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Opinions: Polio vaccines; Alternatives to DDT, insecticides; Food price volatility; Global poverty; Foreign aid for vaccines

"No one denies" that the oral polio vaccine "has considerable merits. It's cheap to make. It's easy to administer; you don't need a trained nurse with a clean syringe [like the inactive vaccine needs], just a volunteer with a dropper. And it gives excellent immunity. ... But there are problems with the method," Wendy Orent, author of the book Plague: The Mysterious Past and Terrifying Future of the World's Most Dangerous Disease, writes in a Los Angeles Times opinion piece.

10 Feb 2011

People with memory problems may face high risk of stroke

People who have memory problems or other declines in their mental abilities may be at higher risk for stroke, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu April 9 to April 16, 2011.

9 Feb 2011

Study: E-cigarettes are safer alternative to tobacco smoking

A study just released by the Journal of Public Health Policy is taking a closer look at traditional tobacco cigarettes vs. e-cigarettes, and the results are surprising even the biggest skeptics. Based on available evidence, the study "Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco control: A step forward or a repeat of past mistakes?" concluded that e-cigarettes are safer than tobacco cigarettes, and have the potential to become a smoking cessation device.

9 Feb 2011

Researchers find large variations in quality and safety across diabetes websites

Nearly one-half of U.S. adults who use the Internet participate in social networks. While these increasingly include health-focused networks, not much is known about their quality and safety. In one of the first formal studies of social networking websites targeting patients, researchers in the Children's Hospital Boston Informatics Program performed an in-depth evaluation of ten diabetes websites.

9 Feb 2011

BreathableBaby's mesh crib bumper offers parents a safer alternative to traditional one

The Breathable Mesh Crib Bumper from Minneapolis-based company BreathableBaby offers a safer alternative to traditional crib bumpers for under $30. The patented, award-winning Breathable Mesh Crib Bumper offers parents a design alternative to traditional bumpers which are typically thick, plush or pillowy and made of less breathable fabrics.

9 Feb 2011

Gates Foundation awards USF $5.45M for malaria research

The University of South Florida received $5.45 million in grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The first grant is to create advanced devices that mimic the human liver to better study the life cycle of the malaria parasite - particularly the elusive liver stage where the disease may be most vulnerable to attack.

9 Feb 2011

Cardiac enzyme elevations following CABG surgery is associated with worse prognosis

Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery and had elevated levels of the cardiac enzymes creatine kinase or troponin in the 24 hours following surgery had an associated intermediate and long-term increased risk of death, according to a study in the February 9 issue of JAMA.

9 Feb 2011

Study finds low awareness about kidney risks posed by diabetes

The first time that many patients realise that diabetes can affect their kidneys is when they are referred to renal services, according to a multi-cultural study in the March issue of the Journal of Renal Care.

9 Feb 2011

Improved awareness of AIDS deaths, fear of infection lead to huge decline in Zimbabwe's HIV rates

The big drop in the numbers of people infected with HIV in Zimbabwe is because of mass social change, driven by fear of infection, according to an international study reported today in the journal PLoS Medicine. The scientists unravelling the reasons behind this unexpected downturn now reveal what they hope are the most important lessons in the fight against the disease for the rest of Africa.

9 Feb 2011

FDA proposes new Innovation Pathway program for pioneering medical devices

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed the Innovation Pathway, a priority review program for new, breakthrough medical devices and announced the first submission: a brain-controlled, upper-extremity prosthetic that will serve as a pilot for the program. The FDA also announced plans to seek further public comment before the Pathway can be used more broadly.

9 Feb 2011

Researchers to estimate air pollution using GPS-equipped smart phone

University at Buffalo researchers are creating a new and unusual "app" for the smart phone: tracking air pollution.

9 Feb 2011

BUSPH: Electronic cigarettes are promising tool to help smokers quit

A study led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers reports that electronic cigarettes are a promising tool to help smokers quit, producing six-month abstinence rates nearly double those for traditional nicotine replacement products.

9 Feb 2011

New study: Cannabis use significantly hastens onset of psychotic illness

A new study has provided the first conclusive evidence that cannabis use significantly hastens the onset of psychotic illnesses during the critical years of brain development - with possible life-long consequences.

9 Feb 2011

Study finds link between sleep duration and colorectal adenomas

An inadequate amount of sleep has been associated with higher risks of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and death. Now colon cancer can be added to the list.

9 Feb 2011

ASBP concerned over FDA rejection of Contrave drug

The American Society of Bariatric Physicians is concerned that the FDA recently rejected the weight-loss drug Contrave, contradicting the FDA advisory panel's recommendation for approval. The rejection of Contrave marks the third weight-loss drug to be rejected by the FDA in the past six months.

8 Feb 2011

Anti-cancer shots for boys in the pipeline

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is deciding on whether to include the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil in in the National Immunization Program for boys.

8 Feb 2011

Sun exposure reduces risk of multiple sclerosis: Study

A new Australian study has found that increased sun exposure and higher vitamin D levels may help to protect against the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

8 Feb 2011

International research team receives AACR award for innovative, meritorious science

The Fifth Annual AACR Team Science Award will be given to a team of internationally renowned molecular biologists, epidemiologists, biostatisticians and clinicians from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington who have worked together on human papillomavirus for more than 20 years.

8 Feb 2011

Ability of e-cigarettes to help smokers cut down or quit still unknown

Electronic cigarettes are drawing heavy media and marketing attention, and while a new study finds that consumer interest also runs high, a companion study underscores that e-cigarettes' ability to help smokers cut down or quit is unknown.

8 Feb 2011

UK medical student seeks new initiative to promote culture of healthy eating for Kentuckians

Thad Salmon, a second-year UK medical student, seeks a brighter, healthier future for Kentuckians through chefMed, a new initiative to promote a culture of healthy eating at the University of Kentucky's College of Medicine.

8 Feb 2011

Public Health News and Research

Opinions: Polio vaccines; Alternatives to DDT, insecticides; Food price volatility; Global poverty; Foreign aid for vaccines

People with memory problems may face high risk of stroke

Study: E-cigarettes are safer alternative to tobacco smoking

Researchers find large variations in quality and safety across diabetes websites

BreathableBaby's mesh crib bumper offers parents a safer alternative to traditional one

Gates Foundation awards USF $5.45M for malaria research

Cardiac enzyme elevations following CABG surgery is associated with worse prognosis

Study finds low awareness about kidney risks posed by diabetes

Improved awareness of AIDS deaths, fear of infection lead to huge decline in Zimbabwe's HIV rates

FDA proposes new Innovation Pathway program for pioneering medical devices

Researchers to estimate air pollution using GPS-equipped smart phone

BUSPH: Electronic cigarettes are promising tool to help smokers quit

New study: Cannabis use significantly hastens onset of psychotic illness

Study finds link between sleep duration and colorectal adenomas

ASBP concerned over FDA rejection of Contrave drug

Anti-cancer shots for boys in the pipeline

Sun exposure reduces risk of multiple sclerosis: Study

International research team receives AACR award for innovative, meritorious science

Ability of e-cigarettes to help smokers cut down or quit still unknown

UK medical student seeks new initiative to promote culture of healthy eating for Kentuckians

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