A new study found that Hispanic, Black, and low-socioeconomic status smokers are less likely to use e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking tool and more likely to believe e-cigarettes pose greater harm than cigarettes. This perception may prevent e-cigarette uptake among these populations, exacerbating racial and health disparities in smoking.
A study of global clinical practice guidelines found close alignment in recommending daily intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains for treating and preventing major chronic diseases. The findings aim to increase clinician confidence in providing optimal care.
Researchers examine how chronological and biological age impact vaccine effectiveness, finding that both factors influence immune system capacity to mount responses. The study highlights the need for further research into 'immune aging' risk and departures from healthy aging.
Scientists have identified a compound that prevents C. difficile infection caused by multiple strains of the bacterium, including those causing serious illness. Researchers are now developing new drug candidates to prevent serious C. diff infections in people. The research also explores how diet and sex affect C. diff infection severity.
A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with and without substance use disorders during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic found no association between SUD and inpatient COVID-19-related mortality. Patients with and without SUD had similar clinical complications, including mechanical ventilation and ICU admission.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed a nasal spray that is effective in preventing coronavirus infection, including the latest variants. The molecule, TriSb92, identifies a region in the spike protein common to all current variants and inhibits its functioning.
A new study suggests that age, not weight, should be used to screen for diabetes, capturing the greatest number of people in all racial and ethnic groups. The approach identifies the greatest proportion of adults with prediabetes and diabetes and maximizes equity across racial and ethnic groups.
A new strategy balances disease control with resistance management by balancing resistance to both fungicides until it increases enough to fail. The approach is robust to variations in parameters and could influence policy recommendations.
Researchers at University of Cologne discovered a way to improve DNA repair in body cells, making them resilient towards DNA damage. This can help prevent aging and cancer development, with potential applications for treating human patients.
A study published in the Journal of Infection found that mNGS was significantly more effective at detecting bloodstream infections than conventional microbiological tests (CMTs), identifying 187 infection cases compared to CMTs' 81. Viral infections were the most common type, with CMV being the leading cause.
A new study warns of a rise in potentially fatal infections caused by bacteria found along parts of the US coast, driven by global warming. The number of Vibrio vulnificus infections has increased from 10 to 80 per year over 30 years, with cases now found further north than ever before.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that women with mental illness are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer due to low screening rates and increased incidence of precancerous lesions. Researchers highlight the need for proactive measures to address inequality in care.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered a key role for autophagy in controlling intracellular infections like TB. By boosting this natural process, they hope to create new treatments that can combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are using mRNA vaccine technology to combat various infectious diseases. A new clinical trial aims to test an mRNA-based vaccine against malaria, with hopes for a rapid adaptive response to virus evolution and the manufacture of combination vaccines.
Researchers propose incorporating 'hopamine' into therapeutic mix to personalize care for individuals with Parkinson's disease. By considering each person's unique physical and personal characteristics, healthcare professionals can avoid false hopes and create more effective treatment plans.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that maintaining nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels may protect against kidney disease. NAD supplements were shown to be effective in reversing NAD loss and suppressing inflammation in mouse kidneys, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for kidney disease prevention and treatment.
A new study by Emory University researchers found that asymptomatic individuals account for a significant proportion (74%) of dengue infections in an Amazonian city. The 'super spreader' spaces, where infected people frequent, are crucial in predicting and controlling outbreaks.
Scientists have found that antibodies targeting βII-spectrin on mesangial cells are the trigger for IgA nephropathy. This discovery enables blood-based diagnosis and may lead to improved treatments.
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.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) is pleased to announce the availability of Discover BMB 2023 press materials. The meeting features groundbreaking research on various topics, including a new form of omega-3 that may prevent visual decline with Alzheimer's disease and markers of PTSD in the blood. Addi...
Cases of Candida auris, a highly contagious fungal infection, rose drastically between 2019 and 2021, with an increase in echinocandin-resistant cases. The findings emphasize the need for improved detection and infection control practices to prevent the spread of C auris.
A research team from MedUni Vienna found that only neutralizing antibodies can inform us about protection against new infections. The study discovered a previously unknown weak point of the virus, which is a conserved site on the surface of the virus.
A team of UCF researchers is working on a new project to educate the next generation of nurses, nurse practitioners, and social workers to improve heart health in medically underserved communities. They are using high-fidelity simulation scenarios to foster inter- and intradisciplinary care.
A new study published in AJIC highlights the importance of understanding clinician perceptions and barriers to reliable hand hygiene. The research identifies nuances across clinician subgroups that can impact an organization's efforts to optimize hand hygiene reliability through human factors engineering tools and methods.
Researchers found that fomepizole blocked energy production in bacteria and reduced bacterial burden in mice with pneumonia. The combination treatment prevented invasive disease development, suggesting a potential novel treatment for multidrug-resistant pneumococcal disease.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a way to deactivate mosquito sperm, preventing them from swimming to or fertilizing eggs. This breakthrough could help control populations of Culex mosquitoes that transmit infectious diseases like encephalitis and West Nile Virus.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that receiving Paxlovid within 5 days of COVID-19 symptoms significantly reduced the risk of hospital admission or death. The medication was effective in people with prior immunity and all ages.
Implementation of post-overdose programs in Massachusetts municipalities associated with a 6% lower annual opioid fatality rate and a 7% lower opioid-related emergency encounter rate compared to non-programmed areas. The study suggests that these programs offer a critical opportunity to address overdose among high-risk individuals.
A new University of Alberta study found that untreated moderate fever helped fish clear their bodies of infection rapidly and repaired damaged tissue. The research suggests that waiting before reaching for medications may be beneficial for humans.
The study found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccine effectiveness decreased with time since the last dose, while booster doses increased protection. The findings suggest that vaccination strategies should prioritize boosters to maintain protection against severe illness.
A new study published in The Lancet found that an existing drug, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, protects pregnant women from sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. Researchers tested this drug alongside a promising new treatment, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, which showed unique ability to prevent malaria.
UVA researchers discovered a metabolic pathway that can modulate COVID-19 inflammation, lung recovery, and host metabolic health. They suggest a potentially viable therapeutic agent that may be combined with existing anti-viral agents to treat severe COVID-19 in patients with underlying metabolic disease.
A global maternal Strep B vaccination program could avert over 200,000 cases and more than 31,000 deaths, as well as reduce disability in children. The study found that a one-dose vaccine program could cost $1.7 billion globally, while saving $385 million in healthcare costs.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 14, 2023
Researchers used cumulative pressure mapping and machine learning to understand the impact of human pressures on six vector-borne diseases. They found that changes in land use can lead to abrupt shifts in infectious disease burdens and public health needs.
A systematic review of 33 randomized controlled trials found that yoga improved gait speed and lower extremity strength in inactive older people. However, it did not offer a benefit for frailty markers compared to exercise or tai chi.
A meta-analysis of 34 studies found a significant association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and increased risks of developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, and heart disease. Children with ASD were more likely to develop these metabolic complications, prompting clinicians to monitor them closely.
The study found that Clostridioides difficile uses fermentation to rapidly colonize the gut and identified critical pathways converged on a metabolic integration point to produce amino acid alanine, driving bacterial growth. The findings provide new targets for small molecule drugs to counter C. difficile colonization and infection.
Researchers developed an economic-epidemiological model to assess the impact of no closures. The study found that California's unemployment rate would have been lower, but deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 would have increased significantly, exacerbating current inequities.
A protein complex formed of HuR and YB1 is crucial for messenger RNA stability during muscle-fiber formation. Further research could help scientists influence protein synthesis and develop novel therapeutics for muscle-related pathologies.
Researchers found that COVID-19 infections are linked to an increased risk of developing liver problems, acute pancreatitis, and other GI disorders. The study analyzed over 14 million medical records and estimated that SARS-CoV-2 infections have contributed to over 6 million new cases of GI disorders in the US.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have observed quasiparticles in a classical system made of microparticles driven by viscous flow. The hydrodynamic forces among the particles create pair excitations that propagate through the crystal, stimulating the creation of new pairs.
The study found that phenolic extracts from roselle inhibited fat cell formation by 95%, while hydroxycitric acid had no effect. Researchers hope the plant's antioxidants can be used in health food products to manage obesity without side effects.
The U.S. laboratory system needs improvement to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis, tracking, and response to infectious diseases like COVID-19 and Mpox. The authors suggest government and private institutions collaborate to implement systemic changes, including federal funding and public-private partnerships.
Researchers found that trust in federal, state, and local public health agencies was driven by beliefs in scientific expertise and provision of direct care, not control of outbreaks. Lower trust was related to concerns about conflicting recommendations and perceived political influence.
A new study found that military veterans are at higher risk of developing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers due to low vaccination rates. The study suggests that 'catch-up' HPV vaccination campaigns are needed to boost vaccination rates among veterans and reduce deaths from these largely preventable cancers.
Preliminary research found that better sleep health was associated with higher rates of attendance at group interval sessions, adherence to caloric intake goals, and improvement in time spent performing moderate-vigorous physical activity. However, the association between sleep health and physical activity was not statistically signifi...
Researchers have developed a potential treatment for autoimmune encephalitis by creating an NMDA receptor fusion construct that neutralizes pathogenic antibodies. This innovative approach has shown promise in reducing signal transmission to neurons and may lead to improved treatment options for patients with this rare and serious disease.
The University of Missouri will receive a $10 million grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to double cover crop seed production in the US by 2030. The project aims to educate farmers about new varieties of cover crops, examine their performance with root growth, and distribute them nationwide.
Two studies found that adults with high cardiovascular health scores tend to live longer lives free of major chronic diseases. The research highlights the importance of maintaining ideal cardiovascular health to delay onset of age-related diseases, allowing individuals to enjoy life in their years as well as their years in life.
A new study found that walking an additional 500 steps per day was associated with a 14% lower risk of heart disease, stroke or heart failure. This benefit is significant for older adults, as most studies have focused on early-to-midlife adults.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria that likely contributes to the severity of infections and could be a target for future treatments. The study found that the lectin LecB renders immune cells ineffective, preventing them from triggering an immune response.
A review of studies found that rates of presumptive treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea vary widely, with some areas treating up to 84% of patients while others treated less than 4%. The disparity highlights the need for standardized treatment guidelines and consideration of social determinants of health.
A Chinese Medical Journal study found that smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of work-related injury insurance are significant risk factors for developing pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with pneumoconiosis. The study also identified rural birth, household exposure to patients with PTB, and hospitalization history as relevant ri...
A new study by Rice University and Houston Health Department shows that wastewater-based monitoring is an effective way to detect viral outbreaks in schools. The system allows for early detection of illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, enabling strategies to stop the onset of potential outbreaks.
A new AR system using HoloLens enables doctors to perform transperineal prostate interventions with high accuracy and flexibility. The system provides a 3D immersive experience, allowing doctors to guide needles to their target with ease.
Researchers found that self-perceived interpersonal racism in employment, housing, and police interactions was associated with a 26% higher risk of coronary heart disease among Black women. The study analyzed data from the largest follow-up study on the health of Black women in the US.
A survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found that vaping nicotine and THC is associated with self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dual vapers were more likely to report addiction to nicotine and feel less depressed after starting vaping.
A new review paper from Mayo Clinic outlines how obesity impacts common tests used to diagnose heart disease, such as ECG, CT scan, MRI, and echocardiogram. The study highlights the need for alternative approaches to prevent weight gain in patients with heart disease.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new approach to treating inflammatory diseases by analyzing the activity of genes in individual cells. This digital twin technology could lead to personalized drug therapies for patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Researchers re-examine molecular characteristics of WNT-subgroup patients to identify optimal treatment strategies for low-risk medulloblastoma. Key findings suggest that therapy-related late toxicity remains a concern, despite comparable survival rates between children and adolescents with this disease subtype.