Polio News and Research

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Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause severe paralysis. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralyzed, 5-10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. Polio mainly affects children under five years of age. Naturally occurring polio was eliminated in the U.S. in 1979 and in the Western Hemisphere by 1991; however, worldwide efforts are continuing towards eradication of this contagious and devastating disease.

Mitochondrial misfire sparks inflammation

Cells in the human body contain power-generating mitochondria, each with their own mtDNA-;a unique set of genetic instructions entirely separate from the cell's nuclear DNA that mitochondria use to create life-giving energy.

8 Feb 2024

Evidence from Malawi: Typhoid conjugate vaccine provides protection for up to four years

Study shows that a single dose of typhoid conjugate vaccine provides over four years of protection against typhoid fever in Malawian children, proving effective across all age groups.

31 Jan 2024

Higher local Ebola incidence causes lower child vaccination rates

The impact of the Ebola epidemic on the child vaccination rate.

18 Jan 2024

Novel type 2 oral polio vaccine secures WHO prequalification for broader rollout

The novel type 2 oral polio vaccine (nOPV2), developed by a team including scientists from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has today (9 January) been quality-assured (prequalified) by the World Health Organization (WHO).

13 Jan 2024

Salk scientists map brain circuit triggering the crippling panic attacks

Overwhelming fear, sweaty palms, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate-;these are the symptoms of a panic attack, which people with panic disorder have frequently and unexpectedly.

4 Jan 2024

HDAC inhibitors may offer new strategy for reversing fibrotic wall around pancreatic tumors

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers-;only about one in eight patients survives five years after diagnosis.

6 Dec 2023

Salk scientists uncover mechanism for repairing damaged nerves during peripheral neuropathy

Each year in the United States there are more than 3 million cases of peripheral neuropathy, wherein nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are damaged and cause pain and loss of feeling in the affected areas.

28 Nov 2023

Bio Farma's Bio-TCV typhoid conjugate vaccine licensed in Indonesia following marketing approval

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI), an international organization with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health, and Bio Farma, a biotechnology company based in West Java, Indonesia, announced today that Bio Farma's Bio-TCV typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) was licensed in Indonesia following marketing approval from Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM), the national regulatory authority.

9 Nov 2023

New study unveils Foxp3's role in regulatory T cell chromatin architecture

Regulatory T cells are specialized immune cells that suppress the immune response and prevent the body from attacking its own cells.

6 Nov 2023

Virtual driving assessment can identify at-risk young drivers

New research published today by the journal Pediatrics found that driving skills measured at the time of licensure on a virtual driving assessment (VDA), which exposes drivers to common serious crash scenarios, helps predict crash risk in newly licensed young drivers.

16 Oct 2023

Living past 100: Healthy habits, good company, and a purpose in life

Researchers explore the secrets behind increased life expectancies, focusing on the influence of diet, lifestyle, and socio-economic changes. Centenarians, individuals living past 100, often delay age-related symptoms, suggesting a lifestyle emphasizing a balanced diet, social interaction, and regular exercise can significantly boost longevity and resilience.

10 Oct 2023

Manipulating mitochondrial electron flow enhances immune response, reduces tumor growth

Immunotherapy, which uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer, is an effective treatment option, yet many patients do not respond to it.

21 Sep 2023

Students starting school and college in September are at increased risk of serious illnesses

A leading testing expert fears a perfect storm of infections in September as students start at schools and colleges. School closures during Covid lockdowns mean 1-in-8 students starting university this year remains unprotected against meningitis. Concern is growing early symptoms may be confused with freshers’ flu.

4 Sep 2023

High-fat diet changes gut bacteria, bile acids, and increases colorectal cancer risk

The prevalence of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50 has risen in recent decades. One suspected reason: the increasing rate of obesity and high-fat diets.

22 Aug 2023

COVID-19 vaccination in low- and middle-income countries should complement routine childhood vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases of the disease in children and adolescents, according to a review.

21 Aug 2023

New technique cuts polio detection time in half

New research supported by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has shown that the time to detect polio can be halved using a technique called Direct molecular Detection and Nanopore Sequencing (DDNS), supporting the global effort to eradicate polio and help save lives.

21 Aug 2023

DDNS technique could reduce the time to detect polio, study shows

A new study, 'Sensitive poliovirus detection using nested PCR and nanopore sequencing: a prospective validation study', published today (17 August 2023) in Nature Microbiology, proves that using DDNS to detect polio outbreaks can save public health authorities crucial time and money.

18 Aug 2023

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