Research on containing and managing disease. Covers critical-illness theory, zoonotic disease, immunotherapy trials, and historical epidemics.
A new study from IHME found that chewing tobacco use contributed to an estimated 251,000 deaths globally in 2023, with health loss concentrated in South Asia. Chewing tobacco use was more common among males than females, with significant variations by age and sex.
A new AI tool has been developed to predict treatment and survival outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with immunotherapy. The tool consistently outperformed standard clinical biomarkers, achieving high accuracy scores in predicting survival outcomes.
A new theory proposes that critical illness arises from loss of physiological coordination, not just organ failure. The Entropic Critical Illness Theory views living organisms as open systems with a continuous need to regulate entropy.
A pioneering study will examine the role of human-dog interactions in spreading hydatid disease, a parasite that poses risks to livestock welfare and human health. The research aims to identify practical strategies to reduce zoonotic transmission by analyzing canine movement patterns and diet.
Researchers recovered and analyzed ancient viral DNA from a local community in northern Chile, revealing the strongest direct evidence linking European colonization to the introduction of smallpox to the Americas. The study shows that smallpox evolved in a way that allowed it to spread successfully with minimal adaptation.
The Alliance QUANTUM trial is testing whether post-transplant consolidation therapy with teclistamab improves survival in patients with primary plasma cell leukemia. Plasma cell leukemia is a rare but aggressive blood cancer with poor long-term survival rates.
The US government's withdrawal of funding for global HIV programs led to a sharp reduction in the number of people entering HIV care across East Africa. New patient enrollment dropped by 59% and viral load testing declined by 33% within weeks, according to findings from researchers at UC San Francisco.
A microscopic atlas reveals how citrus Huanglongbing disease develops over time, causing phloem cell death and callose deposition in leaves and fruit tissues. Roots experience starch depletion, driving root decay and nutrient deficiencies.
A team of researchers discovered alternative infection strategies used by some Colletotrichum species, including nonmelanised appressorium-mediated entry (NMAE) and hyphal tip-based entry. These findings challenge the conventional assumption that melanised appressoria are universally required for plant invasion.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that 80% of bighorn sheep exposed to respiratory pathogens from invasive aoudad died from pneumonia. The study highlights the risk posed by aoudad to native bighorn sheep and provides new information for conservation efforts.
A study found that adding orfglipron to titrated insulin glargine significantly improved glycemic control and body weight in participants with type 2 diabetes. The treatment did not increase the risk of hypoglycemia, compared to placebo.
A mobile app is being developed to identify disease-carrying insects from their wing patterns using machine learning, aiming to reduce the risk of disease transmission in low-income communities. The technology will enable rapid and accurate identification of vectors, tracing disease clusters and responding effectively to outbreaks.
A new study by the University of Ottawa suggests that a tiny molecule, methylglyoxal, plays a major role in triggering neurological disorders after a heart attack. The molecule accumulates in the brain following a heart attack and is linked to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a new marker, FOXA1, which shows high sensitivity in diagnosing small cell carcinoma of the prostate. This breakthrough offers hope for improving patient care and prognostic decisions.
A new handbook produced jointly by Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg aims to improve decision-making and preparedness for future pandemics. The handbook provides practical guidance on how mathematical models can be used to inform decision-making, particularly in times of crisis.
A new study found that influenza was detected in 11% of winter deaths, but only 17% had a confirmed diagnosis before death. The study highlights the gap between detection and official mortality records, suggesting influenza may play a larger role in winter mortality than routine surveillance captures.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that obesity control is a potentially effective strategy for cancer prevention. The research reveals that successful weight management can lead to a significant reduction in the risk of various cancers, making it an underutilized approach in cancer prevention.
Huntington's disease is caused by a toxic protein that builds in brain cells and spreads to other cells through tunneling nanotubes. Disrupting this pathway reduces the spread of the disease-causing protein, suggesting a new target for therapy.
A new clinical trial will investigate whether adding the oral medication vorasidenib to standard chemotherapy improves progression-free survival for people with newly-diagnosed, grade 3 IDH-mutant astrocytoma. The study aims to recruit 400 individuals with this type of brain cancer and evaluate the safety and side-effect profile of the...
A recent study found that women have a 21% lower risk of death compared to men, but a 12% higher risk of severe side effects from cancer treatment. The research, conducted in partnership with international collaborators, analyzed data from over 20,000 cancer patients and identified sex-based differences in survival and treatment toxicity.
A new special edition of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B provides a comprehensive collection of peer-reviewed studies on disease management in marine wildlife. The issue examines emerging pathogens, methodological advances, climate change, and ecosystem-based management.
Coronaviruses modify cellular machinery to produce viral proteins and spread rapidly. A study found that infection causes stress-induced changes in tRNAs, allowing coronaviruses to speed up protein production without generating new machinery. The modification of tRNAs is a promising candidate for developing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to find that even people with minimal concern for others would choose to self-isolate when sick, suppressing diseases in the long-term. The study suggests that only a small amount of altruism is needed to achieve indefinite suppression as an alternative to herd immunity.
A recent study found that chikungunya can spread in temperatures as low as 13 degrees Celsius, posing a greater health threat in Europe than previously thought. The Asian tiger mosquito is expanding northwards through the continent, and warming temperatures may lead to local outbreaks in the UK.
A new rapid test for hepatitis C could identify more patients who can be cured if insurers increase reimbursement to cover the test's high cost. The test's point-of-care feature makes it ideal for early screening and treatment in clinics and emergency rooms.
A new modeling study suggests that regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can successfully reduce their spread, even if individuals on PrEP engage in riskier behavior. The paradoxical findings highlight the importance of careful surveillance data interpretation when evaluating public health interventions.
A comprehensive review of 19 multi-day events found that nearly 70% of reported emergencies were infectious disease outbreaks, with influenza, measles, and meningococcal disease being the top causes. Foodborne illnesses accounted for over one in five incidents, often linked to poor food handling practices.
Researchers have created a model that can handle complex mosquito behavior and its impact on human diseases. The study reveals surprising findings, such as it may be better to let a mosquito bite you in terms of overall transmission.
Researchers find a fourteenth-century Arabic poem misinterpreted as factual account of plague's movement, influenced myths of its quick spread across Asia. The study highlights the importance of maqāmas in understanding how communities coped with catastrophic events like the Black Death.
Scientists analyzed thousands of proteins in blood samples to understand when multiple sclerosis attacks the myelin sheath and nerve fibers. Researchers identified a protein called IL-3, which plays a key role in this early phase of damage.
A new study projects that US funding cuts will result in a catastrophic effect on pediatric TB, with children in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia experiencing a significant spike in preventable cases and deaths over the next decade. The loss of US bilateral health aid is projected to result in an additional 2.5 million pediatric T...
Climate change is allowing disease-carrying insects to spread into new areas, resulting in a growing number of West Nile virus infection cases in Europe. The virus can attack the nervous system and brain, causing symptoms like fever, headache, and malaise, with severe consequences for vulnerable individuals.
Research links oral bacteria to Parkinson's disease via the gut-brain axis, finding Streptococcus mutans produces metabolite imidazole propionate that contributes to disease progression. Targeting the oral-gut microbiome may offer a new therapeutic approach for Parkinson's treatment.
Researchers have created a statistical model using 20 years' worth of sentinel chicken data to predict elevated West Nile virus activity up to six months in advance. This breakthrough could lead to proactive preventative measures and improve disease outbreak response.
Researchers synthesized hybrid vitamin K analogues with enhanced neuroactive properties, exhibiting threefold greater potency in inducing neural progenitor cell differentiation compared to natural vitamin K. The compounds preserved vitamin K and retinoic acid's biological activity via the SXR and RAR receptors.
Researchers developed standardized guidelines to diagnose and treat cemental tears, reducing misdiagnosis and improving patient outcomes. The consensus identifies key risk factors, diagnostic strategies, and treatment principles, empowering clinicians to recognize and manage this hidden threat more effectively.
Researchers developed wearable microneedle patches that improve drug absorption while reducing pain in long-term delivery. The new technology, inspired by bee stings, enables continuous drug release and anchors securely into the skin.
Researchers at Penn State have identified certain characteristics that can help predict whether a virus will persist in a new population. Infection prevalence and viral shedding were found to be significant predictors of long-term viral persistence. The study used a worm model system to examine disease transmission and emergence at a p...
The new book explores organoid bioengineering, using pluripotent and adult stem cells to create models for various organs. It discusses breakthroughs in personalized cancer care and large-scale production protocols supported by advanced tools like 3D printing and genome editing.
This study uses an analytical model to examine the effects of influenza vaccination on both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. The results show that vaccination provides significant reductions in disease burden, even when vaccine effectiveness is low, but these benefits are limited in high transmission situations.
Researchers at Heidelberg University developed high-resolution environmental suitability maps to identify areas conducive to breeding, leveraging satellite imagery and climate data. The maps help guide targeted interventions in mosquito-endemic urban areas.
Researchers have discovered that a bacterial probiotic helps slow the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in already infected wild corals in Florida. Applying the probiotic treatment across entire coral colonies helped prevent tissue loss, providing a more lasting protection than traditional antibiotics.
Cessation of public water fluoridation would lead to higher rates of tooth decay and increased healthcare costs in the US. The model suggests that current safe levels of fluoride have substantial ongoing benefits.
This novel treatment approach yields better weight loss maintenance and cardiovascular risk outcomes compared to standard-of-care treatment. Patient-delivered lifestyle intervention combined with peer support significantly improves weight loss and reduces cardiovascular risk.
AIC100 demonstrated encouraging responses and an acceptable safety profile in patients with two types of advanced thyroid cancer, including anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and relapsed/refractory poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PTDC). The therapy showed significant tumor shrinkage and disease control in 56% of patients.
Researchers developed promising α-synuclein PET tracers that can visualize protein aggregates in living patients, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Tracers like [18F]C05-05 and [18F]ACI-12589 showed significant results in distinguishing synucleinopathies from healthy controls.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) emphasizes the need for high immunization coverage to protect European populations from diseases like measles and polio. Vaccination remains a crucial tool in public health, with recent data showing a tenfold surge in reported measles cases in the EU/EEA.
Researchers at MIT developed a control circuit that can precisely regulate gene expression levels, improving the efficacy and safety of gene therapy treatments. The 'COMMAND' circuit uses microRNA to suppress gene expression, allowing for tighter control over treatment outcomes.
A hospital-based outbreak detection system has been shown to prevent infections, save lives and cut costs. The Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission (EDS-HAT) uses genomic sequencing to analyze infectious disease samples from patients, identifying near-identical strains that flag potential outbreaks.
Researchers discovered that CsrA gathers in droplet-like structures inside cells to control bacterial gene activation. These compartments help bacteria adapt to environments and switch between harmless and virulent states.
Researchers at UMass Amherst's New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases have identified a new strain of Rickettsia bacteria that causes spotted fever infections in humans. The discovery in Maine suggests rabbit ticks could be a zoonotic vector for serious infections, contradicting the usual dog tick vector.
Researchers identified a potential new treatment, lorundrostat, which reduced systolic blood pressure in individuals with uncontrolled or treatment-resistant hypertension. The study found a significant 15-point reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to placebo.
A new strategy for tuberculosis (TB) screening could significantly improve detection, allowing for simultaneous screening of both active and dormant infections. This approach has the potential to save lives, curb infection rates, and rewrite the story of TB's continued spread.
A multi-state study found that only half of high-risk adults with flu received antiviral treatment, highlighting a critical need for timely care. The gap in treatment increases the risk of severe flu complications, particularly among older adults and those with underlying conditions.
A mathematical modeling study suggests that sustained HIV remission or eradication could consistently reduce new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands. However, transient remission with a risk of rebound may increase new infections if not closely monitored.
A mysterious parasite is devastating fish farms globally, causing £50 million in losses annually. Researchers have discovered a new gene regulation process that could lead to the development of gene-based vaccines.
New research found that COVID vaccines significantly reduced the risk of long COVID in children and adolescents. Vaccination was about 95% effective in preventing long COVID in some cohorts, primarily due to its ability to prevent initial infection.
A subset of patients with non-small cell lung cancer who discontinued immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy due to immune-related adverse events continued to experience long-term disease control. The median post-discontinuation progression-free survival was 12.7 months, and the median post-discontinuation overall survival was 43.7 months.
A study of over 300,000 adults found that those with diabetes are 25% more likely to lose their health insurance. Insurance instability is particularly concerning for those with complex needs, as many struggle to regain coverage after losing Medicaid or private insurance.
A new study models cholera transmission after interventions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting the importance of environmental reservoirs in maintaining endemic diseases. The research suggests that vaccination may have a smaller impact on preventing transmission compared to water, sanitation, and hygiene improvements.