Research on containing and managing disease. Covers critical-illness theory, zoonotic disease, immunotherapy trials, and historical epidemics.
Despite nationwide efforts, only two-thirds of women ages 18-45 are taking folic acid supplements daily. The March of Dimes calls for increased grain fortification and multivitamin use to reduce neural tube defects.
Researchers found a common genetic defect that prevents proper lung repair, increasing risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in families with a history of the disease. Smoking is also a major contributor to the disease, particularly among those with a family history.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago have found a new connection between the signaling protein Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) and cell migration. By studying the compound locostatin, they identified RKIP as a key player in controlling cell movement, suggesting it as a potential target for anti-cancer strategies.
A population-based study found that women with breast cancer are more likely to be absent from work for 4 weeks or more compared to healthy women. However, by the third year, work absence patterns become similar. The study also reveals factors that modulate work absence, such as stable relationships and self-employment.
Countries like Finland and the Netherlands have successfully controlled MRSA through strict screening, contact precautions, and rapid identification of cases. In contrast, Japan's lack of a mechanism to identify patients within hospitals has led to high MRSA incidence rates worldwide.
A study tracking 43,000 men and women found that light smoking (1-4 cigarettes/day) significantly increases the risk of coronary artery disease and lung cancer. Women are almost five times as likely to die from lung cancer compared to non-smokers.
Researchers used molecular epidemiologic methods to identify the relationships between four separate foodborne hepatitis A virus outbreaks in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The methods helped public health officials respond quickly to outbreaks and provided reassurance that a larger outbreak was not occurring.
A report on vaccine markets is criticized for favoring large firms and delaying access to effective vaccines. The author recommends using advanced purchase commitments as a complement to research funding.
Researchers analyzed gene expression patterns in blood samples from patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and asymptomatic carriers to identify potential biomarkers. The study found 12 genes with significantly altered expression levels, which rose to disease-associated levels as carriers approached symptom onset.
Researchers at McGill University have identified a gene, NRAMP1, that controls the speed of tuberculosis development. The study found that variants of this gene affect the time frame between initial infection and disease progression.
A recent survey in Botswana has found a significant increase in drug-resistant tuberculosis, with 10% of new patients showing resistance to at least one anti-TB drug. The study suggests that enhanced interventions are needed to contain the burden of tuberculosis in Botswana and prevent further drug resistance.
Researchers at U of T have identified heme as the molecule that allows protein E75 to regulate metabolic processes such as metabolism and circadian rhythms. The study, published in Cell, sheds light on how people metabolize fat, regulate their bodies' clocks, and age.
A study of 2,593 cases found that school pesticide exposure led to acute illnesses in children (7.4 cases per million) and adults (27.3 cases per million). The majority of illnesses were associated with insecticides, with integrated pest management programs recommended to prevent such exposures.
Commonly used disease models may make overly optimistic predictions about the levels of public health interventions needed. Researchers found that ignoring the latent period or assuming unrealistic distributions can result in underestimating transmission potential. The study emphasizes the need to consider these factors when making qua...
A study of 106 postmenopausal women found that alveolar bone loss is the strongest predictor of tooth loss in this population. The risk of tooth loss increases by 3 times for each millimeter of alveolar bone loss and 2.5 times for each millimeter of clinical attachment loss.
A growing appetite for public reporting of hospital infection rates could lead to improved patient safety and quality of care. UT Southwestern professor Dr. Jane Siegel advocates for standardized reporting systems to track key metrics, but notes that challenges exist due to differences in patient populations and data collection methods.
A new study published in Virology suggests that some strains of monkeypox are more virulent than others, depending on their origin in Africa. The 2003 US outbreak was caused by a West African virus, which may have been less deadly due to its strain.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University aim to develop powerful chemical repellents and attractants to interfere with malaria mosquitoes' ability to find human targets. The project uses genetic engineering, molecular biology, and field-based studies to establish an effective strategy for reducing malaria spread.
Emerging diseases can move between species, mutating into more virulent forms; WCS proposes 'One World, One Health' concept to prevent outbreaks. The global trade in wildlife poses a significant challenge, with estimated $100 billion losses due to livestock pathogens and pandemic diseases.
A study in Manitoba found a socioeconomic gradient in healthcare utilization, with low-income areas experiencing more hospitalizations and ambulatory visits. This challenges the assumption that frequent outpatient care for Ambulatory Care Sensitive conditions leads to lower hospitalization rates.
A study by researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that improved disease knowledge alone does not translate into improved blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, weight management, or mortality rates among diabetics. Despite this, education is still an important aspect of diabetes care.
An outbreak in 2000-2001 revealed fungal contamination in breast implants, caused by poor ventilation and storage conditions. Investigators recommended improved HVAC systems, infection control staff inclusion, and use of closed systems to fill implants.
A study found that approximately 69% and 84% of US residents had access to level I or II trauma centers within 45 and 60 minutes, respectively. Rural areas were often without timely access to these centers, while urban areas had better access due to higher concentrations of trauma centers.
A study of 135 reports found that schistosomiasis is significantly linked to anaemia, diarrhoea, chronic pain, fatigue, exercise intolerance, and malnutrition. The resulting disability was substantially higher than current World Health Organisation estimates.
A study of over 153,000 US adults found that only three percent maintain a healthy lifestyle with all four characteristics: nonsmoking, healthy weight, and regular physical activity. Most Americans fail to meet even one of these key habits, highlighting the need for comprehensive prevention activities.
A malaria vaccine, RTS, S/AS02, has shown substantial protection in trials, with 30% and 58% effectiveness rates. However, an efficacious vaccine is not yet available for widespread use due to funding and organizational challenges. Experts predict a decade-long timeline for the development of a viable vaccine.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a concerning trend: alcohol-impaired driving episodes are increasing, with four out of five cases linked to binge drinking. The researchers stress that new strategies are needed to address this issue, including reducing binge drinking and implementing deter...
Leishmaniasis, a fatal disease affecting 1.5 million people worldwide, will be controlled through paromomycin with the goal of delivering treatment for under $10. The Institute for OneWorld Health aims to change generations of families devastated by VL.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a method to remotely control fly behavior using laser light, demonstrating a direct link between specific neurons and behaviors. The technique involves genetically engineered 'phototriggers' that respond to light pulses, allowing for non-invasive control of neural activity.
Researchers identify renalase as a novel protein regulating cardiac function and blood pressure. WNK1/4 interaction is also crucial for controlling human blood pressure and familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt) risk.
Critics argue that outsourcing of hospital cleaning staff may contribute to increased deaths from MRSA, but hand hygiene and glove use are key to controlling transmission. The Lancet suggests that UK policies focus on the wrong issue, prioritizing housekeeping programmes over essential infection control practices.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that uric acid levels are unlikely to be a major determinant of coronary heart disease. The research analyzed data from over 9,400 cases of CHD and 155,000 controls, concluding that improving diet, losing weight, and controlling blood pressure may help reduce the risk of CHD.
A review of 29 studies found that 19.6% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients improved with inactive treatments, lower than expected figures for other conditions. Behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy show benefits, but high patient expectations and a perceived physical origin may hinder treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Imperial College London have solved the structure of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus enzyme, revealing its atomic details and potential target for anti-viral drugs. The discovery could lead to the development of a vaccine that can be administered quickly to control outbreaks.
Researchers identified genes in yeast that cooperate to prevent DNA mutations and genome rearrangements caused by oxygen radicals. This discovery may lead to new strategies for alleviating clinical symptoms of human diseases associated with genetic deficiencies of DNA damage responses, including potential cancer therapies.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered a way to restore bladder control in people with spinal cord injury using electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve. This technology, known as a 'bladder pacemaker,' could significantly improve quality of life for over 200,000 Americans affected by SCI.
Lynne E. Maquat and her team identified a novel pathway for regulating RNA degradation, called Staufen1-mediated degradation (SMD). This mechanism affects numerous transcripts and is a new form of gene regulation. SMD activity may be regulated by cell signaling pathways.
A recent study published in Neurology found no significant association between increased physical activity and the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it was discovered that higher leisure time physical activities before age 25 resulted in an earlier onset of the disease by seven years.
Researchers found that human genes are less carefully controlled due to a small population size, leading to increased disease risk. The study suggests that natural selection would have overridden harmful mutations with a larger population.
A review of nine studies found that pre-diabetics using weight-loss interventions can lose between 2-3 kilograms or four to six pounds in one to two years. The interventions also decreased blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels slightly among pre-diabetics.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that pulsatile lavage equipment was the cause of an Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak, infecting 11 patients. The investigation led to changes in hospital procedures, including wearing masks and gloves during procedures and using private treatment rooms.
Chronic kidney disease affects over 7.4 million Americans with less than half the kidney function of a healthy adult, while an additional 11.3 million have at least half normal function but persistent protein in their urine. Raising awareness and controlling diabetes and hypertension are critical to reducing progression and complications.
Yale researchers, Jorge Galán, Ruslan Medzhitov, and John Carlson, have been awarded $3 million to investigate Campylobacter jejuni and its impact on the immune system. The funding will support their work in understanding infectious disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.
A recent survey found that asthma control in US children falls short of national treatment goals, with most experiencing frequent symptoms and missed school days. The study highlights the need for better communication between parents and children to effectively manage the condition.
Researchers found that implementing a series of simple interventions, including education and safety checklists, significantly reduced catheter-related infections in an ICU setting. The interventions prevented over 40 infections and saved nearly $2 million in additional healthcare costs.
A new study reveals that patients with asthma experiencing high variability in disease symptoms incur greater direct and indirect costs, including hospitalizations, emergency visits, and lost productivity. High variability patients also report more frequent unscheduled doctor visits and asthma interrupts daily activities more often.
Heavy lifetime alcohol users have a 60 percent greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome compared to those in the lowest category. The study found that drinking patterns independently predict the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Researchers are studying the genetic mutations that make mosquitoes resistant to pyrethroid pesticides, a key strategy for controlling diseases like St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile encephalitis in Texas urban areas. The study aims to develop new methods of mosquito control to prevent resistance.
Researchers aim to understand why some generations exhibit higher rates of violence in adolescents, using data from the Pittsburgh Youth Study. The study will examine age groups and potential cultural or economic factors influencing violence.
A retrospective cohort study of 198 children who underwent fundoplication at Texas Children's Hospital from 1996-1999 found that fundoplication is not a long-term solution for treating GERD in children. Alternative medical treatments, such as histamine-2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, are recommended instead.
Scientists at UCLA and Univ. of Utah have discovered that the hormone hepcidin regulates ferroportin, an iron-transporting molecule, controlling iron release in the bloodstream. This finding may lead to treatments for hemochromatosis and anemia of chronic disease, affecting millions worldwide.
Studies examining prehypertension reveal a significant increase in heart disease and stroke risks among affected individuals. Prehypertension is associated with unfavorable levels of other major cardiovascular disease risk factors and contributes to a substantial burden on the healthcare system.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that supervised treatment interruptions, which aim to boost natural immunity by briefly exposing patients to low levels of the virus, are ineffective in controlling HIV-1 viremia. Researchers were able to achieve transient control of the virus in some patients, but it was not sustained over time.
Early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis through newborn screening can lead to improved height and weight measurements, better pulmonary status, and cognitive benefits. Implementing CF newborn screening in all states aims to give people with this disease the best odds at living longer, healthier lives.
A pilot project by Voxiva and PATH aims to track and reduce Japanese encephalitis incidence through improved surveillance and response. The system uses phone and web-based technology to collect and analyze data, enabling health officials to respond quickly to reported cases and identify outbreaks.
A randomized controlled trial found that patients referred to an alcohol-health worker after visiting the emergency department consumed significantly less alcohol over six months. This intervention reduced reattendance at emergency departments by 0.5 visits on average per year.
Over 30 years of follow-up, Vietnam veterans experienced a 7% higher death rate from external causes, including motor vehicle collisions, suicides, and homicides. This excess mortality was limited to the first five years after discharge, but also included higher mortality rates from unintentional poisonings and drug-related deaths.
Researchers, led by Dr. Shelagh Campbell, study ATM mutants to understand the molecular mechanisms behind A-T disease. They found that mutant males exhibited locomotor defects, sensitivity to ionizing radiation, and chromosome instability similar to those seen in human patients.
The study suggests that monitoring glycated hemoglobin levels can help identify individuals at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Researchers found a significant association between elevated glycated hemoglobin levels and increased risk of large-vessel cardiovascular disease among people with type II diabetes.
The March of Dimes survey found that 49 percent of women who have been on low-carb diets in the past six months take a daily multivitamin containing folic acid. This increase suggests that women are becoming more aware of the importance of folic acid for preventing birth defects.