Efficacy of major chlamydia drug confirmed In one of the most tightly controlled trials ever conducted of drugs used to treat sexually transmitted infections, researchers have confirmed that azithromycin remains effective in the treatment of urogenital chlamydia.
Ecologist finds another cause of antibiotic resistance One researcher is concerned that there's more to the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria than the misuse of common medications. A senior research ecologist, this scientist believes environmental contaminants may be partly to blame for the rise in bacterial resistance, and he tested this hypothesis in streams on the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site
Monitoring chicken flock behaviour could help combat leading cause of food poisoning A new technique that monitors the movement of chickens can be used to predict which flocks are at risk of becoming infected with Campylobacter -- the most common bacterial source of food poisoning in humans in the UK.
Diet and exercise does not prevent gestational diabetes in obese women A diet and exercise regime for high-risk obese pregnant women, whilst effective in promoting a healthy lifestyle, does not prevent gestational diabetes. The research suggests that programs promoting healthy behaviors are unlikely to be effective in preventing diabetes in obese women. Resources should be directed towards better screening and treatment, including the use of a more stringent threshold for diagnosis.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: Rare but potentially fatal cardiovascular disorder can strike healthy pregnant women Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare disorder characterized by weakened pumping of the heart, or "left ventricular dysfunction," which results in otherwise healthy pregnant women experiencing heart failure shortly before or up to five months after they deliver healthy babies.A new study revealed that no significant research has been undertaken to explore how to prevent or treat this disorder. Only three studies of possible treatments have ever been conducted, and only two of those have shown any promise.
Researchers discover surprising link between chronic stress, preterm birth Excessive stress can result in preterm birth, which has been shown to affect a person's health throughout their life 15 million babies are born preterm each year. It is the leading cause of death for children under the age of five, and babies who survive are at much higher risk of developing a number of health conditions including chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease and metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes.
New Pap smear schedule led to fewer chlamydia tests, It's a tale of two tests: one for early signs of cervical cancer, the other for the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia. But a change in the recommended schedule for one may have dramatically lowered the chances that young women would get the other.
New and innovative approach for successful vaccination against Chlamydia infections Chlamydiae are the most common, sexually transmitted, bacterial pathogens in the world. Every year around 100 million people contract Chlamydia infections, which are one of the main causes of female infertility and ectopic pregnancies and can also lead to blindness – especially in developing countries.An international research team discovered how to stimulate the immune response to Chlamydiae both efficiently and preventively
New nanotechnology drug to control blindness A innovative product in the form of droplets, reduces the cost of current medications. It is a nanotechnology product, which works with last generation liposomes particles, concentrated in droplets, which function as a conveyor that wraps proteins or antibody fragments and allow its passage into the eye. Once inside, it releases the drugs.
New conductive ink for electronic apparel Researchers have developed a new ink that can be printed on textiles in a single step to form highly conductive and stretchable connections. This new functional ink will enable electronic apparel such as sportswear and underwear incorporating sensing devices for measuring a range of biological indicators such as heart rate and muscle contraction.
As smoking declines, more are likely to quit Smokeless tobacco and, more recently, e-cigarettes have been promoted as a harm reduction strategy for smokers who are “unable or unwilling to quit.” The strategy, embraced by both industry and some public health advocates, is based on the assumption that as smoking declines overall, only those who cannot quit will remain. A new study has found just the opposite.
New biomarker identified in women with mental illness Psychiatric disorders can be difficult to diagnose because clinicians must rely upon interpreted clues, such as a patient's behaviors and feelings Researchers report identifying a biological marker: the overproduction of specific genes that could be a diagnostic indicator of mental illness in female psychiatric patients.
Safeguarding against chlamydia Chlamydia trachomatis is a formidable foe. It's the most common sexually transmitted pathogen, infecting more than 100 million people each year. In the developing world, it is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Around the world, it ranks as the number one cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. A vaccine that generates two waves of protective immune cells needed to eliminate chlamydial infection has been developed by researchers.
Pregnancy safer for women with lupus than previously thought Most women with lupus whose disease is not very active will have a safe pregnancy, new research concludes. The study also identified several risk factors that might put some women with systemic lupus erythematosus at higher risk for bad outcomes in pregnancy.
Minor obstetric and gynecologic procedure linked to increased risk of preterm delivery Dilatation and curettage (D&C) is one of the most common minor surgical procedures in obstetrics and gynecology, used mainly for miscarriage or terminations. Today, use of the 15-minute procedure is declining in favor of less invasive medical methods, but it still remains common in O&G. An analysis 21 cohort studies which included almost 2 million women has found that a D&C performed in cases of miscarriage or induced abortion increases the chance of preterm birth (under 37 weeks) in a subsequent pregnancy by 29%, and of very preterm birth (under 32 weeks) by 69%.
