Articles tagged with Infectious Diseases
A study found that coroners are unable to agree on cause of death or whether an inquest is needed, even with same information. This inconsistency can lead to delayed prevention of future deaths.
In a recent editorial, Saint Louis University cardiologist Paul J. Hauptman emphasizes the need for patient-centric symptom relief as a primary goal in treating worsening heart failure. His review of the TRUE-AHF trial suggests that ularitide has limited short-term effects and may not improve longer-term survival.
A small study reveals a significant variation in coroner decision-making processes, which can affect the prevention of future deaths. The findings highlight the need for a national coroner consensus to achieve a shared inference from available evidence.
The National Institutes of Health has designated $42.7 million for the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) over seven years to continue evaluating new approaches to treat food allergy. CoFAR scientists are working on immunotherapy approaches to reduce immediate allergic symptoms and bring about long-term relief.
Denise Sloan, a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine, has been named the 2017 recipient of the Toy Caldwell-Colbert Award. The award recognizes her excellence in mentoring clinical psychology graduate students and junior faculty.
Researchers found that targeting REV-ERB nuclear receptor can suppress cholesterol-related enzyme genes, leading to reduced LDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests that this approach may be an effective method for treating diseases associated with high cholesterol.
Boston University will launch the Women Veterans Network (WoVeN), a nationwide network of structured support groups for female veterans. The program aims to enhance wellness, quality of life and family relationships for women who have served in the military.
A new article recommends establishing an institute focused on developing vaccines of public health importance without commercial interest. The proposed institute will require collaboration among stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and private foundations.
Researchers have identified interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) as the trigger for inflammation during necroptosis, a recently described form of cell death. This discovery could lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease by targeting IL-1.
A study by LA BioMed and UCLA researchers found that over 50% of hospital ICU admissions could have been cared for in less expensive settings. Nearly 65% of ICU days were allocated to discretionary monitoring, which is not necessary for patients who are too well or too sick.
The Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) provides a generic framework for customizing healthcare solutions in individual countries or states. By empowering health workers, PACK aims to improve primary care and address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in low-income countries.
A team of scientists has isolated a mutated prion protein that can multiply in the lab but not in living animals. The mutant scrapie prion lacks a crucial stretch of amino acids necessary for animal infection, providing new insights into the mechanisms behind prion infectiousness.
The latest Zika virus research highlights the need for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods due to its link to severe birth defects. Scientists are working to understand the virus's behavior and develop effective strategies to combat its spread worldwide.
A new guide provides evidence-based advice for controlling the rapid spread of dog diseases in group settings. The guidelines recommend measures such as frequent hand washing, disinfection, vaccination, and careful crowd management to prevent disease transmission.
Scientists at the University of Alberta have identified the structure of the infectious prion protein, a misfolded protein causing BSE, Chronic Wasting Disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. The breakthrough study uses electron cryomicroscopy technology to reveal how infectious prions replicate and propagate.
A Saint Louis University researcher is studying the impact of treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on cardiovascular and metabolic health. The study aims to determine if patients who have been successfully treated for PTSD are more likely to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
The author of a SLU commentary proposes a comprehensive model for improving mental health among medical students, highlighting the importance of creating an environment that nurtures rather than punishes. The approach includes tweaking the curriculum, offering electives and learning communities, teaching resilience training, and coping...
A study led by UNC researcher Joseph D. Tucker recommends reforms to improve patient-physician trust in China, including medical humanities training and policy changes to address health systems and legal issues. The initiative aims to rebuild trust following violent attacks on healthcare professionals.
A recent study by the University of Liverpool has found that a potentially fatal tick-borne disease called canine babesiosis in the UK appears to be under control. The study analyzed data from 2015 and found a low background level of Babesia infection in the UK, with most cases linked to overseas travel.
A new study from Saint Louis University finds that higher carb intake is associated with lower adropin levels, while higher fat intake may be linked to higher adropin. People with low adropin have higher fat content in the blood and are at a higher risk of heart disease.
Researchers used genetic sequencing to track gonorrhea infections across borders, revealing that 3/4 of cases in Brighton could be linked to earlier local cases. The study also found evidence of gonorrhoea spreading to and from Brighton from the rest of the UK and the US.
Researchers at UTHealth will investigate the zoonotic potential of CWD and environmental prion contamination. The team aims to develop efficient detection methods for prion diseases, which are fatal brain disorders with long incubation periods.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are recruiting volunteers for a clinical trial aimed at decoding the human immunome. The study, part of the Human Vaccines Project, will generate data on the genetic underpinnings of the immune system to guide next-generation vaccine development.
The NIH has developed a crowdsourcing platform, OMics Compendia Commons (OMiCC), to make public gene expression data more accessible. Researchers can create groups of data and annotate them with standardized parameters, allowing for the reuse of existing data to address new research questions.
A global early warning system for infectious diseases is proposed to use computer models to forecast disease risk and inform targeted responses. This system could shift the paradigm from reactive to pre-emptive management of risk, minimizing damages and improving global health security.
A new PLOS Medicine article highlights the need for strengthened national health systems, consolidated global emergency response activities, and enhanced research and development to prevent and respond to future infectious disease threats. The study's authors emphasize that system-wide accountability and continuous oversight are crucia...
Researchers at Cardiff University discovered a signaling molecule that can alleviate asthma symptoms such as mucus production and airway constriction. The study found that blocking this molecule can help regulate the allergic immune response, potentially leading to improved treatment options for asthma sufferers worldwide.
A new NIH study has identified the protein calpain 14 as a possible cause of tissue damage in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. The researchers found that calpain 14 regulates another protein, desmoglein 1, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of esophageal tissue.
Chronic diseases like hypertension and heart disease are rising in Africa due to infectious disease spread, healthcare worker shortage, and lack of investment. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to address the growing epidemic and promote health equity.
Cells have evolved several tactics to cope with DNA lesions and replication stress, including fork repriming, fork reversal, and replisome dynamics. Improper repair of DNA lesions can lead to mutations and genetic abnormalities.
Enrico Di Cera's work on the Structural Biology Data Grid allows researchers to share and reproduce findings faster, advancing the field of structural biology. The grid supports archiving of raw experimental datasets, enabling rapid access for validation and improving existing models.
A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization found that an estimated 312.9 million surgeries took place globally in 2012, with only 30% of operations occurring in low-income countries representing 71% of the global population.
Two new studies by Cornell University researchers link warming ocean temperatures to increased disease outbreaks in marine organisms, including lobsters and sea stars. The findings highlight the need for advanced warning systems to prevent disease outbreaks and protect economically important species.
Pathogens and Immunity, an online, open-access journal, simplifies the submission and review process, reducing it from one day to five minutes. Senior editors at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine revise biomedical publications standards in immunology and infectious diseases.
A study found that up to 66.8% of households experience catastrophic health expenditure for tuberculosis care, with the poorest households bearing the brunt. Expanding universal healthcare and increasing reimbursement rates could lower these costs and have positive economic effects.
The study found that over 3.1 million elderly adults visited emergency departments in the US due to infectious diseases, accounting for 13.5% of all visits. The most common diagnoses were lower respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and septicemia.
A four-year study found that uninsured patients who self-administered long-term IV antibiotics had a 47% lower rate of 30-day readmission rates and similar mortality rates compared to those with insurance. The practice saves hospitals millions of dollars and allows patients to return to their normal lives.
Researchers at SLU are developing a biomarker to help diagnose sepsis early and improve treatment outcomes. Chlorinated lipids may hold the key to this discovery, as they appear under conditions of inflammation.
Researchers successfully tested gene therapy combined with low-dose chemotherapy in five patients aged 7-24 with worsening immune systems due to SCID-X1. The therapy showed substantial improvements in immunity and clinical status, particularly in the first two patients who received treatment.
Saint Louis University's Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit will study the safety and effectiveness of vaccines using omics technologies, including transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics. The research aims to understand the immune system's response to infectious diseases.
Health economists from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine argue that universal access to medicines is critical in controlling neglected diseases, major infections, and chronic diseases. The PURE study reveals that secondary prevention is unavailable and unaffordable in many communities worldwide, highlighting the need for polici...
The partnership aims to improve genomic research efficiency, increase output, and reduce costs. Gene technology will be utilized to create a better life for humanity, with the goal of advancing life sciences research.
The Global Health Vaccine Center of Innovation (GHVCI) aims to accelerate vaccine development and make vaccines more accessible globally. The GHVCI combines IDRI's vaccine design technologies with Sanofi Pasteur's expertise in vaccine development, formulation, and production.
Dr. Ronald Oudiz, a renowned researcher at LA BioMed, is being recognized for his pioneering work in the pulmonary hypertension field. His contributions have led to significant advancements in understanding and treating this potentially fatal disease.
A study found that the majority of active TB cases in Canada were linked to immigrants from Afghanistan, China, India, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. This suggests that developed countries can focus on screening for TB in high-risk immigrants rather than screening all arrivals.
A panel of world experts recommends annual brain health screenings for individuals 70 and older, citing high rates of memory problems among this age group. Lifestyle changes, such as a Mediterranean-type diet, exercise, and intellectual activities, can slow cognitive decline.
SLU researcher Nicola Pozzi is seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms of prothrombin and thrombin to develop more effective life-saving drugs. The research builds on previous breakthroughs in blood-clotting protein structure, which may lead to a better understanding of how prothrombin is converted to thrombin.
Linda J.S. Allen, a renowned mathematician at Texas Tech University, has been recognized with the AWM-SIAM Sonia Kovalevsky Lecture award for her significant contributions to ordinary differential equations, difference equations, and stochastic models, particularly in the areas of infectious diseases and ecology.
SLU pain researcher Daniela Salvemini has been awarded the NIH's Cutting-Edge Basic Research Award to develop new painkillers that can quell terrible pain while minimizing debilitating side effects. The two-year grant will support her search for innovative ways to mitigate opioid side effects and preserve their pain-relieving ability.
A portable 'paper machine' uses DNA analysis and detection to diagnose infectious diseases, genetic conditions, and cancer in resource-limited areas. The device costs less than $2 total and can detect as few as five cells of E. coli using ultraviolet light and a smartphone camera.
A Boston University School of Medicine researcher has been awarded a four-year, $1.6 million NIH grant to investigate how immunity to pneumonia develops and protects certain individuals. The study aims to understand the role of resident memory T cells in preventing pneumonia and identify who is most likely to get the disease.
Researchers at UGA developed a way to predict which rodent species are most likely to be sources of new disease outbreaks in humans. By analyzing over 2,000 rodent species and their associated pathogens, they identified potential future hot spots for infectious diseases.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has established a Biosafety and Infectious Disease Training Initiative, partnering with the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. This program aims to deliver meaningful training to various audiences, including public service employees and waste handlers.
A study of 1,500 Kenyan households and their livestock found a strong relationship between animal illnesses and human sickness. Healthy livestock can lower malnutrition and disease, while unhealthy animals may transmit pathogens.
The west African Ebola epidemic has sparked interest in global health security, but its impact on political commitment to public health is uncertain. The crisis has highlighted the importance of securing individuals' access to healthcare as part of global health security. Key challenges include counterfeit medicines, antimicrobial resi...
A study of 855 Gothenburg men born in 1913 found that factors such as not smoking, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and a strong socio-economic standard contributed to their longevity. Additionally, correlations with maternal longevity and robust working capacity were also identified.
A Saint Louis University study found that text messages can provide private support for at-risk mothers suffering from postpartum depression, with 86.1% of delivered messages successfully received by 54 mothers over six months. The low-cost intervention was well-received and had a positive impact on the child's development.
Researchers found depressed levels of cytokines, including interleukin 1, in individuals with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls, while an inflammatory molecule called eotaxin was elevated in the group. These findings may contribute to symptoms such as brain fog and offer hope for objective diagnostic tests and therapies that correct ...
Dr. Juan Martinez and his team are studying Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia conorii, RMSF, and MSF to identify proteins that play a role in pathogenesis and develop strategies to inhibit their function.
A study by Saint Louis University found that patients taking higher doses of opioids for chronic pain were more likely to experience an increase in depression. The researchers hope their findings will inform better pain management strategies and improve outcomes for patients.