Articles tagged with Disease Control
Scientists have discovered a way to control Panama disease in bananas using specialized anti-fungal chemistries, providing hope for the global banana supply. The study's findings reveal that these chemistries can suppress the disease and maintain plant health, opening new avenues for efficient control strategies.
Scientists used a noninvasive tool of chewed plants to monitor mountain gorillas for human herpesviruses, finding no evidence of infection among the free-ranging gorillas. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of personalized health care for endangered mountain gorillas using this relatively new technique.
A study found that 60% of healthcare workers tested positive for COVID with antigen tests after five days and 50% were positive after seven days. Antigen tests are a better proxy for indicating infectiousness than PCR tests.
Researchers discovered that plants can regulate their microbiome through the secretion of flavonoids, which affect beneficial and harmful microorganisms around plant roots. This delicate balance helps protect plants from parasitic nematodes, reducing susceptibility to infection.
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is partnering with the Chinatown Service Center to address disparities in cervical cancer screening and treatment. The partnership aims to optimize access, shorten diagnosis-to-treatment timeframes, and enhance quality of care for Chinese and Latina women in Los Angeles.
A Rutgers University study has revealed that spice containers are a common source of cross-contamination in kitchens, with nearly half of samples showing evidence of contamination. The study's findings highlight the importance of proper handwashing and sanitizing of kitchen surfaces to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses.
The US ranks last in vaccination rates among the world's richest countries, with a mortality rate from COVID-19 30 times higher than influenza. Boosters can reduce the risk of dying and hospitalization by over 90%. All US adults and eligible children should receive booster shots to protect against future variants.
Researchers at ITQB NOVA extract bactericidal mixtures from tomato peels using a fast, simple, and sustainable process. The extracts show effectiveness against pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This breakthrough has the potential to provide antimicrobial properties to biomaterials.
Researchers at Mount Sinai's Tisch Cancer Institute have discovered a new gene, PDZK1IP1, essential to colon cancer growth. The study found that surrounding inflammation activates the super enhancer, promoting tumor cell survival and growth.
Researchers analyzed 408 patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and found no increased risk of side effects from receiving both immunotherapy and the vaccine. The study supports NCCN's recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in people with cancer, citing strong protection against severe COVID-19 for all variants.
Researchers identified a kinase molecule that directs microglia activity, potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and MS. The molecule, called spleen tyrosine kinase, targets plaque buildup and debris accumulation in the brain.
Researchers have discovered that zinc ions tune the ability of human serum albumin to prevent α-synuclein aggregation, a process linked to Parkinson's disease. Zinc binding alters HSA's chaperone function, blunting fibril formation and slowing down protein deposition that can lead to neurodegeneration.
A new platform has been created using 214,000 microbiome samples to track antibiotic-resistant bacteria globally. The data can be used to tailor guidelines on combating resistance in different regions.
Scientists at the University of Bath have discovered a novel polyamine that destroys MRSA superbug Staphylococcus aureus by disrupting its cell membrane, rendering it susceptible to antibiotics. The compound is also effective against biofilm and has shown promise as a potential new treatment option for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers at Rice University have received National Science Foundation support to speed up the analysis of wastewater for coronaviruses from hours to seconds. The team will develop bioelectric sensors that deliver immediate notice about the presence of viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
The Independent Task Force Report emphasizes the need for a One Health approach to prevent or respond adequately to the next pandemic. Key findings highlight the importance of 'Smart Surveillance' to identify high-threat pathogens and invest in R&D for innovative diagnostics, antiviral strategies, and therapeutic research.
The article highlights the need for a unified approach to prevent and respond to pandemics by adopting a One Health strategy. This involves targeted preparedness, drug and vaccine research, and worldwide cooperation on surveillance and stopping disease spread.
The American College of Physicians recommends increasing funding for health services and prioritizing health promotion in Indigenous communities. Community-driven public policy is also necessary to address historical trauma, social determinants of health, and inadequate access to healthcare services.
A WVU biomedical engineer is working on a rapid diagnostic tool that can detect tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease via a blood sample on a single chip. The tool uses dielectrophoresis and machine-learning to detect diseases within one to two weeks after onset, reducing the risk of hospitalization and chronic conditions.
Researchers found that individuals with high allostatic load, a measure of chronic stress, were 2.4 times more likely to die from cancer than those with low loads. Adjusting for age, sex, and race, the risk increased to 28% for those with high allostatic load.
Researchers found that elderly Japanese individuals show a low immune response to the third mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine. The study revealed that nearly 10% of participants had negligible antibody production despite receiving an additional dose. The findings suggest that elderly people may require specialized serological testing proto...
Rescue Biomedical's technology detects opioid overdoses and delivers naloxone to reverse them. The NIH grant will help the company complete milestones, including regulatory approval and scaling up manufacturing.
A new study found that younger women hospitalized with heart attacks had a significantly higher prevalence of cardiac risk factors and comorbidities compared to younger men. This led to higher rehospitalization rates and all-cause readmission rates, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to improve prevention strategies.
Global liver cancer cases are estimated to rise by more than 55% by 2040 unless preventive measures are strengthened. Countries must achieve at least a 3% annual decrease in liver cancer incidence and mortality rates to avoid this increase, according to a new report.
The study found a significant need for stable and durable diagnostics to differentiate infected animals from vaccinated ones. The researchers propose five priorities: vaccinology, antimicrobial resistance, climate mitigation, digital health, and epidemic preparedness.
A cross-sectional study of over 70,000 Asian Americans found significant variation in obesity prevalence among subgroups, with Filipino Americans having the highest rate at 28.7% and Chinese Americans the lowest at 13.2%. The study highlights the need for tailored strategies to address obesity disparities among Asian American populations.
A Rutgers-led study statistically evaluated government data to determine if COVID-19 vaccination increases the incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The results show no significant association between any COVID-19 vaccinations and the disease.
A nationwide U.S. study found that mRNA booster immunizations extend COVID-19 protection for four to five months, but immunity begins to wane after this period. The study recommends additional booster doses to maintain high immunity levels against severe COVID.
Cleveland researchers reveal a new strategy to prevent blood clots by targeting overactive neutrophils, reducing clotting risk while minimizing bleeding risk. The findings may be especially impactful for cancer patients who experience blood clot complications.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that COVID-19 booster shots are essential for maintaining long-term immunity against infection, particularly among older adults. The results support the CDC vaccination guidelines recommending COVID-19 boosters and highlight the importance of continued research on factors affecting immunity.
Researchers identified a specific gut bacterium responsible for antibiotic-induced GVHD after stem cell transplants. A sugar supplement was found to improve gut health by distracting the bacteria from attacking mucin in the intestinal lining, reducing complications such as GVHD.
A new study led by Erika Pearce at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the shape and function of mitochondria in Th17 cells play a crucial role in controlling their autoimmune activity. The researchers identified several molecules, including LKB1, that can influence this process, paving the way for potential therapeutic modifications.
A new method, EPISENS-S, has been developed to measure SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater with high sensitivity. This allows for the estimation of COVID-19 prevalence, including asymptomatic cases. The method was found to be approximately 100 times more sensitive than existing methods.
Researchers have isolated a new fungus, Beauveria caledonica, that can be used for biological control of banana borers and Fusarium wilt, two major threats to tropical and subtropical crops. The fungus produces a secondary compound called oosporein, which intensifies its action against the disease.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have identified a protein called Ait1 that regulates cell growth in yeasts. This discovery presents new targets for developing antifungal drugs that can attack disease-causing yeasts while sparing human immune cells.
Researchers developed a highly effective and safe Zika vaccine technology that prevents systemic infection in pregnant mice and stimulates an immunogenic reaction. The vaccine was tested in various mouse models, proving safe and protective against the virus.
The use of voice control smart devices in children may impede critical thinking, empathy, and compassion. Devices can't teach children how to behave politely and lack non-verbal communication skills.
The USPSTF recommends screening for syphilis in asymptomatic, nonpregnant individuals who have ever been sexually active. Syphilis cases increased from a record low in 2000 to 11.9 cases per 100,000 population in 2019.
The TTUHSC team will provide no-cost colorectal cancer screening and colonoscopies to underinsured and uninsured people living in South Plains region counties. The FIT-STOP program aims to find signs of early-stage colorectal cancer to prevent treatment needs, leveraging existing relationships with partners.
Researchers are studying the interaction between obesity and nitric oxide synthase in triple-negative breast cancer, aiming to develop a new treatment strategy. Another team is investigating the role of NHE6 protein in multiple myeloma resistance to daratumumab treatment, with the goal of improving therapy outcomes for patients.
A cohort study of nearly 200,000 people found that intentional weight loss reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes for those who are overweight or obese. However, for lean individuals, weight loss attempts are associated with longer-term weight gain and higher risks of type 2 diabetes.
Mathematical models suggest that only 1 in 5 COVID-19 cases were counted worldwide, resulting in an estimated 600 million to 2.4 billion actual cases globally. The wide range of estimated cases highlights the problems with accuracy of reported numbers due to data tampering, inconsistent reporting, and lack of uniformity.
The University of Exeter team identified a 'master regulator' that controls the formation of invasive hyphae in the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici. This discovery provides a crucial target for developing new control strategies against Septoria tritici blotch, a destructive fungal disease affecting wheat yields worldwide.
Researchers found that symbiotic fungi in reared ambrosia beetles differed from those in wild beetles, potentially leading to a new biocontrol method for preventing wilt disease. The study identified nine filamentous fungi and one yeast as symbionts, including previously undescribed species.
A study found that the 2021/22 influenza vaccine had only 36% effectiveness against A(H3N2) in Canada, with a mismatch between the vaccine strain and the circulating virus. This suggests that the replacement of the vaccine strain for the upcoming season is necessary.
Researchers at Georgia State University have discovered a way to prevent and treat gonorrhea by generating a mutation in a key molecule. The study found that inhibiting the bacterial pathogen's ability to hijack human immunity proteins could block gonorrhea infection.
A new study found that only around half of older adults with hypertension regularly check their blood pressure at home. Those who received a healthcare provider's recommendation to do so were three and a half times more likely to monitor their blood pressure regularly.
Researchers developed a faster, more affordable method to analyze serological data and predict COVID-19 wave behavior. The study showed that vaccination boosted immunity, with hybrid immunity producing higher protection levels. Antibody levels rose quickly after the first dose, especially in cities where case numbers were highest.
Research from UVA Cancer Center finds that an unhealthy gut microbiome can trigger changes in normal breast tissue, facilitating cancer's spread to other parts of the body. The study suggests that targeting the gut-mast cell relationship could help prevent breast cancer recurrence and metastasis.
A literature review suggests a significant increase in monkeypox cases globally, with human-to-human transmission now the primary mode of transmission. The study highlights the need for improved surveillance and investigation into potential risk factors and treatments.
A study at the University of Helsinki found that periodontitis has a particular link with diabetes and accelerates its progression. The research highlights the importance of considering general and oral health as a whole in healthcare to achieve better treatment outcomes.
A new study from the University of Maryland cautions that delayed interventions make it harder to eliminate monkeypox. The research suggests that stronger and better-adapted variants may evolve if case numbers are low, making it challenging to control outbreaks.
Women with a history of gestational diabetes are at substantially higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Continuous monitoring is crucial to mitigate these risks.
Researchers engineered mosquitoes to produce compounds that stunt malaria parasite growth, reducing the risk of disease transmission. The technique could be combined with gene drive technology to drastically cut malaria transmission in real-world settings.
Numerous gaps between dietary intake and recommended guidelines are found, particularly among vulnerable families, with race and ethnicity disparities persisting. A unified plan can improve nutritional outcomes by strengthening federal policies and programs.
A systematic review of children and teens with type 1 diabetes found that girls have poorer metabolic control, are more likely to be hospitalized with serious complications, and require higher insulin doses. The study highlights the need for targeted efforts to improve awareness and care for young females with type 1 diabetes.
Tel Aviv University researchers discovered that skin cancer cells interact with astrocytes in the brain, promoting metastasis. By inhibiting this interaction using existing treatments, they delayed the spread of melanoma to the brain by 60-80%. This breakthrough has implications for treating advanced-stage melanoma.
Cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapies by slowing down DNA replication forks, allowing them to avoid collisions with chemotherapy drugs. A kinase called DNA-PKcs acts as a sensor when a fork is stressed and promotes slowing of the fork and chemo-resistance.
A new study by the University of Maryland found that white-tailed deer in suburban environments often bed down and spend the night within 50 meters of residential properties. This revelation has significant implications for tick management and reducing the risk of human exposure to diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with hospital-treated infections in early- and mid-life had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The research analyzed data on over 291,000 cases and matched controls to identify the association between infections and neurodegenerativ...