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Survival of the Galapagos sea lion

Scientists from the Zoological Society of London reveal that Galapagos sea lion exposure to humans and pets impairs their immunity, making them more prone to starvation. The research suggests a link between human activity and the emergence of diseases in the Galapagos sea lion population.

SourceZoological Society of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 28, 2013

Health impact assessments prove critical public health tool

A recent study by the Colorado School of Public Health found that health impact assessments can identify potential health risks associated with natural gas development. The assessment identified health effects such as headaches and respiratory issues in a western Colorado town, highlighting the importance of considering public health i...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 22, 2013

Transmission routes of spreading protein particles

Researchers found that certain protein particles can multiply and spread from one cell to the next, contributing to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This discovery may lead to new methods for treatment by preventing the spreading of disease-related protein particles.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 27, 2013

LA BioMed researcher receives highest honor in field

Christina Wang, a leading LA BioMed researcher, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of andrology. Her research has focused on male reproductive health and disease, with a particular emphasis on androgen replacement therapy and hormonal male contraceptive development.

Prions and cancer: A story unfolding

A recent study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that mutant p53 protein aggregates may lead to prion-like behavior, impairing its ability to suppress tumor growth. The findings suggest that this misfolding mechanism could serve as a potential target for cancer therapy.

SourcePublicase International·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 25, 2012

Better methods and estimates of infectious disease burden

A new study uses a pathogen-based incidence approach to generate infectious disease burden estimates in Europe, attributing morbidity to specific pathogens. The methodology has limitations but shows the need for further research and integration of demographic changes and infection dynamics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 17, 2012

Whole-genome sequencing of 2011 E. coli outbreaks in Europe provides new insight

Researchers used whole-genome sequencing to analyze E. coli bacteria from outbreaks in Germany and France, discovering small differences among strains. The study found that the German isolates were nearly identical, while French strains showed greater diversity, suggesting a bottleneck or uneven seed distribution.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2012

New report highlights need for action on health in the aftermath of war

Countries recovering from war are at risk of being left without effective policies to tackle noncommunicable diseases, which can lead to increased mental health problems and premature deaths. Experts argue that a strong policy response is necessary to address the growing burden of NCDs in post-conflict countries.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalBulletin of the World Health Organization·DateDec 31, 2011

New method for making human-based gelatin

Scientists have created a new approach for producing large quantities of human-derived gelatin, potentially replacing up to 300,000 tons of animal-based gelatin. The novel method involves inserting human gelatin genes into yeast, allowing for controllable features and scalability for commercial use.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJul 13, 2011

CDC assesses potential human exposure to prion diseases

The CDC study found that a significant proportion of respondents had traveled to countries with reported prion diseases, increasing the risk of exposure. Hunting and venison consumption were also associated with increased risk of prion disease exposure, particularly in areas with chronic wasting disease.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateMay 23, 2011

UK's tuberculosis screening strategy for immigrants misses most imported cases of latent infection and unlikely to prevent the spread of disease

A study finds that the UK's current tuberculosis screening policy for immigrants is missing 70% of imported latent infections. Implementing a broader screening program could identify 92% of infected immigrants and reduce future cases of active tuberculosis while remaining cost-effective.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateApr 20, 2011

SLU neurosurgeon pushes brain bypass to new heights

SLU professor of neurosurgery Saleem Abdulrauf's high-flow brain bypass procedure improves treatment outcomes by reducing invasive procedures and maintaining blood flow in the brain. The technique is built upon the original brain bypass surgery developed in the 1960s and has been recognized for its potential to minimize recovery time.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalNeurosurgery·DateApr 15, 2011