Heart Failure Death Risk Drops 50% in Those Who Receive Flu Vaccine
A new study shows people with heart failure who receive a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine have a 50 percent drop in the risk of death during flu season and a 20percent drop in the risk of death during the rest of the year.
Immune System Response Discovery in Newborns Could Lead to Earlier Vaccine Administration
Researchers at the TCD School ofMedicine and the National Children’sResearch Centre in Ireland have discovered a distinct immune response in newborns that could lead to both earlier vaccine administration and reduced need for multiple booster shots.
Current Pertussis Vaccine Mounts a Weaker Recall Response with Booster Shots
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology have found individuals who had been inoculated with the newer pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine as part of their initial series of shots mount a weaker recall response when receiving booster shots later on.
The Future of Cord Blood
Once thought to be a useless byproduct, umbilical cord blood now treats more than 80 diseases, and it may soon be used to treat more.
Vaccines in the Pipeline
Research is paving the way for new preventive vaccines for many different illnesses.
New Pill May Kill the Flu Virus in Patients in 24 Hours
Japanese drug maker Shionogi has created an experimental compound delivered via a single-dose pill that has been shown to effectively kill the influenza (flu) virus in patients within a single day.
Plasma Exchange with 5% Albumin Associated with Marked Stabilization of Brain Perfusion in Alzheimer’s
Plasma exchange with 5% albumin replacement was associated with marked stabilization of brain perfusion in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease during a 21-week treatment period and reduced perfusion loss compared to control subjects at six-month follow up, according to findings from a sham-controlled Phase II clinical trial.
Study Shows Fever During Pregnancy Increases Risk of Autism at Birth
Researchers at Columbia University in New York have found children born to mothers who experience fever, especially multiple fevers, during the second trimester of pregnancy are at increased risk for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Study Finds Antibiotics Can Weaken the Immune System
Researchers have found antibiotics can be counterproductive and weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off bacteria.
Study Shows Antabuse Lowers Risk of Death from Cancer
A nationwide epidemiological study showed cancer patients who continuously used disulfiram (Antabuse), a drug prescribed to alcoholics to prevent them from drinking, have a lower risk of death from cancer compared to those who stopped using the drug once diagnosed.