Articles tagged with Epidemics
A University of Sydney study sheds light on the 2022 child hepatitis outbreak, finding that 'helper virus' infections were likely the cause. The study reveals that over 3,000 cases were reported globally, with six percent requiring liver transplants.
Studies tracking influenza A(H3N2) evolutionary dynamics over 22 seasons show genetic distance and subtype interference as key factors in determining epidemic timing and severity. The study highlights antigenic drift of HA and NA antigens, with increased NA drift linked to greater epidemic intensity and dominance of the A(H3N2) subtype.
A Brazilian study found that prior zika infection significantly increases the risk of developing severe dengue and being hospitalized. The study analyzed samples from over 1,000 laboratory-confirmed dengue patients and identified a higher viral load and inflammatory cytokine levels in those with prior zika infections.
Researchers created mathematical models to examine aspects of human behavior affecting pandemic trends. They found that risk perception and adherence to preventive measures are crucial in understanding why similar policies resulted in different outcomes.
A study published in EuroSurveillance found that 40% of COVID-19 infected individuals were identified through contact tracing, with socio-economic factors influencing reporting rates. The effectiveness of contact tracing alone was relative, but its psychological impact on the population should not be overlooked.
The $20 million SOAR study aims to identify key risk and resiliency factors affecting behavioral health. The research will inform strategies to improve treatment options and patient outcomes in the state of Ohio.
A new study reveals that genotyping technology detects Covid variants almost a week faster than traditional whole genome sequencing methods. This technique allowed for the rapid detection of Covid variant information, enabling local control measures such as contact tracing to be implemented more quickly.
Researchers analyzed over 770,000 cases of chikungunya and zika in Brazil, finding a decline in spatial variations for both diseases but an increase in case numbers in 85% and 57% of clusters. High-risk areas are linked to higher temperatures, low rainfall, urbanization, and social inequality.
Researchers found that counties with higher uninsured rates and reduced access to mental health services have higher opioid prescriptions. Conversely, better healthcare quality was associated with a greater drop in opioid prescriptions over time.
A study by Christina Andrews and her team found substantial variation in prior authorization use among different states and plan types. For-profit plans and those located in Republican-majority states were more likely to impose prior authorization policies, restricting access to life-saving treatment buprenorphine.
A new study from the University of Birmingham suggests that epidemic modeling can significantly overestimate infection numbers due to ignoring network structures. The researchers found that heterogeneous networks can lead to smaller epidemic waves and fewer infections, contradicting standard 'random mixing' models.
A new study will analyze electronic health records to identify facilitators and barriers of successful pediatric-to-adult HIV care transitions among youth in South Carolina. The research aims to develop guidance to improve systems and protocols for vulnerable populations.
A new study published in Nature Microbiology suggests that providing easy access to HIV treatment and care for heterosexual men could rapidly cut transmission to their female partners. Closing the viral suppression gap in men is estimated to halve rates of new infections among women and eliminate gender disparities.
The European Union has approved vaccines for pregnant women and monoclonal antibodies to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among young children. New sequencing tools have also been developed to track the genetic diversity of RSV and inform vaccine effectiveness and treatment strategies.
New HIV diagnoses rose by 31% in the EU/EEA in 2022, with migrants accounting for 49% of cases. Ukrainian refugees made up a significant proportion of new diagnoses, with women disproportionately affected. The increase highlights the need for tailored early testing and treatment approaches to address this growing public health threat.
A new study by Rutgers University found that Latino sexual minority men who experience racial and ethnic prejudice are more likely to delay HIV testing, complicating efforts to end the over 40-year epidemic. The researchers suggest that everyday discrimination may be a barrier to testing frequency.
A team of scientists developed a technique to rapidly detect genetic changes in malaria parasites using portable MinION sequencers. They demonstrated the first end-to-end, real-time pathogen monitoring from clinical blood samples in rural, resource-limited malaria hotspots.
A new study by the University of Plymouth reveals that chlorine disinfectants used in hospitals are no more effective at killing off hospital superbugs than water. The research highlights the need for alternative strategies to tackle Clostridioides difficile, which causes diarrhoea, colitis and other bowel complications globally.
Researchers aim to optimize digital weight-loss programs for rural populations by adding human components, such as weekly group video sessions and individual coaching calls. The goal is to help residents manage their weight and fight the obesity epidemic in areas with limited access to in-person programs.
A nationwide UK diabetes prevention program has been shown to improve glycemic control and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes in adults. The program, which refers high-risk individuals to lifestyle counseling, has strong evidence supporting its effectiveness.
The COVID-19 pandemic and drug overdose epidemic significantly contributed to the widening gender gap in US life expectancy. Chronic metabolic disease and mental illness are also thought to play a role in the growing disparity.
Researchers adapted a COVID-19 collaboration to monitor near-real-time trends in substance use-related hospital and emergency department visits. Detailed data shows large increases in methamphetamine- and opioid-involved hospital and ED visits among Native American, Black, and multiple-race populations.
Bio-TCV, a typhoid conjugate vaccine developed by IVI and Bio Farma, has been licensed in Indonesia following marketing approval from BPOM. The vaccine is expected to provide protection against typhoid fever as early as 9 months of age.
Researchers at UCLA and Charles Drew University are receiving NIH funding to tackle the HIV epidemic, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as youth, transgender individuals, and Black Americans. The projects will explore innovative implementation strategies to enhance community engagement and support high-quality services.
Researchers identified high levels of silica nanoparticles in kidney tissue of patients with chronic kidney disease. Exposure to sugarcane ash and rice paddies' burning is linked to the disease, suggesting a toxicant released by agricultural activities.
A recent VA study analyzed electronic health records of over 5.9 million veterans to provide insights into COVID-19 mortality rates. The research found that absolute numbers of deaths were higher in younger age groups and healthier individuals, despite older adults experiencing the highest rate of excess mortality.
A Duke University study found glyphosate, active in Roundup, in high levels of wells supplying drinking water to Sri Lankan communities plagued by chronic kidney disease (CKDu). Elevated fluoride and vanadium also linked to CKDu were discovered. Glyphosate's persistence in hard water poses concerns for exposure.
Researchers found that individuals with previous environmental, social, and nutritional stressors were more likely to die from the flu. This contradicts the widespread belief that healthy young adults were disproportionately affected. The study analyzed skeletal remains of 369 victims and identified lesions as indicators of frailty.
A Singaporean study found that unvaccinated COVID-19 survivors are at a heightened risk of heart complications almost a year after recovery. The study revealed a 56% higher risk of developing new heart complications among unvaccinated survivors compared to uninfected individuals.
A study by Osaka University found that belief in just deserts (BJD) was highest in Japan and lowest in the UK, while human rights restriction (HRR) was highest in China and lowest in Japan. The research suggests that BJD and HRR are positively correlated in some countries, leading to increased disease-related prejudice and discrimination.
Researchers have discovered a new plasmid in epidemic Vibrio cholerae samples that introduces genes encoding resistance to multiple antibiotics. The finding underscores the importance of genomic surveillance and suggests that the strain's stability poses a concerning factor for future outbreaks.
An observational study of nearly 70,000 COVID-19 patients found that Paxlovid lowered risk of death by 84% and Legevrio by 77%, reducing combined risk of hospitalization and death by over 40%. The treatments were effective across all patient subgroups and against newer Omicron subvariants.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic have developed a potential vaccine candidate against Dabie Bandavirus using nanoparticles, which can deliver antigens at a lower dose with fewer side effects. The vaccine has shown promise in pre-clinical studies and could provide protection to adults over 50, who are most vulnerable to the virus.
A new analysis of COVID-19 cases in Africa found that the rate of infection was likely much higher than reported in the initial stages. The researchers estimated that approximately 66% of all infections were asymptomatic, while about 5% were severe and 27% were mild.
Researchers have developed a new vaccination method that induces the production of antibodies in mucus, which can disable viruses. This approach has shown promising results in monkeys, suggesting that oral vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 may be more effective and popular than traditional subcutaneous vaccinations.
A study by University of Kansas and Georgetown University found that facilities with more religious orientation offered a wider range of services and were located in racially diverse communities. This can help service providers make better referrals and provide a roadmap for other communities to better understand their substance use se...
A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo and Dalhousie University have developed a method for forecasting short-term disease progression using limited data. The Sparsity and Delay Embedding-based Forecasting model, or SPADE4, uses machine learning to predict epidemic progressions with high accuracy.
Researchers Elzbieta Izbicka and Robert T. Streeper discuss the evolution of cancer drug development, highlighting recent progress and emerging challenges due to environmental factors. They also examine how artificial intelligence may impact future drug development.
A new study found that voluntary collective isolation was unlikely to prevent rapid spread of COVID-19 among the Tsimané, a small-scale Indigenous society in remote Amazonia. The simulation predicted nearly identical rates of infection in real-world data, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and medical resources
Researchers identified a new approach to treat poxviruses by targeting a cellular protein, making the virus more susceptible to natural defences. Existing immunosuppressive drugs can restrict replication and spread of poxviruses.
CEPI and HMRI collaborate to leverage AI technology for faster vaccine development. The partnership aims to identify epitopes that stimulate the immune system, enabling swift clinical testing.
Researchers developed a deconvolution method for epidemiology using neural networks, inferring daily infection rates from mortality data. The approach can assess the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions like lockdowns and mask mandates in reducing infection transmission.
A study found that joint exposure of unequal income distribution and lack of social mobility increases risks of deaths from suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related liver disease. Addressing underlying social and economic conditions is crucial in responding to the deaths of despair epidemic.
Researchers tracked daily lifestyle diaries and photographs from over 1,000 participants to understand the impact of Covid-19 on physical and mental health. The study found that people with limited resources struggled more during lockdowns, while those with more control and financial stability coped better.
A study analyzed tweets from nearly 500 emergency medicine physicians, finding a significant increase in expressions of loneliness, anger, and anxiety during the pandemic. Positive themes took a dive, while negative emotions dominated, with loneliness increasing by up to 17% compared to pre-pandemic years.
A UNIGE team has identified how the influenza A virus manages to penetrate cells to infect them by hijacking the iron transport mechanism. By blocking this receptor, researchers were able to significantly reduce its ability to invade cells, highlighting a potential strategy for treating influenza virus infections.
Researchers found that boosting vaccine use can reduce lockdown intensity and duration, but the relationship varies based on factors like disease severity and vaccination speed. The study suggests a nuanced approach to balancing lockdowns and vaccinations in future pandemics.
The US firearm crisis is preventable with practical public health solutions. Harm reduction and community engagement programs can reduce the impact on individuals, families, and communities. Legislative policies also hold promise, particularly safe storage laws, which correlate with reduced injury and death rates.
A new study shows that masking and portable air cleaners significantly reduced the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in two Swiss schools during the Omicron wave. The researchers detected salivary and airborne virus concentrations in air samples and students, with a 70% decrease in viral transmission under mask mandates.
A devastating fungal disease, Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is spreading in Mozambique, jeopardizing banana production. The Cavendish banana variety is highly susceptible to the disease, and lack of access to on-farm data hinders effective containment.
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has started clinical development of DuoChol, a new oral cholera vaccine in capsule form. This innovation offers improved thermostability, reducing storage challenges, while making vaccines more accessible to those who need them most.
A new model predicts that climate change will lead to longer transmission seasons for Zika and dengue diseases in Brazil. The study found that warming temperatures could increase the basic reproduction number (R0) of Zika by up to 2.7, leading to more frequent epidemics.
A study led by Prof. Yong Wei analyzed epidemic records from AD 0 to 1840 in ancient China, revealing a correlation between solar activity and epidemics. The research applied wavelet analysis and ensemble empirical mode decomposition, showing similar periodic changes between the epidemic index and sunspot number.
Researchers studied H7N9 epidemic waves in China from 2013 to 2017, analyzing gene sequences to build phylogenetic trees. They found the virus likely circulated in poultry for months before being detected, and suggest continuous monitoring of animal health is crucial
Researchers found that higher selenium levels were associated with lower blood pressure and HDL concentration in middle-aged women. The study suggests that selenium may moderate the effect of genetic variants on MetS components, such as waist circumference.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found significant increases in overdose deaths from all categories except heroin in 2020. The largest death rate was for black males in the District of Columbia due to fentanyl, with a rate almost 10 times higher than that for white males.
Researchers analysed wastewater from 10 cities to detect chemical and biological markers of health, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and disease-causing viruses. The study found that analysing wastewater on a large scale could spot new outbreaks of diseases in communities early on.
A new study from Osaka University found that COVID-19 TV coverage significantly increased hand hygiene compliance from 5% to over 70% in a matter of months. The researchers tracked the correlation between TV coverage and hand hygiene, finding a strong statistical connection between added airtime and increased compliance.
The BIAL Award in Biomedicine is a prestigious international award that recognises outstanding biomedical research. The €300,000 prize is given to researchers whose work has shown exceptional quality and scientific relevance, published within the last ten years.
Researchers at Texas A&M University School of Medicine have identified a specific brain circuit that characterizes how fentanyl affects the brain. Suppressing negative emotional states may increase a person's chance of overcoming opioid use disorder.