Articles tagged with Epidemics
Researchers found that population movement is a critical factor in dengue's spread in Rio de Janeiro. The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, revealed that areas with high levels of people traffic have higher risk of transmission.
Scientists from Tufts University have proposed a link between cholera outbreaks and fluctuating water levels in the region's three principal rivers. The researchers found two distinctive epidemic patterns associated with seasonal cycles of low river flows and floods.
Researchers argue that concurrency is not a major driver of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa due to lack of conclusive evidence. They suggest that other factors are more likely to contribute to the spread of the virus, and recommend further research initiatives.
A study of 2,285 adults found that neighborhoods with better physical activity resources and access to healthy foods were associated with a 38% lower incidence of type 2 diabetes. The authors conclude that modifying environmental factors may be a key step in arresting the rising epidemic of type 2 diabetes.
Area-wide traffic calming schemes have been shown to be effective in reducing traffic-related injuries and deaths in high-income countries. However, more research is required to determine their effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries, where the situation is expected to worsen over the next decade.
A €1 million grant from the European Commission will support LSTM in developing a national HIV strategy and programme of support for Libya. The project aims to address Libya's priority issues for HIV prevention and care by analyzing data and drawing evidence-based conclusions.
The study shows that the timing of rotavirus epidemics depends on birth rates in the population, with higher birth rates leading to earlier outbreaks. New vaccines may reduce the frequency and severity of these outbreaks, potentially shifting the age at which infection appears in children.
Researchers found a negative correlation between birth rates and the timing of rotavirus epidemics. With declining birth rates, outbreaks occur later in the year, particularly in California.
Computer modeling reveals that rural residents are more likely to maintain normal social contact during an outbreak, increasing the risk of transmission. Researchers recommend vaccinating key network connectors and prioritizing community awareness campaigns.
A new study by the University of Kansas and Gallup indicates that people are naturally optimistic, with 89% expecting their next five years to be better than current life. Optimism is highest in Ireland, Brazil, Denmark, and New Zealand, but demography has a minimal impact on individual levels.
The International Diabetes Federation, World Heart Federation, and UICC are urging the international community to address the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), responsible for 35 million deaths each year. NCDs, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, pose a significant t...
A new study suggests that US obesity has been largely driven by increased energy intake, rather than reduced physical activity. The research found that if Americans had only consumed their recommended daily calorie intake, they would have gained approximately 10.8 kg less weight.
Elsevier has launched a new journal called Epidemics, which will focus on infectious disease dynamics. The journal aims to bring together researchers from various disciplines and provide a platform for high-quality papers in this emerging field.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers suggests that prenatal exposure to DDT may play a role in the obesity epidemic among some women. Women who consumed high levels of fish and PCBs during pregnancy were found to have a higher risk of obesity.
Assistant professor Samantha Kwan argues that the concept of obesity has been overstated and is influenced by cultural beauty messages and health discourses. She claims that women are more closely tied to weight and appearance, and that conforming to norms can bring benefits beyond being healthier.
Research published in International Journal of Health Geographics links outbreaks of nephropathia epidemica, a rodent-borne disease, to global warming. Warmer weather and increased food sources for voles lead to population growth and disease transmission.
Research suggests that tributyltin, a persistent pollutant, affects gene activity and promotes the growth of fat storage cells in animals, potentially contributing to the obesity epidemic. The chemical's impact on retinoid X receptors, which regulate metabolism, is a recent discovery.
Researchers found that immune responses to a partial dose of a meningitis vaccine were comparable to a full dose, making fractional dosing an alternative in mass vaccination campaigns. This strategy could help control outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa, where meningitis epidemics occur nearly every year.
Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt University Medical Center successfully recreated the bat variant of the SARS coronavirus, a major step forward in developing effective vaccines and treatments. The research could help prevent future outbreaks by identifying key pathways in virus emergence.
A WHO study suggests that universal voluntary HIV testing combined with immediate treatment after diagnosis could significantly reduce HIV cases in a severe epidemic. The strategy aims to accelerate the transition from an endemic phase to an elimination phase, reducing HIV cases to 1 per 1000 people within 10 years.
The new guide provides standardized guidelines for collecting data from wild primates, aiming to identify infection patterns and prevent epidemics. By integrating research from various disciplines, the study seeks to reduce the risk of pathogens jumping from animals to humans and vice-versa.
Exposure to high temperatures reduces antifungal activity of ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution, associated with the 2004-2006 Fusarium keratitis epidemic. The study found that storage at 60°C (140°F) for four weeks led to a significant decline in antimicrobial activity.
A study at Henry Ford Hospital found that rapid HIV testing in the Emergency Department increased diagnoses by 56%, particularly among African American patients. The test provided results in just 20 minutes and helped identify high-risk individuals, who were more likely to modify their behavior and reduce transmission.
Asbestos export continues in Canada, violating its own limitations and the WHO's recommendation to end chrysotile mining. The practice contributes significantly to the global health crisis caused by asbestos-related diseases.
The Lancet Editorial recommends four top candidates - Tim Barnett, Stefano Bertozzi, Michel Sidibé and Debrework Zewdie - to succeed outgoing Executive Director Peter Piot. The selected candidates will be evaluated on their vision and plans for the new role.
The study reveals that growing urbanization in colonial Africa allowed the HIV virus to flourish, leading to the outbreak of the epidemic. The researchers used genetic sequencing to analyze ancient samples and found that the pandemic strain emerged around 1900.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that mild infections play a key role in understanding and controlling cholera outbreaks. The study suggests that individuals with mild infections lose their immunity quickly, leading to a cyclical pattern of illness and recovery.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found a correlation between non-subcutaneous fat and calcified plaque in the arteries, increasing cardiovascular event risk. The study suggests targeting non-subcutaneous fat may be key to preventing heart disease.
Research finds that intellectual work leads to a significant increase in calorie intake, with students consuming up to 253 more calories after mentally demanding tasks. The study suggests that fluctuations in glucose and insulin levels may trigger food overcompensation.
A study in Rwanda found that nearly half of orphaned youth aged 12-24 who head households meet criteria for depression. The combined effects of the genocide and HIV epidemic have left many orphans vulnerable to poverty, social marginalization, and poor health.
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health has received a $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to create computer simulations of epidemics, evaluating new vaccine technologies and modes of delivery. The project will focus on diseases affecting millions of people globally.
Most countries are not effectively targeting their HIV resources, and new strategies must be implemented to improve prevention interventions. The limited data available indicate that many countries are focusing their prevention resources where the epidemics are concentrated, leading to low coverage rates for effective interventions.
A new pilot project aims to understand the eating habits of Latino migrant children and develop culturally appropriate interventions to combat obesity. The study will survey families in Ohio and Michigan farms and provide data to inform healthy food choices.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic affects nearly 2 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean, with most transmission through unprotected sex. The region faces unique challenges due to socio-economic disparities, homophobia, and lack of access to healthcare and education.
Social taboos and stigma surrounding homosexuality make it difficult to control the HIV epidemic among Pakistani men who have sex with men. Outreach programs need to target subpopulations and address specific challenges such as promoting safe sex and reducing stigma around condoms.
Research finds that extreme climate conditions can create conditions for diseases normally tolerated singly to converge and cause mass die-offs in wildlife. In a study on Serengeti lions, researchers linked deadly outbreaks of canine distemper virus to debilitated prey populations and heavy tick infestations after droughts and floods.
A new study reveals that warmer temperatures significantly accelerated the spread of a new strain of West Nile virus across North America. The virus displaced the older strain and led to two of the largest epidemics on record, with over 270 deaths in both 2002 and 2003.
The International Diabetes Federation has supported a diabetes awareness and prevention project in Jordan, aiming to reverse the growing epidemic. The project aims to provide health education opportunities and practical experience through workshops and social support groups.
The current figure of 246 million adults worldwide with diabetes is expected to expand rapidly, with 50% of deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease. The Lancet Editorial emphasizes that much of the morbidity and mortality can be prevented through targeted prevention strategies.
A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine has documented the association between obesity and increased risk of heart disease. The research found significant ethnic disparities in weight and cardiovascular health, with non-Hispanic white participants showing a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity.
A new study led by UC Berkeley researchers reconstructs the Sudden Oak Death epidemic in California, tracing the pathogen's spread from its introduction to its current evolution. The study finds that nurseries played a key role in spreading the disease and that climate and environmental conditions contribute to the pathogen's mortality.
Researchers analyzed 13,000 virus samples from 2002 to 2007 to understand migration patterns of seasonal flu. They found that East and Southeast Asia serves as a source for influenza A (H3N2) viruses globally, with new strains emerging in the region before spreading to other parts of the world.
Cholera outbreaks can be predicted using satellite sensors, monitoring sea surface temperature and height. This technology offers a pre-emptive approach to addressing epidemics in developing countries affected by climate change.
The rapid growth of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in London during the late 1990s was driven by transmission within clusters of sexual contacts, with individuals frequently passing the virus to others after becoming infected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed six large clusters and many smaller ones based on genetic relatedness of HIV viruses.
Researchers found a positive association between maternal and paternal BMI and offspring fat mass, but the effect of maternal BMI was weaker. The study suggests that interventions improving diet and physical activity levels could slow or halt the obesity epidemic.
Researchers found a strong seasonal fluctuation of measles transmission rate in Niamey, Niger, which can help predict annual outbreaks. Vaccinating at least 95% of children with two doses of the measles vaccine is crucial to controlling the disease, particularly in areas with high birth rates and limited access to healthcare.
A study suggests government dietary guidelines, introduced in the late 1970s, may have had a negative impact on health due to limited scientific data. The researchers argue that without proper studies, such guidelines may be harmful and recommend more cautious direction.
Since the Soviet collapse, Russian women's smoking rates have more than doubled, with men's rates also increasing. The researchers blame privatization of the tobacco industry and industry lobbying for this alarming trend. The study used data from over 7,000 individuals, showing that the least educated are disproportionately affected.
A new study reveals HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) is widespread and severe in low- and middle-income countries. MSM are 19 times more likely to be infected than the general population, with rates up to 100 times higher in some countries.
Despite substantial progress against AIDS, the generalized HIV epidemic continues to rage on, driven by concurrent partnerships. Interventions such as abstinence and condom use have limited effectiveness in containing the spread of the disease, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to prevention.
A new predictive model of disease spread has been developed using actual travel and census data from over 3,000 urban areas in 220 countries. The model provides predictions of outbreak likelihood and potential spread, with simulations that fit the actual SARS virus pattern in 2002.
Scientists have identified a new genetic lineage of the Ebola virus in great apes, which contradicts previous assumptions about its evolutionary development. This discovery suggests that wild strains of Ebolavirus can exchange genetic material through recombination processes.
The UK faces a growing obesity crisis with alarming statistics showing a 30-50% increase in obesity rates over the past decade. Experts call for a comprehensive approach to tackle the epidemic, including promoting healthy eating and exercise, and investing in meaningful interventions.
A new mathematical model explains how persistent microbes co-exist with humans, suggesting an increase in virulent organisms as populations grow. The model proposes that larger populations select for more virulent microbes, leading to potentially severe epidemics.
A new study suggests that a lack of HIV prevention dollars for male sex workers in the Caribbean is fuelling the region's AIDS epidemic. The study found that bisexual behaviour among these men can significantly contribute to the spread of HIV.
A rapid molecular typing strategy can identify adenovirus types in two days, aiding in the selection of antiviral treatment and controlling outbreaks. The strategy's speed will help public health officials better understand adenovirus epidemiology.
Scientists have found Marburg virus in Egyptian rousette fruit bats, a non-symptom developing carrier species that likely transmits the virus to humans. The discovery reveals this bat as Africa's natural reservoir and highlights the need for public health measures to prevent future outbreaks.
Research finds that biological and demographic causes, such as anal sex and role versatility, contribute significantly to high HIV prevalence in gay men. Gay men need to reduce unprotected sex rates by several times that of straight men to end the epidemic
Research finds strong correlation between cholera outbreaks and climate changes, including rainfall and Indian Oscillation Index. The study provides basis for early warning system and prevention measures.
A study published by the American Chemical Society found a link between feline hyperthyroidism and exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from flame retardants in furniture, pet food, and household dust. PBDE levels were three times higher in hyperthyroid cats than in younger cats.