WHO :: UN health agency stresses multi-disease prevention strategy
The United Nations health agency outlined its ambitious goals of expanding the integrated delivery of immunization and preventive treatment against a whole host of diseases.
AIDS
Oral Cancer :: New screening process helps better diagnose oral cancers
Patients with early stage oral cancer may benefit from a more advanced screening process allowing for a more accurate diagnosis, according to a study presented at the plenary session today at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium in Rancho Mirage, Calif., co-sponsored by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Head and Neck Society.
HIV :: Will Synthetically Engineered Immune Cells Stop AIDS?
Twenty years after its introduction, gene therapy still holds great promise as a way to harness the insidious power of viruses such as human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV). But scientists have yet to solve a vexing problem: developing an efficient transport system that is capable of delivering therapeutic payloads to specific cells.
HIV :: New amfAR research grants aim to advance understanding and prevention of rectal HIV transmission
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, has awarded nearly $1 million for eight new research grants and fellowships aimed at increasing understanding and prevention of rectal HIV transmission, Dr. Rowena Johnston, amfAR’s vice president of research announced today.
Genome :: Microbiologists crack genome of a parasite that causes a common STD
Scientists at UCLA and NYU have deciphered the genome of the parasite causing trichomoniasis, and their research may lead to new approaches to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this common sexually transmitted disease. Trichomoniasis affects an estimated 170 million people a year, with more than five million cases reported in North America.
Health Care :: More aid required for chronic conditions in low income countries
Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer result in more deaths and account for more years of healthy life lost than most communicable diseases, and yet little international aid is focused on preventing or treating these conditions. Cardiovascular disease causes 30 percent of all deaths globally and 27 percent of deaths in low income countries. By comparison, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, combined, account for 10 percent of all deaths globally and 11 percent of death in developing countries.
HIV :: World Health Organization’s plan to monitor HIV drug resistance in Botswana likely to fail
A World Health Organization plan to track transmitted resistance to HIV drugs in Botswana could fail because the threshold the organization has set is too high, according to new UCLA research.
Breast Cancer :: Queen’s discovery provides new hope for people with advanced breast cancer
A surprising discovery by Queen’s University researchers that happened when their work took an unexpected turn may help women with advanced breast cancer respond better to conventional drug treatments.
Tuberculosis :: Growing Number of TB Cases Continuing Challenge for Thai Government
The increasing number of tuberculosis cases detected annually in Thailand is an ongoing challenge for the government, the Nation reports. According to Somchai Pinyopornpaitch, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, TB cases have increased for several years despite health officials’ efforts.
HIV :: Actor, HIV/AIDS Advocate Richard Gere Urges Sex Workers in India To Refuse Sex Without Condoms
Actor and HIV/AIDS advocate Richard Gere at an HIV/AIDS awareness event in Mumbai, India, urged thousands of commercial sex workers to refuse sex without condoms, Reuters reports (Mukherjee, Reuters, 1/10).