Articles tagged with Disease Control
New research suggests that 86% of COVID-19 infections in China were undocumented prior to travel shutdowns, with these cases being highly contagious. The study highlights the importance of increased awareness and personal protective measures in reducing the spread of the virus.
A study by Neil Mehta et al reveals that stagnant US life expectancy is largely attributed to a stalled decline in cardiovascular deaths. The analysis from CDC and WHO data challenges the prevailing narrative that drug overdoses are the primary cause of stagnation.
A new study finds that machine learning algorithms can accurately diagnose mastitis origin and reduce mastitis levels on dairy farms. The technique achieved a classification accuracy of 98% for environmental vs contagious mastitis and 78% for lactation vs dry period environmental mastitis.
A Hong Kong study found that applying best practices for infection control, including handwashing and wearing personal protective equipment, prevented healthcare worker infections during the COVID-19 outbreak. Researchers tested over 1,275 cases and treated 42 active confirmed cases without any hospital-acquired infections.
The COVID-19 outbreak underscores the need for robust research to understand emerging pathogens and develop effective treatments. Researchers are working on various vaccine candidates and therapeutics, including an NIAID-sponsored trial of remdesivir.
Researchers have identified a rare immune cell type that expresses both alpha-beta and gamma-delta T-cell receptors, which can both protect against infection and trigger autoimmune responses.
A study found that volunteer-based outreach programs, such as door-to-door canvassing in Liberia, can effectively spread valuable information and change public practices during epidemics. The program improved health outcomes, increased public trust in government institutions, and led to more people following control measures.
A new UV technology has been shown to effectively eliminate more than 96% of pathogens in operating rooms and medical equipment, outperforming traditional chemical-based cleaning methods which only achieve 38% effectiveness. This breakthrough could significantly improve patient care environments and reduce hospital-acquired infections.
A multi-country intervention trial found that community health worker-led care led to significant reductions in blood pressure and improved hypertension management. The study, conducted in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, showed a 5mmHg decline in systolic blood pressure and better BP control in the intervention group.
Researchers at Swansea University have published two international studies on antifungal drug resistance, which highlights the growing threat of this disease. The studies investigated different aspects of resistance and examined drug resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that causes life-threatening infections.
A new study from NIH scientists found that remdesivir successfully prevented MERS-CoV disease in rhesus macaques and improved their condition when given after infection. The results support additional clinical trials of remdesivir for MERS-CoV and COVID-19.
A new study estimates that improving handwashing rates by travelers passing through just 10 major airports could significantly reduce the spread of many infectious diseases. The findings suggest that focusing handwashing messaging in these 10 airports could potentially slow the disease spread by as much as 37 percent.
A new study finds that educating growers about the effectiveness of control strategies is key to combating plant pathogens. Researchers coupled a mathematical model with human behavior data from a survey of growers, highlighting the importance of maintaining frequent engagement and trust.
Researchers at Yale School of Public Health have identified a new family of surface proteins, Fam10, which are uniquely associated with infectious metacyclic parasites transmitted by the tsetse fly. Vaccination with one member of this family significantly reduced parasitemia in mice, making Fam10 proteins promising vaccine candidates.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has secured renewed funding for the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN), a flagship program for preventing and controlling chronic diseases. Researchers from eight institutions will collaborate to produce research on implementing evidence-based approaches to reduce canc...
A 20-year study found that insured US adults faced worsening access to healthcare due to cost constraints, with increases in unmet needs for physician visits and services. Meanwhile, some preventive services showed improvements, such as increased guideline-recommended cholesterol tests and flu shots.
Research suggests that a ketogenic diet provides health benefits in short-term, but negative effects occur after about a week. The keto diet works best in small doses, increasing tissue-protective cells called gamma delta T-cells, which lower diabetes risk and inflammation.
A new study suggests that injection drug users prescribed controlled-release hydromorphone are three times more likely to develop endocarditis than those prescribed other opioids. The findings also highlight the role of equipment used in preparing the medication as a source of bacterial contamination.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has updated its risk assessment for Europe due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. The agency warns that further global spread is likely, with a moderate likelihood of imported cases being detected in EU/EEA countries. Adherence to infection prevention and control pra...
A new study reveals that neurons in the striatum require the huntingtin gene for regulating movement, maintaining cell health, and developing connections between cells. This discovery may provide a new avenue against Huntington's disease, which affects motor control, dementia, and psychiatric symptoms.
A new study uses an eye movement test to investigate inhibitory control in healthy older adults, confirming a decline in this ability with age. The results show that older participants were more likely to look at the dot when it appeared and slower compared to younger participants.
Researchers found BPA exposure triggers an immune response that passes down through generations, leading to increased risk of allergic asthma. The study suggests that even after removal from the environment, descendants may still inherit changes in DNA expression that cause aberrant immune system activation.
A study found that antibiotics are widely available without a prescription in Chinese retail pharmacies, hindering the government's goal to make them prescription-only by 2020. The survey revealed that 83.6% of pharmacies sold antibiotics without a prescription, with no significant differences between urban and rural locations.
Dr. Shakirov and collaborators identified genes NOP2A, RPL5A, and RPL5B as crucial for controlling telomere length in Arabidopsis thaliana, a small flowering plant. This discovery provides new insights into the connection between ribosome biogenesis and telomere length control.
A Mayo Clinic study of 5,540 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer found that maintenance chemotherapy after initial treatment is more beneficial for patients whose disease is under control. The preferred regimen is fluoropyrimidine with or without bevacizumab, according to the analysis.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a crucial connection between interleukin-1α and gut microbiome function in a mouse model of Crohn's disease. Blocking this protein reduces intestinal inflammation severity, with effects comparable to steroids, which are the current gold standard treatment.
The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network has published a supplemental issue of Preventive Medicine highlighting disparities in cancer prevention and control. The research findings report on factors contributing to rural disparities and strategies to improve equity in cancer screening rates.
A survey of US acute care hospitals found that those with high psychological safety levels were more likely to adopt infection prevention practices requiring staff to speak up and challenge customs. This association suggests that creating a psychologically safe environment can enhance the effectiveness of infection control programs.
Researchers engineered a violet-colored polyester fabric that attracts more female tsetse flies and shows improved effectiveness against savannah species. The new fabric was developed based on understanding how flies see color.
The Lancet Global Health study found that on average, countries implemented just over half of the 18 WHO-recommended policies to reduce chronic diseases. Implementation improved over time, but some countries lagged behind, including the USA. Democratic centre-left countries tended to implement more policies.
Analysis of US life expectancy reveals a nearly 10-year increase from 69.9 years in 1959 to 78.9 years in 2016, driven by factors such as drug overdoses, suicides, and organ system diseases among working-age adults.
Researchers used fluorescent gel to test vaccine effectiveness in wild vampire bats, showing a 2.6-fold increase in population-level immunity compared to conventional non-spreadable vaccines. The study suggests a strategic switch from poisoning to vaccination could lead to a dramatic reduction in rabies across Latin America.
The study assesses the performance of dengue forecasting models across 8 seasons in Peru and Puerto Rico, revealing improved accuracy late in the season. The results provide a framework for refining future epidemic forecasting models, improving predictive skill over time.
A newly developed experimental vaccine has demonstrated over 80% effectiveness in protecting mice from succumbing to Staphylococcus aureus infection. The vaccine targets specific proteins found on the bacteria and has shown promise in preventing biofilm formation, a major cause of hospital-acquired infections.
A NIH study found that only a third of prevention research projects measured leading risk factors for death, despite them being associated with half of US deaths. The study suggests an opportunity for the NIH to better align prevention research with leading causes and risk factors for death and disability.
For patients with cerebral ataxia, researchers linked specific biochemical changes in the CHIP protein to disease characteristics. Limiting mutant CHIP protein activity may decrease symptom severity.
A cohort simulation model found that Mexico's sugar-sweetened beverage tax will prevent 239,900 cases of obesity and save $6.88 in healthcare costs for every dollar spent on implementation. Doubling the tax would also bring benefits, including a gain of 92,100 quality-adjusted life-years.
Researchers developed a new technique using light to stabilize proteins for study, allowing scientists to observe how specific proteins contribute to health, development, and disease. The method, called GLIMPSe, involves attaching a short peptide sequence that signals the cell to degrade the protein, which can be controlled using light.
A nationally representative survey found that nursing homes with certified infection preventionists were nearly five times more likely to have comprehensive antibiotic stewardship programs. The study highlights the importance of well-trained IPs in reducing the risk of infections and improving patient safety.
US immigrant detention centers have faced criticism over deplorable conditions, including overcrowding and lack of access to healthcare. Seven children have died in the last 10 months amidst outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and mumps.
A new study found that a highly diluted version of the Ebola vaccine remains fully protective against disease in monkeys. The findings suggest that the vaccine could be made more available by reducing its dosage, potentially easing production burdens.
Cotton blue disease, caused by Cotton leafroll dwarf virus, was first reported in the US in 2017. Next-generation sequencing revealed characteristic symptoms, including slowed plant growth and loss of chlorophyll.
A new study from King's College London found that a low FODMAP diet improved certain gut symptoms such as swelling of the stomach and flatulence in patients with IBD. The diet reduced gut inflammation and improved health-related quality of life, with 52% of patients reporting adequate relief of gut symptoms.
Research suggests that anemia, characterized by low levels of iron in the blood, can facilitate the colonization and multiplication of the dengue virus in mosquitoes. Iron supplementation may potentially reduce the transmission of dengue fever to mosquitoes in affected areas.
A new study has identified corn varieties with moderate resistance to bacterial leaf streak, a foliar disease that can cause up to 20% yield losses. The research also found genetic regions associated with increased levels of resistance and highlighted the importance of host resistance in controlling this disease.
A three-year pilot study is evaluating a new opioid overdose prevention program, ROAR, specifically designed for incarcerated women. The program aims to reduce the risk of post-incarceration opioid overdose by providing treatment and recovery support prior to release.
A study published in Immunity identified a biomarker for predicting malaria infection severity, with increased p53 activation associated with enhanced protection against fever and inflammation. The findings could lead to new strategies for dampening harmful inflammatory responses and identifying at-risk individuals.
Researchers analyzed commuting patterns in San Juan, Recife, and Jakarta to model different scenarios, informing mosquito control strategies. The study found that investment in control measures affects disease risks, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
A new study has found that systematic eradication of plants contaminated with the cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) can keep passion fruit orchards producing for at least 25 months. The technique, known as roguing, involves removing weak or diseased plants to prevent the spread of the disease. In experiments conducted in Brazil, ...
A new study led by Penn State researchers found that people with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have a nearly tripled risk of suicide or self-harm. Despite controlling for factors such as depression and insomnia, the study suggests that RLS may be an independent variable contributing to these mental health issues.
A new study at the University of Kentucky reveals that mitochondrial changes, rather than glucose, drive chronic inflammation in type 2 diabetes. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that glucose is the primary cause of inflammation in the disease.
A recent study by the University of Warwick suggests that national livestock movement bans may be economically damaging in controlling Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and bluetongue virus (BTV). The researchers propose that a more localized movement ban could achieve similar disease control outcomes with lower economic costs.
Researchers have developed a new 'ubiquitin clipping' technique to study protein modifications, revealing branched ubiquitin chains are common and could impact diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The technique enables detailed experimentation, providing insights into disease mechanisms and potential drug targets.
Intensive systolic blood pressure control was associated with a smaller increase in brain white matter lesions compared to standard treatment. There was also a greater decrease in total brain volume, although the significance of this finding is unclear.
Researchers found EV RNA in CSF of 4 out of 567 total confirmed AFM cases, but significantly higher antibodies to EV peptides in 11 of 14 AFM patients. The study suggests enterovirus infection as a cause for acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in children.
A new smartphone app scans plants for signs of major diseases and one common pest, detecting them with a 90% successful rate. The app aims to link farmers to extension workers and satellite images to prevent production losses and support global disease control.
Researchers identified 239 genes with altered activity in long-living fruit fly strains, including those involved in metabolism. The mutation triggers a global alteration of metabolism, affecting carbohydrate, lipid, and nucleotide metabolism, as well as immune response genes.
A team of researchers has developed a soft neural implant that can be wirelessly controlled using a smartphone, enabling chronic chemical and optical neuromodulation. The device uses replaceable drug cartridges and powerful low-energy Bluetooth for prolonged periods.
Researchers found two eco-friendly methods to combat Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Disease: using UV-blocking plastics and salicylic acid analogues. These alternative approaches could help farmers reduce damage and improve crop yields without harming the environment.
Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as greening, is a serious plant disease causing bitter and misshapen fruits. Researchers developed a low-cost staining method to identify insect feeding sites and detect the causal agent up to two days after transmission.