Research on containing and managing disease. Covers critical-illness theory, zoonotic disease, immunotherapy trials, and historical epidemics.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that U.S. adults who experienced workplace discrimination were more likely to develop high blood pressure. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,200 adults, suggests that work-related stress due to discrimination may be an emerging risk factor for card...
Rheumatologists are crucial in detecting neurologic Lyme disease due to its broad spectrum of symptoms and signs. Early treatment has a favorable prognosis, but delayed diagnosis can lead to severe symptoms.
A new Cochrane Review found that stool transplantation can increase the number of people recovering from Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection by 77%, compared to 40% with standard antibiotic treatment. The study also showed a decrease in side effects with stool transplantation.
A new predictive model has been developed to predict the decline of kidney function in people with type 2 diabetes, utilizing 13 routinely collected baseline values from 4,637 individuals. The model uses statistical methods and is being prepared for clinical use to aid early detection and therapy management.
A research team led by Dr Gary Ying Wai Chan reveals the function of enzyme ANKLE1 in cutting chromatin bridges, preventing DNA damages and autoimmunity. This discovery has significant implications for understanding immune responses and developing new strategies to prevent diseases such as cancer and autoinflammatory disorders.
A new study finds that economic growth is insufficient to eliminate dog-mediated rabies, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as improved pet ownership and education in vulnerable communities. The research uses data from over 100 countries to show a strong association between poverty and higher death rates from rabies.
A study of 15,296 men found that a healthy Mediterranean or Prudent diet had no impact on prostate cancer risk, while an unhealthy Western diet may increase the risk of aggressive tumors. The findings suggest avoiding Western-style diet products and adopting Mediterranean diet habits could help prevent aggressive prostate cancer.
A global study published in Cochrane Reviews found that consuming cranberry products reduces the risk of repeat symptomatic UTIs in women by more than a quarter. The review also showed benefits for children and people susceptible to UTIs following medical interventions, with minimal side effects reported.
A €10M Horizon Europe grant will support the development of a clinical decision support tool using artificial intelligence to select the best treatment for each individual patient with high blood pressure. The project aims to improve patient care and reduce avoidable consequences such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that the sugary drink tax in Oakland reduced purchases by 26.8%, leading to improved health and significant cost savings. The researchers estimated that consuming fewer SSBs added 94 quality-adjusted life-years per 10,000 residents and saved the city over $100,000 in healthcare costs.
Focusing public health messages on protecting oneself versus others has a significant impact on vaccination rates. A study found that messages emphasizing protection of one's community led to higher odds of COVID-19 vaccination than those focused on personal protection.
A study published in Circulation Research identifies the FHL5 gene as a key regulator of vascular disease, including heart attacks and aneurysms. The discovery advances our understanding of the underlying causes of vascular disease and provides new insights into genetic risk factors.
A new study reveals that young children diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis are at an increased risk of subsequent wheezing, poor lung function, and reduced height and weight. The study found that children who developed PTB before six months old had more than double the risk of wheezing after 6 months.
Experts review changing context for masking in healthcare settings, highlighting advancements in population immunity and medical countermeasures. They advocate for managing SARS-CoV-2 like other respiratory viruses, ensuring healthcare personnel use masks when necessary.
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.
Experts recommend managing SARS-CoV-2 like other endemic respiratory viruses using Standard and Transmission-based Precautions. They also suggest reconsidering pandemic-era strategies such as asymptomatic testing and contact tracing in the endemic era.
Researchers used a novel machine-learning technique called causal forest, which found that treating individuals with high estimated benefits provided better population health outcomes than the traditional high-risk approach. This approach targets those with high blood pressure and could lead to more effective treatment strategies.
Researchers recognize the need for improved COVID-19 vaccines to prevent transmission and infection. Mucosal vaccines targeting the respiratory tract could be effective in blocking SARS-CoV-2 transmission and reducing disease burden.
A study of over 5 million hospitalizations found COVID-19 patients were more susceptible to HAIs, requiring additional prevention measures. Despite increased infection control pressures, HAI rates among inpatients without COVID-19 remained similar to those in 2019.
A novel study finds that hospitals with positive patient safety climates and high standard precaution adherence have lower rates of healthcare-associated infections and occupational injuries. The study suggests that improving these factors could lead to better patient and worker outcomes.
Research at Texas A&M University reveals that a father's alcohol consumption before conception can lead to FAS-related craniofacial differences in offspring. The study challenges the existing dogma that only maternal alcohol exposure causes fetal growth defects.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America recommends hospitals establish antimicrobial stewardship programs to prevent Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infections, which cause difficult-to-treat diarrhea, longer hospital stays, and higher costs. The updated guidance provides evidence-based strategies for identifying and...
Researchers found that higher selenium levels were associated with lower blood pressure and HDL concentration in middle-aged women. The study suggests that selenium may moderate the effect of genetic variants on MetS components, such as waist circumference.
Researchers propose using cellulose nano crystals to prevent mosquito bites by creating a chemical barrier that hides human skin's volatile organic compounds. The treatment, applied as a gel, significantly reduced feeding from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in trials.
Researchers analyzed Hispanic adults' cancer knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors in Indiana, finding unexpected trends. The study provides guidance for targeted public health outreach and future research.
A Yale study found that the tick-borne Powassan virus is being transmitted in concentrated community clusters throughout New England. The research reconstructed the history of Powassan in the region and estimated when branches of the virus's 'family tree' diverged, piecing together its evolution and spread.
Researchers found that alcohol screening rates significantly declined during the initial COVID-19 surge due to competing pandemic priorities and telemedicine shifts. Screening rates later recovered as in-person care resumed and telemedicine workflows improved.
Researchers have developed a glycine-based tripeptide that successfully treats nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in non-human primates and mice. The compound, DT-109, reverses fat buildup and prevents scarring by stimulating fatty acid degradation and antioxidant formation.
The new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the importance of including non-biological factors and social determinants in CVD risk assessment for women. These factors include economic stability, neighborhood safety, education level, and access to quality healthcare, which disproportionately affect women from dive...
Recent studies have highlighted the importance of tumor microenvironment in developing and controlling triple negative breast cancer progression. Researchers suggest that technological advancements like genomics and epigenomics hold promise for overcoming TNBC's current limitations.
Researchers developed an ASO treatment that improves bile duct development and prevents fibrosis and cell death in animal models of Alagille syndrome. The study offers a potential therapeutic option for patients with this condition, potentially bypassing the need for liver transplant.
New research suggests a way to ward off age-related weight gain by stimulating beige fat cells. Beige fat has thermogenic properties that can reduce blood sugar and fatty acids causing heart disease. The study identifies a specific signaling pathway responsible for suppressing beige fat formation in older mice.
Researchers in Southern Nevada have detected Candida auris genetic material in untreated sewage samples from seven wastewater treatment facilities. The fungus was also found in nearly 80% of untreated sewage samples, indicating its spread in the region. Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning system for public health actio...
Researchers have identified a probiotic that can protect Caribbean corals from stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), a deadly and rapidly spreading affliction. The probiotic treatment has been shown to stop or slow the progression of the disease in infected coral fragments, offering an antibiotic-free alternative.
New research reveals a worrying picture of rising infectious disease cases in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, with shigellosis and viral meningitis incidence significantly higher than the national average. Childhood vaccination coverage has also plummeted, putting vulnerable populations at increased risk of severe illness and death.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute have identified a potential host-directed therapy targeting the immune system to bolster the body's ability to control TB infection. Blocking IDO enzyme helped nonhuman primates completely eliminate active TB infection, improving health metrics compared to antibiotics alone.
The University of Liverpool has signed a 5-year agreement with the Mama Doing Good Foundation, Kenya Medical Research Institute, and other partners to reduce household air pollution in Kenya. The partnership aims to train 130,000 Kenyan community health workers to prevent household air pollution and improve community health.
Researchers found that infected mosquito saliva contains molecules called sfRNAs that can blunt the body's immune response. These molecules are injected during the mosquito bite, making it more likely for people to become infected with dengue virus.
The study found that antibiotics slow down biofilm growth and QS molecule production across both strains, with surface type having a significant effect on the non-mucoid strain. The patterned structure was associated with longer latencies before expression of QS molecules were at their peak.
A team at UC San Diego developed a biodegradable polymer system to treat rheumatoid arthritis by working with the immune system. The method uses encapsulated all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) that transforms disease-causing cells into regulatory T cells.
New research from Washington University School of Medicine reveals that updated booster shots targeting specific COVID-19 variants can elicit a broad antibody response capable of neutralizing new variants. Periodic boosters may be necessary to maintain population immunity as the virus continues to evolve.
Researchers analyzed 2,571 patients treated with monoclonal antibodies and found a 39% reduced risk of hospitalization or death compared to non-treated peers. The study also showed greater benefit in patients with immunocompromising conditions and those treated earlier during the pandemic.
Researchers used transcranial stimulation to regulate Autonomic Nervous System responses and increase oxygen saturation in hospitalized patients with Covid-19. The treatment improved ANS regulation and reduced symptoms without adverse effects.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that certain biomarkers in urine and blood can predict the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Higher levels of KIM-1, MCP-1, and TNFRI were associated with a increased risk of CKD progression.
A study from the University of Gothenburg reveals that wastewaters harbor unique characteristics allowing antibiotic resistance genes to evolve. The researchers found key components necessary for gene movement in wastewater samples worldwide, not in human or animal guts.
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, ...
A UCalgary study found that a healthy gut microbiome can prevent deadly hospital infections in critically ill patients. The research showed that the gut microbiota and immune system work together to fight infection, with abnormal gut bacteria increasing the risk of severe infections.
A new study has identified key risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) following abdominal hysterectomies. The analysis of over 66,000 procedures found that patients with open surgery, obesity, diabetes, and younger age were more likely to experience an SSI.
A recent study published in the journal Immunity has shed light on the immune response to parasitic worm infection, revealing a critical role for T cells and macrophages. The research team identified specific signaling molecules that control the development of tissue-resident macrophages, which are essential for eliminating the infection.
Researchers link acute severe hepatitis in children to co-infections with multiple common viruses, including AAV2. The study suggests that getting more than one infection may have made children vulnerable to severe hepatitis.
A study published in Journal of Hepatology found that some patients with chronic hepatitis B can achieve sustained immune control by discontinuing antiviral therapy after four years. This suggests a potential cure for the disease, which affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide.
Researchers found that after 96 weeks, some patients achieved loss of detectable HBsAg and reduced liver inflammation levels, indicating functional cure. The study suggests that discontinuing long-term antiviral therapy may be more effective than continuing it for certain patients.
A new study published in Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases demonstrates that the serum of white-tailed deer blood is lethal to the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. The researchers hope this discovery may lead to new strategies for preventing and treating Lyme disease.
An international project aims to discover modifiable cellular and molecular pathways of the developing infant immune system to improve infant vaccine responsiveness and prevent respiratory disease. By analyzing infants' immune systems from birth to five years old, researchers hope to identify biomarkers that predict vaccine responsiven...
A new PET/CT scanner prototype has shown promising results in preclinical testing, offering higher resolution and accurate tumor assessment. The scanner aims to enhance treatment planning for head and neck cancers, which have a low five-year survival rate and high recurrence rate.
Researchers found that dexamethasone prevents cytokine storms in severe COVID-19 patients by inhibiting ion channels and reducing immune cell inflammation. This led to improved lung function and reduced mortality rates. The study's findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of steroid treatment in severe COVID-19.
Researchers investigated perspectives of Black patients on shared decision making (SDM) during medical appointments. They identified preferences for humanistic communication, the need for doctors to account for family members' roles in decision-making, and a growing mistrust in doctors. The study's findings offer insights for adapting ...
Research highlights that intensive behavioral weight loss programs significantly reduce cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes risk factors, which persist for at least five years. Participants who lost weight through such programs had lower risk factors compared to those in less intensive or no weight loss programs.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is updating its methods to prioritize topics based on disease burden, extent of new evidence, and ability to be provided in primary care. The task force will increasingly consider health equity when making recommendations.
A cohort study of over 9,000 persons found that asymptomatic middle-aged individuals with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis are at an 8-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing obstructive coronary artery disease in patients without known cardiovascular disease.