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How the HPV Vaccine Significantly Lowers Cervical Cancer Death Rates

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The HPV vaccine has revolutionized cervical cancer prevention since its launch in 2006

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Between 2020 and 2024, there have been no cervical cancer deaths among women aged 20 to 24 in the UK. This unprecedented milestone is attributed to the effective rollout of HPV vaccines.

“The results are remarkable,” says Peter Sasieni from Queen Mary University of London. “It’s tragic when young women succumb to cervical cancer. The rapid deployment of the vaccine is a monumental triumph for vaccination, science, and public health.”

Various types of HPV are sexually transmitted and can lead to cellular changes that increase cancer risk. HPV-related cervical cancer can develop in women as young as their 20s, and globally, many still die from this disease.

The initial HPV vaccine was launched in 2006, and girls aged 12-13 in the UK have been vaccinated since 2008. In 2019, vaccination programs for boys were initiated to help prevent other HPV-related cancers, such as mouth, anal, throat, and penile cancers, while also reducing the spread of the virus.

This study serves as the first robust evidence that the HPV vaccine significantly lowers the rates of HPV infection and cervical cancer mortality. Research on cervical cancer incidence supports this assertion. Although it may seem straightforward to prevent deaths, Sasieni emphasizes that women less likely to get vaccinated also tend to miss screenings. This raised concerns that vaccines primarily protect those cancers detectable through early screening, rather than the more aggressive cancers that screening might miss.

Fortunately, this is not the case. Sasieni and his colleague Milena Falcaro have been tracking cervical cancer statistics in the UK and found no deaths among women aged 20 to 24 from 2020 to 2024, based on the latest data. Historically, about 23 deaths were expected. “I’ve never seen a year with zero deaths,” Sasieni remarked, “so five consecutive years without any is truly remarkable.”

This significant reduction is likely due to the HPV vaccination, with around 90% of women aged 20-24 in the UK having been vaccinated at age 12 or 13. “This promising information reveals that the HPV vaccine saves lives, allowing us to confidently tell this generation that cervical cancer and other cancers related to HPV are not a threat,” says Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination at NHS UK.

While this study primarily focused on cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine also targets other HPV-related cancers, benefiting both men and women by preventing genital warts.

Sasieni and Falcaro did note deaths among women aged 25 to 29, but these were significantly lower than anticipated. In total, they estimate that approximately 200 lives have already been saved, which is only the beginning. “The 200 lives estimated is only the surface, as it appears to provide long-term protection,” Sasieni stated. “In the future, we may project around 18,000 deaths that could be prevented due to the vaccine.”

However, the global coverage of the HPV vaccine remains low, and cervical cancer rates are still rising. There are concerns that death rates could increase as fewer teenagers receive vaccinations in the UK. “The concerning fact is that vaccine uptake has significantly dropped since COVID-19,” Sasieni warned.

“HPV vaccination remains crucial to the NHS’s goal of eradicating cervical cancer by 2040,” notes Temmink. “This safe and effective vaccine should be embraced by everyone eligible when offered.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Daily Tooth Brushing Lowers the Risk of Nosocomial Pneumonia

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The overlooked advantages of tooth brushing in hospitals

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Brushing your teeth while receiving hospital treatment can significantly decrease your risk of developing pneumonia.

Despite its benefits, many patients in hospitals neglect to brush their teeth. Reasons may vary, including forgetting a toothbrush, lack of motivation, or physical limitations. Additionally, healthcare providers often fail to prioritize routine oral hygiene for patients.

The largest randomized controlled trial in this area revealed that patients who received toothbrushes, toothpaste, and educational materials on dental care were 60% less likely to acquire pneumonia during their hospital stay, according to Brett Mitchell from Avondale University, Australia.

“This underscores the necessity of discussing pneumonia risks and the critical role of oral care and tooth brushing during hospitalization,” he states.

Pneumonia, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia, often arises due to medical devices disrupting normal respiratory functions. However, many hospitalized patients not on ventilators also develop pneumonia 48 hours post-admission. Ongoing research aims to uncover why this occurs and how to prevent it. Nosocomial pneumonia is notably linked to increased length of hospital stays, higher costs, and elevated mortality rates, as mentioned in this study.

“This is a crucial inquiry,” says Michael Klompas from Harvard University, who was not affiliated with the study. “Nosocomial pneumonia is among the most prevalent and lethal hospital-acquired infections, yet we lack concrete data on effective preventative strategies.”

Mitchell hypothesized a connection between the disease and oral bacteria. The oral microbiome can influence respiratory health as bacteria-laden droplets may be inhaled into the lungs. When hospitalized, a patient’s oral microbiome can shift, highlighting a pressing need for intervention, he explains.

Consequently, he and his team initiated a year-long randomized controlled trial involving 8,870 patients across three Australian hospitals to assess the impact of oral care on pneumonia risk. Mitchell presented the findings from this segment of the Nosocomial Pneumonia Prevention (‘HAPPEN’) study at the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID Global) conference in Munich, Germany.

In the study, each hospital divided participants into three groups, with no interventions in the first three months. After this period, one group received toothbrushes and toothpaste featuring motivational messages like “Brushing your teeth helps prevent pneumonia” and “Blow away pneumonia!” These brushes were designed with special handles for ease of use. Patients were also given QR codes linking to educational resources on the HAPPEN website.

After six months, a second group received brushes, followed by the third group after nine months, allowing all participants to practice tooth brushing for the study’s last three months.

To support medical staff, the research team provided oral care training for ward nurses and linked professional advice on their website. They encouraged nurses to remind patients about oral care and assist those who struggled with brushing.

During the non-intervention phase, only 15.9% of patients brushed their teeth daily. However, during the intervention phase, 61.5% of patients engaged in daily oral care, averaging 1.5 brushes per day. Web analytics showed that both patients and nurses frequently accessed information on the HAPPEN portal during this period, noted Mitchell.

Simultaneously, the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia unrelated to ventilators saw a significant decline, dropping from 1 case per 100 hospital days in the control group to 0.41 cases in the intervention group.

“This study is groundbreaking,” Klompas remarks, emphasizing the substantial sample size and randomized methodology. “Brushing your teeth while hospitalized not only promotes oral health but can also save lives.”

Piry Sipila from the University of Helsinki appreciates the profound risk reduction achieved through such simple interventions. “Patients were essentially provided with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and basic advice,” he observes. Nonetheless, outcomes may differ based on hospitalization reasons and patients’ usual oral hygiene practices.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Stem Cell Therapy Lowers Heart Failure Risk Following Heart Attack

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Mesenchymal stem cells tagged with fluorescent markers

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The largest trial conducted so far indicated that individuals who received a stem cell infusion right after a heart attack had a lower risk of developing heart failure compared to those who underwent standard treatment. This finding offers compelling evidence that stem cells may aid in the heart’s self-repair mechanisms.

Following a heart attack, the heart muscle sustains permanent damage and weakness, rendering the organ unable to adequately pump blood to meet the body’s needs, frequently resulting in heart failure. Presently, the only available treatments are heart transplants or pumps that can restore heart function.

To explore solutions, researchers turned to stem cells, which possess the remarkable capability to transform into various cell types. Nonetheless, prior studies evaluating their application post-heart attack have yielded inconsistent results. A 2020 study with 375 participants showed that bone marrow-derived cells, which include stem cells that evolve into blood cells, did not notably decrease mortality compared to standard therapies such as cardiac rehabilitation and medications aimed at lowering blood pressure, preventing blood clots, and managing cholesterol levels.

Armin Attar and colleagues from Shiraz University in Iran explored a different strategy. They employed mesenchymal stem cells capable of differentiating into structural cells such as cartilage and adipose tissue. These stem cells are also known to release substances that mitigate inflammation and promote tissue regeneration.

The researchers collected mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood and administered them into the hearts of 136 patients within three to seven days following their first heart attack. While these stem cells can also be extracted from the individual’s own adipose or bone tissue, the cultivation process can take up to a month. By utilizing umbilical cord blood samples, the team can provide treatments more swiftly and potentially enhance their efficacy, Attar explained. Another group of 260 participants received standard post-heart attack treatments.

After three years, individuals who received the stem cell therapy were, on average, 57% less likely to develop heart failure and 78% less likely to be hospitalized for heart failure compared to those receiving standard treatment. Furthermore, they exhibited significant improvements in cardiac function, suggesting that the therapy aids in the regeneration of heart tissue post-injury.

“This represents a significant advancement,” Attar remarked. Although the therapy did not lower mortality risk during the study period, the reduction in hospitalizations is still significant, according to Hina Chowdhury from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. “Heart failure is the predominant cause of hospital admissions in the U.S.,” she pointed out.

However, it should be noted that 80% of participants were male, leading Chaudhry to caution that it is uncertain how the therapy would affect women, who are more prone to heart failure post-heart attack. Attar’s team did not observe any gender differences in a separate analysis. This study was also restricted to young adults, with all participants aged between 18 and 65. “It’s beneficial to see distinctions among age groups, as younger individuals typically have enhanced regenerative abilities and recover better from cardiac injuries,” Chaudhry noted.

This research provides the most robust evidence to date that stem cells can aid in restoring heart function post-heart attack. Nevertheless, this treatment does not fully heal the heart. “There is no medication or treatment that can replace lost heart muscle cells,” Chaudhry emphasized. Still, she added, “This ongoing work is expanding our understanding of the heart’s regeneration process and how to achieve it.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

2-Inch Inhaler Lowers Asthma Attacks in Young Children

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Combination Asthma Inhalers are likely the best treatment choice for individuals of all ages

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Inhalers, providing both immediate and long-term relief, are already the standard treatment for mild asthma among individuals over 12 in the UK, US, and other regions. A recent study involving nearly 400 children in New Zealand indicates these inhalers are even more effective for younger kids, nearly halving the number of asthma attacks.

Team members have stated that whether these findings will prompt changes in national and international guidelines remains uncertain. Andy Bush from Imperial College London asserts that the evidence is compelling. “If you’re a child with asthma, I have those combinations,” he remarks.

The traditional treatment for mild asthma involved an inhaler containing salbutamol, which relaxes airway muscles for about 3-4 hours. These “rescue” inhalers were to be used as needed.

If the rescue inhaler was inadequate, patients were provided with a separate inhaler containing steroids that help reduce inflammation caused by asthma. These “preventive” inhalers required regular usage to ensure protective benefits. Bush comments, “Previously, I had to take inhaled steroids twice a day for them to work, but it’s now evident that’s not always necessary.”

Studies involving teenagers and adults have indicated that combination inhalers outperform the previous treatment method, even when used on an as-needed basis. The steroids found in these combination inhalers are budesonide, while the reliever is formoterol, which acts similarly to salbutamol but lasts for 12 hours.

Concerns regarding the use of combination inhalers by children have emerged due to potential growth effects from steroid components; however, the latest research showed no negative impact during the trial period. The study involved 360 children randomly assigned to use either budesonide-fluticasone or steroid fluticasone twice daily, with additional relief administered as required during severe asthma episodes.

In other studies, the use of combination inhalers led to a decrease in overall steroid intake, according to Bush. This is because using the inhalers on an as-needed basis causes the dosage of inhaled steroids to adapt according to symptom severity. Fewer attacks mean fewer individuals need to “step up” to the combination inhaler two times daily or rely on steroid pills.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Gastric Bypass Surgery Potentially Lowers Intestinal Cancer Risk

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Gastric bypass surgery is primarily utilized for weight loss, but it may provide other advantages

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A widely recognized form of weight loss surgery may lower the risk of colorectal cancer by changing the levels of bile acids in the bloodstream. These findings could pave the way for new bowel cancer treatments.

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is surgically altered to create a small upper pouch and a larger lower pouch. The small intestine is then connected to the upper pouch, allowing food and digestive juices to bypass most of the upper stomach and small intestine. Post-surgery, patients often feel fuller and experience quicker weight loss.

Earlier research indicated that this procedure is associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer; however, the underlying reasons remained unclear. To investigate further, Rebecca Kesselling of the University of Freiburg, Germany, and her team fed mice a high-fat diet until they reached approximately 50% of their starting weight. They then performed a partial gastric bypass on some of the mice, while the remaining mice underwent a sham surgery that did not alter their digestive systems.

To isolate the weight-loss effects of gastric bypass surgery, the team grouped the gastric bypass mice alongside half of the sham-operated mice. Over six weeks, the gastric bypass mice lost about 20% of their body weight on average.

Subsequently, the researchers implanted colorectal cancer cells into the colons of the mice. After an additional six weeks, it was observed that colon tumors in the gastric bypass mice were two-thirds smaller than those in the mice that either continued gaining weight or lost weight solely through diet.

Additionally, cancer spread to the liver was seen in only one out of twenty gastric bypass mice, while it occurred in most of the sham-operated mice.

“Both sham groups exhibited similar tumor levels, but weight loss alone could not account for the lower cancer risk, suggesting that gastric bypass involves additional factors,” Kesselling explains.

The researchers speculated that this might be attributed to alterations in bile acids, which are compounds that aid in fat digestion. These molecules are typically produced by the liver, move through the gallbladder, stomach, and small intestine, and then return to the liver via the bloodstream.

“Bile acids are reintroduced into the small intestine during bypass surgery,” Kesselling states, implying that this process may lead to variations in intestinal bacteria that chemically modify these molecules.

The mice that underwent gastric bypass surgery displayed lower levels of specific bile acids, known as primary bile acids, in both their colon and bloodstream compared to the sham group.

To further explore whether changes in bile acids influenced cancer risk, the team conducted a similar experiment with another group of mice. Instead of gastric bypass, these mice had surgery that redirected bile acids to the latter part of the small intestine without altering the stomach.

Significantly, the team noted that this surgery also lowered primary bile acid levels in the bloodstream and decreased the size and spread of colorectal tumors as effectively as gastric bypass surgery. This was supported by an additional experiment, where they identified that primary bile acids promote the growth of colorectal cancer cells in laboratory settings.

The results indicate that focusing on primary bile acids may hold promise for cancer treatment. “We might be able to leverage various oral medications designed to reduce these bile acids to replicate some of the advantageous effects of gastric bypass surgery,” notes Vance Albaf from Louisiana State University.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Revolutionary Breakthrough: One Dose of New Cholesterol Treatment Lowers Levels by 69%

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The innovative drug Single Shot can reduce cholesterol levels by as much as 69%. Preliminary findings from clinical trials have not yet undergone peer review.

Known as Verve-102, this treatment could revolutionize heart attack prevention and significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol) with a single injection.

While statins can achieve similar cholesterol reductions, they typically require daily administration.

“This is the future,” stated Professor Riyaz Patel, an academic from the University of London and a doctor at Barts Health NHS Trust involved in the trial – BBC Science Focus.

“This is not a fantasy; it’s reality. We are actively implementing it. I was providing this treatment to my patient during the exam.”

Unlike statins, which gradually lower cholesterol, Verve-102 aims for a one-time alteration by “turning off” a specific gene called PCSK9 in the liver. This gene is crucial in managing the levels of LDL cholesterol that the liver can detect and eliminate from the bloodstream.

In simpler terms, a reduction in PCSK9 means less LDL in the bloodstream.

“The results are stunning,” Patel remarked. “This drug disables a small segment of your DNA, and your LDL cholesterol will be permanently 50% lower thereafter. That’s a game-changer!”

Cholesterol builds up in blood vessel walls, leading to plaque formation that can obstruct blood flow.

Elevated LDL cholesterol levels heighten the risk of this buildup, prompting millions (over 40 million in the US and over 7 million in the UK) to take daily medications like statins for cholesterol management.

The VERVE-102 clinical trial included 14 participants with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder that heightens the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes due to extremely high LDL cholesterol levels.

Initial outcomes from Verve-102 injections show that all participants reacted positively to the treatment with no severe side effects.

Responses varied by dosage. The lowest dose group experienced an average LDL reduction of 21%, while the intermediate group showed a 41% reduction, and the high-dose group saw a 53% reduction.

Remarkably, one individual in the high-dose group achieved a 69% reduction in LDL cholesterol after receiving Verve-102.

Dr. Eugene Braunwald, a distinguished medical professor and Hershey’s professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who did not take part in the study, noted that the preliminary data is “promising” and indicates “the potential for a new era in cardiovascular disease treatment.”

Verve is actively recruiting participants for further stages of clinical trials involving even higher Verve-102 doses in the UK, Canada, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. The final results are expected to be revealed in the latter half of 2025.

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About our experts

Professor Riyaz Patel is a consultant cardiologist and clinical academic scholar at University College London (UCL) and Barts Health NHS Trust. He is a fully funded clinician scientist with the British Heart Foundation and serves as a professor of cardiology at UCL, where he investigates the causes of heart disease, focusing on cardiovascular risks and the genetics of coronary heart disease. He has established and led new cardiovascular prevention services at Barts Heart Center.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study finds that consuming more dark chocolate, instead of milk, lowers risk of developing type 2 diabetes

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A long-term US study found that consuming at least 5 servings of dark chocolate per week (1 serving equals a standard chocolate bar/pack or 1 oz) was associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes compared to infrequent consumption. However, increased milk chocolate intake was associated with increased weight gain.

Consuming dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Image credit: Sci.News.

The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased significantly over the past few decades, with an estimated 463 million people affected worldwide in 2019 and projected to rise to 700 million by 2045. I am.

Type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial disease characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, which can lead to a number of serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and vision loss.

A series of studies has highlighted the importance of lifestyle factors, such as a healthy diet, in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.

Higher total dietary flavonoid intake, as well as specific flavonoid subclasses, is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

Randomized controlled trials have shown that these flavonoids exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects that may benefit cardiometabolism and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, but the data are inconsistent. It wasn’t.

chocolate made from beans cacao tree (Theobroma cacao)one of the foods with the highest flavanol content and a popular snack around the world.

However, the association between chocolate intake and risk of type 2 diabetes remains controversial due to inconsistent results obtained in observational studies.

For new research, Liu Binkai Researchers at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health combined data from three longitudinal U.S. observational studies of female nurses and male health care workers who had no history of diabetes, heart disease, or cancer at the time of recruitment. .

They investigated type 2 diabetes and total chocolate intake in 192,208 participants and 111,654 participants over an average 25-year monitoring period using food frequency questionnaires completed every 4 years. We analyzed the relationship between chocolate subtype (dark and milk) intake.

Because weight change strongly predicts type 2 diabetes risk, the researchers also used these food questionnaires to assess participants' total energy intake.

In the overall chocolate analysis, 18,862 people developed type 2 diabetes. After adjusting for personal, lifestyle, and dietary risk factors, the authors found that people who ate all types of chocolate at least five times a week were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who ate little or no chocolate. We found that the incidence was significantly lower by 10%. .

In the chocolate subtype analysis, 4,771 people developed type 2 diabetes. After adjusting for the same risk factors, those who ate dark chocolate at least five times a week had a 21% significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes, but there was no significant association with milk chocolate intake. was not found.

Researchers also found that each additional weekly intake of dark chocolate reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 3% (dose-response effect).

Increased milk intake was associated with long-term weight gain, but dark chocolate intake was not.

Dark chocolate has similar levels of energy and saturated fat as milk chocolate, but the high levels of flavanols found in dark chocolate reduce the risk of saturated fat and sugar for weight gain and other cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes. may offset the effects of

“Increased consumption of dark chocolate, but not milk, was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes,” the scientists said.

“Increased milk intake was associated with long-term weight gain, but dark chocolate intake was not.”

“Further randomized controlled trials are needed to replicate these findings and further investigate the mechanisms.”

of study What was posted this week BMJ.

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Liu Binkai others. 2024. Chocolate intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study. BMJ 387: e078386;doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-078386

Source: www.sci.news