Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses. In people, common symptoms of influenza are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, and weakness and fatigue.
Vi typhoid vaccine proves highly effective in young children — IVI-NICED study published by NEJM demonstrates that vaccine primarily used for travelers may have a major impact on morbidity and mortality in the world’s poorest populations. – A new study has found that a currently available yet underused vaccine against typhoid fever is highly effective in young children and protects unvaccinated neighbors of vaccinees.
UCLA scientists present first genetic evidence for why placebos work — Researchers find genetic link to placebo response in depressive disorder. – In people suffering from major depressive disorder, depression or MDD, genes that influence the brain’s reward pathways may modulate the response to placebos, revealed by researchers.
Large epidemiologic study supports brain power of fish in older people – Experts estimate that over 24 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, and many of these people live in low- and middle-income countries. Recently, there has been growing interest in whether dietary factors, particularly oily fish and meat, might influence the onset and/or severity of dementia.
NIAID set to launch clinical trials to test 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine candidates – Scientists in a network of medical research institutions across the United States are set to begin a series of clinical trials to gather critical data about influenza vaccines, including two candidate H1N1 flu vaccines.
Biomarkers may help predict risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment – Several cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers showed good accuracy in identifying patients with mild cognitive impairment who progressed to Alzheimer’s disease, revealed by US researchers in JAMA.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approves Vaccine for 2009-2010 Seasonal Influenza. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved a vaccine for 2009-2010 seasonal influenza in the United States. The seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
Update on Influenza a (H1N1) as on 19th July 2009 — 298 positive for Influenza A H1N1 recorded in India – Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries to India is continuing in 22 International airports. 50,858 passengers have been screened on 18.7.2009 of which 40,675 passengers were from affected countries.
Researchers uncover genetic variants linked to blood pressure in African-Americans — Findings may point to new avenues for treatment, prevention. – Five genetic variants related to blood pressure — hypertension — in African-Americans, revealed by a team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health, USA.
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Results of Shionogi & Co. Sponsored Phase 3 Studies of i.v. Peramivir for Influenza – BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: BCRX) announced positive results from two Phase 3 studies of intravenous (i.v.) peramivir in patients with seasonal influenza.
HHS Purchases Additional H1N1 Vaccine Ingredients – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the health department will commit $884 million to purchase additional supplies of two key ingredients for potential H1N1 vaccine to further prepare the nation for a potential resurgence of the 2009 H1N1 virus.
Obesity contributes to rapid cartilage loss – Obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk of rapid cartilage loss, revealed by researchers at Boston University. The study published in the August issue of Radiology.
Australian researchers identify genes that cause melanoma – Two new genes that together double a person’s risk of developing melanoma are identified by researchers from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), Australia.
