against the disease. The patch, which uses a high-density microarray platform, targets a specific protein crucial to the virus's survival and evokes T-cell responses up to 270% higher than traditional vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·DateNov 30, 2023

Research shows infants exposed to certain biologics during pregnancy can safely receive rotavirus vaccine

A Canadian study found that infants exposed to biologic agents during pregnancy have normal immune development and can safely receive the rotavirus vaccine. The study, involving 191 infants across six sites in Canada, aimed to change vaccination guidelines to protect more babies from severe illness.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeObservational study·DateNov 23, 2023

NUS Medicine researchers unlock the potential of genetic glycoengineering to advance vaccines and therapeutics technology

The team created a glycoengineering platform that simplifies the production of customized sugar carbohydrates, known as glycans, which play a crucial role in various therapeutic applications. This innovation enables the engineering of new glycans with unprecedented flexibility, addressing limitations in existing approaches.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 16, 2023

Elderly patients receiving high-quality primary care are more likely to receive varicella-zoster virus vaccination on doctor's recommendation

A study by University of Tsukuba found that elderly patients receiving better services from their primary care providers are more likely to receive the varicella-zoster virus vaccination. The study suggests that providing adequate services needed by patients during primary care may improve shingles vaccine coverage.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of Primary Care & Community Health·DateSep 22, 2023

Leading the way in global STI research

A new study published in Virology Journal confirms 25 different types of HPV prevalent in Nigeria, highlighting the need for region-specific vaccines. The discovery underscores the limitations of existing vaccines like Gardasil-9, which only protects against nine cancer-causing types.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalVirology Journal·DateSep 19, 2023