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The Lancet: New study reveals global anemia cases remain persistently high among women and children. Anemia rates decline for men.

A new study reveals that nearly 2 billion people worldwide suffer from anemia, with women and children disproportionately affected. Anemia rates have declined among men, but progress has been slow for women and children, driven by factors such as access to nutrition, socioeconomic status, and unmet need for contraception.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalThe Lancet Haematology·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 31, 2023

CHOP and Penn Medicine researchers develop “in vivo” RNA-based gene editing model for blood disorders

CHOP and Penn Medicine researchers have developed a proof-of-concept model for delivering gene editing tools directly into diseased blood cells within the body. This approach aims to reduce costs and increase access to gene therapies for blood disorders, which currently require chemotherapy and stem cell transplants.

Study suggests need for iron tests in teen girls & young women

A new study reveals that nearly 40% of teen girls and young women have low iron levels, with higher rates among Black, Latina, low-income, or low-BMI individuals. The study recommends considering routine screening for iron levels in adolescents and young women to prevent life-limiting symptoms associated with iron-deficiency anemia.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

Vitamin B5 could help improve red blood cell production in people with Myelodysplastic syndromes

Researchers have discovered that the enzyme COASY plays a critical role in regulating red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Vitamin B5 supplementation and another metabolite increased the maturation of red blood cells in patients with Myelodysplastic syndromes, offering new hope for alternative treatments.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023

Mice show METTL in DNA blood repair

Researchers at Kyoto University discovered METTL16's role in DNA repair and erythropoiesis, a process generating 200 billion new red blood cells daily. Tiny methyl groups on specific mRNAs play a pivotal role in this process, involving mechanisms mediated by RNA-binding proteins.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2022

Two hits to the mitochondria causes severe anemia

A study found that impairing mitochondria in two different ways can cause severe anemia. Researchers used mouse models to investigate the role of mitochondria in blood cell differentiation and found that disrupting mitochondrial function and dynamics causes anemia through distinct mechanisms.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalPharmacological Research·DateOct 17, 2022

Improving outcomes for injured soldiers

University of Cincinnati researchers are studying whether targeting an inflammation pathway can improve patient results for soldiers with burn injuries combined with traumatic brain injuries. The research focuses on a specific protein that causes inflammation, which can lead to complications such as anemia and death.

ACP says food insecurity a threat to public health in the United States

The American College of Physicians (ACP) says inadequate access to nutritious food negatively impacts the health of many Americans, exacerbating social factors and leading to various health issues. The ACP recommends strengthening the nation's food insecurity response and empowering physicians to address social drivers of health.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeContent analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Kyoto scientists discover ‘crack team’ of kidney cells that are key to disease recovery

Researchers at Kyoto University identify a distinct subpopulation of fibroblasts responsible for producing the hormone erythropoietin (Epo), which stimulates red blood cell production. This discovery provides insight into renal anemia and may lead to novel treatment methods for patients with chronic kidney disease.

SourceKyoto University·JournalKidney International·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2022

How have changes in anemia care affected patients with kidney failure?

A study found that changes in anemia care policies led to lower rates of major adverse cardiovascular events, mortality, and stroke among patients with kidney failure receiving hemodialysis. The policy changes resulted from a shift towards more conservative ESA dosing, which reduced acute myocardial infarction risk.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 19, 2022

Largest-ever IPD meta-analysis of malaria patients to inform haemoglobin changes

A new study using pooled individual patient data from over 70,000 patients has found that artemisinin-based combination therapy can suppress the bone marrow response and contribute to anaemia. The analysis identified patients at greatest risk of severe anaemia and highlights potential advantages of alternative treatment regimens.

SourceInfectious Diseases Data Observatory·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 8, 2022

Oral pill as safe, efficacious as conventional treatment for anemia in patients with kidney disease

Researchers developed a new compound based on Nobel Prize-winning discoveries that raised hemoglobin levels in patients with kidney disease undergoing dialysis and those not on dialysis. The oral medication was found to be as safe and efficacious as conventional treatment for anemia, offering a transformative approach to patient care.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 5, 2021

New model points to solution to global blood shortage

A new mathematical model suggests that patients with anemia can be effectively treated with transfusions of blood substitutes, which are more readily available than real blood. This approach could reduce the negative effects of blood transfusion and lower costs.

SourceStanford University·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 19, 2021

Children repeatedly exposed to malaria from birth are more likely to be anemic by the age of two

A Brazilian study found that children exposed to malaria from birth are more likely to develop anemia by age two. The researchers, led by Dr. Marly Augusto Cardoso, followed 1,539 children and discovered that 12.6% were anemic, with a higher prevalence in rural areas not covered by the study.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 13, 2021

Sex matters when it comes to immune responses against infection and disease, study shows

A University of Alberta-led study found that anemia can generate different immune responses in males versus females, making females more prone to infections. The research highlights the importance of considering sex as a variable in prevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for immune-related conditions.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateOct 12, 2021

Preventing child malnutrition and promoting healthy development

A small sachet of a fortified food-based supplement added to young children’s daily diets has shown remarkable results in preventing child mortality and malnutrition while promoting healthy development. The intervention resulted in lower prevalence of stunted growth, anemia, and adverse language and motor development outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 30, 2021

Smartphone photos can be used to detect anemia

A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that smartphone photos of the inner eyelid can be used to screen for anemia. The algorithm achieved accuracy rates of up to 94.4% in predicting anemia, making it a potential tool for early diagnosis and treatment in low-resource settings.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 14, 2021

UM171 saves another life

A young man suffering from severe aplastic anemia has been given a life-saving blood transplant using the UM171 molecule, which increases stem cell production and reduces immunological complications. The procedure was performed by a medical team at the Institute of Hemato-oncology and Cellular Therapy.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalEuropean Journal Of Haematology·DateSep 30, 2020