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Targeting mosquito larvae and not adults could worsen dengue epidemics, study says

Targeting only mosquito larvae and not adult insects in insecticide-based dengue control programs could increase mosquito resistance and decrease human immunity to the disease, particularly in urban areas, according to a study published online in the Lancet on Tuesday, Agence France-Presse reports.

5 May 2011

Marijuana licensing laws vetoed by Washington Governor

Current laws regarding marijuana have come under the scanner. US attorneys have warned states that those who are licensed to grow marijuana or even those who regulate it could be subjected to prosecution. Because of this, several states have begun to change their existing laws for medical marijuana.

4 May 2011

Asthma research on its way to help sufferers

The University of Newcastle is now conducting a nationwide research program to help people with asthma better control their condition. This study will be testing the effectiveness of combining antibiotics with commonly used treatments in asthmatics. This news comes today on the World Asthma Day. Statistics show that commonly prescribed treatments and medications do not relieve the symptoms for about 10 per cent of asthma patients. It's thought about 80% of people with the condition suffer numerous symptoms, yet 80% say they believe they have it under control.

3 May 2011

Hospitals can implement preventive measures to reduce measles outbreak

The U.S. measles vaccination program has been successful in eliminating endemic measles in the United States; yet this success has provided challenges that require ongoing vigilance for the rapid identification and response to measles cases in health care settings.

2 May 2011

ARVO announces 2011 award recipients in retinal research

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology is pleased to announce its 2011 ARVO Award recipients. These award recipients will be acknowledged at the ARVO 2011 Annual Meeting, May 1 - 5, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

2 May 2011

MedImmune abstracts on influenza and RSV to be presented at PAS meeting

MedImmune announced today it will present 11 abstracts at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO, April 30 - May 3, 2011.

2 May 2011

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announces 88 new winners under Grand Challenges Exploration program

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced 88 new winners of US$100,000 each to support innovative research that has the potential to dramatically improve lives in some of the world's poorest countries. The funding, made possible through the Grand Challenges Exploration (GCE) program, will enable researchers worldwide to test unorthodox ideas that address persistent health and development challenges.

30 Apr 2011

IL28B gene plays a key role in spontaneous HCV clearance in infants

New research shows that high maternal viral load and co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus are the only risk factors associated with vertical transmission of the hepatitis C virus.

28 Apr 2011

Seattle BioMed study to identify biomarkers for malaria vaccine design

In the first study of its type in the malaria field, Seattle BioMed has been awarded an $8.9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to identify biomarkers that will allow malaria vaccine design based on robust predictors of protective immunity.

28 Apr 2011

NIH awards UH with $361,000 grant for chikungunya vaccine study

It is spread to humans by mosquito bites, causing arthritic symptoms so severe that some victims can't even walk. While rarely fatal, the effects of the chikungunya virus can last up to a year.

28 Apr 2011

Study finds gender difference in immune responses to PTSD

Men and women had starkly different immune system responses to chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, with men showing no response and women showing a strong response, in two studies by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco.

27 Apr 2011

New angle in cause of tuberculosis discovered - scientists hopeful for new therapy

In a new study published Monday, researchers from the US have isolated the enzyme that allows tuberculosis to destroy lung tissue. This discovery could speed the search for treatments.

26 Apr 2011

Scientists identify key enzyme that destroys lung tissue in TB

Scientists have identified a key enzyme responsible for destroying lung tissue in tuberculosis, they report today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Drugs that inhibit this enzyme are already available, meaning that the finding could lead quickly to new treatments.

26 Apr 2011

U.N. Secretary-General calls for scale up of global malaria efforts ahead of World Malaria Day

Global malaria control efforts must be significantly scaled up if the world is to reach the goal of reducing malaria deaths to almost zero by 2015, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message on Thursday ahead of World Malaria Day, which is officially observed on Monday, the U.N. News Centre writes.

25 Apr 2011

FiberChoice launches 'Choices for Better Health' nationwide sweepstakes

FiberChoice® chewable fiber supplements today launched the "Choices for Better Health" nationwide sweepstakes to support the simple ways that Americans can defend their health each day. The 28-day campaign lives on Twitter and encourages people to share the small, smart choices they make for overall health and wellness.

22 Apr 2011

Researchers discover new compound to fight against shingles

Researchers at the University of Georgia and Yale University have discovered a compound with the potential to be more effective than existing agents in treating the very painful blisters known as shingles-a condition that affects up to 30 percent of Americans, mostly elderly, and for which no specific treatment exists.

22 Apr 2011