The USAID-funded Challenge TB project in Tanzania is using community-based organizations to find more of the missing TB cases and to help patients cope with long and difficult TB treatment. The organizations are based in the regions of Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Geita and Dar es Salaam and focus on increasing TB awareness, changing health-seeking behavior and [...]
Highlights • Particle Tracking Velocimetry reveals complex residential shower spray patterns. • Droplet velocity for low-flow showerhead higher as a function of number of orifices. • Showers generate respirable aerosols and contain bacteria of potential concern. • Both increases and decreases in bacteria aerosol concentrations observed. Abstract Although human exposure to water aerosols is common [...]
Activated charcoal may help protect gut microbiome from antibiotics The results of a small phase 1 clinical trial show that an activated charcoal product helped protect the gut microbiome in volunteers treated with moxifloxacin, French researchers report in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The product, called DAV132, was developed as a potential strategy to protect the [...]
South Korean government officials today announced tests on the highly pathogenic H5N6 avian flu virus found in a recent outbreak in North Jeolla province is a new reassortant and not the version that has sparked earlier outbreaks in Asian countries and in some instances sickened humans. In other avian flu developments, Japan reported more H5N6 [...]
Two confirmed yellow fever cases in São Paulo State, Brazil (an area considered not at risk for yellow fever transmission) has prompted national authorities to begin vaccination campaigns and strengthening health care services and carrying out risk communication activities. Between July and mid-October 2017, a total of 71 suspected yellow fever cases were reported in São Paulo State, [...]
An outbreak of diphtheria is currently being experienced in Yemen and Venezuela. One hundred and twenty diphtheria cases have been reported in Yemen in the last two months, while Venezuela has seen more than 500 probable cases in 2017, as detailed in today’s Communicable Disease Threat Report. Vaccination against diphtheria is essential and prompt testing [...]
The growing threat of antibiotic resistance has sparked calls to use antibiotics more responsibly to curb the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. The idea: If we reduce antibiotic use, we could reduce the resistance that’s been naturally selected for over time. But new research published Wednesday in Nature Communications finds that isn’t always the case. STAT chatted with biomedical researcher Allison Lopatkin [...]
Most exercise programs consist of aerobic conditioning, flexibility exercises and strength training. In strength training, you add resistance to a particular movement to overload your muscles, which makes them work harder and become stronger. Strength training can offer many benefits, including increased muscle tone, strength, endurance and bone density. Strength training also improves balance and coordination and decreases the risk of injury when you [...]
Abstract Background Antibiotics are life-saving drugs but severely affect the gut microbiome with short term consequences including diarrhoea and selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Long-term links to allergy and obesity are also suggested. We devised a product, DAV132, and previously showed its ability to deliver a powerful adsorbent, activated charcoal, in the late ileum of human [...]
Temperatures on the Mongolian steppe dropped well below freezing at night as Kansas State University professor Juergen Richt traveled across the sparsely populated country in an old Toyota Land Cruiser searching for camels. In a country where animals outnumber people 70 million to 3 million, Richt, a veterinarian doctor and director of Center of Excellence [...]
