Pandemic

Pk antigen in blood raises resistance to HIV

Researchers identify potential new weapon in battle against HIV infection – Researchers have discovered a potentially important new resistance factor in the battle against HIV: blood types. An international team of researchers from Canadian Blood Services, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Lund University in Sweden have discovered that certain blood types are more predisposed to contracting HIV, while others are more effective at fending it off.

Public private partnership in health sector

Health Minister invites diaspora to join in developing healthcare – Indian Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss has called for public-private partnership in health sector to meet the gap between supply and demand.

Australia in the front line for outbreaks of diseases

Australian researchers have mapped potential zones that can trigger deadly outbreak of diseases like SARS, bird flu, Nipah virus, enterovirus 71 and chikungunya in Australia. – Australia is surrounded to its north by a ?ring of fire’ where new human and animal plagues are likely to erupt without warning, with potentially devastating consequences.

Scientists isolate genes that made 1918 flu lethal

Researchers have identified a set of three genes that helped underpin the extraordinary virulence of the 1918 virus. – By mixing and matching a contemporary flu virus with the “Spanish flu” – a virus that killed between 20 and 50 million people 90 years ago in history’s most devastating outbreak of infectious disease – researchers have identified a set of three genes that helped underpin the extraordinary virulence of the 1918 virus.

2 doses of flu vaccine needed against bird flu pandemic

New study determines double flu jab needed against bird flu pandemic. Scientists recommend stockpiling influenza vaccine. – An international study led by University of Leicester researchers has determined that vaccination will be the best way to protect people in the event of the next influenza pandemic ? but that each person would need two doses.

UN hails recipients of Nobel Prize for discovering HIV

The United Nations has applauded the awarding of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Medicine to two French scientists for their discovery of HIV. – The United Nations has applauded the awarding of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Medicine to two French scientists for their discovery of HIV and for their subsequent pioneering research into the virus.

HIV began spreading among humans between 1884 and 1924

UA-led research indicates the HIV/AIDS pandemic began around 1900 in sub-Saharan Africa, decades earlier than first thought – New research indicates that the most pervasive global strain of HIV began spreading among humans between 1884 and 1924, suggesting that growing urbanization in colonial Africa set the stage for the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

New bird flu vaccine may give long-term defense

A new vaccine that apparently can provide long-lasting protection for pathogenic bird flu, H5N1, and its mutations, has been developed by Purdue researchers in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. – A new vaccine under development may provide protection against highly pathogenic bird flu and its evolving forms, according to researchers at Purdue University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who discovered the new preventative drug and have tested it in mice.

Emerging infectious diseases are on the rise

Emerging infectious diseases such as HIV, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus and Ebola are indeed on the rise. – A team of scientists has shown that emerging infectious diseases such as HIV, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus and Ebola are indeed on the rise. The team ? including University of Georgia professor John Gittleman and scientists from the Consortium for Conservation Medicine, the Institute of Zoology (London) and Columbia University ? recently published their findings in leading scientific journal Nature.

India to share experience in controlling avian flu

India is committed to share the experience of control and containment of the outbreak of influenza in poultry.
– The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that India is committed to share the experience of control and containment of the outbreak of influenza in poultry. He was speaking at a three-day International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, here.