Articles tagged with Disease Control
A new microarray chip can detect up to 300 different viruses infecting farm animals, birds, and insects. The chip has already been successfully used to identify a coronavirus and foot-and-mouth disease virus.
Experts urge G8 leaders to establish a new fund to support neglected tropical diseases control and elimination. The proposed Global Fund could help scale up donated drug administration, leading to sustainable poverty reduction.
A Michigan State University researcher is leading a study on insecticide-treated bed nets to disrupt mosquito populations and reduce malaria transmission. The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bed nets over time and monitor changes in parasite populations and virulence factors.
The APIC Research Foundation's first national C. difficile prevalence study aims to gain a better understanding of the spread of this virulent pathogen, which causes diarrhea and serious intestinal conditions. The study will provide the first national estimate of C. difficile infection in U.S. healthcare facilities.
Researchers found a higher incidence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA. The study revealed a lower case-fatality rate than previously estimated, at around 13%.
Despite national guidelines for asthma treatment issued in 1997, many patients still do not receive prescription inhalers for the safest and most effective long-term control of the disease. Researchers found that elderly and minority patients were less likely to be prescribed long-acting controller medications.
A new study suggests that Schistosoma mekongi is more widely distributed in the Mekong River basin than previously believed, posing a potential threat to disease control efforts. The parasite's range may be broader than thought, with possible spread into Laos from Vietnam.
The resurgence of syphilis in high-income countries has left many doctors unfamiliar with the disease's manifestations. The authors conclude that renewed training is necessary for health-care professionals, particularly in addressing increases among men who have sex with men and some high-risk heterosexual couples.
The proportion of foodborne outbreaks linked to leafy green consumption has substantially increased over the past 35 years, despite a rise in leafy green consumption. Per capita availability of leafy greens was found to be a significant factor in this correlation.
According to a study of 3,047 trauma patients, most experience moderately severe pain one year after injury. Pain severity is highest in joints and extremities, and varies by age and sex, with younger adults more likely to experience pain than older adults.
A study found no significant benefit in reducing nosocomial MRSA infections in surgical patients with universal screening on hospital admission. Targeted screening for high-risk procedures may be more effective in preventing MRSA infections.
Researchers at Brown University have found that schistosomiasis japonica is significantly more debilitating than previously thought, with a 0.098-0.186 disability impact score. The study's findings suggest that current measures of the disease's burden may underestimate its true impact.
A new study reveals schistosomiasis japonica has a substantially higher disability impact, estimated to be 0.098-0.186 DALY, compared to the current low estimate of 0.005. This finding suggests the disease burden may need to be revised, with policymakers needing to prioritize control measures.
Tropical disease experts believe African sleeping sickness could be eliminated with maintained control efforts, but risk of losing disease control capacity remains. The greatest challenge will be to increase and sustain existing control efforts using available tools.
Researchers found that a new 'top-down' therapy approach significantly improved disease remission rates and reduced steroid use in Crohn's patients. The two-year study showed 60% of top-down subjects were symptom-free by week 26, compared to 36% on traditional step-up treatment.
New research finds that hemoglobin A1c test underestimates true glucose control in hemodialysis patients, potentially leading to inadequate treatment and poor outcomes. The study suggests the use of a newer test, glycated albumin, as a more accurate measure of blood sugar control for diabetic dialysis patients.
A new British hospital reduced its infection rate from 1% to 0.16% and length of stay by an average of five days, thanks to collaboration with Hospital for Special Surgery.
A recent study found that a small proportion of individuals with hypertension eat diets aligned with government guidelines, while many others consume unhealthy patterns. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial showed that a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables can significantly lower blood pressure.
A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that social marginalization is a stronger predictor of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) incidence than deforestation. The research showed that socially marginalized human populations are more vulnerable to infection, even in highly deforested counties.
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology highlights individuals at risk of falling due to conditions like stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and vision loss. Regular screening and preventive measures can help prevent fall-related injuries and deaths.
The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has received a $200,000 Rockefeller Foundation grant to assess veterinary health services in Indonesia and enhance the country's capacity to prevent and control infectious diseases shared by animals and people. The grant will support the expansion of a nationwide community-...
A study at Rush University Medical Center suggests that bubbles may regulate ion channel opening and closing, providing a vital piece of the molecular puzzle. This discovery has significant implications for treating diseases linked to malfunctioning ion channels, such as heart disease and cystic fibrosis.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to explain infection patterns of Schistosoma japonicum. They found that transmission from snails to mammals was the primary factor in explaining differences among villages. Interventions targeting snail populations may be more effective than others, according to the study.
Using modified-release prednisone significantly reduces morning stiffness duration in RA patients by adapting to circadian rhythms. The new formulation has a higher mean relative change of -22.7% and reduced morning stiffness time by 44 minutes compared to standard prednisone.
The National Arthritis Data Workgroup estimates over 46 million US adults have diagnosed arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. By 2030, this number is expected to rise to nearly 67 million, posing a significant burden on healthcare and public health systems.
A new screening strategy has been developed to detect Chagas disease in children, which could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment in low-resource settings. The strategy uses data from insecticide spraying campaigns to target diagnostic testing, identifying over 83% of infected children.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has launched the 'Targeting Zero' initiative to eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which include C. difficile, UTIs, central line catheter-associated blood stream infections, and mediastinitis.
A study found that nearly three-fourths of American adults with conditions increasing cardiovascular disease risk also have hypertension. Despite treatment, only one-third to one-half of these individuals reach their blood pressure goals.
The Lancet report highlights the need for donors to invest in chronic disease prevention and treatment. The authors argue that evidence is not dichotomous, but rather a continuum that should trigger action under certain conditions. Policymakers must evaluate the level of evidence required before intervening.
Reducing salt intake by 15% and implementing WHO's tobacco control framework could avert 8.5 million deaths between 2006-2015. Tobacco control measures alone would reduce smoking prevalence by 20.8%, thereby averting 5.5 million deaths.
A new study in The Lancet Chronic Diseases Series concludes that various interventions, including tobacco control, salt reduction, and multidrug regimens, are cost-effective and should be scaled up globally. These measures have been shown to lead to substantial reductions in cardiovascular disease mortality.
Achieving a 2% annual reduction in mortality rates due to chronic diseases could prevent 36 million deaths by 2015. The authors urge key players, including governments, industries, and NGOs, to prioritize policies and programs to tackle chronic diseases, such as tobacco control, diet modification, and physical activity promotion.
A recent study published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that health education regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dengue fever is inadequate in Cambodia. The study suggests that these educational programs are accorded low priority, leading to poor resource allocation and lack of effective messaging.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic found that relatives of patients with Parkinson's disease are at increased risk for developing depression and anxiety disorders. The risk is particularly elevated in families where the patient develops Parkinson's before age 75.
A study by Chengyan Yue found that consumers prefer conventionally grown apples with minimal blemishes due to their better appearance. Organic apple producers must weigh the trade-off between cosmetic damage and production costs in their decisions.
A University of Pennsylvania study reveals chipmunks and shrews are major carriers of Lyme disease, not just mice. The research challenges the widely-held belief that mice are the primary animal reservoir for Lyme disease.
A new test vaccine against Japanese encephalitis virus has shown promising results, with a high seroconversion rate and good safety profile. The vaccine is considered at least as effective as the existing licensed vaccine, making it a potential candidate for use in travelers and children in endemic areas.
Researchers suggest that internationally licensed, killed whole-cell cholera vaccines may be highly effective in controlling endemic cholera when given via mass immunization. Vaccinating just 30% of the population every two years could achieve a 76% overall reduction rate.
Researchers have created a three-dimensional map of the yeast genome, enabling them to locate nucleosomes and predict their behavior. This breakthrough could lead to early detection of diseases like cancer by identifying genes that are actively being converted into proteins.
A study of 60 people with lymphatic filariasis in southern Sri Lanka found that the disease causes significant loss of income, social isolation, and emotional distress due to stigma. The authors call for expanded control programs beyond transmission reduction to provide support for affected households.
A study suggests that urban children with asthma, even mild cases, require more frequent check-ups than current guidelines recommend. This is due to unpredictable symptoms that can worsen over time, especially in inner-city kids.
A major international study found mass drug treatment for lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) to be relatively inexpensive, costing $0.06 to $2.23 per person treated. The disease affects over 1.3 billion people worldwide and can be eradicated through once-yearly mass drug administration of two drugs.
Researchers have discovered that treating two or more neglected tropical diseases simultaneously with existing oral drug treatments can be effective and efficient. The treatment approach has the potential to save millions of lives annually, particularly in Africa where nearly 500 million people are at risk for these diseases.
A recent study highlights the significant impact of poverty on chronic disease in Asian countries, resulting in over 8 million avoidable deaths annually. Practical interventions such as tobacco-smoking cessation programs and regional partnerships between governments and institutions are proposed to mitigate these effects.
The World Health Organization has launched a global patient safety challenge to combat healthcare-associated infection in developing countries. The initiative aims to improve hand hygiene practices and reduce morbidity and mortality due to healthcare-associated infection.
A recent study found that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are more common than previously thought, affecting certain populations disproportionately. The study estimated that 94,360 invasive MRSA infections occurred in the US in 2005, resulting in 18,650 deaths.
The study identified specific parts of PfEMP1 that are likely to bond more strongly with receptors in blood vessels, producing a stronger adhesive effect. These protein parts are common in parasites causing severe malaria, and their identification could lead to the development of a vaccine to prevent the disease.
The study reveals that Clostridium difficile spores can thrive on asymptomatic patients and their surroundings, posing a significant transmission risk. This finding has dramatic implications for healthcare workers and recommends extending contact precautions to discharged patients with a previous history of CDAD.
A 2004 outbreak of Norwalk virus at The Johns Hopkins Hospital resulted in estimated $650,000 in total hospital costs. Strict precautions taken to control the outbreak included isolating infected units, implementing strict hand hygiene and thorough cleaning protocols.
In a first systematic analysis, researchers confirm the limited human-to-human spread of avian-flu virus in Indonesia. Biostatistician Ira M. Longini Jr. found the virus spread within a small family, with the new software providing real-time analysis.
Scientists have identified Marburg virus RNA genome and antibodies in African fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), providing new insight into a deadly disease that has long baffled epidemiologists. The discovery, published in PLoS ONE, offers potential for understanding transmission and development of a vaccine or drug therapy.
John P. Donoghue, a Brown University brain scientist, has been awarded the K.J. Zülch Prize for his groundbreaking research on translating thoughts into action, enabling people with paralysis to control devices using brain signals.
Research links exhaust fumes to increased asthma risk in genetically susceptible children, particularly those with high microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity and GSTP1 genetic variants. Children exposed to road traffic pollution are also at greater risk of developing asthma.
A study suggests that measuring anemia can be a useful indicator of the burden and control of neglected tropical diseases. Pharmacogenomics, however, still faces limitations in its application for individualized drug dosing based on hereditary factors, according to a review.
Penn researchers identified how regulatory protein Bcl-3 regulates inflammation by blocking ubiquitination, a critical biochemical process. This discovery opens new avenues for developing therapies to treat infectious or inflammatory diseases such as sepsis and rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study reveals that 23% of hospital-based physicians in China are smokers, significantly higher than the global average. The study prompts China CDC to initiate an antismoking campaign aimed at physicians and medical students.
University of Florida researchers are creating a brain chip to decode signals and stimulate neurons, aiming to treat conditions like paralysis and epilepsy. The technology has the potential to revolutionize medicine, allowing patients to control prosthetic devices with their thoughts.
People with writer's cramp have reduced grey matter in specific brain regions, including the cerebellum and sensorimotor cortex. The study suggests that these changes may be a result of sustained repetitive movement, or an adaptation to the condition.
A recent study suggests that adult male circumcision could help prevent HIV transmission in the US, particularly among heterosexual couples. However, the effectiveness of circumcision in reducing HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) is uncertain due to limited data and potential biases.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have successfully expressed a foreign gene exclusively in the female mosquito germline, paving the way for genetic control strategies. The discovery enables all progeny of lab and wild mosquitoes to have the gene that blocks virus replication.