Global Health News

New research suggests that antibiotics prescribed to control severe acne breakouts may lead to inflammatory bowel disease in a small number of patients. Previous studies have indicated that the acne drug isotretinoin, commonly known by the brand name Accutane, might be the cause of inflammatory bowel disease in some patients with severe acne. Researchers note that most individuals prescribed isotretinoin have already been taking antibiotics for long periods of time.

Faith, a two-legged dog, is helping to inspire troops injured in Afghanistan. A Labrador-chow mix, Faith was born only one front leg, which was removed when she was young due to atrophy, and now walks on her hind legs. After helping US Army veterans wit disabilities overcome injuries sustained in war zones, Faith was made an honorary sergeant.

According to British researchers, kidneys transplanted from individuals who have died from heart attacks and other cardiac conditions are as viable as those from individuals with an irreversible loss of brain function. Approximately 80,000 people in the United States and 7,000 people in Britain are currently waiting for a kidney transplant and the shortage of available organs continues to be a major challenge.

Three recent studies indicate that chemicals used on produce may contribute to behavioral disorders in children. The studies examined a class of pesticides called organophosphates (OP) and linked exposure to the chemicals to attention disorders in children. Exposure to the chemicals in the womb and among children who were genetically susceptible were seen to produce the most dramatic impact.

The behavioral differences seen in children with autism may be due to a slower integration of stimuli from different senses, according to new data. Children with autism often focus intently on a specific activity or feature of their environment. The processes by which sensory information is gathered and combined may be a key to improving researchers’ understanding of autism and related conditions.

A new study has found that consumption of beer increases the risk of psoriasis in women by over 70 percent. Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease that causes scaly lesions, redness, and inflammation of the skin. The cause of psoriasis is still unknown, but doctors believe that an immune response is triggered, causing skin cells to reproduce too quickly.

A recent report indicated that developing countries will bear 60 percent of the world’s cancer burden by 2020, but are ill prepared for this influx. According to CanTreat International, a group comprised of experts from leading international cancer organizations, these countries lack the infrastructure to prevent cancer, diagnose it early, or provide long-term treatment. In 2008, cancer was the leading cause of death worldwide, causing 7.6 million fatalities.

Health officials recently reported that an outbreak of typhoid fever in the U.S. has been linked to a frozen tropical fruit. Seven cases have been confirmed in California and Nevada, and two additional cases are being investigated. According to the CDC, five of the victims drank milkshakes or smoothies made with frozen mamey fruit pulp. Mamey is a sweet, reddish tropical fruit grown in Central and South America.

Researchers indicate that individuals with disagreeable personalities may have thicker arterial walls, making them more prone to heart attack and stroke. In individuals who rated low on a scale of agreeableness, the carotid artery lining was found to be significantly thicker. Previous studies have linked cardiovascular disease with certain personality types, particularly “Type A” personalities.

A recently published peer-reviewed paper suggests that individuals diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease may have actually been affected by concussions and other brain trauma. Athletes and soldiers given a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (A.L.S., also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), may have actually had a different fatal disease caused by concussion-like trauma that erodes the central nervous system in similar ways.

Consuming a diet rich in leafy green vegetables was associated with a 14 percent reduction in the development of Type-2 diabetes. According to researchers at the University of Leicester, eating 1.15 servings of lettuce, cabbage, and other similar vegetables resulted in a reduction in diabetes risk compared with individuals who ate less than one half serving daily.

PSKF’s “Future of Health Report” explores healthcare from the perspective of organizations, patients, healthcare providers, and communities. The report, prepared for UNICEF, also highlights how technology and access to information play a vital role in ways that people understand, manage, and receive care. The report also examines mobile technology as a catalyst for change, as well as the importance of affordable solutions for healthcare delivery.

Scientists in Australia have engineered a synthetic form of a toxin found in sea snails that could be used for pain relief. Sea snails produce a chemical called conotoxins to paralyze their prey. Researchers have found that there are several peptides within conotoxins that can be used to relieve tough-to-treat neuropathic pain as well as morphine, but without addictive properties.

Two recently published studies document new ways of fixing damaged hearts. In one, researchers turned cells that form the structure of the heart into cells that cause the heart to beat, the other restored the ability to regenerate lost tissue. Though further testing and refinement is needed before either technique can be applied in humans, the results of both are promising.

A small, implantable sensor could help individuals with diabetes better manage their condition. The 1.5 inch wide device wirelessly transmits blood-glucose data from inside a patient’s torso. Trials of the new device showed that it could function for over 500 days. Monitoring an individual’s blood glucose levels, which can involve frequent finger pricks, is a key factor in preventing a number of diabetes-related complications, including blindness and heart attacks.