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Study finds association between long-term exposure to air pollution and severe COVID-19

A study of 4.6 million adults in Catalonia found an association between long-term exposure to PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon with a higher risk of severe COVID-19 hospitalization and death. The research suggests that reducing air pollution levels may improve population health.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 24, 2023

New study finds unintentional weight loss often goes unrecognized by primary care physicians

A new study found that unintentional weight loss is grossly under-recognized in primary care, with only 21% recognized by doctors. The researchers recommend using electronic health record alerts to prompt clinicians to ask about intentional or unintentional weight loss, which can be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalDiagnosis·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 26, 2023

Cancer prevention with rapamycin

Researchers discuss rapamycin's potential to delay cancer onset by slowing cell proliferation and tumor progression. The mTOR pathway is involved in both cancer and aging, making rapamycin a promising chemopreventive agent.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 17, 2023

UK strep A research shows highest incidence of invasive disease has shifted from the most deprived groups to the second most affluent group

The highest incidence of invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) disease has shifted from the most deprived groups to the second most affluent group in the UK, according to new research. The emm1 strain, which causes severe disease, was more common in 2022 than previous years.

LSU Health New Orleans LA Tumor Registry releases 6th Census Tract Cancer Incidence Report

The LSU Health New Orleans Louisiana Tumor Registry released the sixth report of statewide cancer incidence rates by census tract, finding that 81% of tracts met criteria for all cancers combined. Census tracts with statistically higher incidence rates were found in parishes including Orleans, Lafourche, and St. Bernard.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 3, 2023

Early menopause, later start to hormone therapy may increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that early menopause may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease dementia. However, women who received hormone therapy around the time of menopause onset did not experience an increased risk of dementia. The study suggests that timing is crucial when it comes to hormone therapy, ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

Good physical fitness does not protect children from obesity-related low-grade inflammation

A recent study by the University of Jyväskylä found that good physical fitness in children does not reduce low-grade inflammation, which is a key factor in childhood obesity. Higher body fat percentage and waist circumference were strongly associated with higher low-grade inflammation levels.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateApr 3, 2023

HIV and hepatitis C virus monitoring needs to increase to achieve global elimination goals

Global efforts to track HIV and HCV incidence among people who inject drugs are necessary to validate targets for ending the epidemics by 2030. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing this population in prevention and elimination work, particularly for vulnerable subgroups like young people and women.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 28, 2023

Defunding prevention and climate change drive rebound of malaria in Peru

A recent study found that malaria control programs in Amazonian Peru reduced the disease by 78% but saw a rebound when funding was cut, driven by climate change. Climate change has exacerbated malaria transmission, with rising temperatures and intense rainfalls contributing to the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2023

SARS-CoV-2 unlikely to cause type 1 diabetes

A study published in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that the incidence of type 1 diabetes among Finnish children increased by 16% during the pandemic. Researchers believe that social isolation and lockdowns rather than SARS-CoV-2 infection may have contributed to this increase.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateMar 20, 2023

Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on incidence of long-term conditions in Wales

A population data linkage study found fewer people in Wales diagnosed with long-term conditions in 2020 and 2021 than expected, indicating a potential backlog of undiagnosed patients. This disparity affects chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and anxiety disorders, corresponding to over 30 and 80 missing diagnoses respectively.

SourceSwansea University·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 13, 2023

Normal gastrointestinal biopsy not protective against later IBD, study finds

A new study found that individuals with a normal gastrointestinal biopsy still have a higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the years following the biopsy. The study of over 450,000 individuals in Sweden showed that symptoms of IBD may start significantly before the disease shows up on biopsy.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2023

Travellers as sentinels: what are the most common vector-borne diseases among European travellers arriving from Africa?

Researchers analyzed data on European travellers arriving from Africa between 2015 and 2019, finding malaria as the most common arthropod-borne disease. The study highlights the importance of using travellers' health data to complement local surveillance systems in Africa.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 16, 2023

Chinese Medical Journal study highlights epilepsy trends in China between 1990 and 2019

A Chinese Medical Journal study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution of epilepsy across China, finding significant increases in incidence and prevalence rates between 1990 and 2019. The study also showed a general decrease in age-standardized DALY rates with increasing socio-demographic index.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2023

Study suggests vitamin D benefits and metabolism may depend on body weight

Researchers analyzed data from the VITAL trial and found that vitamin D supplementation increased biomarkers associated with vitamin D metabolism in people, regardless of their weight. However, these increases were significantly smaller in people with elevated BMIs, suggesting a blunted response to supplementation.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2023

Unlocking cancer’s ancestry

A new software developed by researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory can accurately infers continental ancestry from tumor DNA and RNA. This technology has the potential to lead to more targeted and personalized cancer treatments by identifying genetic connections between cancer and race or ethnicity.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCancer Research·DateDec 27, 2022

New study shows the incidence of Parkinson’s disease in the U.S. is 50% higher than previous estimates

A new study found the annual incidence of Parkinson’s disease in the U.S. to be nearly 90,000 cases per year, a 50% increase from previous estimates of 60,000 diagnoses annually. The increased incidence is attributed to an aging population and highlights the need for more research and better treatments.

SourceParkinson's Foundation·Journalnpj Parkinson s Disease·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 15, 2022

COVID-19 vaccinations lag in rural, underserved communities

A recent study found that COVID-19 vaccination rates vary widely across the US, with underserved communities facing significant barriers to access, including cost, insurance coverage, and transportation. The analysis showed that people in these areas were 34% less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 15, 2022

Long-lasting insecticidal malaria nets’ biological effectiveness may be short-lived

Research suggests that long-lasting insecticidal malaria nets lost their effectiveness after just one year in Burundi, contradicting the recommended replacement every 3 years. The study found that malaria incidence rose again after two years, highlighting the need for continued epidemiological monitoring and improved resource allocation.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

Clover’s vaccine candidate reduced household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases

A global Phase 2/3 clinical trial found that vaccination with SCB-2019 reduced the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 infection to household members. The study showed a significant reduction in symptomatic cases among vaccinated household contacts and indicated that vaccines can play an important role in controlling future outbreaks.

SourceInternational Vaccine Institute·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 30, 2022

Discovery of antibody structure could lead to treatment for Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus

A research team at the University of California, Riverside has discovered the structure of a human monoclonal antibody that protects against Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus. The study provides insights into fighting a broad range of viral strains and could lead to targeted therapeutics for infected patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 28, 2022

Internal medicine physicians call for improved access and quality in health care for incarcerated patients

The American College of Physicians recommends policies to improve healthcare access and quality for incarcerated patients, including adequate funding and timely access to necessary services. The organization also supports treating substance use disorders as an alternative to incarceration.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2022

Adversity in childhood is linked to increased risk of heart and blood vessel diseases in early adulthood

A large study found that children who experienced adversity, including serious family illness or death, poverty, neglect, or dysfunctional relationships, are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in early adulthood. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, followed nearly 1.3 million children and found a 60%...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateNov 14, 2022

UTHealth Houston researchers analyze cancer discrepancies among young Black men in the South

Researchers found a significant increase in Kaposi's sarcoma incidence among young Black men in the South, with rates jumping by 3.3% per year. The study suggests that HIV infection and social determinants like poverty and lack of access to medical care contribute to this disparity.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJNCI Cancer Spectrum·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 10, 2022

New onset chronic kidney disease in people with diabetes highest among ethnic, racial minorities

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that new onset CKD rates are higher among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino populations compared to white persons with diabetes. The rate declined from 8% in 2015-2016 to 6.4% in 2019-2020.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2022

Lower prostate cancer screening rates associated with subsequent increase in advanced cancers

A large-scale analysis of VA medical centers found that facilities with lower yearly PSA screening rates had higher rates of metastatic prostate cancer in subsequent years. The study supports the benefits of prostate cancer screening in reducing metastatic prostate cancer risk, particularly for high-risk groups like Black patients.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateOct 24, 2022