Polio News and Research

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Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause severe paralysis. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralyzed, 5-10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. Polio mainly affects children under five years of age. Naturally occurring polio was eliminated in the U.S. in 1979 and in the Western Hemisphere by 1991; however, worldwide efforts are continuing towards eradication of this contagious and devastating disease.

Living past 100: Healthy habits, good company, and a purpose in life

Researchers explore the secrets behind increased life expectancies, focusing on the influence of diet, lifestyle, and socio-economic changes. Centenarians, individuals living past 100, often delay age-related symptoms, suggesting a lifestyle emphasizing a balanced diet, social interaction, and regular exercise can significantly boost longevity and resilience.

10 Oct 2023

Manipulating mitochondrial electron flow enhances immune response, reduces tumor growth

Immunotherapy, which uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer, is an effective treatment option, yet many patients do not respond to it.

21 Sep 2023

Students starting school and college in September are at increased risk of serious illnesses

A leading testing expert fears a perfect storm of infections in September as students start at schools and colleges. School closures during Covid lockdowns mean 1-in-8 students starting university this year remains unprotected against meningitis. Concern is growing early symptoms may be confused with freshers’ flu.

4 Sep 2023

High-fat diet changes gut bacteria, bile acids, and increases colorectal cancer risk

The prevalence of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50 has risen in recent decades. One suspected reason: the increasing rate of obesity and high-fat diets.

22 Aug 2023

COVID-19 vaccination in low- and middle-income countries should complement routine childhood vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases of the disease in children and adolescents, according to a review.

21 Aug 2023

New technique cuts polio detection time in half

New research supported by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has shown that the time to detect polio can be halved using a technique called Direct molecular Detection and Nanopore Sequencing (DDNS), supporting the global effort to eradicate polio and help save lives.

21 Aug 2023

DDNS technique could reduce the time to detect polio, study shows

A new study, 'Sensitive poliovirus detection using nested PCR and nanopore sequencing: a prospective validation study', published today (17 August 2023) in Nature Microbiology, proves that using DDNS to detect polio outbreaks can save public health authorities crucial time and money.

18 Aug 2023

Salk scientists find new immunotherapy treatment for glioblastoma

Glioblastoma, the most common and deadly form of brain cancer, grows rapidly to invade and destroy healthy brain tissue. The tumor sends out cancerous tendrils into the brain that make surgical tumor removal extremely difficult or impossible.

11 Aug 2023

Community health workers boost child vaccination rates in remote Madagascar

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world and access to health care is limited for many people.

10 Aug 2023

UKHSA unveils new strategy to prepare for and respond to health threats

The new strategy sets out UKHSA's vision and goals for the next 3 years to prepare for and respond to health threats and build the capabilities and technologies to protect the country in the future.

25 Jul 2023

New understanding of wasting could lead to better treatments for infections

Although infections can present with many different symptoms, one common symptom is the loss of fat and muscle, a process called wasting.

24 Jul 2023

New compound shows promise in stopping breast cancer metastasis

Researchers from the University of Liverpool have created a biomedical compound that has the potential to stop the spread of breast cancer. A recently published paper details these early findings.

21 Jul 2023

Pertussis vaccination responses in COPD patients

Researchers evaluated the humoral and cellular immune responses to pertussis vaccination in COPD patients.

21 Jul 2023

Wait, What’s a PBM?

Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, are intermediary companies that negotiate the price of prescription drugs.

13 Jul 2023

CDC to reduce funding for states’ child vaccination programs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing funding to states for child vaccination programs, according to an agency email obtained by KFF Health News.

5 Jul 2023

Scientists discover new way to create lasting immunity against diarrheal diseases

Worldwide, more than a million deaths occur each year due to diarrheal diseases that lead to dehydration and malnutrition.

23 Jun 2023

Trained immunity: its role in COVID-19 and potential in preparing for future infectious outbreaks

Researchers reported on the contribution of trained immune responses to protection against SARS-CoV-2 infections and future pandemics.

16 Jun 2023

New method of insulin delivery lowers the risk of hypoglycemia compared to current diabetes treatments

Insulin production has, for the last 50 or so years, come with some risks to the patient. Even so, the medication is lifesaving for the estimated 537 million adults living with diabetes worldwide, with that number expected to grow.

15 Jun 2023

Scientists develop two novel oral polio vaccines to bolster WHO's push to eradicate polio

Despite some of the most successful international vaccination campaigns in history, the poliovirus continues to circulate around the world, posing a threat of neurological damage and even paralysis to anyone who is not vaccinated.

14 Jun 2023

Study illuminates how T cells fight and remember infections

The immune system protects the body from invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, or tumors, with its intricate network of proteins, cells, and organs.

13 Jun 2023