The nation’s first human death due to the bird flu occurred this month, the latest development in a global outbreak that, while mostly limited to birds and mammals such as minks, polar bears, cows, and domestic cats—has also sickened 67 Americans and has public health officials watching closely for signs that a human pandemic is in the offing.
Hormone therapy not associated with glioma risk in women
There seems to be no association between hormone therapy (HT) and glioma risk among U.S. women, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in Menopause.
Immune complex removes receptors from stem cells to protect against cancer, preclinical study finds
A group of immune proteins called the inflammasome can help prevent blood stem cells from becoming malignant by removing certain receptors from their surfaces and blocking cancer gene activity, according to a preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.
FDA proposes new front-of-package food labels
Grabbing a quick snack might soon come with a little extra clarity.
Scientists develop new ‘twindemic’ diagnostic system for rapid viral testing
The COVID-19 outbreak in 2019 triggered measures to raise public awareness regarding pandemics and also led to fast-tracked vaccine development. While these measures helped reduce viral transmission significantly, it also had some unintended consequences, such as an overall reduction in the spread of other viruses, leading to pauses in vaccination regimes. However, fast-mutating pathogens like viruses still pose a significant threat, with predictions of co-infections with multiple viruses causing “twindemics” or “tripledemics” in the future.
Study highlights effective communication strategies to support health warning labels on little cigars and cigarillos
A qualitative study published in BMC Public Health, conducted by lead author Chineme Enyioha, MD, MPH, and colleagues, aimed to design effective communication strategies to support health warning labels (HWLs) on little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs), a tobacco product increasingly popular among young adults, particularly within Black communities.
Fatal neurodegenerative disease in kids also affects the bowel—gene therapy may help
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have described the neurodegeneration that occurs in the nervous system of the bowel in Batten disease, a rare and fatal genetic condition. In their latest study, a team led by Jonathan Cooper, Ph.D., professor of pediatrics at WashU Medicine, has shown that gene therapy to the bowel in mice modeling Batten disease reduced symptoms and extended lifespan.
Ultrasound-directed microbubbles could boost immune response against tumors
A new paper by a team of Concordia researchers from the departments of Biology and Physics proposes a novel method of fighting cancer tumors that uses ultrasound-guided microbubbles—a technology already widely used in medical imaging and drug delivery.
Lupus patients may require tailored COVID-19 vaccination strategies
A recent study by Emory University researchers provides new insights into why the mRNA vaccines developed to fight COVID-19 in 2021 are less effective in patients with autoimmune diseases. By providing insights into the cellular processes behind that lessened protection, the new study published in Nature Immunology, highlights that lupus patients may require tailored vaccination strategies to enhance protection against COVID-19. The findings could also offer insights into the potential and limits of alternative ways to create immunity to COVID-19 through vaccines.
Colorectal cancer treatment: New therapy could be achieved by blocking DUSP6 protein
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that begins in the colon (large intestine) or rectum, which are parts of the digestive system. It typically starts as abnormal growths called polyps that form in the lining of the colon or rectum. Over time, some of these polyps can become cancerous if left untreated.