Articles tagged with Disease Control
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.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health have discovered the role of Stat 4 in determining T helper cell differentiation. The study found that Stat 4 is the master switch controlling the differentiation of T helper cells, which plays a critical role in dictating the outcome of immune responses.
A year-long study found that nearly twice as many smokers made progress toward quitting in church-based programs with pastoral support compared to self-help pamphlets. The programs emphasized cultural and spiritual norms, particularly among Baptists who consider smoking a sin, leading to higher quit rates.