Public Health News and Research

RSS

Researchers find three new regions of genome that influence obesity in people of African descent

The largest genetic search for "obesity genes" in people of African ancestry has led to the discovery of three new regions of the human genome that influence obesity in these populations and others.

16 Apr 2013

Global commitment needed for polio eradication

"I have spent my career seeking to understand and tackling deadly viruses, from ebola to HIV. But polio stands out because, unlike these diseases, we already hold the key to its eradication: effective vaccines," Peter Piot, director and professor of global health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, writes in The Guardian's "Poverty Matters" blog.

15 Apr 2013

New data on T cells' protective role suggests need for new approach to dengue vaccine design

As efforts to create a strong and effective vaccine for the dreaded dengue virus continue to hit snags, a new study from researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology offers surprising evidence that suggests the need for a revamped approach to dengue vaccine design.

15 Apr 2013

Published report describes 3 cases of H7N9; Researchers developing quick test, vaccine

A new report by a team of Chinese researchers describing the cases of three people who died of the H7N9 avian flu strain in China "was published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine along with a commentary from American health officials, who said the disease 'raises many urgent questions and global public health concerns,'" the New York Times reports.

15 Apr 2013

400 scientists from 80 countries sign Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication

"Around 400 scientists from 80 countries have come together to declare that polio could be wiped off the face of the Earth in five years if plans to eliminate both wild and vaccine-derived polioviruses are implemented," SciDev.Net reports (Malhotra, 4/11).

15 Apr 2013

New study examines time devoted to food preparation, exercise for adults

American adults who prepare their own meals and exercise on the same day are likely spending more time on one of those activities at the expense of the other, a new study suggests.

15 Apr 2013

State highlights: Baby boomers eye expanding end-of-life rights in states across nation; Calif. judges threaten governor with contempt of court over prison care

Claudia Burzichelli doesn't want to die like her dad. … In states across the country, including New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, graying baby boomers have been lobbying lawmakers in recent months at hearings, in letters and by phone, pushing to make it legal for doctors to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill patients.

15 Apr 2013

Research roundup: Lesson for insurance exchanges from Europe; Health care disparities among Hispanics

As states and the federal government begin creating insurance exchanges under the health law, researchers highlight several lessons from Switzerland and the Netherlands.

15 Apr 2013

Report outlines role of health departments, community coalitions in regulating alcohol outlet density

Regulating alcohol outlet density, or the number of physical locations in which alcoholic beverages are available for purchase in a geographic area, is an effective strategy for reducing excessive alcohol consumption and associated harms.

15 Apr 2013

Health exchange cost estimates go up

Meanwhile, uncertainty continues about the premium price tags consumers will pay if they purchase health insurance from these online marketplaces. Also, debate heats up about how the Obama administration hopes to offset the set-up costs.

15 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 12, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about a new study measuring how the health law has expanded young adults access to care.

12 Apr 2013

Manchester study gives full picture of falls in people with rheumatoid arthritis

One in three people with rheumatoid arthritis, regardless of their age, will fall once or more times a year, according to a new University of Manchester study.

12 Apr 2013

UAB study: Southern region of US not the fattest part

It goes against popular belief, but a recent study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) shows that the southern region of the United States is not the fattest part of the country.

12 Apr 2013

Church members view health ministry as more desirable source of health information

African Americans who believe their church is responsible for promoting health in their members and the community are also more willing to attend church-based health fairs, according to a new study in Health Promotion Practice.

12 Apr 2013

Sanofi launches large-scale production of artemisinin for malaria

Twelve years after a breakthrough discovery in his University of California, Berkeley, laboratory, professor of chemical engineering Jay Keasling is seeing his dream come true.

12 Apr 2013

Stigma of mental illness, a public health concern

An international study found that despite widespread acceptance that mental illness is a disease that can be effectively treated, a common "backbone" of prejudice exists that unfairly paints people with conditions such as depression and schizophrenia as undesirable for close personal relationships and positions of authority.

12 Apr 2013

Australian, Singapore researchers join hands to combat disease-causing bugs

The fight against a number of significant infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific region has been given a boost through a new research collaboration between the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore.

12 Apr 2013

Mayo CEO's expansion comments draw Minn. lawmaker criticism; Other state marketplace news

Comments from the Mayo Clinic's CEO that the organization's proposed expansion in Minnesota could happen elsewhere are drawing criticism from Minnesota lawmakers.

12 Apr 2013

Baylor University study shows acute dose of alcohol may cause greater impairment in elderly

An acute dose of alcohol may cause greater impairment in coordination, learning and memory in the elderly than in young people, according to a study by Baylor University.

12 Apr 2013

Experts launch new strategy to eradicate polio by 2018

Hundreds of scientists, doctors and other experts from around the world launched the Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication today, declaring that an end to the paralyzing disease is achievable and endorsing a comprehensive new strategy to secure a lasting polio-free world by 2018.

12 Apr 2013

Public Health News and Research

Researchers find three new regions of genome that influence obesity in people of African descent

Global commitment needed for polio eradication

New data on T cells' protective role suggests need for new approach to dengue vaccine design

Published report describes 3 cases of H7N9; Researchers developing quick test, vaccine

400 scientists from 80 countries sign Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication

New study examines time devoted to food preparation, exercise for adults

State highlights: Baby boomers eye expanding end-of-life rights in states across nation; Calif. judges threaten governor with contempt of court over prison care

Research roundup: Lesson for insurance exchanges from Europe; Health care disparities among Hispanics

Report outlines role of health departments, community coalitions in regulating alcohol outlet density

Health exchange cost estimates go up

First Edition: April 12, 2013

Manchester study gives full picture of falls in people with rheumatoid arthritis

UAB study: Southern region of US not the fattest part

Church members view health ministry as more desirable source of health information

Sanofi launches large-scale production of artemisinin for malaria

Stigma of mental illness, a public health concern

Australian, Singapore researchers join hands to combat disease-causing bugs

Mayo CEO's expansion comments draw Minn. lawmaker criticism; Other state marketplace news

Baylor University study shows acute dose of alcohol may cause greater impairment in elderly

Experts launch new strategy to eradicate polio by 2018

News Medical 2025: Healthcare Shifts That Mattered Most eBook

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

Latest News