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Study indicates climate change plays a role in malaria transmission

Climate change is one reason malaria is on the rise in some parts of the world, new research finds, but other factors such as migration and land-use changes are likely also at play. The research, published in The Quarterly Review of Biology, aims to sort out contradictions that have emerged as scientists try to understand why malaria has been spreading into highland areas of East Africa, Indonesia, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

4 Mar 2010

Scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals to convene in Atlanta to set agenda for HAI prevention

Three thousand scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals from throughout the world specializing in epidemiology and infectious diseases will convene March 18-22 in Atlanta with the goal of setting the agenda for healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention for the next decade.

4 Mar 2010

Mosaic vaccines show promise in reducing HIV spread

Two teams of researchers-including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka Watson, and James Szinger-have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines.

4 Mar 2010

Severe inflammatory diseases: Blocking "death messenger" might be a promising treatment

The signaling molecule CD95L, known as "death messenger," causes an inflammatory process in injured tissue after spinal cord injuries and prevents its healing. This discovery was published by scientists of the German Cancer Research Center. In mice, the researchers found out that if they switch off CD95L, the injured spinal cord heals and the animals regain better ability to move. Therefore, substances which block the death messenger might offer a new approach in the treatment of severe inflammatory diseases.

4 Mar 2010

Urinary catheterization of men and women: NAFC releases new consumer educational resource

The National Association For Continence (NAFC) has released a new consumer educational resource, focusing on catheterization procedures and care in the United States. The Urinary Catheterization of Men and Women pamphlet is the newest addition to NAFC's library of educational materials available to consumers seeking knowledge of management and treatment options for medical problems related to incontinence. It is also helpful as an educational supplement to nurses giving instructions to patients regarding their self-care.

4 Mar 2010

FDA, CDC, FSIS to host joint public workshop to take measure in reducing foodborne illnesses

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will host a joint public workshop on how best to measure progress in reducing foodborne illnesses on March 30, in Washington, D.C.

4 Mar 2010

UNAIDS launches plan to address gender equality, HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS on Tuesday launched a five-year initiative to help tackle gender inequalities and human rights violations that increase the vulnerability of women worldwide to HIV/AIDS, BBC reports (3/3).

4 Mar 2010

Study: 73% of disadvantaged kids in Los Angeles County have untreated caries

A huge percentage of underprivileged kids in Los Angeles County have infectious dental disease that's gone unchecked, according to a study led by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California.

4 Mar 2010

Also in Global Health News: U.S. Ambassador to U.N.; Male circumcision; River blindness in Ecuador; Nursing shortage in Caribbean; Maternal health in Bolivia; Drug-resistant TB in North Korea; Cholera vaccine

Betty King reported to her new position as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports. "Washington's Geneva mission had been without an ambassador since Warren W. Tichenor left his post on Jan. 20, 2009 - when Barack Obama was sworn in as president," according to the news service (3/3).

4 Mar 2010

Elsevier releases special issue to mark the 25th anniversary of antiretroviral drug development

Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, released a special issue of the journal Antiviral Research (www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01663542), marking the 25th anniversary of antiretroviral drug development.

4 Mar 2010

Meeting addresses how to improve HIV/AIDS surveillance in Asia

A five-day workshop that opened Monday in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, will address ways to improve HIV/AIDS surveillance in the Asia region, Viet Nam News reports.

4 Mar 2010

Cornell researchers find new protein that may help control mosquitoes from spreading diseases

Cornell researchers have found a protein that may lead to a new way to control mosquitoes that spread dengue fever, yellow fever and other diseases when they feed on humans: Prevent them from urinating as they feed on blood.

4 Mar 2010

Corning commercializes new Synthemax synthetic surface for supporting growth and differentiation of stem cells

Corning Incorporated today introduced the Corning® Synthemax™ surface, a novel synthetic surface that supports the growth and differentiation of stem cells. The surface is being commercialized as a result of Corning’s ongoing collaboration with Geron Corporation. This development enables researchers to take the next step toward scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of stem cells for potential therapies in the treatment of degenerative diseases.

4 Mar 2010

Foodborne illness raises U.S healthcare costs

Acute foodborne illnesses cost the United States an estimated $152 billion per year in healthcare, workplace and other economic losses, according to a report published today by the Produce Safety Project (PSP).

4 Mar 2010

Hand sanitizers sold in Puerto Rico contain harmful bacteria, says FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers in Puerto Rico that two hand sanitizers - "Bee-Shield Hand Sanitizer" with Aloe Vera (10 fl. oz. or 1 gallon bottles) and "MD Quality Hand Sanitizer" with Aloe Vera (10 fl oz. bottles) - contain high levels of a bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia, that can cause serious infections in humans.

4 Mar 2010

Study indicates ocular shingles may increase stroke risk

Having a shingles infection that affects the eyes may increase the risk of stroke, according to new research published in the March 3, 2010, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

4 Mar 2010

Winner of 2010 Thomas Parran Award

University of Washington's Dr. H. Hunter Handsfield, a long-time trailblazer in sexually transmitted diseases (STD) research, will receive the nation's highest honor in the STD field during the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2010 National STD Prevention Conference in Atlanta, March 8-11.

3 Mar 2010

AHF’s Magic Johnson ‘Testing America’ Tour arrives in Columbia, South Carolina to host free HIV testing events

AHF’s Magic Johnson ‘Testing America’ Tour, a six month, 48 state national cross country HIV testing tour, arrives in Columbia, South Carolina to host free HIV testing events, along with local partner South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council, today and tomorrow, March 3rd and 4th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. All are welcome to attend.

3 Mar 2010

South Carolina kidney patients to meet lawmakers and urge passage of S. 1128 legislation

On Wednesday, March 3, kidney patients from across South Carolina will join the National Kidney Foundation Serving the Carolinas, South Carolina Region and Dialysis Patient Citizens in holding a briefing at the State Capitol Rotunda, followed by a series of meetings with lawmakers and staff, urging the passage of key legislation this year that would help approximately 500 South Carolina kidney failure patients and thousands of disabled South Carolinians who are struggling to access health insurance for the life-saving medical care they need.

3 Mar 2010

Universal Detection Technology responds to HSPH survey on anthrax threat

Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies and counter-terrorism training programs to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats, responded today to a survey that says nearly a third of Americans would delay in taking an antibiotic recommended by public health officials in the wake of an anthrax detect.

3 Mar 2010

Disease/Infection News

Study indicates climate change plays a role in malaria transmission

Scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals to convene in Atlanta to set agenda for HAI prevention

Mosaic vaccines show promise in reducing HIV spread

Severe inflammatory diseases: Blocking "death messenger" might be a promising treatment

Urinary catheterization of men and women: NAFC releases new consumer educational resource

FDA, CDC, FSIS to host joint public workshop to take measure in reducing foodborne illnesses

UNAIDS launches plan to address gender equality, HIV/AIDS

Study: 73% of disadvantaged kids in Los Angeles County have untreated caries

Also in Global Health News: U.S. Ambassador to U.N.; Male circumcision; River blindness in Ecuador; Nursing shortage in Caribbean; Maternal health in Bolivia; Drug-resistant TB in North Korea; Cholera vaccine

Elsevier releases special issue to mark the 25th anniversary of antiretroviral drug development

Meeting addresses how to improve HIV/AIDS surveillance in Asia

Cornell researchers find new protein that may help control mosquitoes from spreading diseases

Corning commercializes new Synthemax synthetic surface for supporting growth and differentiation of stem cells

Foodborne illness raises U.S healthcare costs

Hand sanitizers sold in Puerto Rico contain harmful bacteria, says FDA

Study indicates ocular shingles may increase stroke risk

Winner of 2010 Thomas Parran Award

AHF’s Magic Johnson ‘Testing America’ Tour arrives in Columbia, South Carolina to host free HIV testing events

South Carolina kidney patients to meet lawmakers and urge passage of S. 1128 legislation

Universal Detection Technology responds to HSPH survey on anthrax threat

The Proteoform Puzzle: Unlocking the Next Frontier

Synthetic Biology and the Pursuit of Living Diagnostics

Modular, Scalable, Intelligent: How n6 Is Rethinking NGS Library Prep

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