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Altered coagulation caused by HIV virus linked to increased risk of non-AIDS diseases

With more than 36.9 million people infected globally, HIV continues to be a major public health issue. Those living with the virus are at an increased risk for other non-AIDS diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, and though it's not entirely clear why, this has been associated with inflammation and abnormal blood clotting.

13 May 2016

International study shows direct link between continued marijuana use during pregnancy and pre-term birth

International research led by the University of Adelaide has for the first time shown a direct link between continued marijuana use during pregnancy and pre-term birth.

13 May 2016

WHO: Air pollution levels increase in low- and middle income cities

More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed the World Health Organization limits. While all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted.

13 May 2016

Rotavirus vaccine program reduces hospitalization rates by more than 70% in Ontario

Hospitalization for rotavirus infections decreased by > 70% following the introduction of a vaccine program in Ontario, Canada, according to a study published May 11, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Sarah Wilson from Public Health Ontario and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Canada, and colleagues.

13 May 2016

New research solves mystery of why cetuximab drug proved futile for many colorectal cancer patients

Cancer researchers have identified a marker that shows up in a blood test that determines which patients with colorectal cancer that has spread would benefit from receiving the drug cetuximab.

13 May 2016

New way of understanding neurodegeneration may lead to novel treatments

University of Adelaide researchers have developed a new theory for the causes of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, involving an out-of-control immune system.

13 May 2016

Histone mutation linked to fatal pediatric brain tumor

A single defect in a gene that codes for a histone — a "spool" that wraps idle DNA — is linked to pediatric cancers in a study published today in the journal Science.

13 May 2016

High level of folate in mothers may double infant's chances of developing autism

Women who plan on becoming pregnant are told they need enough of the nutrient folate to ensure proper neurodevelopment of their babies, but new research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests there could be serious risks in having far too much of the same nutrient.

12 May 2016

Same-day initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV patients may lead to better health outcomes

A clinical trial of same-day initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV patients in South Africa led to a higher proportion of people starting treatment and to better health outcomes, according to a new study led by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher.

12 May 2016

Novel rapid diagnostic test and shorter treatment with better outcomes may benefit MDR-TB patients

New WHO recommendations aim to speed up detection and improve treatment outcomes for multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) through use of a novel rapid diagnostic test and a shorter, cheaper treatment regimen.

12 May 2016

Benefits of calcium supplements in preventing broken bones may be cancelled out by increased stroke risk

Taking calcium and vitamin D can help prevent broken bones in older women. However, this benefit may be cancelled out by an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

12 May 2016

Mouse models of Zika virus infection in pregnancy provide basis to develop vaccines, treatments

Two mouse models of Zika virus infection in pregnancy have been developed by a team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. In them, the virus migrated from the pregnant mouse's bloodstream into the placenta, where it multiplied, then spread into the fetal circulation and infected the brains of the developing pups.

12 May 2016

Early infection screening programs may lead to lower rates of HIV transmission

Detecting HIV earlier, through screening programs that can identify the virus shortly after infection, may lead to lower rates of HIV transmission in local epidemics, suggest findings from a new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases and available online.

12 May 2016

Two statistically significant genetic variants may be linked to increased PTSD risk in veterans

In a massive analysis of DNA samples from more than 13,000 U.S. soldiers, scientists have identified two statistically significant genetic variants that may be associated with an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an often serious mental illness linked to earlier exposure to a traumatic event, such as combat and an act of violence.

12 May 2016

Could oral supplements affect teenage behavior? An interview with Prof. Stein and Dr Tammam

We wanted to see whether supplementing the diet of disadvantaged adolescents with the omega 3 polyunsaturated acids, EPA & DHA, vitamins and minerals over a school term might improve their antisocial behaviour, which usually gets worse during a term.

12 May 2016

Children of depressed parents more likely to have recurrent episodes of depression, poor outcomes in adulthood

The latest report from a 30-year study of families at high- and low-risk for depression reveals that the offspring of depressed parents have a higher risk for depression, morbidity and mortality that persists into middle age.

12 May 2016

Scientists identify new hots pots of antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria most often are associated with hospitals and other health-care settings, but a new study indicates that chicken coops and sewage treatment plants also are hot spots of antibiotic resistance.

12 May 2016

New study explores impact of infant feeding practices on childhood obesity risk

Does the timing of introducing solid foods to the infant diet affect a child's risk of being obese by 6 years of age? A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data on infant feeding practices, with a 6-year follow-up to determine obesity, and also explored the potential impact of breast versus formula feeding.

12 May 2016

Lancet study finds unsafe sex as fastest-growing risk factor for ill health in young people

The Lancet Commission's groundbreaking report released today, "Our Future: A Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing," finds that years of neglect and underinvestment have had serious detrimental effects on the health and wellbeing of adolescents aged 10-24 years.

11 May 2016

Cloud-based data from EHRs can help track influenza in real time

Early detection and prediction of influenza outbreaks is critical to minimizing their impact. Currently, flu-like illnesses are tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but with a time lag of one to two weeks.

11 May 2016

Public Health News and Research

Altered coagulation caused by HIV virus linked to increased risk of non-AIDS diseases

International study shows direct link between continued marijuana use during pregnancy and pre-term birth

WHO: Air pollution levels increase in low- and middle income cities

Rotavirus vaccine program reduces hospitalization rates by more than 70% in Ontario

New research solves mystery of why cetuximab drug proved futile for many colorectal cancer patients

New way of understanding neurodegeneration may lead to novel treatments

Histone mutation linked to fatal pediatric brain tumor

High level of folate in mothers may double infant's chances of developing autism

Same-day initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV patients may lead to better health outcomes

Novel rapid diagnostic test and shorter treatment with better outcomes may benefit MDR-TB patients

Benefits of calcium supplements in preventing broken bones may be cancelled out by increased stroke risk

Mouse models of Zika virus infection in pregnancy provide basis to develop vaccines, treatments

Early infection screening programs may lead to lower rates of HIV transmission

Two statistically significant genetic variants may be linked to increased PTSD risk in veterans

Could oral supplements affect teenage behavior? An interview with Prof. Stein and Dr Tammam

Children of depressed parents more likely to have recurrent episodes of depression, poor outcomes in adulthood

Scientists identify new hots pots of antibiotic resistance

New study explores impact of infant feeding practices on childhood obesity risk

Lancet study finds unsafe sex as fastest-growing risk factor for ill health in young people

Cloud-based data from EHRs can help track influenza in real time

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