Articles tagged with Disease Prevention
A new discovery by VUB professor Ann Massie's research group reveals a strategy that prolongs life expectancy and preserves hippocampal function in the aging brain. The absence of system xc- has positive effects on mouse longevity and cognitive function, challenging current understanding of the aging process.
Researchers found that repetitive exposure to environmental hypoxia prevented memory loss and reversed impairments in nerve-to-nerve communication. Adult offspring also inherited this protection against dementia.
A team of researchers from MIT created a comprehensive atlas of cerebrovascular cells in human brain tissue, identifying 11 subtypes and their functions. The study reveals differences between healthy and diseased cells, potentially leading to new targets for treating Huntington's disease.
A new study analyzed data from over 27,000 patients with multiple sclerosis to understand the impact of relapses on long-term outcomes. The research found that progression independent of relapse activity can start early in relapsing remitting MS and becomes the dominant driver of disability accumulation as the disease evolves.
A recent study revealed that current tomato cultivars are vulnerable to the emerging ToBRFV, a damaging virus affecting tomatoes and other crops. The research also developed a molecular detection tool to identify infectious virus particles carried on contaminated seeds.
Researchers provide cost-effective actions to prevent pandemics, including better surveillance and wildlife management, with estimated annual costs under $20 billion. These 'primary pandemic prevention' actions can help prevent future pandemics and have substantial co-benefits for human health, environment, and economic development.
A new study suggests that implementing primary pandemic prevention actions, such as better surveillance and wildlife management, can reduce the economic costs of emerging infectious diseases by up to 10%. These actions have a substantial co-benefit of preventing carbon dioxide emissions and conserving water supplies.
A new study suggests that preventing pandemics could save around 1.6 million lives and reduce mortality costs by $10 trillion annually by investing just 5% of the estimated annual economic losses associated with human deaths from COVID into environmental protection and early-stage disease surveillance.
Researchers have developed a method to assess drug potential for rare disorders by profiling FDA-approved drugs. The study identified NMD modulators that could potentially treat hundreds of disorders associated with nonsense-mediated RNA decay.
A recent study found that cover cropping can reduce the population of Pseudomonas syringae, a common bacterial pathogen affecting agricultural crops. The researchers also discovered an increase in beneficial microbes such as Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium, which have been used as biocontrol agents against pathogens.
Researchers found that higher monocyte counts are linked to early signs of injury and scarring on lung imaging among community-dwelling adults. This suggests that hyperactive monocytes may contribute to lung injury at the early stages of interstitial lung disease.
A new European report reveals a massive treatment gap and disparities in osteoporosis care, with significant economic burden and projected increases in fragility fractures. The report emphasizes the need for improved service provision and uptake, particularly in countries with high disease burdens.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that rural residents are more likely to think fatally about cancer and feel information overload compared to urban adults. Lower education levels were associated with increased fatalism and information overload.
Researchers developed a school simulation model that shows how the virus spreads in different settings and calculates the effectiveness of measures against its spread. The model reveals that elementary and lower secondary schools can keep reproduction rates below 1 with classroom ventilation, wearing masks, and class size reduction.
A study analyzing US SEER data from 2000-2016 found that younger age groups experienced the steepest increase in distant-stage early-onset colorectal adenocarcinoma incidence. Younger non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations showed greater proportions of distant-stage disease.
The University of West Virginia leads a global initiative to integrate behavioral and social sciences into oral health promotion, aiming to reduce dental disparities and inequities. The effort involves innovative technologies like apps and smartphones to increase access to dental care.
Researchers developed an AI system that can analyze retinal scans to identify patients at high risk of a heart attack over the next year. The system uses deep learning techniques and achieves an accuracy of 70-80%, revolutionizing the way patients are screened for signs of heart disease.
The Epstein Family Foundation has donated $50 million to USC and UC San Diego to accelerate Alzheimer's research and discover effective therapies for the disease. The collaboration aims to compress study design, patient recruitment, and clinical trials to expedite the discovery of better treatments and a cure.
The Nutrition for Precision Health study will use data from 10,000 participants to develop algorithms predicting individual responses to food and dietary routines. The goal is to create more personalized nutrition recommendations and reduce health disparities.
Researchers found that some people's genes determine whether they store fat in a 'favourable' or 'unfavourable' way, affecting their risk of diseases. Even those with 'favourable adiposity' are still at risk for certain health issues.
The NIH is awarding $170 million to clinics and centers for a precision nutrition study that will develop algorithms to predict individual responses to food and dietary routines. The Nutrition for Precision Health study will recruit 10,000 participants from the All of Us Research Program.
A randomized controlled trial found that remdesivir reduced the need for mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The study involved 1282 patients and showed that those treated with remdesivir were able to come off oxygen and ventilators sooner than those receiving standard care.
Biologists at the University of Leeds created high-resolution images of the foot-and-mouth disease virus, revealing fibril structures that play a key role in replication. These findings could lead to new antiviral treatments for diseases caused by the virus.
A new study identifies a set of cellular receptors for eastern equine encephalitis virus and other alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals. The researchers tested a decoy molecule that successfully prevented infection and slowed disease progression in cell and animal models.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida found that face masks can reduce airborne pathogens' travel distance by more than half, suggesting they can effectively prevent airborne diseases. The study's findings could aid in managing responses to pandemics like COVID-19.
The International Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry (ICRR) is designed to assess the quality of cardiac rehab programs worldwide, improving patient outcomes. The registry enables programs in low- and middle-income countries to benchmark their services against international standards.
Researchers at Penn State will investigate ways to stimulate muscle growth by increasing ribosome production. Their goal is to find molecular targets that can be used to promote muscle growth without exercise or drugs. This study aims to prevent muscle loss due to aging, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an international team finds that triclosan triggers gut inflammation in mice. The researchers identified specific bacteria and enzymes that drive this damage, but also developed a microbiome-targeted inhibitor to block triclosan processing, preventing colitis.
A new study found that reducing air pollution can lower dementia risk among older women by decreasing their likelihood of developing dementia. The benefits were consistent despite differences among participants in age, geographic area, socioeconomic background, and other factors.
Research found marked decreases in orphanhood, especially double orphanhood, among adolescents in Rakai, Uganda, corresponding with the rise of antiretroviral therapy and male medical circumcision. The study suggests that HIV combination prevention reduces mortality among adults and orphanhood among their adolescent children.
A large-scale new study found that frailty was a strong risk factor for dementia, even among people at high genetic risk, and that it can be modified through a healthy lifestyle. Over 10 years, dementia was detected in 1,762 participants, with those who were frail before diagnosis having a much higher risk.
A recent study found significant inequities in the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), a medication typically used for treating diabetes, among different racial and ethnic groups. The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, showed that Black patients were 19% less likely to have a GLP-1 RA prescription compared to white patients.
Countries without face mask mandates experienced significantly higher COVID-19 deaths per million than those with mandates, according to a new study. Masks provided a supplementary layer of protection that could prevent unnecessary deaths.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that omega-3 fatty acids activate the GPR32 receptor, which reduces inflammation in blood vessels and prevents atherosclerosis. This breakthrough discovery paves the way for new strategies to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease using omega-3 fatty acids.
The Wilderness Medical Society has developed clinical practice guidelines for reducing tick-borne illness, emphasizing low-risk interventions in resource-limited settings. Lyme disease accounts for nearly 70% of reported cases, with other TBIs like anaplasmosis and spotted fever rickettsiosis also on the rise.
Researchers found that in 2020, 93% of Guinea worms detected worldwide were in dogs in Chad. Dogs eating infected fish carry the parasite larvae, which means they maintain the life-cycle and humans can still catch the disease.
Dr. Mario Masellis' international team is receiving $320,198 in funding to examine the interplay between genetic, demographic, and cardiovascular factors on dementia risk. The project aims to improve management and prevention of dementia, ultimately reducing its impact worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Bath have optimised a peptide that prevents alpha-synuclein misfolding, a key feature of Parkinson's disease. The new molecule, 4654W(N6A), has shown significant promise in lab experiments and could lead to the development of a disease-modifying treatment.
Researchers have found that people with genetic risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have thinner retinas and photoreceptors, even if they haven't yet lost their sight. This early detection could lead to earlier treatment and lifestyle changes to prevent vision loss.
A new study links the composition of gut microbiome before infection to HIV susceptibility and progression. Men who contracted HIV in the early days of the pandemic had a greater relative abundance of pro-inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory gut microbes, which contributed to their increased risk of developing AIDS.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a free online resource that speeds up data analysis of human genomes three times faster than current methods. This enables scientists to see how an individual's genome makes them susceptible to different diseases in different ways, ultimately reducing associated costs and increas...
A large-scale study found that regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of developing pneumonia and dying from it. The research, led by the University of Bristol, analyzed data from over 1 million participants and showed a strong association between exercise and reduced risk of pneumonia-related death.
A recent review reveals alarming increase in physician burnout among diagnostic radiologists, with causes including lack of control, social isolation and technological demands. Possible solutions include heightened engagement, dedicated reading room assistants and mindfulness techniques.
A new study by the Keck School of Medicine of USC finds that Medicaid expansion is associated with a significant reduction in mortality rates. The study, which tracked data from 2014-2018, found that expanding Medicaid coverage resulted in an estimated 3.8% decrease in adult deaths per year.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet and the University of Helsinki reveals how integrating digital tools, classical laboratory tests, and biomolecular measurements can enable individualized disease prevention. The researchers also found significant correlations between health risks and molecular factors associated with overweight, d...
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found a strong link between the apoB/apoA-1 ratio and cardiovascular disease. Individuals with higher ratios had a greater risk of severe cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke.
Researchers discover a unique subset of group 3 innate lymphoid cells that circulate in the bloodstream and infiltrate the brain, sparking inflammation in conditions like MS. Countering their activity could be a new therapeutic strategy for such conditions.
Researchers found that high avocado consumption led to reduced caloric energy intake, lower dairy and meat consumption, and improved fiber and nutrient intake. However, unexpected decreases in calcium and certain minerals were also observed.
Researchers from the University of Manchester have discovered a new way to manipulate key assembly line enzymes in bacteria using CRISPR-cas9 gene editing. This approach could lead to the production of improved antibiotics with potentially improved properties, addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Research found that bats can adapt to diverse climates by finding similar roosting conditions, but those with high water loss are more heavily impacted by white-nose syndrome. This study highlights the importance of understanding bat hibernation patterns for conservation efforts.
A recent study estimates that COVID-19 vaccination prevented almost 470,000 deaths among people aged 60 years and older across Europe. The authors found that early implementation of vaccination was associated with the largest reduction in expected deaths.
A long-term study has revealed that drinking higher amounts of coffee may make you less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study found an association between coffee and several important markers related to Alzheimer’s disease, including executive function and amyloid protein accumulation in the brain.
Mass treatment with Ivermectin has halted the spread of river blindness in two Nigerian states, Plateau and Nasarawa, marking a major milestone in disease elimination efforts. Separate studies also show the potential for Ivermectin to reduce West Nile Virus transmission by mixing it into bird feed.
Researchers developed EDS-HAT, an AI-powered system combining machine learning and whole genome sequencing to detect clusters of similar infections in real-time. The system identified 99 clusters of infections and prevented potential transmissions in 65.7% of cases, saving the hospital $692,500.
A new study tracked the spread of a genetic mutation that causes young-onset heart arrhythmia across continents over centuries. The research found that the mutation was passed down from Northern Europe to other parts of the world through migration, and identified a specific gene, KCNQ1, as the cause of the disease.
Low-risk gamblers in Massachusetts reported the majority of gambling harms, confirming the 'prevention paradox' phenomenon. The study suggests targeting public health efforts towards primary prevention to reduce community harm.
Researchers will identify and track SARS-CoV-2 variants using genomic sequence analyses. The project aims to understand the emergence and spread of the virus in West Virginia, helping public health officials prepare for future outbreaks.
Researchers are tracking the health of over 1,500 women who had COVID-19 during pregnancy and their children to study the long-term effects of the virus. They aim to understand why some people develop post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), also known as 'long COVID,' and others don't.
A new analysis found US states with water shutoff moratoria had significantly lower daily COVID-19 infection and death rates. Comprehensive moratoriums resulted in even greater reductions, suggesting universal access to water can help prevent public health crises.
A 51-country survey reveals that people who feel invincible to COVID-19 are less likely to get vaccinated and believe in the importance of individual actions. The study suggests that messaging emphasizing collective action is crucial in individualistic cultures.