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Guardian, Malaria Consortium hold experts' roundtable discussion on World Malaria Day

The Guardian, in association with Malaria Consortium, hosted a roundtable discussion on World Malaria Day, during which participants heard about progress in the fight against the disease in certain countries and discussed how "the burden of malaria is still high and spending on the disease is inadequate," the Guardian reports.

27 Apr 2012

Poverty linked to HIV infection among heterosexuals living in inner-city neighborhoods

In a groundbreaking study published last year, scientists reported that effective treatment with HIV medications not only restores health and prolongs life in many HIV-infected patients, but also curtails transmission to sexual partners up to ninety-seven percent. However, a new study by UCSF scientists shows that lack of basic living needs severely undercuts these advances in impoverished men.

27 Apr 2012

Pig mucus effective at blocking viruses associated with cervical and oral cancer

Scientists are reporting that the mucus lining the stomachs of pigs could be a long-sought, abundant source of "mucins" being considered for use as broad-spectrum anti-viral agents to supplement baby formula and for use in personal hygiene and other consumer products to protect against a range of viral infections. Their study appears in ACS' journal Biomacromolecules.

26 Apr 2012

Hand sanitizers provide key benefits when properly used

With cases of intentional misuse of alcohol-based hand sanitizers being widely reported, the American Cleaning Institute (ACI, formerly The Soap and Detergent Association) offered reminders that the products provide key benefits when properly used.

26 Apr 2012

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine launches Centre for Global Non-Communicable Diseases

The Centre for Global Non-Communicable Diseases, a unique initiative that brings together researchers, policy makers, funders and patient advocacy groups worldwide to focus research and expertise on this growing global health challenge, is launched today (25 April) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

25 Apr 2012

New paper provides examples of cost-effective NCD policies and programs

As childhood and adolescent deaths from infectious diseases have declined worldwide, policymakers are shifting attention to preventing deaths from noncommunicable causes, such as drug and alcohol use, mental health problems, obesity, traffic crashes, violence and unsafe sex practices.

25 Apr 2012

U.K.'s DfID, USAID, others announce commitments to improving water, sanitation worldwide

U.K. International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell on Friday "announced a doubling of the U.K.'s effort to provide clean water and sanitation to the world's poorest countries," the Guardian reports.

24 Apr 2012

Kansas to implement eClinicalWorks EMR system

eClinicalWorks, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, announces that Meritas Health Corporation has chosen eClinicalWorks as its electronic medical records (EMR) system. Meritas Health Corporation is a multi-specialty group in Kansas City, Mo., with 72 employed physicians.

23 Apr 2012

Possible indicators of child abuse

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and experts at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt are urging all individuals to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse, and to be aware that reporting suspected incidents of child abuse is the law in Tennessee and many other states.

20 Apr 2012

BuruliVac project getting closer to a vaccine

During a meeting in Lisbon, the partners of the BuruliVac research consortium found the project to be running smoothly, and getting closer to a vaccine against Buruli ulcer, a disfiguring and mutilating disease that causes a lot of suffering and now is difficult to treat. Several vaccine candidates work well in mice and are ready for further testing on blood of patients; one is ready for testing in mice.

19 Apr 2012

1 in 5 Australians expect antibiotics for coughs and colds: New NPS campaign

The survey also revealed a plethora of misconceptions when it comes to antibiotics with only half of respondents knowing that bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Only 40% knew antibiotics should not be taken for viruses and many (40%) did not know that taking antibiotics when they’re not needed contributes to antibiotic resistance. More than half did not know resistance increases when you don’t complete the course as directed and in general, the youth audience had less knowledge.

18 Apr 2012

Lime juice and solar disinfection improve quality of drinking water

Looking for an inexpensive and effective way to quickly improve the quality of your drinking water? According to a team of researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, sunlight and a twist of lime might do the trick.

18 Apr 2012

Positive and negative outcomes of physical rehabilitation response after 2010 Haiti earthquake

A new evaluation by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine of the physical rehabilitation response after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, finds that many hands didn't always make light work.

18 Apr 2012

WHO, U.N.-Water report examines access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation

"Nearly 780 million people are deprived of safe drinking water -- and 2.5 billion lack access to improved sanitation -- all because governments aren't spending scarce resources wisely, according to a joint report of the World Health Organization and U.N.-Water," VOA News reports.

17 Apr 2012

UTMDACC to offer free head and neck cancer screening exams on April 27

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will offer free head and neck cancer screening exams to the public on Fri., April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Cancer Prevention Center at the Cancer Prevention Building, 1155 Pressler Street, Floor 2.

16 Apr 2012

New preoperative prepping kit to address surgical site infection risk

3M's Infection Prevention Division and Sage Products are working together to offer surgical staff and patients a new preoperative prepping kit to help address surgical site infection (SSI) risk within three main reservoirs of bacteria in the body: the nares, the oral cavity and the skin.

12 Apr 2012

Scientists create reference guide for harmful germs in sand

On warm days, the beach seems an ideal destination for family rest and relaxation. Who hasn't built a sand castle or been buried up to the neck in sand? However, that family fun has a dark side -- sand can harbor illness-causing microbes. Unfortunately, there are no guidelines for sand quality at recreational sites.

12 Apr 2012

Nolato announces acquisition of Cope Allman Jaycare

As part of the Nolato Group's strategic expansion within medical technology and pharmaceuticals, Nolato has acquired the British company Cope Allman Jaycare for an initial purchase price of SEK 179 million (enterprise value) and a deferred consideration based on earnings up to and including the first quarter of 2014.

11 Apr 2012

Study: Body and head lice are the same species

A new study offers compelling genetic evidence that head and body lice are the same species. The finding is of special interest because body lice can transmit deadly bacterial diseases, while head lice do not.

10 Apr 2012

Comprehensive approach needed to combat typhoid in Africa, worldwide

Though the focus on typhoid fever traditionally has focused on Asia, where the disease is endemic, "[s]ince early November 2011, there has been a surge of typhoid fever outbreaks in central and southern Africa, affecting children and adults alike," Christopher Nelson, director of the Coalition against Typhoid (CaT) at the Sabin Vaccine Institute, and Ciro de Quadros, executive vice president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, write in this Atlantic opinion piece.

6 Apr 2012