Clinical Trials & Research

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers reported the vaccine effectiveness (VE) and duration of immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron. Study: Facing the Omicron variant – How well do vaccines protect against mild and severe COVID-19? Third interim analysis of a living systematic review. Image Credit:

In a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers assessed the characteristics of natural and hybrid immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Study: Protection and Waning of Natural and Hybrid Immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Image Credit: Cinefootage Visuals/Shutterstock Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections have been known to induce

A new preprint study on the Preprints with The Lancet* server has found that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2 levels could be linked to asymptomatic and mild disease in both convalescent mothers and women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2  (SARS-CoV-2) infection at the time of delivery. A protective role of TGF-β2 was depicted in the

Smoking is among the most insidiously deadly of habits, harming both the one who smokes and those who are exposed to secondhand smoking. Chronic diseases such as obstructive lung disease and some common forms of lung cancer are far more common in smokers and those inhaling second-hand smoke, than in non-smokers. Study: Risk factors for

Continued monitoring of the evolution of the virus that causes COVID-19 as the pandemic progresses could strengthen disease surveillance systems and aid preparedness for new variants, a study suggests. Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that identifying the genetic makeup of the virus that causes COVID-19 called SARS-CoV-2 could play a vital role

Researchers backed by an $8 million U.S. Department of Defense grant will explore how to better prevent traumatic brain injury, or TBI, in military personnel exposed to blast shock waves. The research team from the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center, UVA Health, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Utah will examine the role of

In a recent study published in Nature Reviews Immunology, researchers reviewed available mucosal vaccines discussing the current challenges and ways to advance the existing approaches. Study: Mucosal vaccines — fortifying the frontiers. Image Credit: PhotobyTawat/Shutterstock Background The burden of morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases caused by mucosal pathogens is alarmingly high worldwide. The

Thought LeadersTakayuki BabaHuman Enhancement ProjectFujitsu Research In this interview, we talk to Takayuki Baba from Fujitsu Research about ongoing research using artificial intelligence to achieve earlier diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Please could you introduce yourself and tell us about how you came to research artificial intelligence in the context of pancreatic cancer? I am Takayuki Baba, and

New analysis finds more than half of U.S. adolescents and young adults with sarcoma-;a type of cancer in the bones or soft tissues-;are often prescribed opioids to treat their pain. Nearly one-quarter of these patients continue to use opioids after treatment is completed according to findings published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal

Researchers have reported a nano-sized neuromorphic memory device that emulates neurons and synapses simultaneously in a unit cell, another step toward completing the goal of neuromorphic computing designed to rigorously mimic the human brain with semiconductor devices. Neuromorphic computing aims to realize artificial intelligence (AI) by mimicking the mechanisms of neurons and synapses that make

Most research looking at the impact of climate change on human life has focused on how extreme weather events affect economic and societal health outcomes on a broad scale. Yet climate change may also have a strong influence on fundamental daily human activities-;including a host of behavioral, psychological, and physiological outcomes that are essential to

Scientists from the University of Birmingham have shown an existing drug may reduce damage after spinal cord injury, by blocking the inflammatory response in the spinal cord. Their research, published today in Clinical and Translational Medicine, demonstrates that AZD1236, a drug developed by AstraZeneca, can significantly reduce ‘secondary damage’ caused by the body’s response to

At a glance, it seemed like a Southern pandemic success story in a most unlikely place. A small county northeast of Chattanooga, along the twisting banks of Chickamauga Lake, for much of the past year has reported the highest covid-19 vaccination rate in Tennessee and one of the highest in the South. Meigs County, which

Thought LeadersThanh T. NguyenProject ManagerInnocore Pharmaceuticals In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Thanh T. Nguyen, a project manager at Innocore Pharmaceuticals, about the mechanisms behind long-acting injectables. Can you give an introduction to Innocore Pharmaceuticals and your role there? Innocore Pharmaceuticals is a drug delivery company located in the north of the Netherlands. Innocore is

A new paper in Family Practice, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that receiving hormone replacement therapy within six months of a recorded diagnosis of COVID-19 was associated with a reduction in mortality from the disease. The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread. Men and women are equally susceptible to

When Johanna Trenerry found a nursing home for her husband after his stroke, she expected his stay would be temporary. He never came home. Arthur Trenerry died at Windsor Redding Care Center in Northern California in October 2020. The 82-year-old great-grandfather is among more than 9,900 California nursing home residents who have died of covid-19.

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused severe disruption of social and economic interactions, affecting health services and other important aspects of human life. Until the onset of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) wave, COVID-19 had already had a staggering impact on the world, with over 40% of the world’s population already infected once

RaDonda Vaught, a former Tennessee nurse convicted of two felonies for a fatal drug error, whose trial became a rallying cry for nurses fearful of the criminalization of medical mistakes, will not be required to spend any time in prison. Davidson County criminal court Judge Jennifer Smith on Friday granted Vaught a judicial diversion, which

A team of scientists from Canada has recently studied the kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of interaction between human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and spike receptor-binding domains (RBD) of different variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The study is currently available on the Research Square preprint server. Study: Impact of the Temperature on

Thought LeadersAnand Patel and Michael Dyer Pediatric Oncologist and Developmental BiologistSt. Jude Children’s Hospital In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Anand Patel and Michael Dyer from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital about their recent research suggesting EGFR inhibitors may prevent rhabdomyosarcoma recurrence. Please can you introduce yourself, tell us about your scientific background, and what inspired your latest research? Anand Patel: I

Idioms and proverbs about the importance of maintaining good health span the ages. Many emphasize how closely health is tied to happiness and the opportunity to live a fulfilling and enjoyable life. A study published this month in Age and Ageing by The Japan Collaborate Cohort (JACC) Study group at Osaka University assessed the impact

Three recent papers showed how the new Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compares in its biology with earlier variants. This is of great practical importance, given that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was dragged out for over two years in part because of the emergence of several new

Thought LeadersProfessor Steffi OesterreichDepartment of Pharmacology and Chemical BiologyUniversity of Pittsburgh In this interview, we speak to Steffi Oesterreich, PH.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, about how new insights into a gene mutation present in 20-30% of breast cancer recurrences may have a silver lining, leading to novel treatment opportunities. Please can you introduce yourself,

A new study in mice led by neuroscientists at UT Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute shows that it’s not just calories that count. Timing feedings to match the active period of the circadian cycle extended the life span of lab mice more than three times as much as caloric restriction alone, according to the

The Josep Carreras Institute becomes part of the Cancer Proteome project, an international initiative for the study of malignant tumors. It has the support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, whose Minister, Diana Morant, visited the Josep Carreras Institute on Thursday and announced a grant of one million euros to promote the project.

In the current era, viruses pose a significant threat to humans since they are capable of causing pandemics throughout the world. Changing environments, globalization, urbanization, population growth, and changes in transport and infrastructure have created new opportunities for viral infections to start and spread. Review: Multifaceted role of natural sources for COVID-19 pandemic as marine

An invisible lining of blood vessels uses a vast network of connections to control all cardiovascular functions and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.  Image Credit: University of Strathclyde Cardiovascular disease is a group of conditions that can arise from a lack of physical activity, poor diet, or certain disorders. Scientists have known that the

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates (two types of endocrine-disrupting chemicals) may be associated with lower bone mineral density in male teens, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are chemicals or mixtures of chemicals that interfere with the way the body’s hormones