Articles tagged with Disease Control
A study published in JAMA found that a low-glycemic index diet resulted in greater improvements in glycemic control and reduced cardiovascular risk factors compared to a high-cereal fiber diet. The researchers found that participants on the low-glycemic index diet had lower hemoglobin A1c levels and improved lipid profiles.
A recent study found that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are three times more likely to experience severe coronary events, including heart attacks. The disease is also linked to increased risks of angina, stroke, and deep vein thrombosis.
Levodopa is recommended for treating both early and advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, improving motor skills, speech, and gait. The treatment can also confirm a suspected diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, providing relief from tremors and other symptoms.
A new study by Joslin researchers found that a common genetic variant associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease is also linked to poor glycemic control in people with diabetes. Those with the variant and poor glucose control experienced a four-fold increased risk for CAD relative to those without the variant and good...
Insecticide-treated bednet coverage increased from 1.8% in 2000 to 18.5% by 2007, leaving 89.6 million children unprotected, with 25% in Nigeria alone.
The 'Cradle & Grave' white paper examines seismic changes in birth, health, and death trends, influencing the future administration and Americans contemplating their futures. Gary Stockman highlights outdated assumptions shaping unrealistic expectations and poor choices.
A new study reveals proposed FDA regulation fails to address migrant worker suffering, smoking prevalence, or outsourcing of leaf production. The regulation may favor big tobacco by reducing liability and sustaining global operations.
A new national survey by Queen's University shows that despite increased investment in infection control since the SARS crisis, the number of resistant bacterial infections has multiplied. The study highlights a need for continued investment in infection control resources and programs to combat the growing threat of superbugs.
Researchers found that smaller mosquitoes have higher infection rates and potential to transmit dengue virus than larger individuals. The study suggests that control strategies may benefit from producing larger, less competent adult mosquitoes in terms of infection, potentially mitigating dengue transmission.
A recent study found a remarkable 75% decrease in severe malaria deaths from 10.8 to 1.2 per 10,000 between 2015 and 2020 along the Kenyan coast. The decline is attributed to improved treatment, bednet usage, and mosquito breeding site management.
A study found that the World Health Organization's (WHO) budget allocations do not align with global disease burdens. The WHO allocated 87% of its budget to infectious diseases, while non-communicable diseases received only 12%. This disparity in funding is concerning, particularly for injuries and violence, which are largely underfunded.
A study from McMaster University found that media coverage greatly influences public perception of infectious diseases, making them appear more threatening. Researchers discovered that diseases receiving frequent press attention, like bird flu, are perceived as more serious than those without similar coverage.
MRSA infections cause only 14 percent of hospital infections, making targeted screening programs less effective. A study by VCU epidemiologists suggests that hospital-wide infection control practices can prevent more infections than focusing on a single pathogen.
China faces a significant health and economic challenge due to rising chronic diseases, including high blood pressure and smoking. The country has an ageing population and increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, with tobacco use being a major factor in these trends.
The Chinese early detection system for infectious diseases has identified clusters of bird-flu in humans in real time, providing authorities with early warning of the start of a pandemic. The system has been instrumental in reducing the impact of infectious diseases, with significant gains in life expectancy and infant mortality rates.
A new report highlights the urgent need to tackle pneumococcal disease, a leading cause of death among children under five. The UK All-Party Parliamentary Group recommends increasing vaccine availability and healthcare system strengthening in developing countries to reduce child mortality rates.
People with diabetes are at higher risk of visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy and other ocular conditions. Approximately 11% of American adults with diabetes have some form of visual impairment, compared to 5.9% without the disease.
A study by Mayo researchers found that outpatient stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma patients resulted in a high survival rate of 99% at 100 days. The treatment also showed significantly shorter hospital stays, with a median duration of four days for those who required some hospital care.
Researchers found that pistachio diets can beneficially affect cardiovascular disease risk factors in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that pistachios may decrease CVD risk profile through effects on Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (SCD) and other bioactive substances.
According to a new analysis, NTDs as a group may have surpassed HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria as the most prevalent infectious diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region is home to approximately 200 million people affected by NTDs, including intestinal worm infections and Chagas disease.
Fibrotic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer involve scarring, affecting organ function. Research by the University of Western Ontario identified glycogen synthase kinase 3 as a brake that can be impaired, leading to scarring.
Researchers have discovered a new bacterium responsible for dermatitis and septicaemia in desert-dwelling lizards. The discovery could help control the disease and protect endangered species, particularly those bred in captivity for release into the wild.
A study of 402 Parkinson's disease patients found that 69.9% experienced pain, compared to 62.8% in healthy controls. Pain types included cramping and central neuropathic pain, suggesting a link between brain structures and pain processing.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has been awarded a $16 million NSF grant to create the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, or NIMBioS. Researchers from around the world will collaborate on finding creative solutions to pressing problems in fields like animal disease control and wildfire management.
A new study led by Dr. Keiko Watanabe found that periodontitis accelerates insulin resistance in rats with a high-fat diet. The research will explore the impact of periodontitis on diabetic complications in the retina, aorta and pancreas.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that tobacco control programs in California reduced personal health care expenditures by $86 billion between 1989 and 2004. The program's cost savings grew over time, reaching 7.3% in 2003-2004, and represented a significant return on investment for the state.
Patients taking proton pump inhibitors for 7 years or more are at higher risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. The study found a significant increase in hip fracture risk after 5 years and any fracture risk after 7 years of continuous exposure.
A UC Irvine study found that only 17% of adults with cardiovascular diseases have optimal levels for all lipids, compared to 85% of those without heart disease. The researchers emphasize the importance of proper diet, exercise, and medication to target all lipids.
The Diabetes Checks & Balances program has shown positive outcomes in its first year, with 29% of participants receiving all four tests, including HbA1c and eye exams. This increase is nearly twice as high as in 2006, suggesting improved diabetes management among local residents.
A new study found that those who drink excessively are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome, a condition associated with cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 participants and found that most people in the US drink in ways that may increase their risk of metabolic syndrome.
A study identifies US foreign-born persons from certain regions as being at a higher risk of contracting and spreading tuberculosis. The research highlights the need for targeted TB control strategies to address the growing burden of latent TB infection in this population.
A study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that online courses can enhance knowledge and skills in infection control procedures. Healthcare professionals who took part in the course reported improved hand hygiene practices, increased glove use, and better waste disposal processes.
Researchers from Stanford's Bio-X program have devised a needle-thin probe to observe sarcomeres, the basic contracting engines of muscle, in live humans. This microendoscopy technique provides an alternative to painful muscle biopsy and could prove useful in understanding muscular diseases.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding the replication of bluetongue virus, a major economic threat to farming. The 'heart' of the virus lies in its enzymes, which are crucial for initiating and sustaining infection.
Researchers found that female mosquitoes are attracted to water containers with specific fatty acids and methyl esters from bacteria, which stimulate them to lay eggs. The study aims to use this knowledge to devise lures and traps to control yellow fever mosquito populations, preventing global diseases like dengue fever.
Researchers at UTSA have identified mast cells as a potential player in combating tularemia, a life-threatening respiratory pathogen. The study suggests that mast cells can interact with other cells to control bacterial replication, opening up new avenues for understanding the immune system's response to tularemia.
A commercially available fruit and vegetable wash has been found to be highly effective in killing disease-causing bacteria in produce-processing washwater. This could significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination in food plants.
Overcrowding and understaffing in hospitals exacerbate MRSA control issues, leading to increased hospital stays and bed blocking. Effective infection control measures can help mitigate the problem, but addressing overcrowding and workforce shortages is crucial for improving patient safety and quality of care.
A new study shows that various interventions can motivate individuals to initiate walking behaviors, with certain strategies showing more promise than others. The review of studies found that frequency and duration of telephone prompts, as well as encouraging moderate-paced walking, were key factors in increasing walking behavior.
Women with type 2 diabetes and heart disease have poorer control of both diseases and receive less intensive medical treatment than do men. Women are also more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure and poor long-term control of their blood glucose levels compared to men.
A new two-week self-management programme significantly reduces healthcare visits, pain scores, and health distress in arthritis patients with chronic pain. The programme's benefits were sustained for six months with continued improvements up to a year later.
Researchers found that RA patients are nearly eight times more likely to have periodontal disease than healthy controls. The study suggests that impaired oral hygiene is only part of the connection and that other systemic inflammatory disorders may play a role.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces frequent stock interruptions of essential drugs for managing non-communicable diseases. Implementing standardized approaches to NCD management, as seen in TB control, can improve patient care and outcomes. A five-point framework called DOTS provides lessons for NCD control.
A recent study using Caenorhabditis elegans to examine the relationship between eating and weight gain found that increased eating does not necessarily lead to increased fat. The researchers discovered two separate signaling channels controlled by serotonin, which regulates feeding and fat metabolism.
The Caribbean region has a high burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) due to poverty. A proposed $1 tourist tax could fund disease control efforts and is supported by industry donations of low-cost generic drugs.
The study found that Mayo Clinic's intensive care unit (ICU) pneumonia prevention rate is similar to the national average, but lower for trauma ICUs. The most common pathogen causing VAP was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, highlighting the need for targeted antibiotic treatment.
A recent survey found that nearly 40% of GERD patients on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) experience breakthrough symptoms, requiring additional over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. More than half of these patients use OTC remedies to manage their symptoms, often using antacids as a stop-gap.
The ASGE has updated its infection control guidelines to emphasize the importance of rigorous endoscope reprocessing and adherence to general infection control principles. These guidelines aim to reduce the risk of patient-to-patient transmission of microorganisms during GI endoscopy procedures.
A new study reveals that diet and lifestyle are not the only factors influencing blood protein levels, with genetics playing a significant role. The study identified variations in genes associated with key proteins like HDL cholesterol and interleukins, which play roles in inflammatory diseases.
Researchers found that a portable anteroom HEPA filtration unit can effectively remove airborne microorganisms, including M. tuberculosis, from operating rooms. The study suggests that this unit can help prevent secondary transmission of airborne pathogens and improve patient and healthcare personnel safety.
Childhood pneumonia is a leading killer of children worldwide with over two million deaths annually. Proven preventive measures include vaccination, exclusive breastfeeding, zinc supplementation, and controlling indoor air pollution.
Despite widespread awareness of high blood pressure's dangers, a Stanford study found major shortfalls in screening, treatment, and control of the disease even with doctor care. Only 39% of treated patients achieved recommended blood pressure levels, highlighting the need for increased routine screenings and personalized treatment plans.
Researchers in the Netherlands used Luminol to detect traces of blood on surfaces in their haemodialysis unit, highlighting infection risks. The results suggest that Luminol can be used as part of a hospital infection control regimen to monitor cleaning and disinfection procedures.
A two-part series explores chronic cough, defined as a cough lasting longer than eight weeks, affecting 9-33% of the population. The causes are diverse, including airway diseases and cardiovascular conditions, and often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as idiopathic.
A review of 33318 screened healthcare workers found that 4.6% carried MRSA, with 5.1% having clinical infections. Aggressive screening is recommended to control transmission and protect patients, especially in high-risk units.
A £30 million follow-up study will analyze 120,000 DNA samples from people with 25 common diseases, including multiple sclerosis and asthma. The research aims to identify the genes underlying these conditions and develop new treatments.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found an association between high egg consumption and all-cause mortality. However, the researchers did not control for various factors, such as saturated fat intake, which may confound the interpretation of the findings.
A recent study published in BJU International found that kidney cancer deaths in Europe have declined by 13% for men and 17% for women between 1992 and 2002, with the largest reductions seen in Austria and Germany. However, the study also reveals significant variations in mortality rates across different countries.
The symposium examined the incidence of inflicted traumatic brain injury in young children and explored issues of definitions, surveillance methods, and prevention strategies. Key findings indicate that SBS is a form of intentional injury with a high mortality rate and long-term disability for survivors.
A new pan-European collaboration aims to design an advanced diagnostic tool for coeliac disease, the most under-diagnosed common chronic condition in the UK. The project will unite technologies for point of care diagnostics and embedded communication, enabling easy follow-up and management of patients.