Public Health News and Research

RSS

Chikungunya virus puts some regions at risk of epidemic

For the first time, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers were able to predict further adaptations of the chikungunya virus that recently spread from Africa to several continents that will likely result in even more efficient transmission and infection of more people by this virus strain.

17 Jun 2014

Predicting dengue fever in Brazil: an interview with Dr. Rachel Lowe, Catalan Institute for Climate Sciences (IC3)

Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted viral infection. The disease is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical climates and most commonly found in urban areas. Around half of the world's population are now estimated to live in dengue endemic regions.

16 Jun 2014

State highlights: New La. abortion restrictions; new Mass. hospital deal; Medicare and ambulances in N.J.

A selection of health policy stories from Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Georgia, Missouri, Maryland, New York, Kansas and Washington state.

16 Jun 2014

Research roundup: Hospital readmissions; researchers mistrust social media; premiums in Washington state

Reducing hospital readmissions is a major target for current quality improvement and cost-containment efforts.

16 Jun 2014

FDA approves use for Lymphoseek to help doctors determine extent of neck and cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new use for Lymphoseek (technetium 99m tilmanocept) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent used to help doctors determine the extent a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma has spread in the body's head and neck region.

16 Jun 2014

Improving overall quality of one's diet helps to prevent type 2 diabetes

Improving the overall quality of one's diet helps to prevent type 2 diabetes, independent of other lifestyle changes, according to a study presented at the American Diabetes Association's 74th Scientific Sessions.

16 Jun 2014

Research on effects of caffeine on young people after puberty

Caffeine intake by children and adolescents has been rising for decades, due in large part to the popularity of caffeinated sodas and energy drinks, which now are marketed to children as young as four.

16 Jun 2014

Two Regenstrief investigators receives Career Development K23 Awards from NIH

Two Regenstrief Institute investigators and Indiana University Center for Aging Research scientists -- Michael LaMantia, M.D., MPH, and Noll L. Campbell, PharmD -- have each received five-year Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development K23 Awards from the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.

13 Jun 2014

Researchers identify tremendous genetic diversity

In the most comprehensive genetic study of the Mexican population to date, researchers from UC San Francisco and Stanford University, along with Mexico's National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), have identified tremendous genetic diversity, reflecting thousands of years of separation among local populations and shedding light on a range of confounding aspects of Latino health.

13 Jun 2014

UK’s pace of decline in mortality among children and young adults falls behind EU15+ average

The UK has failed to match the gains made in reducing deaths among children and young adults by 17 other high-income countries in the European Union, Australia, Canada, and Norway (EU15+) in the 38 years since 1970.

13 Jun 2014

Heart rate may identify premature infants at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis

Measuring variability of heart rate may identify premature infants at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious inflammatory condition that can lead to death, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

13 Jun 2014

Persons with lower blood levels of vitamin D are twice likely to die prematurely

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have found that persons with lower blood levels of vitamin D were twice as likely to die prematurely as people with higher blood levels of vitamin D.

13 Jun 2014

State highlights: Minn.'s uninsured rate drops to 4.1%; mental health care changes in Maryland, Colorado

A selection of health policy stories from Minnesota, Maryland, Colorado, New York, California, Washington state, Michigan and Massachusetts.

13 Jun 2014

New class of tumor-targeting agents can seek out dozens of solid tumors

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) report that a new class of tumor-targeting agents can seek out and find dozens of solid tumors, even illuminating brain cancer stem cells that resist current treatments.

13 Jun 2014

Investigators isolate protein that is responsible for fungus' ability to cross blood-brain barrier

In a remarkable series of experiments on a fungus that causes cryptococcal meningitis, a deadly infection of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain, investigators at UC Davis have isolated a protein that appears to be responsible for the fungus' ability to cross from the bloodstream into the brain.

13 Jun 2014

Walking 6,000 steps per day may protect people at risk of knee OA

A new study shows that walking reduces risk of functional limitation associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA). In fact, the study funded in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal, Arthritis Care & Research, suggests that walking 6,000 or more steps per day may protect those with or at risk of knee of OA from developing mobility issues, such as difficulty getting up from a chair and climbing stairs.

13 Jun 2014

NSF awards nearly $200,000 to make environmentally friendly field analyzer

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 to two University of Texas at Arlington researchers teaming with a private company to make an affordable, environmentally friendly field analyzer for arsenic levels in water.

13 Jun 2014

U.S. cancer survivors face economic burdens due to growing medical costs, productivity losses

U.S. cancer survivors face significant economic burdens due to growing medical costs, missed work, and reduced productivity, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

12 Jun 2014

Mexican immigrants relocating to the U.S. more likely to experience declines in health

Mexican immigrants who relocate to the United States often face barriers like poorly paying jobs, crowded housing and family separation. Such obstacles - including the migration process itself - may be detrimental to the health of Mexican immigrants, especially those who have recently moved.

12 Jun 2014

Tufts researchers gain new insight into protein associated with bipolar disorder

Researchers from Tufts have gained new insight into a protein associated with bipolar disorder. The study, published in the June 3 issue of Science Signaling, reveals that calcium channels in resting neurons activate the breakdown of Sp4, which belongs to a class of proteins called transcription factors that regulate gene expression.

12 Jun 2014

Public Health News and Research

Chikungunya virus puts some regions at risk of epidemic

Predicting dengue fever in Brazil: an interview with Dr. Rachel Lowe, Catalan Institute for Climate Sciences (IC3)

State highlights: New La. abortion restrictions; new Mass. hospital deal; Medicare and ambulances in N.J.

Research roundup: Hospital readmissions; researchers mistrust social media; premiums in Washington state

FDA approves use for Lymphoseek to help doctors determine extent of neck and cancer

Improving overall quality of one's diet helps to prevent type 2 diabetes

Research on effects of caffeine on young people after puberty

Two Regenstrief investigators receives Career Development K23 Awards from NIH

Researchers identify tremendous genetic diversity

UK’s pace of decline in mortality among children and young adults falls behind EU15+ average

Heart rate may identify premature infants at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis

Persons with lower blood levels of vitamin D are twice likely to die prematurely

State highlights: Minn.'s uninsured rate drops to 4.1%; mental health care changes in Maryland, Colorado

New class of tumor-targeting agents can seek out dozens of solid tumors

Investigators isolate protein that is responsible for fungus' ability to cross blood-brain barrier

Walking 6,000 steps per day may protect people at risk of knee OA

NSF awards nearly $200,000 to make environmentally friendly field analyzer

U.S. cancer survivors face economic burdens due to growing medical costs, productivity losses

Mexican immigrants relocating to the U.S. more likely to experience declines in health

Tufts researchers gain new insight into protein associated with bipolar disorder

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

Latest News