Articles tagged with Disease Control
A new study found that treating entire communities with oral antibiotic azithromycin effectively controls an infection causing widespread eye disease. The treatment reduces the number of infections by up to 90% compared to topical therapy, offering a promising solution for controlling trachoma in endemic areas.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are exploring the role of aspirin and similar drugs in preventing colon cancer. They will study the mechanism of COX2 inhibition and its potential as a therapeutic target for colon cancer prevention.
Phobic disorder significantly affects individuals with chronic diseases, hindering ongoing medical care. A study reveals that nearly half of those without regular medical care have active psychiatric disorders.
The American Heart Association honored three volunteers, Coletta Barrett, Philip Greenland, and Rose Marie Robertson, with national awards for their significant contributions to advancing the association's objectives. Barrett was recognized for her passion and enthusiasm for American Heart Association programs, while Greenland was prai...
The World Health Organization reports that six infectious diseases - AIDS, malaria, TB, measles, diarrhoeal diseases, and acute respiratory infections - are responsible for over 11 million deaths in 1998. The WHO is calling on governments to take action against these diseases before it's too late.
Scientists have developed a non-invasive method to study the smallest components of living organisms using a nuclear magnetic resonance microscope. This technique enables real-time monitoring of cellular changes in response to environmental exposure, which will help researchers understand disease mechanisms and predict treatment outcomes.
The convention will explore the role of psychologists in preventing teenage aggression and violence, as well as the consequences of internet usage. Experts will also discuss cancer treatment and prevention, including promoting well-being in cancer patients.
Researchers found depressed smokers had lower natural killer cell activity than non-smokers, while moderate smoking contributed to increased white blood cell counts and reduced NK activity. The study suggests that even moderate cigarette smoking can impact the immune system adversely.
A new study published in Health Education & Behavior found that children benefit most from sun safety interventions due to high lifetime exposure during childhood. Parents' sun safety habits strongly influence their children's behaviors, while recreation programs' policies are not significantly associated with parents' practices.
The NHLBI Director notes a decline in hypertension levels from the 1950s to the 1980s, but reports that recent data show a slowdown in blood pressure control rates and a slight increase in stroke rates. The study highlights the need for continued efforts to prevent and treat hypertension.
The Pan American Health Organization will launch a collaborative effort to eradicate measles from the Americas, building on progress made since 1994. The region has seen significant reductions in measles cases, but efforts must be redoubled to prevent importations and improve surveillance.
A recent study suggests that heart attack severity is decreasing in the US, with possible reasons including increased preventive measures and better treatment for heart attacks. The analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study found a decline in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital coronary heart disease mortality.
Research from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine found a significant association between periodontal disease and insulin resistance in non-diabetics. The study also showed that individuals with severe gum detachment had a higher risk of developing chronic lung diseases.
Healthcare professionals who received the flu vaccine lost significantly fewer days of work due to illness compared to those who did not receive the vaccine. The vaccine also reduced the rate of influenza type A and B infections among vaccinated individuals.
Researchers found that dominant men and women exhibit high cardiovascular reactivity when interacting with others, responding to gender norms. In mixed-gender situations, dominant women deactive their traits, while dominant men respond to male gender role norms.
A study of 203 children with medulloblastoma found that a tried-and-true chemotherapy protocol provides better results than a newer method, while the quality of neurosurgery also affects long-term survival rates. The ability to remove nearly all of the tumor is critical for improved outcomes.
A large clinical trial in Uganda found that despite reductions in STDs, HIV incidence was not reduced by mass treatment. The study suggests that STDs increase the risk of HIV infections at an individual level.
A study by Emory University infectious disease specialists found that most inner-city HIV patients hospitalized for HIV or AIDS had not received outpatient care or HAART therapy in six months prior. Despite the effectiveness of combination drug therapy, patients often fail to take advantage of available resources.
Dr. Gerardo Vasta will discuss diseases in the ocean, including parasitic diseases affecting shellfish and fish species, which can harm human health and the environment. He will also highlight the importance of developing accurate probes for detection and monitoring of pathogens.
A new report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) reveals significant gaps in food safety surveillance. CSPI calls on CDC to publish a comprehensive list of foodborne-illness outbreaks, citing concerns that public health officials are not being informed about outbreak trends in a timely manner. The report finds that ...
People with diabetes are at increased risk of getting periodontal disease, which can lead to problems with blood sugar control and complications like vision problems and cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies show that people with severe periodontal disease are six times more likely to have poor glycemic control.
Researchers have developed a device that allows paralyzed patients to write sentences on a computer screen using their brain waves. The system uses slow cortical potentials, which are recorded more reliably than other components, and enables patients to control a cursor and select characters from a panel.
A tracking and outreach program in Rochester increased child immunization rates by 20% for children living in the poorest inner-city neighborhoods. The program successfully brought these children into the healthcare system, addressing barriers such as lack of transportation, education, and financial struggles.
A UCSF study found that 11.7% of medical students sustained possible exposure to blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis through accidental needlesticks, highlighting the need for greater supervision and training programs.
A new study from Northwestern University found that Evista (raloxifene) significantly reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, with a 63% decrease in newly diagnosed cases. The medication has also been shown to lower cholesterol and protect against bone loss and osteoporosis-related fractures.
The new report reveals that drug overdoses and poisonings cause one-third of injury deaths in San Francisco. The city's injury rates are lower than Oakland but higher than Los Angeles and San Jose, while the leading causes of injury death include firearms, falls, and motor vehicle accidents.
Researchers are testing a new painkiller to see if it can delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease. The study, involving 1,300 patients, targets the cycloxygenase-2 enzyme, which is believed to contribute to the development of the disease.
The Women's Health Initiative has reached its recruitment goal for a 15-year study examining the causes of death, disability and frailty in post-menopausal women. The clinical trial involves 68,000 women studying estrogen and progestin effects on heart disease and breast cancer.
The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women provides women with a personal action plan to reduce major risk factors and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Key statistics reveal that many women are at risk due to smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity, highlighting the importance of making lifestyle changes.
A new consortium of experts plans to increase the number of physician nutrition specialists on medical school faculties, establish educational standards for post-graduate training, and promote accreditation and monitoring. The goal is to help create a supply of nutrition professionals who can inform medical curricula and patient care.
A Cornell University study found that 40% of world deaths can be attributed to environmental factors. The study highlights the impact of organic and chemical pollutants, climate change, and emerging diseases on human health.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new anti-microbial agent called BCTP that effectively kills the influenza A virus in cell cultures and laboratory mice. The study found that BCTP is non-toxic to skin and mucous membranes, making it a promising alternative to traditional vaccines.
The Seattle Gastrointestinal Program Project will investigate the role of oxidative damage in pancreatitis and chronic ulcerative colitis. Researchers aim to develop screening tests for pancreatic cancer and more sensitive early detection methods for colon cancer.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found that cyclosporin can prevent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in rats and mice. This is an inherited form of heart disease affecting one in 500 individuals, characterized by cardiac hypertrophy.
A study of heat stroke patients during the 1995 Chicago heat wave found that nearly half died within a year and many suffered permanent loss of independent function. Most patients developed multi-system organ dysfunction, including neurologic impairment, which persisted long after discharge.
Researchers have found that acyclovir significantly reduces the number of recurrences of ocular herpes disease, a condition affecting 400,000 Americans each year. The study identified patients who would benefit most from long-term acyclovir treatment and showed the drug has few side effects.
A clinical trial in Uganda found that controlling sexually transmitted diseases did not lower HIV infection rates, contradicting earlier studies. Despite significant reductions in STDs, particularly among pregnant women, the study showed no effect on HIV incidence.
Scientists have discovered that the corkscrew-shaped bacterium causing relapsing fever changes its surface proteins when moving from a tick to a mammal or vice versa. This finding could lead to an improved blood test for diagnosing the illness, distinguishing it from Lyme disease in endemic regions.
A new Alzheimer's disease treatment, metrifonate, has been shown to improve behavioral disturbances and mental performance in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia. The study found that metrifonate slowed the mental decline associated with Alzheimer's disease over a six-month period.
Dr. Richard Facklam, CDC Lab Chief, receives award for his contributions to clinical microbiology research, focusing on streptococci identification and pneumococcal vaccine development. He has also worked on antimicrobial resistance studies in developing countries.
Researchers have gained insight into the mechanisms of cell migration by altering a calcium-regulated traffic signal that dictates how cells stick to their environment. This discovery could lead to new treatments for diseases such as cancer invasion and metastasis, as well as inflammatory problems like arthritis.
A new study from Cornell University and the National Center for Health Statistics found that 4% of Americans experience food insufficiency, including 6% of children and 14% of low-income populations. Many individuals without health insurance are forced to choose between paying for healthcare and feeding their families.
Chlamydial infection is a leading sexually transmitted disease in the US, causing infertility and severe complications. Age-based screening has been shown to be cost-effective in identifying infected women without symptoms, preventing sequelae and saving lives.
Researchers found that an immunosuppressive drug commonly used to prevent kidney transplant rejection also improved patients with severe symptoms of kidney disease. The treatment reduced protein leaks and alleviated fluid retention, correcting high cholesterol levels without the negative side effects of steroids.
A study at Ohio State University shows that selective breeding helps honeybees develop resistance to tracheal mites, reducing the need for insecticides. Beekeepers can maintain healthy hives without relying on chemicals by selecting and breeding mite-resistant bees.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine found that NF-kappa B, a natural protein, teams up with a cancer gene to prevent cell death in tumor cells. The team suggests using new drugs or therapies to turn off or neutralize NF-kappa B to control certain tumors.
A study of 1,399 Vietnam veterans found that those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 50-150% more likely to develop serious diseases. Veterans with PTSD who saw heavy combat were particularly at risk for circulatory and respiratory problems.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol may help trigger an inflammatory reaction in the blood vessels and accelerate atherosclerosis under some circumstances. Researchers suggest that anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin could be useful in preventing or controlling atherosclerosis.
The new guidelines, JNC VI, recommend stratifying patients into risk groups based on blood pressure stage and presence of risk factors. Lifestyle changes are advised for all patients on drug therapy, regardless of risk group.
Researchers at Rockefeller University are conducting a study to examine the potential of three plant-derived compounds - curcumin, rutin, and quercetin - to prevent colorectal cancer. The study aims to determine whether these compounds can safely inhibit the development of colon polyps and reduce cancer risk.
The report highlights the resurgence of infectious and parasitic diseases, including exotic ones like Ebola and dengue hemorrhagic fever. The authors call for strengthened infection control precautions, rapid diagnostic tests, and improved public education to combat these diseases.
A low-cost antiseptic solution significantly reduced postpartum infectious problems in both mothers and babies, resulting in a three-fold reduction in infant deaths related to sepsis. The solution, 0.25 percent chlorhexidine in sterile water, was applied at each vaginal examination before delivery and to babies after birth.
According to CDC estimates, millions of US-born girls and women may be at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM/FC) due to their immigrant heritage. The practice is concentrated in certain states and metropolitan areas with large populations of immigrants from FGM/FC-practicing countries.
Researchers have discovered a novel physiological role for UG in mice, suggesting its essentiality in preventing kidney fibrosis and neonatal BPD. UG deficiency leads to inflammation and fibrosis of lung tissue, resulting in respiratory inhibition.
Despite significant advances in cancer treatment, age-adjusted death rates from cancer have barely declined since 1991. The authors argue that resources should be redirected towards prevention and early detection, citing the challenges of changing behaviors such as smoking and diet.
The North Carolina Statewide Infection Control Program has prepared guidelines to prevent and control the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections, specifically MRSA and VRE. The guidelines offer practices designed to reduce transmission between patients in various healthcare settings.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a key gene called NIK that plays a crucial role in triggering the immune response. By removing the 'brake' on the NF-kappaB protein, NIK activation sets off an immune response that could be harnessed to develop new medications for autoimmune diseases and HIV.
Researchers identified a carbohydrate structure that Chlamydia trachomatis uses to infect cells, leading to the development of a potential preventive agent. The study found that similar carbohydrates can prevent chlamydial infection, paving the way for the creation of anti-adhesive therapies.
A study demonstrates that the common cat flea is a competent vector for Bartonella henselae, the cause of cat scratch disease. Flea infestation control may reduce transmission between cats, and thus humans via scratches. Direct transmission from cat to cat cannot be demonstrated without fleas.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends federal guidelines to ensure the safe use of xenotransplantation. The guidelines address four major areas: source animal screening, patient surveillance, tissue banking, and national registries.