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Research may puzzle out HIV transmission by sexual contact

The virus that causes AIDS may undergo changes in the genital tract that make HIV-1 in semen different than what it is in the blood, according to a study led by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

20 Aug 2010

Quality issue roundup: J & J revamping controls; The odds for orthopedic surgery; Automatic prescription refills and patient compliance

The New York Times: Johnson & Johnson has said it will "revamp its quality controls, creating a single framework for its drug, medical device and consumer health care divisions." The move comes after the drugmaker saw a number of recalls of its medicines, such as Tylenol and Motrin, as well as probes by a congressional committee and the FDA into actions at its McNeil Consumer Healthcare subsidiary.

20 Aug 2010

Scientists suggest combination vaccine prevents pertussis

If you think you shouldn't be worried about your child's—or your—lingering, nagging cough, think again. Pertussis has reemerged on the scene. In what some public health officials are calling the worst outbreak in 50 years, pertussis, better known by its unique sound—whooping cough, has been found in six states with 1,500 cases reported, six of them fatal.

19 Aug 2010

The George Washington University Professor to comment on water-borne diseases

Dr. Peter Hotez from The George Washington University is available to comment on the risk of water-borne diseases as a result of the recent flooding in Pakistan.

19 Aug 2010

Scientists produce atlas of worm infection prevalence, distribution throughout Africa

On Tuesday at the 12th International Congress of Parasitology, a group of scientists, led by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, launched an online series of maps showing the distribution and prevalence of worm infections across Africa, Tropika.net reports (Chinnock, 8/17).

19 Aug 2010

General Physics to provide AAR/IP to gauge overall response to H1N1 outbreak

Global performance improvement solutions provider General Physics Corporation, a subsidiary of GP Strategies Corporation, has been selected by the Maryland Department of Public Health and Mental Hygiene to provide an After Action Report/Improvement Plan for the 2009 response to the H1N1 virus. GP will collect data from public health entities in order to gauge the overall response to the H1N1 outbreak and lessons learned, for DHMH to evaluate and consider for future pandemic response.

19 Aug 2010

LIJ Medical Center achieves zero central-line infection rate in SICU

For one year and counting, Long Island Jewish Medical Center has achieved a zero central-line infection rate in its surgical intensive care unit, a significant accomplishment for hospitals.

19 Aug 2010

Study quantifies risk for gastrointestinal illness due to E. coli bacteria at inland beach

New research shows a clear link between increasing levels of E. coli bacteria in an inland Ohio lake and a greater risk that swimmers in the water will suffer a gastrointestinal illness.

19 Aug 2010

Innovative approach to eliminate HIV in host by targeted killing of only HIV infected cells

Current HIV treatments do not eradicate HIV from host cells but rather inhibit virus replication and delay the onset of AIDS. However, a new research published in BioMed Central's open access journal, AIDS Research & Therapy describes an innovative approach to eliminate HIV in host by targeted killing of only HIV infected cells. This approach if successful could lead into an anti-HIV therapy that will eradicate the virus.

19 Aug 2010

Montana State University offers new biomedical technologies for prevention, treatment of viral infections

Researchers at Montana State University have developed six new biomedical technologies that could have applications for treating antibiotic resistant infections, fungal infections and viral infections; boosting humans' innate immunity and improving scientists' ability to study such compounds. The technologies are available for licensing to interested companies and entrepreneurs.

19 Aug 2010

Study outlines recommendations for prevention, management of health epidemics

A new study reveals that the oil and gas industry supply chain which includes oil companies, contractors and sub-contractors does not perceive the full extent of the risks that HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria pose to its workforce, productivity and profitability. The study conducted by management consulting firm Booz & Company in partnership the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) outlines why the oil and gas industry should improve its understanding of the hazards posed by these three epidemics and makes ten recommendations for how to make health a priority.

19 Aug 2010

World MRSA Day kick-off event in Chicago on October 1, 2010

MRSA Survivors Network, the Chicago-based nonprofit organization, launches their second annual World MRSA Day kick-off event at Loyola University Chicago on October 1, 2010. The 2010 global theme for World MRSA Day is: 'The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action.' Other events are planned in the United States, U.K. and Canada throughout the month of October, World MRSA Awareness Month.

19 Aug 2010

Scientists suggest immunization against oncogenic herpesviruses can prevent cancer

Viruses that can invade host cells, initiate cancer and then flee fromb their own trail of destruction could be stopped in their tracks, say researchers writing in the September issue of the Journal of General Virology.

19 Aug 2010

ACAAI's survival tips for ragweed allergy

August marks the start of misery for as many as one in five Americans who suffer from hay fever, also called seasonal allergic rhinitis. That's because ragweed, the main cause of hay fever, begins blooming around mid-August and in one day each plant can produce a million pollen grains that can travel for miles from its source.

19 Aug 2010

24% more children with progeria discovered

Spectrum, a health and science communications firm, announced the results of a global awareness campaign that "found" 24 percent more children identified with a rare, fatal, and rapid aging disease called Progeria. The findings are being shared at a Centers for Disease Control national conference on health communications.

19 Aug 2010

New 'Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database' tracks published epidemiologic and real world exposure studies

Links to pesticide exposure are being found in a growing number of studies that evaluate the causes of preventable diseases -- including asthma, autism and learning disabilities, birth defects and reproductive dysfunction, diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and several types of cancer. A new database, released today, tracks published epidemiologic and real world exposure studies.

19 Aug 2010

Fralin Life Science Institute professor receives grant from NSF to elucidate research on fungi

Pablo Sobrado, assistant professor of biochemistry with the Fralin Life Science Institute at Virginia Tech, has received a $1.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to advance his research on the mechanism of iron acquisition in fungi and mycobacteria.

19 Aug 2010

Reuters examines measles outbreaks in Africa

Reuters reports on how some health experts worry that growing complacency about the threat of measles in Africa is contributing to "some of the largest and most deadly outbreaks in years." Worldwide, "[a]bout 164,000 people died from measles in 2008, down 78 percent from 733,000 in 2000, according to the Measles Initiative," Reuters reports, adding that "UNICEF fears the combined effect of decreased political and financial commitment to measles could reverse the gains, resulting in an estimated 1.7 million measles-related deaths globally between 2010 and 2013."

19 Aug 2010

FDA grants 510(k) clearance to Aesculap's A-Fix Spinal System

The Aesculap Implant Systems A-Fix Spinal System received 510(k) clearance under K100802 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 20, 2010.

18 Aug 2010

Also in Global Health News: Global Fund in El Salvador; World Bank investment in Nepal; Bed nets in Africa; Ukraine caps grain exports

Global Post examines how the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is impacting HIV/AIDS care and human rights in El Salvador. The article profiles Carla, a Salvadorian transvestite who tested positive for HIV in jail and was able to receive anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment through a program supported by the Global Fund, which the article calls a "revolutionary model."

18 Aug 2010

Disease/Infection News

Research may puzzle out HIV transmission by sexual contact

Quality issue roundup: J & J revamping controls; The odds for orthopedic surgery; Automatic prescription refills and patient compliance

Scientists suggest combination vaccine prevents pertussis

The George Washington University Professor to comment on water-borne diseases

Scientists produce atlas of worm infection prevalence, distribution throughout Africa

General Physics to provide AAR/IP to gauge overall response to H1N1 outbreak

LIJ Medical Center achieves zero central-line infection rate in SICU

Study quantifies risk for gastrointestinal illness due to E. coli bacteria at inland beach

Innovative approach to eliminate HIV in host by targeted killing of only HIV infected cells

Montana State University offers new biomedical technologies for prevention, treatment of viral infections

Study outlines recommendations for prevention, management of health epidemics

World MRSA Day kick-off event in Chicago on October 1, 2010

Scientists suggest immunization against oncogenic herpesviruses can prevent cancer

ACAAI's survival tips for ragweed allergy

24% more children with progeria discovered

New 'Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database' tracks published epidemiologic and real world exposure studies

Fralin Life Science Institute professor receives grant from NSF to elucidate research on fungi

Reuters examines measles outbreaks in Africa

FDA grants 510(k) clearance to Aesculap's A-Fix Spinal System

Also in Global Health News: Global Fund in El Salvador; World Bank investment in Nepal; Bed nets in Africa; Ukraine caps grain exports

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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