Articles tagged with Infectious Diseases
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.
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.
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 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.
A recent article highlights the importance of local health departments' roles in responding to global health security threats posed by infectious diseases. Key findings include the need for dedicated staff to interpret federal guidance, form partnerships with healthcare coalitions, and communicate accurate risk information. The Ebola e...
A study published in Molecular Metabolism found that adropin, a hormone regulating fat and sugar metabolism during feeding and fasting cycles, can improve insulin action in obese mice. This suggests that it may work as a therapy for type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Saint Louis University have found a way to prevent type I diabetes in an animal model by blocking the autoimmune process that destroys beta cells. The study uses a selective ROR alpha and gamma t inverse agonist to reduce autoimmunity, suggesting a new treatment option for the illness.
Saint Louis University researcher Daniela Salvemini and colleagues have discovered a way to block a pain pathway in animal models of chronic neuropathic pain, suggesting a promising new approach to pain relief. Activating the A3 adenosine receptor subtype provides robust pain reduction across several types of pain.
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change found that climate change will slow China's efforts to reduce infectious diseases like diarrheal and vector-borne diseases. The researchers predict that changes to the global climate could delay China's progress by up to seven years by 2030.
A systematic review found that reminder systems, including pre-appointment prompts and contact with missed appointments, can significantly improve treatment completion rates. The review's findings suggest these policies have important benefits and can contribute to improving TB treatment outcomes.
A new treatment for Marfan syndrome, losartan, has shown comparable effectiveness to the commonly prescribed medication atenolol in managing heart issues. The study found no evidence that losartan is superior to atenolol but offers a reasonable alternative for patients who can't take beta blockers.
A new protocol for imaging Ebola patients has been developed to minimize risk of exposure, using portable computed radiography and thorough decontamination procedures. The step-by-step guide is published in the American Journal of Roentgenology and aims to improve physicians' ability to rapidly evaluate suspected cases.
QUT researchers have developed a system that can predict dengue fever outbreaks in China by combining internet search metrics with environmental factors. The system achieved a 99.8% success rate in detecting outbreaks within three days, highlighting the potential for early warning systems to reduce the impact of infectious diseases.
A new model developed at NYU School of Engineering aims to accurately predict the spread of epidemics by accounting for individual human behavior and contagion. The researchers hope this model will help determine who should be vaccinated or isolated first and what travel restrictions are most effective in preventing different epidemics.
A new ECG device, QTScreen, has the potential to identify infants at risk of long QT syndrome, a genetic heart condition that can be treated with medication. The device will be tested on 4,000 babies in Southern California and is designed to be easy to use for parents.
A new series on homelessness in high-income countries highlights the alarming health risks faced by homeless individuals, including higher rates of tuberculosis and depression. The series also notes that despite an expansion of services, the risk of death among homeless people has remained similar over the past 20 years.
The university is applying 'Star Trek technology' from the national laboratory to improve diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. The Microbial Detection Array can test any sample, including blood, dirt, tissue, or a nasal or saliva swab, and is valuable for public health, vaccine safety, food safety, biodefense, and animal health.
A meta-analysis of 70 studies found that fludeoxyglucose F18-PET combined with CT is less accurate for diagnosing lung cancer in areas with endemic infectious lung diseases. The pooled sensitivity was 89%, but specificity was lower (61%) compared to non-endemic regions (77%).
Researchers found that patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy during normal working hours were more likely to receive minimally invasive procedures. The study also revealed no significant differences in complication rates or length of stay between day and night surgeries.
The NIH has launched a new online database, ClinRegs, to provide up-to-date information on country-specific clinical research regulatory requirements. This resource enables users to explore and compare regulations across different countries, streamlining the planning and implementation of international research projects.
Researchers have developed a new nasal test that can quickly and accurately diagnose Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an incurable neurodegenerative disorder. The test was successfully tested in 97% of patients with the disease and showed 100% specificity for non-patients.
The study investigates progerin's potential causative factor for atherosclerosis in both modern and ancient populations. Progerin is found to be expressed in vascular cells, leading to vessel wall cell loss and replacement by fibrous tissue.
Researchers at Saint Louis University discovered that deleting disordered sections of a protein's structure reveals the molecular mechanism of blood clotting. By crystallizing prothrombin, they found that the deleted version is activated to thrombin faster and provides key information on the mechanism of prothrombin activation.
A Saint Louis University pediatrician is developing an educational video game to train military physicians on pediatric emergency room cases. The game-based tool aims to improve physicians' skills in treating life-threatening emergencies, with potential applications for humanitarian missions.
A team of researchers at Virginia Tech used infection-modeling techniques to analyze the mass incarceration problem, discovering that small but significant differences in prison sentences can lead to large disparities in incarceration rates. The model reproduces many facets of incarceration in the US, including racial disparities.
Anil Kulkarni, UTHealth professor, awarded Fulbright Fellowship to teach immunonutrition in India. He aims to establish a center promoting immunonutrition education globally.
A team of researchers led by David Hughes is studying the role of group size, complexity, and connectedness in driving infectious disease transmission. By analyzing ant colonies, they aim to develop strategies to reduce the spread of diseases, including those affecting humans in schools, hospitals, and farms.
Saint Louis University researcher Daniel Hawiger is awarded $608,376 to investigate immunological tolerance and its failures in multiple sclerosis (MS). He hopes to develop targeted therapies that selectively suppress immune-mediated damage without side effects.
Saint Louis University's medical school curriculum changes have reduced depression rates from 27% to 11% and anxiety from 55% to 31% among first-year students. The new curriculum focuses on stress reduction, resilience training, and mindfulness.
A new study provides reliable data on antibiotic use in non-EU southern and eastern European countries, highlighting the need for national action plans to enhance judicious use. High rates of self-medication with antibiotics and parenteral administration are reported, emphasizing the urgent need for restriction and education.
Dr. Richard Glassock, a member of LA BioMed's Board of Directors, has been awarded the 2014 Medal of Excellence for his exceptional contributions to patient care. He is recognized for his extensive research and clinical expertise in glomerular diseases and clinical nephrology.
A Saint Louis University pediatric researcher is conducting a study to determine the best time to discuss obtaining parental consent for clinical research involving treatment of newborns in the delivery room. The goal is to develop a method that satisfies ethical requirements while making it easier for parents to understand the researc...
Scientists at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna have created a model to investigate the role of STAT1 in various disease conditions. The genetically modified mice can produce an exact dose of protein, enabling researchers to examine the origins and course of many diseases.
Researchers uncover that two devastating plagues were caused by distinct strains of the same pathogen, which may lead to a better understanding of modern infectious disease dynamics. The study also raises questions about why a highly deadly pathogen died out and could potentially inform responses to future pandemics.
The Arab world has made significant strides in reducing premature death and disability, but still struggles with substantial burdens of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Governance and health systems are also critical to addressing these challenges.
A new study by LA BioMed finds that daily antibiotic use is the most effective method for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections, reducing recurrence rates to 0.4 per year. Cranberry pills and estrogen therapy also showed benefits, with acupuncture treatments reducing recurrence rates to 0.7 per year.
A new study reveals the BCG vaccine is highly protective against pulmonary TB globally, including in tropical regions. The key to its effectiveness lies in early vaccination before prior infection, suggesting a crucial role for BCG in controlling TB's major burden and transmission.
Researchers identified a chromosomal deletion in the CFHR gene cluster, resulting in production of a hybrid CFHR2/CFRH5 that stabilized C3 convertase. Treatment with soluble C1 restored C3 convertase decay and may be a promising treatment option for patients with refractory dense deposit disease.
Researchers found that antioxidant extracts from spearmint and rosemary reduce deficits in mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests these herbal compounds might have beneficial effects on altering age-associated cognitive decline.
A study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine found that long-term opioid use is linked to a higher risk of developing major depression. Patients who used opioids for 180 days or longer were at a 53% increased risk, while those using them for 90-180 days had a 25% increased risk.
A study by Nicola Weber and colleagues found that TB-infected badgers are less likely to spread the disease within their own groups but more likely to facilitate spread across a network. Vaccination may be a more effective strategy for controlling TB in badger populations, maintaining social structure intact.
A UW professor discovered a new possible tick species that infests the noses of Ugandan chimps, suggesting it may be an underappreciated disease carrier. The tick's behavior is thought to be linked to chimp grooming habits, raising concerns about exotic tick populations and global disease spread.
A study of French Tour de France cyclists found they lived 41% longer than the general population, with cancer and cardiovascular disease being less common causes of death compared to the general public.
Patricia Resick, PhD, ABPP, received the American Psychological Association's Division of Trauma Psychology Award for Lifetime Achievement in trauma psychology. She has made outstanding contributions to science, practice, advocacy, and education, developing Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD treatment.
Researchers will study tuberculosis in India, examining co-morbidities such as smoking and malnutrition that increase risk of developing the disease. The joint program aims to identify new diagnostic biomarkers for early detection and targeted interventions.
A new study by the NIH-funded Immune Tolerance Network found that rituximab is as effective as standard therapy in inducing and maintaining disease remission in people with severe forms of vasculitis. The drug requires shorter treatment duration, reducing the risk of long-term side effects such as cancer, infertility, and infection.
Researchers at Saint Louis University found that high-dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) therapy can improve the life span of melanoma patients with brain metastases. The study, published in Chemotherapy Research and Practice, reviewed cases of eight patients who underwent this treatment.
A new MIT study finds that even moderate mobility restrictions can decrease infection rates by up to 50% in highly interconnected areas. The researchers used data from the US census to simulate the flow of contagion and developed a quantitative measure called the price of anarchy.