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Study finds that half the world's population to be short-sighted by 2050

Half the world's population (nearly 5 billion) will be short-sighted (myopic) by 2050, with up to one-fifth of them (1 billion) at a significantly increased risk of blindness if current trends continue, says a study published in the journal Ophthalmology.

18 Feb 2016

Testosterone treatment for older men improves sexual function, walking ability and mood

As men age, their testosterone levels decrease, but prior studies of the effects of administering testosterone to older men have been inconclusive. Now, research shows that testosterone treatment for men over 65 improves sexual function, walking ability and mood, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by team researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and twelve other medical centers in the United States, in partnership with the National Institute on Aging.

18 Feb 2016

Virginia Tech experts explore new strategy to eradicate harmful viruses

With the outbreak of viruses like Zika, chikungunya, and dengue on the rise, public health officials are desperate to stop transmission.

18 Feb 2016

Adults who use marijuana more likely to develop alcohol use disorder

Adults who use marijuana are five times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder (AUD) --alcohol abuse or dependence-- compared with adults who do not use the drug. And adults who already have an alcohol use disorder and use marijuana are more likely to see the problem persist.

18 Feb 2016

FDA issues new guidance to reduce risk of Zika blood transmission

As a safety measure against the emerging Zika virus outbreak, today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a new guidance recommending the deferral of individuals from donating blood if they have been to areas with active Zika virus transmission, potentially have been exposed to the virus, or have had a confirmed Zika virus infection.

18 Feb 2016

Researchers reveal how brain-specific microRNA plays key role in causing abnormal brain development

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly inheritable behavioural disorders that pose major personal and public health concerns. Patients with ASDs have mild to severe communication difficulties, repetitive behaviour and social challenges. Such disorders significantly challenge an individual's ability to conduct daily activities and function normally in society. Currently there are very few medication options that effectively treat ASDs.

17 Feb 2016

Graphic anti-smoking images can warn smokers about cigarettes' health consequences

Viewing graphic anti-smoking images on cigarette packs triggers activity in brain areas involved in emotion, decision-making and memory as observed via brain scans.

17 Feb 2016

ACC, AHA support implementation of proposed cardiovascular measures, with reservations

Quality measures announced today by the Core Quality Measures Collaborative represent a step forward in reducing paperwork and confusion while also allowing providers to focus on measures that impact patient outcomes, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) said in support of implementation of the proposed cardiovascular measures. But the groups expressed reservations about blood pressure targets included in the measures.

17 Feb 2016

Special issue explores trauma and adversity among migrating populations

A timely collection of papers on trauma and adversity among migrating populations has been published today in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology.

17 Feb 2016

Early life factors contribute to aging of lungs

Smoking mothers, respiratory infections and the date you were born contribute to determine how fast your lungs are aging.

17 Feb 2016

Overcrowding appears to contribute to adverse events in Israeli inpatient psychiatric wards

Overcrowding is a common problem in Israeli inpatient psychiatric wards, and appears to contribute to higher rates of problem incidents--including falls and aggressive behavior, reports a study in the March issue of Medical Care.

17 Feb 2016

WRAIR begins Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate MERS vaccine candidate

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research began vaccinations today in a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immune response of a vaccine candidate to prevent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

17 Feb 2016

New AGS and NHTSA guide helps healthcare professionals promote safe driving for older adults

A newly updated guide from the American Geriatrics Society and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is putting healthcare professionals on the road to success for assessing and counseling older drivers.

17 Feb 2016

New vaccination campaign projected to decrease HFMD incidence in China

Broad vaccination with newly available monovalent hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) vaccines will decrease HFMD incidence in China, according to predictions from an epidemiologic model published this week in PLOS Medicine.

17 Feb 2016

Bacteria lurking in dental water lines

Bacteria lurking in the water lines at the dentist's office are tougher than we thought, according to a new paper published in Water Research. The study reveals that the disinfectants recommended by companies that manufacture the water lines don't actually shift all the bacteria in the lines, which means they're never completely clean.

17 Feb 2016

Study shows male cancer survivors less likely to have children

A study of all Norwegian men born between 1965 and 1985 shows that male cancer survivors are less likely to have children than those without a cancer diagnosis.

17 Feb 2016

Special issue of FMCH focuses on care and disease management interventions in China, Australia

A Sino-Australian forum is the theme of the new issue of Family Medicine and Community Health (FMCH), an international medical journal with editorial offices in China and the U.S.

17 Feb 2016

Misuse of Adderall drug rising among young adults, research suggests

While the number of prescriptions for the stimulant Adderall has remained unchanged among young adults, misuse and emergency room visits related to the drug have risen dramatically in this group, new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research suggests.

17 Feb 2016

Experts available to discuss use of meningitis vaccine in childhood immunization programs

Global vaccine experts and officials from all 26 African "meningitis belt" countries will convene in Ethiopia next week in advance of the Ministerial Conference on Immunization to celebrate one of Africa's biggest public health achievements--the introduction of a vaccine that in five years of use has protected more than 235 million people in 16 countries, nearly eliminating meningitis A disease on the continent.

17 Feb 2016

New UNC School of Medicine study shows how some bacteria can spread throughout the body

Bacteria have evolved thousands of clever tactics for invading our bodies while evading our natural defenses. Now, UNC School of Medicine scientists studying one of the world's most virulent pathogens and a separate very common bacterium have discovered a new way that some bacteria can spread rapidly throughout the body - by hitchhiking on our own immune cells.

16 Feb 2016

Public Health News and Research

Study finds that half the world's population to be short-sighted by 2050

Testosterone treatment for older men improves sexual function, walking ability and mood

Virginia Tech experts explore new strategy to eradicate harmful viruses

Adults who use marijuana more likely to develop alcohol use disorder

FDA issues new guidance to reduce risk of Zika blood transmission

Researchers reveal how brain-specific microRNA plays key role in causing abnormal brain development

Graphic anti-smoking images can warn smokers about cigarettes' health consequences

ACC, AHA support implementation of proposed cardiovascular measures, with reservations

Special issue explores trauma and adversity among migrating populations

Early life factors contribute to aging of lungs

Overcrowding appears to contribute to adverse events in Israeli inpatient psychiatric wards

WRAIR begins Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate MERS vaccine candidate

New AGS and NHTSA guide helps healthcare professionals promote safe driving for older adults

New vaccination campaign projected to decrease HFMD incidence in China

Bacteria lurking in dental water lines

Study shows male cancer survivors less likely to have children

Special issue of FMCH focuses on care and disease management interventions in China, Australia

Misuse of Adderall drug rising among young adults, research suggests

Experts available to discuss use of meningitis vaccine in childhood immunization programs

New UNC School of Medicine study shows how some bacteria can spread throughout the body

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