Articles tagged with Epidemics
Acute flaccid myelitis, caused by recent infections including polioviruses or non-polio enteroviruses, presents significant challenges to patients and researchers. Early intensive physical therapy has shown promise in improving outcomes for polio patients, suggesting potential benefits for AFM patients.
New research examines the link between Chinese famine and Type 2 diabetes, finding little evidence for an association. The study suggests that existing studies had limitations in design and control groups, which may have led to inaccurate conclusions.
The US opioid epidemic has rapidly shifted to the Eastern states, with synthetic opioids accounting for most recent deaths. The study found that eight states have highest rates of opioid-related deaths, with Florida and Pennsylvania experiencing doubling mortality rates every two years.
A USC study found that the US has the highest drug overdose death rates among high-income countries, with mortality rates tripling over the past two decades. The study suggests that the epidemic is contributing to the widening gap in life expectancy between the US and other high-income countries.
A new study finds that the US has the highest rates of drug overdose mortality among high-income countries, with a rate 3.5 times higher on average. The country's overdose death rate has increased rapidly over the past decade, outpacing other nations.
A mathematical model estimates chlamydia's R0 value, indicating the disease's potential spread. The multi-group SIR model with age structure yields an R0 estimate between 1.0148 and 1.0535 for Japan's outbreak.
New research finds elk in Wyoming's Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest avoid beetle-killed areas during summer months. Elk strongly avoid these areas due to the need to expend significant amounts of energy to walk over downed logs and cool themselves.
Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School used a new model-inference system to estimate population susceptibility and demographical characteristics in three key locations in China. The study found that catch-up vaccination targeting migrant populations may be an efficient means of controlling current epidemics in big cities, wh...
Researchers found that prior dengue virus immunity reduces risk of Zika infection and severity of symptoms in a Brazilian favela study. Nearly 73% of community residents were infected with ZIKV during the outbreak.
Researchers predict a significant increase in opioid overdose deaths from 33,100 in 2015 to 81,700 in 2025, with illicit opioids accounting for 80% of these deaths. Interventions targeting prescription opioid misuse are expected to decrease overdose deaths by only 3-5%.
A recent study found that elk avoid areas with extensive tree mortality due to bark-beetle epidemics. This avoidance leads to a decline in preferred habitat for elk, impacting wildlife and land managers managing populations in affected areas.
The HEROES program, launched in 2018, provides comprehensive treatment for opioid abusers and offers assertive outreach to those struggling with addiction. The program has seen success with nearly 150 patients remaining drug-free for over 30 days.
A study projects a 147% increase in opioid overdose deaths from 2015 to 2025, with illicit opioids causing most deaths. Interventions targeting prescription opioids are expected to have only a minimal impact on reducing overdose deaths.
Researchers found a significant increase in infection-related stroke hospitalizations from 1993 to 2015, with the greatest increases seen in women and young people. The study suggests that addressing the opioid epidemic is crucial in reducing this public health problem.
A new survey technique estimates that 1,857 people injected drugs in Cabell County, W.Va. in the last six months. The study provides valuable data to help tailor response strategies for rural communities battling the opioid epidemic.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an algorithm that can predict porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreaks with approximately 80% accuracy. The algorithm uses weekly farm-level incidence data, including animal movements and environmental factors, to identify neighborhoods at high risk of PEDV spread.
A new 'Cascade of Care' framework aims to address gaps in addiction care and monitor treatment outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder. The model identifies key stages through which people must progress to increase the chance of reaching remission, and emphasizes prevention services targeting populations by risk level.
The new data reveal an estimated 2.3 million people living with Hepatitis C infection in the U.S. between 2013 and 2016, with a high burden in the West and Appalachian states. HepVu's interactive maps provide a comprehensive picture of the disease's impact on states to inform researchers and public health decision-makers.
An investigation by Susan Greenhalgh reveals how Coca-Cola influenced China's health policies through institutional, financial, and personal links. The company's focus on physical fitness over dietary restrictions has aligned with official obesity policy.
Researchers argue that the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive approach, building on lessons from the AIDS epidemic. A five-point action plan is proposed to address cultural, social, economic, and structural barriers to care.
The strain of cholera causing the current outbreak in Yemen was estimated to come from Eastern Africa and entered the country through human migration. Genomic data analysis has enabled researchers to estimate the risk of future outbreaks and inform targeted interventions.
Researchers develop a time-varying network model that factors in individual dynamics and burstiness to better explain the relationship between social activity and disease spread. The model shows that self-excitement mechanisms lower the epidemic threshold, increasing disease communicability.
A Johns Hopkins report highlights Yemen's inadequate cholera preparedness and response, citing gaps in surveillance, access to populations, and coordination. The authors recommend improving disease surveillance, integrating health and WASH sectors, and boosting laboratory capacity to better prepare for future epidemics.
High-dose opioids are widely prescribed for chronic pain, but can cause self-perpetuating therapy and withdrawal. The Canadian government should recall these formulations to regulate dangerous prescribing practices. This would help fuel the opioid crisis, particularly among patients with addiction.
A potential joint US-Mexico opioid epidemic is looming due to relaxed regulations, increased demand, and pharmaceutical pressure. The study highlights the need for US resources to mitigate a possible epidemic in Mexico.
A mathematical model revealed that spotted hyenas take over a decade to recover from the CDV epidemic due to their slow reproduction rate. The study emphasizes the importance of age and social status in disease spread, with high-ranking females playing a crucial role in population recovery.
Researchers are sampling annual bluegrass populations across Tennessee to quantify herbicide resistance and develop new diagnostic assays. The goal is to optimize management plans that integrate cultural and chemical techniques to mitigate resistance.
A recent study published in SCIENCE CHINA Life Sciences reveals significant advancements in diabetes research in China since 1995, with a substantial increase in publication numbers and citation metrics. The study highlights the need to address the growing diabetes epidemic, suggesting opportunities for new drug development, high-quali...
Researchers link declines in life expectancy to rising medical costs and structural issues like democratic institutions failure and economic stagnation, not just opioid epidemic
A new study analyzing nearly 600,000 unintentional drug overdoses reveals a smooth exponential growth curve nationwide. Regional hotspots have been identified, except for select areas in the north central US.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis found death rates from drug overdoses have been growing exponentially for at least 15 years, suggesting a long-term process driving the epidemic. The study suggests that prevention efforts must address deeper factors beyond specific drugs to be successful.
Researchers studied blood samples from 3,740 children and 1,074 adults in Managua, Nicaragua, after the 2016 Zika epidemic. The study found a high post-epidemic seroprevalence of 36% in children and 56% in adults, with immunity rates higher in females and increasing nonlinearly with age.
Researchers at Imperial College London identified the cause of enterovirus outbreaks as linked to birth rates. The model predicts subsequent outbreaks, allowing for vaccine design and anticipation of outbreak impact.
A study in Guatemala finds type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes affect 25% of the indigenous population, with age being a significant risk factor rather than obesity. The prevalence has more than doubled since 2003, and researchers attribute this to aging, increased physical inactivity, and insulin resistance.
Researchers found that Ebola outbreaks have a lasting negative impact on Liberian agricultural production, income, and food security. Despite no difference in annual household income between affected and unaffected areas, communities with EVD experienced greater crop production losses.
Namibia achieved high levels of viral load suppression among women and adults, with progress attributed to targeted expansion of prevention and treatment services. However, gaps remain in western Africa, particularly among young women and men, highlighting the need for expanded primary HIV prevention and treatment resources.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that congressional districts in the southeastern US and Appalachia have the highest opioid prescribing rates. These areas were followed closely by rural west states. On the other hand, districts near urban centers tend to have lower prescribing rates.
The National Academies have released a report on the intersection of opioid use disorder and infectious diseases, highlighting the urgent need for integrated treatment strategies. The report suggests five action steps to target both opioid use disorder and its resulting rise in infectious diseases, including screening for OUD, implemen...
An expert panel has identified parallels between the current opioid epidemic and the early days of the HIV epidemic. The panel recommends five crucial steps for clinicians treating patients affected by opioid addiction and these intersecting infections, including increasing access to addiction care and developing hospital-based protocols.
Oregon Health & Science University researchers recommend routinely screening and treating patients for opioid abuse when they come to clinics and hospitals seeking other services. This approach can save lives and turn around the national opioid epidemic by addressing opioid use disorder as a chronic medical condition.
Researchers update IDCs list, highlighting their critical roles in NTD research and epidemic preparedness. Countries like Brazil, Turkey, and China demonstrate higher prioritization on NTDs research.
A study by Stanford researchers found that physician burnout is equally, if not more, responsible for medical errors as unsafe work environments. The study suggests that addressing burnout among healthcare providers is crucial to reducing medical errors and improving patient safety.
Current opioid epidemic responses neglect to account for gender-specific factors, including pain sensitivity and treatment outcomes. Women are disproportionately affected by opioid addiction, with increased risk of overdose deaths and limited access to effective treatment options.
A trial from Niger found that village-wide prophylactic antibiotics significantly reduced the spread of meningitis. The study showed a 60% lower number of new meningitis cases in villages with antibiotic distribution compared to those without, highlighting the effectiveness of mass prophylaxis as an epidemic response.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that health insurers have not done enough to combat the opioid epidemic. The researchers analyzed coverage policies for drugs to treat chronic lower-back pain and concluded that these policies missed opportunities to steer patients towards safer treatments.
Holistic thinking patterns can make consumers more susceptible to advertisements for unhealthy foods. In experiments, holistic thinkers showed increased cravings and desire to buy unhealthy food options when viewed with context. Researchers hope their findings can inform strategies to help countries battling obesity epidemics.
Researchers employed a concrete interplay model in quenched multiplex networks to study the connection between adaptive human behavior and epidemic spread. The model accurately describes actual epidemic spread in complex networks while characterizing interactions between transmission and human behaviors.
A preclinical study shows a new cholera vaccine can provide long-term immune response and immediate protection within 24 hours. Mathematical modeling predicts the vaccine could save up to 20,000 infections compared to traditional vaccines.
Researchers created a genetic family tree of the Ebola epidemic, revealing its spread between 2013-2016. Closing international borders proved effective in slowing down the virus, while local measures had little impact.
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals a sharp increase in organ donations from US donors who died of drug intoxication. Despite concerns over the sensitivity of these organs to blood supply restrictions, survival rates are similar to those for other causes of death.
NIH scientists found that Makona Ebola virus mutations did not impact disease progression or viral shedding in animal models, suggesting a consistent disease presentation. The study also compared EBOV-Makona to the original EBOV-Mayinga strain, finding that Makona is less virulent.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that initial estimates of Ebola's genome change rate were due to biased computer models and limited virus sample data. The team's new calculations show a slower, more accurate mutation rate over time.
A recent study published in Science reveals that some tropical amphibian species are recovering from a deadly fungal disease, despite the pathogen remaining equally deadly over time. The researchers found that nearly a decade after the outbreak, some frogs in Panama are surviving and may have better defenses against the infection.
Researchers found that frogs surviving the chytridiomycosis epidemic developed stronger defenses against the fungus, inhibiting its growth. However, captive breeding programs face challenges in replicating these findings, highlighting the need for further research on disease dynamics and host resistance.
A new study suggests that amphibian populations in Panama have started becoming more resistant to the deadly fungal pathogen chytridiomycosis. Over 2,000 diagnostic samples show a decrease in the prevalence of the fungus since the initial epidemics occurred.
Researchers analyzed sea star populations along the US west coast and found severe declines in southern California and the Channel Islands. Juvenile sea star mortality increased by approximately 90 percent, while ochre sea stars are a keystone species crucial to intertidal ecosystems.
Researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries regarding the onset of cholera, paving the way for a fast-acting antidote. The study shows that mice without a specific receptor can still get diarrhea after consuming cholera toxin, offering new possibilities for producing a drinkable antidote.
A recent study found that pregnant women infected with Zika virus experienced a significantly lower rate of congenital neurological abnormalities than initially thought. The study, which monitored over 2,000 women, revealed a 12.7% risk of complications when infected during the first trimester.
A majority of US adults (59.7%) would pay at least $1 for an Ebola vaccine, according to a national survey conducted during the 2014-2016 West African outbreak. Participants who had traveled internationally and were interested in getting vaccinated were more likely to be willing to pay.
High-ranking mothers' cubs have lower CDV infection probability and reduced mortality, while high-ranking adults are more likely to be infected but experience similar mortality rates. The study highlights the impact of social status on immune processes and disease transmission in a wildlife population.