Articles tagged with Infectious Diseases
A comprehensive study confirms that excessive gluten consumption increases the risk of developing coeliac disease or pre-coeliac disease in young children. The study found a significant association between daily gluten intake over 2 grams and a 75% increase in risk, even at small amounts.
A computational model has been developed to understand the mechanism of prion replication, which replicates in absence of genetic material. The study proposes a novel architecture consistent with recent experimental data and allows for the reliable prediction of protein conformational transitions.
A new study reveals that chronic diseases such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer are now the leading causes of premature death in China. The study's findings show a significant shift from communicable to chronic conditions over nearly three decades, largely due to economic growth and increasing education levels.
The University of Pittsburgh will lead a global, cloud-based data system to improve knowledge of infectious diseases, with a focus on sharing research data and software. The system aims to accelerate infectious disease research and discoveries, leveraging the 'open science' movement.
Researchers used an interactive model, Tangible Landscape, to engage forest stakeholders in managing sudden oak death. The model allows participants to explore scenarios and factor in budgets for disease management, providing valuable insights for sustainable solutions.
Researchers at SLU discovered a molecular pathway required for neuropathic pain and found blocking this signal can limit or stop pain. A new class of non-narcotic pain-killing therapies is being developed.
Researchers analyzed plasmablasts in children with Kawasaki Disease to identify potential causes of the condition. The study found massive expansions of specific antibodies, supporting an infectious disease etiology for KD. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches targeting these clones.
A large study of over 670,000 primary hip replacement patients found that patients under 60, males, and those with chronic pulmonary disease are at increased risk of developing severe infection. The study also showed that liver diseases or inflammatory arthropathy increase the risk of revision for infection in the long-term.
The 2017 pneumonic plague outbreak in Madagascar was characterized by a dominance of the pneumonic form, which accounted for 78% of reported clinical cases. The number of confirmed cases doubled every five days after the initial stage of the outbreak.
A study by the University of Kent found that annual disinfection of parakeet nests did not effectively reduce the spread of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease. The research team recommends re-evaluating biosecurity measures to prioritize conservation objectives.
The UK is failing to provide universal health coverage to undocumented child migrants by charging them for healthcare, contravening the UN Convention on Rights of the Child and Sustainable Development Goals. The policy has led to poor health outcomes, underuse of services, and obstacles in identifying children at risk.
A global study of 1.8 billion adolescents found a growing health inequality, with more adolescents facing triple-burden diseases and unmet needs in health systems. The US is lagging behind other high-income countries in preventing injuries, obesity, and childbirth among young people.
The Lancet report highlights the alarming rise in adolescent disease burden worldwide, with an additional 250 million adolescents living in multi-burden countries. The prevalence of obesity, anaemia, and child marriage has increased significantly between 1990 and 2016, posing a major threat to their health and wellbeing.
A team of scientists at Houston Methodist has identified a previously unknown trigger that turns group A streptococcus infections into flesh-eating diseases. The discovery may lead to the development of a childbed fever vaccine, which is estimated to cause 10% of maternal deaths globally.
The review finds that while antibiotic development has improved, the most recently approved drugs represent modifications to existing classes rather than innovative approaches. Unmet needs persist due to a lack of treatment options for multidrug-resistant infections.
The combination of ocean warming and an infectious wasting disease has devastated populations of large sunflower sea stars along the West Coast. The loss of these sea stars has caused a cascading effect on the ecosystem, with urchin populations expanding and threatening kelp forests and biodiversity.
Researchers found that Cameroonian adults frequently interact with nonhuman primates through hunting, butchering, and consuming meat. This exposure puts people at risk of infection with new diseases, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and safe handling practices.
A large study found that widespread, low-intensity antibiotic use in the US is more closely linked to antibiotic resistance than high-intensity use by a small fraction of the population. The study analyzed data from over 60 million Americans and found that occasional use was associated with higher rates of resistance.
A Johns Hopkins-led initiative screened over 5,000 Tibetan refugee children and staff for tuberculosis disease and infection. The study found nearly one in five children had TB infection, highlighting the need for population-level control measures.
A new method for estimating health data accuracy combines HIS data with probability surveys to provide a more accurate assessment of an intervention's coverage. This allows for better planning and management of health systems and policies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
A study by researchers from UNIGE and Calcutta examines the reliability of a self-assessment question for evaluating health status in middle-income countries. The team found that the simple question provided a sound understanding of India's population health, with better variance captured compared to Switzerland.
Researchers analyzed over 57,000 publications on swine pathogens from 1966 to 2016, revealing emerging infectious diseases with increased research funding priority. Global networks of swine pathogen research were also mapped, showing regional collaboration patterns and colonial relationships.
Researchers identified 20 critical points for disease detection, assessment, and patient communication to strengthen Japan's preparedness plans. Gaps in current controls, including missed cases at accommodations and communication failures, were highlighted.
The partnership aims to develop and conduct collaborative clinical research studies on young children with various immune system disorders. The collaboration provides joint training opportunities for physician-scientists and offers comprehensive pediatric clinical support.
A study published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal found that repeat vaccinations are safe for most children with mild to moderate reactions after their initial immunization. Sixteen percent of patients experienced recurrent adverse events following immunization, but most were no more severe than the initial reaction.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that early-career scientists who received first-time NIH grants are successful in obtaining subsequent funding. These researchers consistently submitted more applications per year, renewal applications, and to multiple NIH Institutes. They also demonstrated better grant writing skills and project scope.
A pilot project found that telehealth videoconferencing increased awareness of antibiotic stewardship principles and helped facilities implement more than two-thirds of recommendations. This study demonstrates how technology can provide access to expert knowledge and practices for smaller facilities.
A new scientific study reveals that there is no safe level of drinking alcohol, with nearly 3 million deaths globally attributed to alcohol use in 2016. The study finds massive health risks associated with alcohol consumption, including premature death, cancer, and cardiovascular problems.
A new mathematical model reveals how social interactions influence the emergence of infectious diseases, allowing for better anticipation and prevention of outbreaks. The study suggests that understanding human behavior can aid in preventing the evolution of more virulent pathogen strains.
Researchers found that mice infected with hookworms produce super-killer macrophages that are efficient at killing the worms but also cause tissue damage and inflammation. The study reveals that RELMalpha, an immune protein, helps balance immunity and inflammation by downregulating inflammatory responses.
A study by researchers from the University of Bristol identified key risk factors for hip replacement infections, including patient age and health conditions. The research found that certain surgical approaches and implant materials reduced the risk of infection, while others increased it.
A nationwide study of nearly 600,000 Danish children found that severe childhood infections are associated with lower school achievement in adolescence. Hospitalizations for infections were linked to a 38% reduction in the odds of completing ninth grade, while primary care treatment was unrelated.
A new study found Indonesia's life expectancy increased by eight years between 1990 and 2016, but non-communicable diseases have dramatically risen. The 'double burden' poses significant health challenges, with heart disease, diabetes, and injuries taking a toll on the population.
A new study suggests that all chronic hepatitis C-infected patients' access to direct-acting antiviral medications must be improved to achieve the public health goal of eliminating hepatitis C infection. Denials were more common among patients with commercial insurance, with 52.4% of prescriptions denied.
A SLU scientist is using a $150,000 grant to research human pancreas cells and develop new therapies for people at risk of life-threatening hypoglycemia. The goal is to mimic a protein that drives glucagon release in response to low blood sugar.
The study rates nations on a health care access and quality index, highlighting stark disparities across most countries. Many low-to-middle income countries saw progress accelerate from 2000 to 2016, driven by gains in vaccine-preventable diseases and maternal child health.
The study found significant improvements in healthcare access and quality globally between 2000-2016, with many low and middle-income countries experiencing large gains. However, progress slowed or stalled in some countries, highlighting the need for urgent investment in healthcare systems to address widening gaps between health servic...
BU researcher Duo Zhang has received a highly competitive $100,000 NIH Pathway to Independence Award to investigate a previously unidentified RNA molecular in lung inflammation. The grant will assist him in launching independent research on bacterial-induced pneumonia.
A unique initiative will bring together over 250 researchers at McGill and the MUHC to develop innovative solutions to infectious diseases. The project will focus on four major themes: antimicrobial resistance, emerging and re-emerging diseases, infections in vulnerable populations, and diseases of altered immunity.
Research from the University of Copenhagen found a U-shaped relationship between HDL cholesterol levels and risk of infectious diseases. Individuals with both very low and very high HDL cholesterol had high risks of hospitalization and death from infectious diseases, including gastroenteritis and pneumonia.
The study found that preprint posting increased during the Zika epidemic compared to the Ebola outbreak, providing earlier access to scientific reports. The authors advocate for broader use of preprints to facilitate criticism, analysis, and further studies in infectious disease outbreaks.
A new study by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute found that an eight-week treatment regimen for hepatitis C may be just as effective as a 12-week course in black patients. The study suggests that more people could take advantage of the shorter treatment duration, benefiting access and reducing costs.
Two Boston University School of Medicine students, Travis Hallett and Aditya Mithal, took first- and second-place wins in the Massachusetts Medical Society's annual poster symposium. Their research explores the impact of Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion on cardiovascular mortality.
Researchers design a mathematical model that predicts how mobility affects disease spread, finding that daily mobility reduces epidemics in large cities. The model suggests that recurring mobility helps even out population density, reducing the occurrence of epidemics.
Karen Cheng, a third-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has created an automated device that kills mosquito larvae in rooftop water tanks, reducing the spread of Zika and other viruses. The invention was recognized with a $3,500 award from the Clinton Global Initiative University Conference Innovation Fund.
Researchers Ryosuke Omori and Jianhong Wu develop an inductive algorithm to study site-specific nucleotide frequencies using a multi-strain SIR model. The algorithm calculates Tajima's D, a statistical test that measures natural selection at a specific site.
Research in Psychological Science finds that thinking about potential infection activates the behavioral immune system, leading individuals to focus on their own physical appearance. Germ-averse participants reported more insecurity and interest in appearance-related behaviors and products after reading scenarios about potential pathog...
A new clinical trial shows that combining omalizumab with oral immunotherapy increases the ability of children with multiple food allergies to safely consume allergenic foods. The treatment resulted in over 80% of children being able to eat at least two grams of two or more foods without adverse reactions.
Researchers at Saint Louis University report promising results slowing DMD progression using SR8278, a nuclear receptor regulator drug that increases lean mass and muscle function while decreasing fibrosis and protein degradation.
Case Western Reserve University researchers found infectious prions in CJD patient skin, which are 1,000-100,000 times lower than in brain tissue. This discovery raises concerns about potential disease transmission through surgeries and may pave the way for less invasive diagnostic techniques.
A new study finds that non-communicable diseases have become the leading cause of death in India, surpassing infectious diseases. The study reveals significant state-level variations in health outcomes, with some states experiencing much higher rates of deaths and illnesses due to conditions like diabetes and ischemic heart disease.
The study reveals wide inequalities in life expectancy between states, with some experiencing significant improvements while others lag behind. Non-communicable diseases, including heart disease and stroke, claim a disproportionate number of lives across many states.
A new study reveals that severe Perkinsea infections (SPI) is the third most common infectious disease of frogs in North America. Mass mortalities caused by SPI resulted in up to 95% tadpole population deaths, further jeopardizing frog populations.
Bacterial ribosomes can take an inactive form called hibernating 100S ribosome, helping bacteria conserve energy under stressful conditions. A SLU researcher discovered the protein factor HflX that triggers the transition back to active 70S form, essential for protein synthesis.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that the attrition rate among general surgery residents was lower than previously thought, with only 8.8% leaving their training programs compared to 20%. The study also identified a significant difference in program directors' attitudes and support for struggling residents between high- a...
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are developing a vaccine to protect against Shigella and certain E. coli, leading causes of diarrheal diseases in young children and travelers. The $2.47 million grant will support translation from an animal-tested prototype to a human-ready vaccine for Phase 1 clinical trials.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the immune system's molecular mechanisms, providing new foundations for treating various diseases. The study reveals that 'toll-like receptors' play a key role in both protecting against infection and triggering pathological inflammatory responses.
A recent study from LA BioMed researchers found that the proper use of acupuncture can lead to elevated levels of nitric oxide in the skin at acupoints, increasing blood flow and analgesic release. The study suggests that this method may contribute to the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture.
Scientists have identified mutations in the CARD11 gene that lead to severe atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin disease. Supplementing with the amino acid glutamine may partially correct the underlying cell-signaling defects, according to a study published in Nature Genetics.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases study finds that diarrhoea is the fourth leading cause of death for children under 5, with 42% of deaths occurring in India and Nigeria. The researchers call for immediate and sustained actions to increase healthcare access and the use of oral rehydration solutions.