Articles tagged with Disease Prevention
A new report from The Lancet Commission highlights opportunities to improve health in Sub-Saharan Africa by seizing the workforce's growth and transforming health systems. The report emphasizes the need for prevention, public health, and primary care, as well as addressing emerging challenges like non-communicable diseases.
The new 9vHPV vaccine targets nine high-risk HPV types, significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer, genital warts, and HPV-related vulvar and vaginal cancers. The study found that the vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV infection and disease, with a 97.7% reduction in risk.
A new study suggests that metabolically healthy obese adults consuming a diet high in unsaturated fats may be able to decrease their total cholesterol by 10 points. However, replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats does not aid in weight loss.
Researchers found that low leg fat mass is a crucial factor in lean individuals at increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, similar to lipodystrophy phenotypes. The study suggests personalized prevention and treatment strategies for metabolically unhealthy lean people.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis found that access to quality health care for persons with disabilities has decreased significantly between 2004 and 2014 in Afghanistan.
Researchers have discovered that a gene called Mt2 in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes produces an enzyme that blocks the transmission of deadly diseases. The study suggests that this mechanism can be replicated without Wolbachia, potentially opening new avenues for disease control without releasing modified insects into the wild.
Podoconiosis is preventable by wearing shoes in areas with red clay minerals, yet many Ethiopian children have misconceptions about the disease and its prevention. Research found that children believed barefoot exposure to dew or pond water was a risk factor, despite knowing symptoms and benefits of proper footwear.
Researchers at RMIT University have successfully completed phase one human trials of ingestible capsules that measure gas levels in the gastrointestinal tract. The technology has demonstrated thousands of times more sensitivity to gut gases than alternative methods, offering a reliable diagnostic tool for colon cancer.
The Cornell University-led Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases aims to educate a cadre of vector biologists and public health practitioners through new courses and a master's program. The center will conduct applied research to prevent, control, monitor, track and respond to vector-borne disease outbreaks.
Researchers conclude that vitamin D supplementation does not improve musculoskeletal outcomes such as falls or fractures. For those at high risk of deficiency, sunlight exposure and diet should be prioritized, with low-dose supplements considered on an individual basis.
A new report by the International Osteoporosis Foundation identifies 10 major care gaps that are preventing early assessment and treatment of osteoporosis. The report highlights the need for better case finding, communication, and public awareness to tackle the global healthcare crisis arising from fragility fractures.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for latent tuberculosis infection in people at increased risk due to their birthplace or living history. Treatment of LTBI with CDC-recommended regimens provides a moderate health benefit in preventing disease progression.
Researchers developed a predictive tool to assess future SCD risk among the general population. Key findings include traditional risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and specific SCD-related predictors and biomarkers.
Researchers identified otulipenia as a rare inflammatory disease affecting young children, characterized by fever, skin rashes, diarrhea, and joint pain. The condition is caused by the malfunction of OTULIN, a single gene on chromosome 5, leading to an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines.
A new cost-effectiveness tool provides guidance on preventing and treating rheumatic heart disease, recommending prioritization of primary prevention services. The tool suggests that prevention is more cost-effective than treatment, with primary prevention being likely to be cost-saving in the long-term.
This study found that traumatic dental injuries are a significant concern in Canada, particularly among young athletes engaged in violent sports like ice hockey. The research highlights the need for effective dental care strategies to mitigate future trauma and promote oral health.
A new study suggests that higher late-life cognitive reserve is linked to lower incidence and severity of delirium in older surgical patients. Participating in cognitively stimulating activities such as reading, singing, or playing computer games may help protect against delirium.
A nationwide clinical study aims to prevent and cure asthma in children at high risk, using a bacterial extract as treatment. The study enrolls over 1,000 babies from 6 to 18 months old and documents whether they develop fewer asthma symptoms than those receiving a placebo.
Researchers developed a risk prediction model integrating 19 environmental and lifestyle risk factors with 64 common genetic risk factors to identify individuals at high risk of developing colorectal cancer. The model aims to improve colonoscopies for those at higher risk, while avoiding unnecessary procedures for low-risk individuals.
The £43m study will create the biggest collection of scans of internal organs, transforming the way scientists study diseases like dementia, arthritis, cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. This will give new perspectives on preventing and treating multi-faceted conditions.
Researchers discovered a microbial biomarker that distinguishes premature infants at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) from those who don't. Infants with NEC had higher Gammaproteobacteria and lower anaerobic bacteria in their guts compared to controls.
A Harvard-Dartmouth study found that Zipf distributions of risk for diseases, such as HIV and heart attacks, lead pharmaceutical companies to invest more in treatments than preventives. This is because vaccine revenue depends on finer details about population risk, making it challenging to find a 'sweet spot' for pricing.
Emerging genetic tools for mitochondrial DNA replacement offer the potential to prevent a multi-system genetic disease, but also raise questions about unintended risks to children and their descendants. The tools aim to prevent mother-to-child transmission of mitochondrial DNA disease.
The CRISPR-Cas9 system could be used to bias mosquito populations from deadly females toward harmless males, reducing the spread of diseases. Genetic strategies are currently underway but face challenges such as cost and scalability.
A new study based on the Framingham Heart Study data reveals a progressive decline in dementia incidence over nearly 40 years, with a 20% reduction per decade since the 1970s. The decline was more pronounced in persons with high school education and above, suggesting the importance of effective prevention strategies.
A major population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with genetic evidence of overwintering has been discovered in a Capitol Hill neighborhood. This finding poses a real threat to public health, particularly pregnant women and vulnerable populations, due to the mosquito's ability to adapt to northern climates.
The Biogerontology Research Foundation proposes classifying aging as a disease to tackle chronic conditions and attract resources to aging research. The proposed classification system would provide a framework for treating aging as a unique, multisystemic disease, alleviating financial, social, and moral burdens.
The paper calls for creating a task force to evaluate the classification of aging as a disease in ICD-11. Classifying aging as a disease could help shift the focus from treatment to prevention, attracting more resources to aging research and business cases for pharmaceutical companies.
A recent review article by UC Riverside-led researcher Peter Graystock highlights the risks of managed bees to wild bees, including disease transmission and population declines. The study recommends improved disease screening, unified international regulations, and conservation efforts to mitigate these effects.
A 24-year study found that chronic diseases disproportionately affect Bangladesh's poor, with mortality rates increasing dramatically among the lowest-income households. The shift underscores how chronic diseases have become 'diseases of poverty', dragging more people into poverty.
A study of 2176 cognitively normal participants found that those with multiple chronic conditions were 38% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Preventing chronic diseases may help maintain mental health in aging adults.
A researcher developed a Public Health Index (PHI) model to identify top health risks for chronic diseases among specific populations. The tool balances magnitude, severity and urgency of health issues with intervention effectiveness and cost.
A group of top doctors and scientists propose a paradigm shift in NCD prevention and treatment, emphasizing the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles. They suggest integrating and collaborating with various stakeholders, including governments, companies, and organizations, to create effective change.
Researchers at UGA developed a way to predict which rodent species are most likely to be sources of new disease outbreaks in humans. By analyzing over 2,000 rodent species and their associated pathogens, they identified potential future hot spots for infectious diseases.
A new study reports that bathing patients in chlorhexidine was equally effective in preventing MRSA transmission as current contact precautions, reducing contamination events by 29%. The research challenges the practice of limiting patient contact and may provide a cheaper alternative strategy for improving patient care.
Researchers found a link between vitamin D deficiency and chronic diseases such as cognitive decline, depression, and osteoporosis in older adults. The study highlights the need for universal guidelines on testing and treating vitamin D deficiency to prevent age-related disorders.
A comprehensive analysis found that the NIH spends only 7-9% of its budget on behavioral interventions to prevent NCDs, despite 70% of US deaths being due to these diseases. Increasing funding for prevention research could save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
The latest issue of Global Heart explores the challenges of delivering critical care in resource-limited settings, where cardiovascular disease is emerging rapidly. Key findings include the need for effective diagnostic resources and treatments for conditions like sepsis, ARDS, and pulmonary vascular disease.
Scientists have identified a weak spot in the life cycle of malaria parasites, where female parasites store fat differently to males. This discovery could lead to new drugs targeting the fat molecule gABCG2, potentially preventing the spread of the disease.
Endemic infectious diseases continue to affect millions of individuals in the US, with racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately affected. Emerging vector-borne and zoonotic disease infections are threatening new areas and populations.
A study published in Blood demonstrated that the C1s antibody prevents the destruction of human red blood cells exposed to patient autoantibodies in cold agglutinin disease. The antibody inhibits Complement deposition on the red blood cell membrane, preventing macrophage engagement and lysis.
Research finds that protein TG2 enables bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis to adhere to cells, and blocking its associations prevents bacterial adhesion. The study provides insight into a potential target for preventing gum disease.
A study by Bowling Green State University researchers suggests a correlation between excessive tanning and mental health symptoms such as OCD and BDD. The findings indicate that prevention messages may not be effective for those with these conditions, highlighting the need for further assessment and treatment.
Researchers found that even modest weight reduction (5%) can significantly improve OSA and metabolism in overweight patients, preventing disease progression over four years. The study provides first-time long-term evidence of the effectiveness of weight loss in managing OSA.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to evaluate the effectiveness of drug alternatives to antibiotics in limiting disease spread. These treatments can prevent infections from evolving too quickly, but also increase the risk of disease transmission.
Research suggests that breast cancer ads can be ineffective when they emphasize a woman's vulnerability, leading to motivated forgetting. This phenomenon occurs when people feel threatened about their gender or social identity, causing them to suppress memories of the ad and its message.
A study found that First Nations adults with diabetes are more than double the risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. The high rates of kidney disease among First Nations people are attributed to younger onset of diabetes, leading to increased survival time and likelihood of progression to end-stage renal disease.
Researchers discovered a disease mechanism in type 1 diabetes that can be targeted using simple, naturally occurring molecules like TUDCA. The study highlights the potential for improving ER function and reducing the incidence of T1D in high-risk populations.
Carl Nathan, MD, receives $20,000 prize for discoveries in immunology; monograph published in Molecular Medicine explores inspiration and purpose in scientific inquiry. The Anthony Cerami Award aims to document innovations and discoveries in medicine and healthcare.
Two neurology researchers propose that prion-like protein aggregates drive multiple brain diseases associated with aging. These seeds disrupt nervous system function and can stimulate the aggregation of other proteins, suggesting therapeutic strategies to combat these diseases.
Researchers at the Montreal Heart Institute have discovered a new compound that prevents valve deterioration and can even reverse aortic valve stenosis. The treatment could help avoid major complications of heart surgery and prevent heart failure and sudden death.
A study found that only a few low-and middle-income countries have implemented robust national policies to prevent noncommunicable diseases, such as reducing fat and salt intake. The majority of these countries lack adequate strategies to promote healthier diets and physical activity.
Research reveals that non-pathogenic bacteria naturally occurring in the human intestine can eliminate Stx from the intestinal contents and completely prevent HUS in a mouse model.
A small-scale clinical study investigated the effects of eating one Hass avocado a day on risk factors for cardiovascular disease compared to similar moderate fat diets. The research suggests that avocados may offer unique benefits beyond their monounsaturated fat content, contributing to greater cardiovascular health benefits.
A new report highlights regulating alcohol outlet density as an effective strategy to reduce excessive drinking and related harms. By limiting outlets per population or using land-use powers, localities can address excessive drinking and create healthier communities.
Researchers have developed nanomedicines that home specifically to damaged tissue to repair it, preventing tissue damage in inflammatory conditions. These tiny, targeted drug particles have the potential to treat chronic diseases without side effects.
Researchers have found a gene associated with an unusual type of cholesterol that increases the risk of developing aortic stenosis, the most common form of heart valve disease. High levels of Lipoprotein (a) cholesterol are predicted primarily by an individual's genetic make-up.
A study published in the Journal of Immunology suggests that blocking the activity of C5aR can effectively prevent and treat periodontitis. Researchers found that mice treated with a molecule blocking C5aR developed less inflammation and bone loss compared to those without treatment.
A six-year study found a correlation between vitamin D3 serum levels and subsequent incidence of Type 1 diabetes, suggesting a preventive role for vitamin D3 in this disease. Researchers estimate that achieving an optimal serum level of 25(OH)D at 50 ng/ml can lower the risk of developing type 1 diabetes by half.
Researchers at Rutgers University found a protein defect that leads to axtaxia-telangiectasia, a degenerative disease affecting cerebellum and brain function. Treating the defective protein with TSA restored motor coordination in mice, suggesting potential reversal of symptoms.