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Dr. Bettina Drake Honored by Washington University for Reducing Cancer Disparities

Dr. Bettina Drake Honored by Washington University for Reducing Cancer Disparities

Dr. Bettina Drake, a cancer epidemiologist at Washington University (WashU) Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center, has been installed as the Michael F. Neidorff Professor. This recognition honors her extensive work in addressing cancer disparities and improving outcomes for underserved communities. Dr. Drake has led initiatives that have significantly reduced breast cancer disparities and improved outcomes for African American women in the region, lowered colon cancer fatality rates, and expanded smoking cessation programs. Her approach emphasizes community engagement, moving beyond merely identifying health problems to actively implementing interventions. She also co-leads the Prostate Cancer Community Partnership, which is part of the Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities, focusing on reducing prostate cancer disparities in the area. Dr. Drake developed 'Health on the Move,' a program that deploys community health workers with mobile mammography and lung cancer screening services across an 82-co...

CDC sees low plague risk, monitors Siberia arrivals after worker death, director says

CDC sees low plague risk, monitors Siberia arrivals after worker death, director says

Oct 7 (Reuters) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Erica ‌Schwartz said on Wednesday the risk to the US from an unconfirmed pneumonic plague case in Siberia was extremely low, but the agency was prepared to monitor and screen travelers.

MMRF-Led Study Uncovers Unique Immune Features in Multiple Myeloma Patients of African Ancestry

MMRF-Led Study Uncovers Unique Immune Features in Multiple Myeloma Patients of African Ancestry

A new study led by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and Emory University, has identified previously unknown immune features in multiple myeloma patients with African ancestry. Published in the journal Blood, this research utilized genomic data to analyze patients with varying levels of African genetic similarity, moving beyond self-reported race. The study found that patients with high African genetic similarity exhibited a distinct bone marrow immune microenvironment characterized by less inflammation and a higher presence of cancer-fighting immune cells. A significant discovery was the prevalence of cytotoxic CD4+ T cells in these patients, which, unlike their typical 'helper cell' role, displayed direct cancer-killing capabilities by expressing genes associated with cytotoxicity. This finding suggests a unique biological characteristic within this patient population. The research leveraged two critical MMRF datasets: the MMRF Immune Atlas, providing ...

Pennsylvania's measles outbreak is the largest in decades in the US

Pennsylvania's measles outbreak is the largest in decades in the US

Pennsylvania has more than 1,000 measles cases this year, making it the largest state outbreak in decades

Canadian Study Reveals Higher Severe Maternal Morbidity Rates for Black Individuals

Canadian Study Reveals Higher Severe Maternal Morbidity Rates for Black Individuals

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal indicates that Black individuals in Canada face a significantly higher risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) compared to white individuals. SMM encompasses serious complications during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum, such as pre-eclampsia, hemorrhage, and sepsis. The research, conducted through CanHEAL in partnership with the Black Reproductive Health Working Group, analyzed data from nearly 1.5 million births between 2012 and 2023. It found that the rate of SMM was 47.8 per 1,000 live births for Black parents, in contrast to 27.7 per 1,000 live births for white parents. Even after adjusting for various sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, Black individuals still had a 66% increased likelihood of experiencing these severe complications. Dr. Giulia Muraca, a perinatal epidemiologist and associate professor at McMaster University, emphasized that these disparities are not rooted in biological differences but rather in s...

Monash University Study Calls for Coordinated Global Action Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases Amidst Climate Change

Monash University Study Calls for Coordinated Global Action Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases Amidst Climate Change

A new study by Monash University researchers, published in Science Advances, emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated global action to combat mosquito-borne diseases. Lead researcher Dr. Toby Cumming, a research fellow in the Health and Climate Initiative at the Monash School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, highlights that climate change, with its increasing temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, is expanding the geographical areas where Anopheles and Aedes mosquito populations can thrive. The study reviews the complex ecological, epidemiological, and socioeconomic factors influencing the transmission of malaria and dengue. While malaria has seen a long-term decline, its global incidence has risen by 8.5% over the past decade. Dengue infections are rapidly growing, with nearly 400 million cases annually worldwide, and no therapeutics are currently available for it. The research stresses that despite advancements in mosquito control and drug therapies for malaria, complacency is not an opti...

NHLBI Mandates Justification for Animal Use in Research Grant Applications by 2027

NHLBI Mandates Justification for Animal Use in Research Grant Applications by 2027

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) will require all grant applications submitted from January 2027 onwards to include an explicit justification for the use of animal models. This justification, to be placed in the application's Abstract section, must explain why animal models are necessary and why alternative methods are inferior. This new requirement aligns with the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) broader initiative to accelerate efforts in replacing, reducing, and refining animal use in research through New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). The NIH's Unified Strategy, announced earlier this year, aims to prioritize human-based research, particularly for chronic health issues affecting Americans, while reducing reliance on animal models. The NHLBI supports this strategy and encourages the development and use of NAMs in heart, lung, blood, and sleep research, citing examples like 3D 'valve-like assembloids' from human stem cells and lung iPSCs resources.

High-Intensity Interval Training Shown to Reverse Coronary Plaque Growth

High-Intensity Interval Training Shown to Reverse Coronary Plaque Growth

A recent randomized controlled trial published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has provided definitive evidence that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can actively shrink atheromatous plaques in patients with coronary artery disease. The study tracked 60 patients who had recently undergone stent placement and found that those assigned to two weekly sessions of supervised HIIT experienced a measurable shrinkage in their coronary plaques, specifically a 9.0 cubic millimeter decrease in total atheroma volume. In contrast, patients following standard preventive guidelines saw a marginal increase of 3.0 cubic millimeters in plaque volume. This research marks a significant advancement in cardiovascular science, as it is the first study to use intravascular ultrasound to demonstrate that vigorous exercise can induce positive remodeling of coronary anatomy. The protocol involved a 10-minute warm-up, followed by four sets of 4-minute intervals at 85 to 95 percent of peak heart rate, separated...

Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery Hosts 31st Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration with Health Focus

Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery Hosts 31st Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration with Health Focus

The Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, N.Y., recently hosted its 31st annual Hispanic Heritage celebration, featuring vibrant cultural displays, music, and dancing. This year, community leaders integrated health outreach into the festivities, connecting attendees with vital healthcare resources. Local wellness organizations were present in the gallery spaces to engage with the community. The initiative comes in response to recent data from the American Heart Association (AHA) indicating that cardiovascular disease has surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death among Hispanic adults in the United States. The AHA highlights that despite representing nearly one in five U.S. residents, Hispanic individuals are underrepresented in cardiovascular research and face unique health challenges influenced by language, culture, access to care, and social conditions. Event organizers, including guest programmer Rose Mary Villarrubia-Izzo, aimed to showcase these health organizations to both long-time community membe...

Centenarian Offspring Exhibit Delayed Mortality and Reduced Age-Related Disease Risk, Study Finds

Centenarian Offspring Exhibit Delayed Mortality and Reduced Age-Related Disease Risk, Study Finds

A recent study published in the JAMA Network Open journal indicates that individuals with at least one parent who lived to be 100 years old are significantly more likely to experience delayed mortality and a reduced risk of age-related diseases. The research analyzed data from 4,030 participants across three independent longitudinal cohorts: LonGenity in the New York City area, the New England Centenarian Study throughout the U.S., and the UK Biobank. Researchers compared offspring whose parents reached 100 years of age with those whose parents died by age 73. The findings revealed that children of centenarians had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and early death. This comprehensive study aimed to expand on previous research, which often focused on limited populations, to better understand the genetic and environmental mechanisms contributing to healthy aging. Only an estimated 101,000 centenarians, representing 0.03% of the U.S. population, reach their 100th birthday...

Suspected plague death sparks outbreak concerns. Should we be worried?

Suspected plague death sparks outbreak concerns. Should we be worried?

Do Americans need to be worried about their safety after the suspected plague death in Russia? Here's what an infectious disease expert told us.

Messiah University Introduces Global Health and Development Bachelor's Program

Messiah University Introduces Global Health and Development Bachelor's Program

Messiah University has launched a new Bachelor of Arts program in Global Health and Development, with a specific concentration in Global Health. This major is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex health challenges and promote human flourishing worldwide. The curriculum recognizes the intrinsic link between health and the physical, social, and spiritual conditions of people's lives, as well as the underlying drivers of these conditions. The program integrates evidence-based approaches from public health, community and economic development, and the social sciences. Students will engage in both classroom learning and experiential opportunities, including community-based research and internships with partner organizations, in both domestic and international settings. The goal is to prepare graduates for careers in global health and development practice or for advanced studies in public health, international development, or related fields.