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Pairing shelter dogs has ‘pawsitive’ results

A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that shelter dogs paired with suitable companions exhibited reduced stress levels and were adopted more quickly. The findings suggest that matching dogs with compatible roommates could alleviate stress and improve their adoptability, leading to better outcomes for animal shelters.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2024

Wayne State’s Community Health Worker Academy receives MDHHS grant to support expansion of Neighborhood Wellness Center initiative

The project aims to enhance workforce and social services provided by community health workers, launching consultations and screenings, providing education and resources, and offering referrals. The goal is to improve living conditions and prevent chronic diseases in Southeast Michigan, particularly in Detroit.

Controlling the precise timing of electrical pulses may offer promise for treating mild traumatic brain injury

Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered that controlling the precise timing of electrical pulses can rebalance synaptic connections between nerve cells, selectively up- or down-regulating those connections. This finding suggests potential avenues for more effective treatment strategies for mild traumatic brain injuries.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2024

Depression, antidepressants, epigenetic age acceleration, and mortality in postmenopausal women

A new study reveals that depression and antidepressant use are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in postmenopausal women. Epigenetic age acceleration, measured by GrimAge DNA methylation age acceleration, partially mediates the relationship between antidepressant use and increased mortality risk.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Only around half of individuals disclose or believe they should reveal having an STI prior to sexual intercourse, research to-date suggests

A review of research suggests that only around half of individuals feel comfortable disclosing their STI diagnosis to a partner before engaging in sexual activity. Comprehensive sex education is needed to prevent the spread of infections and support individuals with diagnosed STIs.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe Journal of Sex Research·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 6, 2024

Bird flu: diverse range of vaccines platforms “crucial” for enhancing human pandemic preparedness

A new review emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing avian influenza spread among humans. The study suggests that a diverse range of vaccine platforms, including inactivated and live attenuated vaccines, as well as emerging alternatives like mRNA vaccines, will be crucial for enhancing pandemic preparedness.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 29, 2024

Portable pathology passes the test

Researchers from Flinders University tested on-site pathology testing and found it to be equivalent to laboratory tests in terms of quality and accuracy. The study was conducted across 100 remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.

SourceFlinders University·JournalDiagnostics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 29, 2024

When should you neuter or spay your dog?

Researchers at UC Davis have updated their guidelines on neutering popular dog breeds, finding major differences in joint disorders and cancers. The study emphasizes personalized decisions, considering breed, sex, and context, and provides a table with guidelines for all 40 studied breeds.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateMay 28, 2024

Not sure about vaccines? How public health messaging is framed makes a difference, new research reveals

Researchers found that people with a fixed mindset respond better to loss-based messaging framing when discussing vaccination, highlighting the importance of tailored communication strategies. The study generalized its findings to various contagious viruses and has implications for public health messaging.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateMay 20, 2024

New guideline: Barrett’s esophagus can precede esophageal cancer, but not all patients need a procedure to remove abnormal cells

The American Gastroenterological Association recommends considering endoscopic eradication therapy for patients with low-grade dysplasia after discussing risks and benefits. For patients with high-grade dysplasia, the AGA suggests removing abnormal pre-cancerous cells to reduce esophageal cancer mortality.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGastroenterology·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 17, 2024

Global life expectancy to increase by nearly 5 years by 2050 despite geopolitical, metabolic, and environmental threats, reports new global study

Global life expectancy is forecasted to increase from 73.6 years in 2022 to 78.1 years in 2050, with a convergence of increased life expectancy across geographies. The trend is largely driven by public health measures that have prevented and improved survival rates from cardiovascular diseases, COVID-19, and other communicable diseases.

Racial disparities in childhood obesity on the rise

A new study found that rates of obesity and severe obesity increased among Black, Hispanic, and foreign-born students in NYC public schools. Despite overall decline in obesity prevalence, these groups saw significant increases, with Black students experiencing a larger relative increase.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2024

The beginning of becoming a human

Researchers Polina A. Loseva and Vadim N. Gladyshev challenge the existing definition of human life, suggesting a new meaning for the 14-day stage in organismal life grounded in recent mechanistic advances and insights from aging studies. This stage defines the separation of soma from the germline and marks the boundary between rejuven...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 9, 2024

Who should receive preventive treatment for TB? Individuals of all ages with positive skin or blood test, new study says

A new study suggests that countries should prioritize tuberculosis treatment for exposed individuals with evidence of TB infection, regardless of age—except in high-burden settings, where all exposed individuals should be considered for treatment. Preventive treatment can stop latent TB infections from developing into deadly TB disease.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 8, 2024

SARS-CoV-2 and type 1 diabetes in children: new study aims to explore the relationship

A new study aims to investigate whether vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 can protect children at increased genetic risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The AVAnT1A Study, the largest intervention study to date, examines the relationship between viral infections and early childhood development.

Global cervical cancer vaccine roll-out shows it to be very effective in reducing cervical cancer and other HPV-related disease, but huge variations between countries in coverage

The global cervical cancer vaccine roll-out has shown significant effectiveness in reducing HPV-related diseases. However, there are huge variations in coverage between countries, with high-income nations leading the way and many low- and middle-income countries lagging behind. Globally, only 44% of girls have received at least one dos...

Lower dose of mpox vaccine is safe and generates six-week antibody response equivalent to standard regimen

Researchers developed a dose-sparing intradermal mpox vaccination regimen that was safe and generated an antibody response equivalent to the standard regimen at six weeks. The results suggest this regimen could be used during future outbreaks to extend limited vaccine supply, but more study is needed to confirm its efficacy.

Bloody net

Researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences successfully unlocked a puzzle in vascular tissue engineering, providing important experimental evidence towards understanding and controlling sprouting angiogenesis in vitro. They developed new image-analysis protocols to determine key parameters gove...

Experts call for global genetic warning system to combat the next pandemic and antimicrobial resistance

A global genomic surveillance system using latest technologies and a 'One Health' approach can detect novel pathogens like avian influenza and antimicrobial resistance, catching epidemics before they start. This can inform vaccination campaigns, targeted treatments, and public health responses to prevent epidemics.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Science·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 25, 2024