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Category: biotech/medical – Page 624

Asthma more prevalent among children with a rare genetic disorder, study finds

Indiana University School of Medicine researchers have uncovered compelling evidence that children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare genetic disorder affecting airway function, are significantly more likely than children without PCD to have asthma. The findings, recently published in a JAMA Network Open research letter, highlight the importance of routine asthma screening for children with PCD and suggest some children with asthma may have undiagnosed PCD.

An estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people in the United States have PCD. It affects the microscopic, hair-like structures called cilia that line the airways and help clear mucus, leading to an increased risk of serious breathing problems and infections in people with the inherited condition.

“The connection between PCD and has not previously received much attention,” said Benjamin Gaston, MD, the Billie Lou Wood Professor of Pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine, who co-led the study. “Our data analysis revealed an undeniable link, showing children with PCD were 22 times more likely to have asthma compared to children without PCD characteristics.”

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, contagious virus that affects your respiratory system. It spreads easily and leads to cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and cough.

Most people with RSV have mild symptoms that go away on their own in a week or two. But RSV can lead to serious complications, especially for babies, older adults, and people with certain conditions.

If you have RSV and you can’t breathe well or you’re dehydrated, you may need to go to the hospital. You may need IV fluids, oxygen, or ventilation (which helps with your air flow).

Kids’ Flu Vaccination Rates Continue to Plummet This Season

Just 37% of kids have gotten flu shots this year, according to new CDC data. That’s down seven percentage points, from 44% of kids getting shots by this same time last year.

The data concerns health officials, especially since a record number of children died of flu-related causes last year.

Ultimately, 55% of kids got vaccinated against the flu during the 2023–24 flu season, which was the lowest rate in 12 years, a CDC official told NBC News. Vaccination rates have fallen for a variety of childhood vaccines in recent years. The trend has been blamed on vaccine fatigue after the pandemic as well as misinformation about the safety of childhood shots.

Inside the Nano-Universe: New 3D X-Ray Imaging Transforms Material Science

A cutting-edge X-ray method reveals the 3D orientation of nanoscale material structures, offering fresh insights into their functionality.

Researchers at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) have developed a groundbreaking technique called X-ray linear dichroic orientation tomography (XL-DOT). This method reveals the three-dimensional arrangement of a material’s structural building blocks at the nanoscale. Its first application focused on a polycrystalline catalyst, enabling scientists to visualize crystal grains, grain boundaries, and defects—critical features that influence catalyst performance. Beyond catalysis, XL-DOT offers unprecedented insights into the structure of various functional materials used in information technology, energy storage, and biomedical applications.

Deadly Timekeeping: How Brain Tumors Use Your Body Clock Against You

Research from Washington University shows that glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, has its own internal clock that synchronizes with the host’s circadian rhythms to optimize its growth by responding to daily hormone releases like cortisol.

Targeting these circadian signals in treatment slowed tumor growth significantly in both lab and animal studies. This synchronization could explain the mixed effects of dexamethasone, a common treatment, depending on the timing of its administration. The study highlights the potential of chronotherapy, aligning treatment with the body’s natural rhythms, to improve cancer outcomes.

Circadian Rhythms and Human Biology.

New Study Finds Alarming Link Between Air Pollution and Dangerous Blood Clots

Air pollution is associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/doi/10.1182/blood.…ed-risk-of

A comprehensive longitudinal study has shown a clear link between long-term exposure to air pollution and an increased risk of developing blood clots in deep veins, known as venous thromboembolism.

The study, which followed over 6,000 U.S. adults across major cities, revealed that exposure to particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and nitrogen dioxide significantly heightened the risk, with those in the highest quartile of exposure facing the most severe risks.

Air Pollution and Blood Clot Risks

Exposure to long-term air pollution has been linked to a higher risk of developing blood clots in deep veins, which can block blood flow and cause severe complications, including death if left untreated.

Herpes infections soar globally as new study reveals massive disease burden

Regarding oral HSV-1 infections, the global prevalence in 2020 among individuals aged 0–49 years was 58.6% (95% UI: 53.5–62.1%), equating to approximately 3.4 billion people. The African region exhibited the highest oral HSV-1 prevalence, while the Western Pacific had the largest number of infected individuals.

Conclusions

To summarize, in 2020, 26 million individuals aged 15–49 acquired new HSV-2 infections, with 520 million living with HSV-2 and 188 million experiencing HSV-2-related GUD. Similarly, 17 million acquired new genital HSV-1 infections, with 376 million living with genital HSV-1 and 17 million experiencing HSV-1-related GUD.

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