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People with blindness from cataract are poorer than those with normal sight

A new study conducted in three developing countries-Kenya, the Philippines, and Bangladesh-finds that people with cataract-induced visual impairment are more likely to live in poverty than those with normal sight.

16 Dec 2008

Discovery of link between inflamed gums and heart disease

The next person who reminds you to floss might be your cardiologist instead of your dentist. Scientists have known for some time that a protein associated with inflammation (called C-reactive protein) is elevated in people who are at risk for heart disease.

15 Dec 2008

Zometa (zoledronic acid) shown to enhance chemotherapy in reducing breast tumor size

New data released demonstrates that the addition of Zometa (zoledronic acid) injection to standard chemotherapy before breast cancer surgery reduces the size of breast tumors more effectively than chemotherapy alone in women with early-stage disease.

14 Dec 2008

Postpartum depression can lead to poor sleep quality

A study published in the current issue of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing shows that depression symptoms worsen in PPD patients when their quality of sleep declines.

10 Dec 2008

Broken health system aggravates cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe

A widespread cholera outbreak, under-resourced and under-staffed health system, and inadequate access to safe drinking water and hygiene are threatening the wellbeing of thousands of Zimbabweans. As of 9 December, 16,141 suspected cases of cholera and 775 resultant deaths (case fatality rate of 4.8%) had been recorded since August in two-thirds of the country's 62 districts.

10 Dec 2008

Vaccine against malaria could be ready in 5 years

Malaria kills more than one million people every year so the news that an effective vaccine could be available within five years is more than welcome.

9 Dec 2008

Promising trials of malaria vaccine in East Africa lead to calls for phase 3 development

Experts are recommending that a malaria vaccine progress to Phase 3 trials following the successful trial of the RTS, S/AS01E malaria vaccine among 5-17 month old children in Korogwe, Tanzania and coastal Kenya, which is reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

8 Dec 2008

Biomarkers in blood could aid diagnosis of two severe and debilitating forms of malaria

Canadian researchers have identified protein biomarkers that shed new light on the development of two severe and debilitating forms of malaria.

8 Dec 2008

New vaccine theory aimed at ticks and mosquitoes to prevent disease transmission

Most successful vaccines and drugs rely on protecting humans or animals by blocking certain bacteria from growing in their systems.

3 Dec 2008

Tabelands towns to have fluoridated water by 2011

As part of a Queensland Government initiative, plans are afoot to introduce fluoride into the water supplies of a number of towns on the Tablelands, in the state's far north by 2011.

3 Dec 2008

Cholera outbreaks in Zimbabwe

As of 1 December 2008, the Ministry of Health in Zimbabwe has reported a total of 11 735 cholera cases with 484 deaths since August 2008, affecting all provinces in the country. The overall case fatality rate is 4% but has reached up to 20¨C30% in remote areas. Out of the total number of cases, 50% have been reported from Budiriro, a high density suburb of the capital city, Harare.

2 Dec 2008

Peer-led sex education does not reduce abortions among teenagers

A trial of peer-led sex education in schools in England has found that it is not more effective at reducing teenage abortions than the sex education classes given by teachers.

24 Nov 2008

Should the private sector play a greater role in delivering health care in low-income countries?

A provocative debate in this week's PLoS Medicine examines whether the private sector should step up its involvement in delivering health care in low-income countries.

24 Nov 2008

Health study in northern Uganda calls for improved services for internally displaced persons

There are over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Uganda due to the 20-year conflict waged between a rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army, and the central government.

24 Nov 2008

Artemisinin combination therapies may be almost as effective as treated bednets in preventing malaria

Artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) could be almost as effective in reducing transmission of malaria as insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) in areas of low transmission, a study based on data from Tanzania has found. In high transmission areas, long-acting antimalarial regimens may be needed to achieve significant transmission reductions.

24 Nov 2008

How should we assess new antimalarial drugs?

In recent years, the use of a three-day course of an antimalarial treatment called ACT (artemisinin-based combination therapy) in over 40 countries that face endemic malaria has shown great success in curing this deadly disease.

18 Nov 2008

Hazardous alternatives to alcohol beverages are still widely available in Russian cities

Federal restrictions on product availability have been effective but have not gone far enough, say researchers.

17 Nov 2008

New study highlights potential for cost effective NHS policy

A new University of Leicester study reveals that screening people who are at risk of developing diabetes could be a cost-effective health policy and improve the lives of patients.

11 Nov 2008

New report shows high Clostridium difficile infection rates in U.S. hospitals

Consumers Union called on hospitals today to take more aggressive steps to protect patients from Clostridium difficile (C.-diff.) infections in light of a new report showing that they are much more common than previous estimates had indicated. As the rate of hospital acquired C.-diff. infections has jumped in recent years, an increasing number of patients have developed antibiotic-resistant strains of the infection that are more difficult to treat and more deadly.

11 Nov 2008

Latest research on diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases

Researchers are presenting more than 450 abstracts on investigational findings in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Seattle, Nov. 6-11. Following are highlights of some key studies on asthma.

11 Nov 2008

Hygiene News and Research

People with blindness from cataract are poorer than those with normal sight

Discovery of link between inflamed gums and heart disease

Zometa (zoledronic acid) shown to enhance chemotherapy in reducing breast tumor size

Postpartum depression can lead to poor sleep quality

Broken health system aggravates cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe

Vaccine against malaria could be ready in 5 years

Promising trials of malaria vaccine in East Africa lead to calls for phase 3 development

Biomarkers in blood could aid diagnosis of two severe and debilitating forms of malaria

New vaccine theory aimed at ticks and mosquitoes to prevent disease transmission

Tabelands towns to have fluoridated water by 2011

Cholera outbreaks in Zimbabwe

Peer-led sex education does not reduce abortions among teenagers

Should the private sector play a greater role in delivering health care in low-income countries?

Health study in northern Uganda calls for improved services for internally displaced persons

Artemisinin combination therapies may be almost as effective as treated bednets in preventing malaria

How should we assess new antimalarial drugs?

Hazardous alternatives to alcohol beverages are still widely available in Russian cities

New study highlights potential for cost effective NHS policy

New report shows high Clostridium difficile infection rates in U.S. hospitals

Latest research on diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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