Epidemiology News and Research

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LPA genetic variant increases risk of heart valve calcification

Researchers have found a genetic variant that doubles the likelihood that people will have calcium deposits on their aortic valve. Such calcification, if it becomes severe, can cause narrowing or a blockage of the aortic valve, a condition called aortic stenosis.

9 Feb 2013

Society of Toxicology's 52nd Annual Meeting to be held from Mar. 10-16 in San Antonio

A group of 7,000 scientists working in multiple specialties, from more than 50 countries, will meet March 10-14, 2013 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, to share their latest findings on 60 topical issues of concern to human health and the environment.

7 Feb 2013

Migraine, epilepsy and genetics: an interview with Dr. Melodie Winawer

This work is the product of an extraordinary consortium called the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome project (EPGP). It is a consortium of 27 centres in the U.S. and internationally with several hundred physicians and staff who have worked together to enrol more than 4000 patients with epilepsy and their family members.

7 Feb 2013

Extra-couple relationships one of the main drivers of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa

New research suggests that heterosexual couples in long-term relationships who have sexual encounters outside their established partnership (extra-couple relationships) are one of the main drivers of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

6 Feb 2013

No difference in rates of late-stage breast cancer between women screened annually and biennially

Among older women, getting a mammogram every two years was just as beneficial as getting a mammogram annually, and led to significantly fewer false positive results, according to a study led by UC San Francisco.

6 Feb 2013

Getting older increases Americans' risk of death from excessive BMI

Obesity kills, giving rise to a host of fatal diseases. This much is well known. But when it comes to seniors, a slew of prominent research has reported an "obesity paradox" that says, at age 65 and older, having an elevated BMI won't shorten your lifespan, and may even extend it. A new study takes another look at the numbers, finding the earlier research flawed.

6 Feb 2013

Study shows link between outdoor particulate pollution and impaired fetal growth

Mothers who are exposed to particulate air pollution of the type emitted by vehicles, urban heating and coal power plants are significantly more likely to bear children of low birth weight, according to an international study led by co-principal investigator Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, MPH, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at UC San Francisco along with Jennifer Parker, PhD, of the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

6 Feb 2013

Samoan epidemic of obesity may start with rapid weight gain in early infancy

As some Pacific island cultures have "westernized" over the last several decades, among the changes has been a dramatic increase in obesity. Researchers don't understand all the reasons why, but even a decade ago in American Samoa 59 percent of men and 71 percent of women were obese. A new Brown University study finds that the Samoan epidemic of obesity may start with rapid weight gain in early infancy.

6 Feb 2013

Acute alcohol intoxication increases risk of suicide in American Indians

American Indians are at much greater risk of suicide after acute alcohol intoxication, according to a study led by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

6 Feb 2013

Viral conjunctivitis: potential new treatment

Viral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious infection, often causing major ophthalmic epidemics. There is no approved acute treatment currently approved by the FDA for viral conjunctivitis. A safe broad-spectrum antiviral agent is needed to treat this unmet medical need.

5 Feb 2013

Water tubing-related injuries on the rise: Study

Water tubing, a recreational activity in which participants ride an inner tube which is pulled behind a boat by a tow rope, has grown in popularity in recent years. Unfortunately, the number of injuries related to this activity has also increased.

5 Feb 2013

ATI Neurostimulation System demonstrates clinical effectiveness in treating cluster headache

Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (ATI), the developer of the ATI Neurostimulation System designed for the treatment of severe headaches, today announced results of their clinical study in cluster headache, now published online in Cephalalgia.

5 Feb 2013

Adequate vitamin D levels during young adulthood may reduce risk of type 1 diabetes

Having adequate levels of vitamin D during young adulthood may reduce the risk of adult-onset type 1 diabetes by as much as 50%, according to researchers at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH).

5 Feb 2013

Epidemiology model supports 20:80 transmission rule in HCV

A new hepatitis C virus transmission model combining genetic and epidemiologic data reveals that the majority of transmission of the virus is by a minority of intravenous drug users.

4 Feb 2013

Certified IPs more likely to perceive evidence behind infection prevention practices

There is general agreement among hospital infection preventionists (IPs) with respect to which practices have weak or strong evidence supporting their use to prevent healthcare-associated infection, according to a new study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

4 Feb 2013

NYUCD to introduce inaugural issue of Journal of the Academy of Distinguished Educators

New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is delighted to introduce the inaugural issue of the Journal of the Academy of Distinguished Educators (JADE), published by NYUCD.

3 Feb 2013

Study offers new evidence of natural emission of influenza

A new study suggests that patients with influenza can emit small virus-containing particles into the surrounding air during routine patient care, potentially exposing health care providers to influenza. Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, the findings raise the possibility that current influenza infection control recommendations may not always be adequate to protect providers from influenza during routine patient care in hospitals.

2 Feb 2013

Novel computer algorithm can easily quantify major risk factor for breast cancer

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., have developed a novel computer algorithm to easily quantify a major risk factor for breast cancer based on analysis of a screening mammogram. Increased levels of mammographic breast density have been shown in multiple studies to be correlated with elevated risk of breast cancer, but the approach to quantifying it has been limited to the laboratory setting where measurement requires highly skilled technicians.

1 Feb 2013

Family history one of the strongest predictors of heart disease

Sherron Simmons lived her life as the picture of good health: she exercised regularly, ate healthy and did not smoke. That is why it was a shock for her to learn in 2007 that the main left artery to her heart was 90 percent blocked.

1 Feb 2013

Viewpoints: Congress must put entitlements on 'more sustainable path;' Reading, writing and mental health screenings

What's needed now is a clear, achievable plan to bring the debt and deficit under control for the long term. A crucial part of any such plan is promoting a more vigorous economy, possibly by simplifying the federal tax code. Another important piece is putting entitlements on a more sustainable path, reducing the drain on the Treasury. That means expanding on the 2010 healthcare law's efforts to increase efficiency, quality and innovation in healthcare.

1 Feb 2013

Epidemiology News and Research

LPA genetic variant increases risk of heart valve calcification

Society of Toxicology's 52nd Annual Meeting to be held from Mar. 10-16 in San Antonio

Migraine, epilepsy and genetics: an interview with Dr. Melodie Winawer

Extra-couple relationships one of the main drivers of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa

No difference in rates of late-stage breast cancer between women screened annually and biennially

Getting older increases Americans' risk of death from excessive BMI

Study shows link between outdoor particulate pollution and impaired fetal growth

Samoan epidemic of obesity may start with rapid weight gain in early infancy

Acute alcohol intoxication increases risk of suicide in American Indians

Viral conjunctivitis: potential new treatment

Water tubing-related injuries on the rise: Study

ATI Neurostimulation System demonstrates clinical effectiveness in treating cluster headache

Adequate vitamin D levels during young adulthood may reduce risk of type 1 diabetes

Epidemiology model supports 20:80 transmission rule in HCV

Certified IPs more likely to perceive evidence behind infection prevention practices

NYUCD to introduce inaugural issue of Journal of the Academy of Distinguished Educators

Study offers new evidence of natural emission of influenza

Novel computer algorithm can easily quantify major risk factor for breast cancer

Family history one of the strongest predictors of heart disease

Viewpoints: Congress must put entitlements on 'more sustainable path;' Reading, writing and mental health screenings

Industry Focus: Infectious Diseases eBook

Improving healthcare sustainability through carbon data

A New Approach to Preventing Bladder Cancer Recurrence

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

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