Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Social factors play crucial role in determining lifespan

The interplay of a quartet of sex, marital status, education, and race is linked to an 18 year lifespan gap for US citizens, and while no one factor is more influential than any of the others, the more of these influential factors a person has, the higher their risk of an earlier death, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

6 Aug 2024

Over half of pneumonia patients face diagnostic uncertainty, study finds

A national study found over half of pneumonia patients experienced discordant diagnoses from initial presentation to discharge, highlighting significant diagnostic uncertainty and the need for improved accuracy in pneumonia care.

5 Aug 2024

Cancer screening costs exceed $40 billion annually in the United States

A modeling study estimates cancer screening costs in the United States exceed $40 billion annually, highlighting the need for policy prioritization to enhance equitable access. The study emphasizes that recommended screenings significantly reduce cancer-specific mortality and can be cost-effective.

5 Aug 2024

H5N1 avian flu found in Texas dairy cattle and milk, sparking concerns about underreported infections

Researchers at UTMB found H5N1 avian influenza virus in Texas dairy cattle and milk, highlighting potential underreporting of infections among farm workers and the need for better surveillance.

4 Aug 2024

Study exposes hidden dangers of indoor fireplaces on air quality in South African homes

A study reveals high particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in South African homes using indoor fireplaces, with exposure linked to colder outdoor temperatures.

4 Aug 2024

Patients fear judgment for sharing health misconceptions, study finds

When an individual visits their doctor, they aren't supposed to keep secrets. Unless patients are forthcoming about their symptoms, behaviors, and health-related beliefs, it's hard for healthcare professionals to effectively diagnose and treat illnesses-;or to advise and educate patients about how to take better care of themselves in the future.

4 Aug 2024

Understanding brain coupling in conversations through linguistic context

When two people interact, their brain activity becomes synchronized, but it was unclear until now to what extent this "brain-to-brain coupling" is due to linguistic information or other factors, such as body language or tone of voice.

2 Aug 2024

Pioneering study brings leishmaniasis vaccine development closer

Scientists have developed a new, safe and effective way to infect volunteers with the parasite that causes leishmaniasis and measure the body's immune response, bringing a vaccine for the neglected tropical disease a step closer.

2 Aug 2024

Study links e-cigarette use to increased respiratory symptoms

The association between electronic cigarette (EC) use and respiratory health in adults.

2 Aug 2024

Study reveals new H5N1 variants evade human antibodies more effectively

In a new study led by UNC Charlotte researchers from the Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) and the North Carolina Research Campus at Kannapolis, University scholars have found evidence that the latest variants of H5N1 influenza -; commonly known as avian or bird flu -; are better at evading antibodies, including those of humans, than previous iterations of the virus.

2 Aug 2024

Trust in US physicians and hospitals plummeted during COVID-19, impacting vaccination rates

Trust in US physicians and hospitals dropped significantly during COVID-19, affecting vaccination rates across all demographics. Restoring trust is crucial for future public health efforts.

1 Aug 2024

Comprehensive meta-analysis offers insights into strategies for increasing immunization uptake

Vaccines are safe and effective, and help reduce death and illness. But global vaccination rates are suboptimal and have trended downward, leaving humanity more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases such as COVID-19, influenza, measles, polio, and HPV.

1 Aug 2024

Blowflies linked to bird flu spread in southern Japan

Researchers from Kyushu University have discovered that blowflies, a family of flies strongly attracted to decaying flesh and feces, are carrying the bird flu virus in southern Japan.

1 Aug 2024

Indoor fireplaces linked to harmful airborne particles and health risks

During the cold winter months, it is nice to light an indoor fireplace for extra warmth or to have the occasional ‘braai’. The downside is that you may be inhaling tiny solid or liquid substances that could be harmful to your health.

1 Aug 2024

Study reveals deepening mistrust in healthcare providers post-COVID

A cross-representative survey of adults in the United States showed decreasing levels of trust in physicians and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic-;and the lower the trust, the less likely an individual was to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 or influenza. The findings come from a survey study of more than 400,000 U.S. adults published in JAMA Network Open by a team co-led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system.

1 Aug 2024

Scientists capture NMDAR protein's 'twist' motion, key to brain signaling

Proteins are constantly performing a kind of dance. They move and contort their bodies to fulfill specific functions inside our bodies. The NMDAR protein executes an especially hard dance routine in our brains. One wrong step can lead to a range of neurological disorders. NMDAR binds to the neurotransmitter, glutamate, and another compound, glycine. These bindings control NMDAR's dance steps. When their routine is over, the NMDAR opens. This open ion channel generates electrical signals critical for cognitive functions like memory.

1 Aug 2024