Research Roundup: Antibiotic Resistance; Cancer; Genetic Risk-Scoring; Parkinson’s
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
CIDRAP:
Study Suggests Poor Environmental Controls May Aid Spread Of Resistant Pathogens
A new study by an international team of researchers suggests that in countries where people and livestock live in proximity and use many of the same antibiotics, inadequate sanitation and environmental controls could be aiding the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. (Dall, 9/27)
ScienceDaily:
How A Small Strand Of RNA Is Key To Fighting Cancer
A team of researchers has shown that a single, small strand of microRNA, or miRNA, known as let-7, governs the ability of T-cells to recognize and remember tumor cells. This cellular memory is the basis for how vaccines work. Boosting cellular memory to recognize tumors could help improve cancer therapies. The research suggests a new strategy for the next generation of cancer-fighting immunotherapies. (University of Massachusetts Amherst, 9/25)
ScienceDaily:
New Method Can Improve Assessing Genetic Risks For Non-White Populations
A team led by researchers has developed a new algorithm for genetic risk-scoring for major diseases across diverse ancestry populations that holds promise for reducing health care disparities. (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 9/25)
NPR:
A Gene Variant Raises The Risk Of Parkinson's For Some People Of African Descent
A global effort to make genetic studies more diverse has led to a discovery about Parkinson's disease, a common brain disorder that can impair a person's ability to move and speak. A team that included scientists from Lagos, London and the U.S. found a previously unknown gene variant that can nearly quadruple the risk of Parkinson's for people of African ancestry. (Hamilton, 9/24)
