AFRICA
Gates promises billions to Africa
Philanthropist Bill Gates just announced that he majority of the $200 billion he plans to donate over the next 20 years will be spent in Africa. He called on primary healthcare to be prioritized given the fact that it “has the greatest impact on health and wellbeing”.
Source: African Union
CHINA
Diabetes drug may reduce liver scarring
An SGLT-2 inhibitor, usually used for type 2 diabetes treatment has been shown to benefit patient with liver disease. More research is needed but hopes are for a transformative role for these existing medications.
Source: BMJ Group
USA
CDC gone quiet
Many newsletters and social platforms have gone silent at the Centre for Disease Control after significant budget cuts. People’s lives are now at risk suggest experts who are recognizing the spread of measles, salmonella, HEP A and C to mention but a few. No restart plans have been provided.
Source: NPR
UNITED KINGDOM
Being in nature helps chronic back pain management
Instead of using gyms, or indoor settings, researchers from the University of Plymouth and University of Exeter found that getting patients out in nature, in their gardens and finding places for them to focus on green spaces led to a degree of distraction and a sense of escapism from their chronic back pain. Investigators are now using this information to encourage clinicians to build time in nature into treatment plans. They’re also developing virtual reality interventions that preclude the necessity to travel outside.
Source: University of Plymouth
GERMANY
Slowing inflammation to halt cancer
Bowel cancer can be developed over time from chronic inflammatory bowel diseases- especially in young people 15- 29 with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s. Looking for a preventive solution, work done at Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin work has recently identified a therapeutic target to halt ongoing inflammation. Researchers also highlight the need for prompt diagnosis, education and treatment.
Source: Nature Immunology
UNITED KINGDOM
Pregnancy warnings
Weight loss Jabs may make the contraceptive pill less likely to work and could harm an unborn baby. The UK’s drug safety body also advises that these weight loss medications must not be taken during pregnancy while trying to get pregnant or while breast feeding.
Source: MHRA
AFRICA
African Cholera Outbreak driven by years of underinvestment in water and sanitation
With four countries accounting for over 85% of the continents cholera cases and high death rates, there is a finally a cross-country united movement to stem outbreaks. Most impacted, Angola, Congo (DRC) Sudan and South Sudan.
Source: Africa CDC
UNITED KINGDOM
Top 10 priorities in global burn care
Globally, 11 million people are affected by burn injuries every year leading to deaths, disabilities, PTSD and ongoing anxiety as well as social isolation and scarring. However, to date, there has been no multiple country research priorities done to support global burn improvement. Offering support, the UK’s James Lind Alliance has taken the lead in developing a robust list of research priorities in consultation with burn survivors, carers and health professionals. The goal, to focus on focuses on inequity in access to quality care and ensuring that research work meets the needs.
Source: Lancet
NETHERLANDS
Tickle Lab
Investigating how tickling works from an evolutionary perspective and its purpose is the role of Neuroscientist Konstantin Kilteni’s new tickle lab at Radboud University. Suggesting that the complex interplay of motor, social, neurological, developmental and evolutionary aspects Kilteni says that subject is under-researched to date.
Source: goodnewsnetwork.com
UNITED STATES
Accelerated Aging in Children living with Multiple Sclerosis
A first of its kind study at University of California San Diego School of Medicine has revealed signs of premature biological aging in teenagers with MS pointing to new treatment possibilities beyond immunosuppression.
Source: uscd.edu
