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Investigators isolate protein that is responsible for fungus' ability to cross blood-brain barrier

In a remarkable series of experiments on a fungus that causes cryptococcal meningitis, a deadly infection of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain, investigators at UC Davis have isolated a protein that appears to be responsible for the fungus' ability to cross from the bloodstream into the brain.

13 Jun 2014

Walking 6,000 steps per day may protect people at risk of knee OA

A new study shows that walking reduces risk of functional limitation associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA). In fact, the study funded in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal, Arthritis Care & Research, suggests that walking 6,000 or more steps per day may protect those with or at risk of knee of OA from developing mobility issues, such as difficulty getting up from a chair and climbing stairs.

13 Jun 2014

NSF awards nearly $200,000 to make environmentally friendly field analyzer

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 to two University of Texas at Arlington researchers teaming with a private company to make an affordable, environmentally friendly field analyzer for arsenic levels in water.

13 Jun 2014

U.S. cancer survivors face economic burdens due to growing medical costs, productivity losses

U.S. cancer survivors face significant economic burdens due to growing medical costs, missed work, and reduced productivity, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

12 Jun 2014

Mexican immigrants relocating to the U.S. more likely to experience declines in health

Mexican immigrants who relocate to the United States often face barriers like poorly paying jobs, crowded housing and family separation. Such obstacles - including the migration process itself - may be detrimental to the health of Mexican immigrants, especially those who have recently moved.

12 Jun 2014

Tufts researchers gain new insight into protein associated with bipolar disorder

Researchers from Tufts have gained new insight into a protein associated with bipolar disorder. The study, published in the June 3 issue of Science Signaling, reveals that calcium channels in resting neurons activate the breakdown of Sp4, which belongs to a class of proteins called transcription factors that regulate gene expression.

12 Jun 2014

Mass. to spend $20 million to combat opioid use

Governor Deval Patrick announced the plan Tuesday that will also team with five other New England states to upgrade treatment and expand coverage abuse of the drugs.

12 Jun 2014

Leading experts from key sectors discuss challenges in 340B Drug Discount Program

Leading health care policy experts from community health centers, patient and clinician specialty groups, industry organizations and academic institutions convened yesterday to discuss challenges in the federal 340B Drug Discount Program, and the importance of preserving aspects that truly serve vulnerable, uninsured and underinsured patients.

12 Jun 2014

Otsuka Pharmaceutical begins tolvaptan Phase 3b study in patients with ADPKD

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., announced today that patient enrollment has begun for a new Phase 3b study of tolvaptan for adult patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common, life-threatening, inherited genetic kidney disorder.

11 Jun 2014

AHF welcomes passage of new HIV transmission bill

Marking the first change in state health code regarding HIV transmission in nearly a decade, Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad signed a landmark bill on May 30 that will curb rampant convictions of people living with HIV for transmitting the virus by redefining the law to ensure only those who intend to spread HIV or behave with "reckless disregard" are penalized.

11 Jun 2014

Human herpes simplex virus infected human approximately 1.6 million years ago

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified the evolutionary origins of human herpes simplex virus (HSV) -1 and -2, reporting that the former infected hominids before their evolutionary split from chimpanzees 6 million years ago while the latter jumped from ancient chimpanzees to ancestors of modern humans - Homo erectus - approximately 1.6 million years ago.

11 Jun 2014

State highlights: Mass. near 0 percent uninsured; Ga. scraps Medicaid contract bidding; states turn to public health issues

When Massachusetts passed its landmark health coverage law under Gov. Mitt Romney in 2006, no one claimed the state would get to zero, as in 0 percent of residents who are uninsured. But numbers out today suggest Massachusetts is very close. Between December 2013 and March of this year, when the federal government was urging people to enroll, the number of Massachusetts residents signed up for health coverage increased by more than 215,000. If that number holds, the percentage of Massachusetts residents who do not have coverage has dropped to less than 1 percent (Bebinger, 6/9).

11 Jun 2014

Adding evidence-based weight loss strategies enhances statewide wellness campaign

Researchers from The Miriam Hospital have found that adding evidence-based weight loss strategies to a statewide wellness campaign improves weight loss outcomes among participants. The study and its findings are published online in advance of print in the American Journal of Public Health.

11 Jun 2014

Researchers discover strong genetic risk factor for type 2 diabetes in Latin American patients

In the largest study of its kind published to date, an international team of researchers in Mexico and the United States has discovered a strong genetic risk factor for type 2 diabetes that primarily affects Latin American patients, but is rare elsewhere.

11 Jun 2014

Telehealth support improves quality of forensic exams for sexual abuse

Researchers at UC Davis and other facilities have shown that telehealth consultations for clinicians at rural hospitals improve their ability to provide forensic examinations for sexual abuse.

11 Jun 2014

mHealth Summit to host Global mHealth Forum

The mHealth Summit announced today that it will host the Global mHealth Forum, a two-day co-located event, to focus on mobile and connected health in low and middle income countries (LMICs).

10 Jun 2014

Synthetic, Enterome partner to study effects of beta-lactam antibiotics on gastrointestinal microflora

Synthetic Biologics, Inc., a developer of novel anti-infective biologic and drug candidates targeting specific pathogens that cause serious infections and diseases, and Enterome Bioscience SA, a pioneer in the development of innovative disease management solutions based on a deep understanding of the gut microbiome, today announced that they have entered into an agreement to conduct metagenomic research on the effects of beta-lactam antibiotics on the gastrointestinal microflora (microbiome) of human patients.

10 Jun 2014

MD Anderson study shows that needle biopsy underused in breast cancer patients

Needle biopsy, the standard of care radiological procedure for diagnosing breast cancer, is underused with too many patients undergoing the more invasive, excisional biopsy to detect their disease, according to research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

10 Jun 2014

Targeting popular kids for fighting obesity may not be effective

In the fight against teenage obesity, some researchers have proposed targeting popular teens, in the belief that such kids would have an outsize influence on their peers.

10 Jun 2014

Text4baby benefits pregnant women

The leading mobile health service in the nation, Text4baby, was found to significantly benefit pregnant women, according to a new study led by Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH) at the George Washington University and the Madigan Army Medical Center.

10 Jun 2014

Public Health News and Research

Investigators isolate protein that is responsible for fungus' ability to cross blood-brain barrier

Walking 6,000 steps per day may protect people at risk of knee OA

NSF awards nearly $200,000 to make environmentally friendly field analyzer

U.S. cancer survivors face economic burdens due to growing medical costs, productivity losses

Mexican immigrants relocating to the U.S. more likely to experience declines in health

Tufts researchers gain new insight into protein associated with bipolar disorder

Mass. to spend $20 million to combat opioid use

Leading experts from key sectors discuss challenges in 340B Drug Discount Program

Otsuka Pharmaceutical begins tolvaptan Phase 3b study in patients with ADPKD

AHF welcomes passage of new HIV transmission bill

Human herpes simplex virus infected human approximately 1.6 million years ago

State highlights: Mass. near 0 percent uninsured; Ga. scraps Medicaid contract bidding; states turn to public health issues

Adding evidence-based weight loss strategies enhances statewide wellness campaign

Researchers discover strong genetic risk factor for type 2 diabetes in Latin American patients

Telehealth support improves quality of forensic exams for sexual abuse

mHealth Summit to host Global mHealth Forum

Synthetic, Enterome partner to study effects of beta-lactam antibiotics on gastrointestinal microflora

MD Anderson study shows that needle biopsy underused in breast cancer patients

Targeting popular kids for fighting obesity may not be effective

Text4baby benefits pregnant women

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