Health
Researchers use patients’ cells to test gene therapy for rare eye disease
Scientists at the National Eye Institute (NEI) have developed a promising gene therapy strategy for a rare disease that causes severe vision loss in childhood. A form of Leber congenital amaurosis, the disease is caused by autosomal-dominant mutations in the CRX gene, which are challenging to treat with gene therapy. The scientists tested their approach using lab-made retinal tissues built from patient cells, called retinal organoids. This approach, which involved adding copies of the normal gene under its native control mechanism, partially restored CRX function.
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In Wuhan, WHO Team Begins Probe Into Coronavirus Origin
World Health Organization investigators exited a two-week quarantine Thursday in Wuhan, China, to begin their work in search of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Barbados PM Brings Back Lockdown to Bring Rise of COVID-19 Infections Under Control
The Caribbean island nation of Barbados will return to a two-week lockdown next Wednesday, which includes wearing a face mask in all public places, as part of an initiative to curtail a rise in COVID-19 cases.
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Peru President Announces Two-Week Lockdown to Curb a Rise in COVID-19 Infections
Peru begins a 15-day lockdown Sunday in nine regions and the capital, Lima, to curb a second surge in COVID-19 cases.
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WHO issues new 10-year plan to end suffering from neglected tropical diseases
A new World Health Organization (WHO) road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) proposes ambitious targets and innovative approaches to tackle 20 diseases which affect more than a billion mainly poor people and which thrive in areas where access to quality health services, clean water and sanitation is scarce.
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WHO announces updated definitions of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis
The definition of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has been revised by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global TB Programme, who have also defined pre-XDR-TB for the first time, highlighting the seriousness of these forms of TB. New definitions for pre-XDR and XDR-TB will help to define more precisely groups of TB patients who require complex treatment regimens. These new definitions are also expected to lead to better reporting, surveillance and monitoring of drug-resistant TB in countries. They may also stimulate the development of better treatment regimens for these dangerous forms of TB disease.
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CDC estimates 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have a sexually transmitted infection
New data published by the CDC estimate that on any given day in 2018, 1 in 5 people in the U.S. had a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The analyses show the burden of diagnosed and undiagnosed STIs in the U.S. and the estimated medical costs associated with STIs.
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NIH study compares low-fat, plant-based diet to low-carb, animal-based diet
Examples of dinners given to study participants: low-carb, animal-based diet (left) and low-fat, plant-based diet (right). Amber Courville and Paule Joseph, NIH
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NIH launches database to track neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19
The COVID-19 Neuro Databank/Biobank (NeuroCOVID) will be a resource of clinical information as well as biospecimens from people of all ages who have experienced neurological problems associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. NYU Langone Health
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Britain to Require COVID-19 Tests for Visitors to Prevent New Strains
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Friday that travel corridors into the nation would be closed to fight the spread of COVID-19.
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