Growing Skyscrapers: The Rise of Vertical Farms Nov 17, 2009
Even more of a problem are life-threatening parasitic infections, such as and schistosomiasis. Furthermore, the common practice of using human feces as a fertilizer in most of Southeast Asia, many parts of Africa, and Central and South America (commercial fertilizers are too expensive) facilitates the spread of parasitic worm infections that afflict 2. (Scientific American)
Tap wealth of local products emerging to fight 'neglected' diseases of poor: study Nov 3, 2009
NTDs include trachoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide, elephantiasis, leprosy, dengue fever, hookworm infection and schistosomiasis ... FK Biotecnologia (Porto Alegre, Brazil) is developing point of care diagnostic testing platforms for Chagas' disease, dengue fever, leptospirosis, and syphilis, and is developing tests for schistosomiasis and treponematoses ... Vision Biotech (Cape Town, South Africa) is developing rapid diagnostic test platforms for African... (EurekAlert!)
Lengthy International Travel Tied to Health Problems Oct 17, 2009
They were also much more likely to come down with leishmaniasis, a disease caused by a parasite transmitted by a tiny sandfly that can lead to severe scarring, and the parasitic worm disease schistosomiasis. "Many common infections seen in long-term travelers are preventable by vaccines, vector avoidance, food/water precautions, and avoidance of soil and fresh water," the researchers note. (MEDLINEplus)
What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million / ht / yr: Experts Oct 16, 2009
"The threat to public health is real, as the majority of emerging diseases come from wildlife," says Dr. Smith, who listed dozens of fevers, encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis among the health threats. Just 100 inspectors at US borders are tasked with inspecting the shipments, she adds. (EurekAlert!)
Grant money flowing to UGA Sep 26, 2009
7 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a project that aims to find ways to combat schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that afflicted 200 million people in tropical areas around the globe with chronic illness. But UGA scientists who specialize in alternative fuels research also helped boost the total with several million dollars worth of federal grants, Lee said. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Africa: Harmonise the Efforts of Scientists Sep 26, 2009
As many as 100 million people in Africa suffer from schistosomiasis, a chronic illness caused by a parasite associated with freshwater snails ... Sanaa Botros, professor of pharmacology at Egypt's ministry of scientific research, is one of the leading researchers into the treatment of schistosomiasis and other tropical diseases ... Some of my other research has been on one of the newly introduced drugs for schistosomiasis whose producers claimed 98 to 100 percent cure. (allAfrica.com)
Acai What is it and Where Does it... Aug 27, 2009
The Acai berry was also discovered to fight the disease schistosomiasis, which is transmitted by snails and affects more than 10 million Brazilians. The Acai berry is incredibly useful but was only known to the traditional tribes people of the Amazon for hundreds of years. (Suite101.com)
New analysis details devastating toll of neglected tropical diseases in sub-Saharan Africa Aug 25, 2009
The authors also say that high priority must be placed on examining the impact that reducing helminth infections might have on malaria and HIV/AIDS. In many parts of SSA, helminths are co-endemic with malaria, worsening the course of the disease; in others, schistosomiasis causes genital lesions and may increase a woman's susceptibility to HIV/AIDS.. "A full analysis of all Africa's NTDs is an essential step towards prioritizing these conditions relative to ongoing HIV/AIDs and malaria control... (EurekAlert!)
Cases of malaria reduced in Gomoa East Aug 11, 2009
measures to contain the outbreak of schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) reported in Ekwamkrom and its environs. He cautioned the people against bathing in streams and stagnant waters. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
UGA donations buck recession Aug 5, 2009
7 million grant to reduce morbidity from schistosomiasis, a disease that plagues much of Africa. Another donor pledged $10 million to help with a $40 million expansion and renovation of the UGA Athletic Association's Butts-Mehre Building, Landrum said. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Discovery to aid in future treatments of third-world parasites Jul 28, 2009
Saranac Lake, NY - Schistosomiasis, one of the most important of the neglected tropical diseases, is caused by infection with parasitic helminths of the genus Schistosoma ... No vaccine is currently available to prevent schistosomiasis ... Ultimately, these novel insights will help researchers in the field like Dr. Yazdanbaksh, who, in addition to her laboratory research, also oversees studies in schistosomiasis patients in Africa. (EurekAlert!)
Science uncovers genetic secrets of killer parasites Jul 17, 2009
The worms, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum, are the major cause of the debilitating disease schistosomiasis, otherwise known as Bilharzia ... Schistosomiasis cases top 200 million every year, with 20 million people seriously disabled by severe anaemia, chronic diarrhoea, internal bleeding and organ damage caused by the worms and their eggs, or the immune system reactions they provoke ... Researchers working on the genetic blueprint of S. masoni, the most widespread of the... (Guardian News, Nigeria)
Scientists decode genome of deadly parasitic worm Jul 16, 2009
-- Scientists have sequenced the genome of the parasite that causes intestinal schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia or snail fever), a devastating tropical disease that afflicts more than 200 million people in the developing world ... Schistosomiasis is one of several neglected tropical diseases prevalent across much of Africa, Asia, and South America and affects mainly poor populations living in areas where water is unsafe, sanitation inadequate, and basic health care unavailable ...... (EurekAlert!)
Genomes Of Parasitic Flatworms Decoded Jul 16, 2009
ScienceDaily (July 16, 2009) Two international research teams have determined the complete genetic sequences of two species of parasitic flatworms that cause schistosomiasis, a debilitating condition also known as snail fever ... Schistosomiasis cases top 200 million every year, and some 20 million people are seriously disabled by severe anemia, chronic diarrhea, internal bleeding and organ damage caused by the worms and their eggs, or the immune system reactions they provoke ... Though best... (Science Daily)
UCSF researchers help crack parasite genome, identify drug leads Jul 16, 2009
Two UCSF research papers this week are marking major breakthroughs in the effort to tackle schistosomiasis (bilharzia), a tropical disease that infects more than 200 million people worldwide and causes long-term debilitating illness and occasional paralysis or death ... Just one drug is currently widely available to treat schistosomiasis, which researchers say poses the risk of encouraging the parasite's drug resistance as aid organizations extend the current medication to more infected... (EurekAlert!)
Killer parasites' genes decoded Jul 16, 2009
Schistosomiasis cases top 200 million every year, with 20 million people are seriously disabled by severe anaemia, chronic diarrhoea, internal bleeding and organ damage caused by the worms and their eggs, or the immune system reactions they provoke ... " Since the 1980s, a cheap drug, praziquantel has been widely distributed to areas where the disease is common. However, although the drug is effective, it does not prevent a person becoming re-infected. There is also a risk that the parasites... (BBC News -- Health)
Gene Map Aims To Combat Blood Flukes Jul 5, 2009
S. mansoni, a blood fluke, is one of the major causes of schistosomiasis, a chronic disease, with varying symptoms depending on the organs affected ... Acute, hepatic and intestinal schistosomiasis are all commonly seen ... The World Health Organization estimates that more than 200,000 deaths per year are due to schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa alone, and points out that the chronic nature of the condition has a long-term disabling effect. (Science Daily)
New Insight On Therapy For Devastating Parasitic Disease Jul 3, 2009
A drug called praziquantel has been used as the main treatment for Schistosomiasis for several decades, but surprisingly, scientists have never understood how this drug works to kill the parasitic worms that cause this disease. Deciphering how this drug works is important because scientists could design new drugs that work in similar ways should the parasites develop resistance to praziquantel. (Science Daily)
Africa: Obama Administration Tackling Wide Range of African Issues - Johnnie Carson [interview] Jul 2, 2009
There is no question that aid that gets down to the grass roots - that is used to deal with issues of public health, to fight HIV/Aids, to assist people in dealing with malaria or schistosomiasis; that helps to build capacity - can be a critical and valuable element in our assistance policy. Corruption is an issue closely tied to the effectiveness of development assistance. (allAfrica.com)
Newsweek: Infectious diseases likely to increase Jun 24, 2009
The region became a hotbed for schistosomiasis where it didn't exist before; currently, more than 200 million people are victims. Among flies, too, malignant species are winning out: as a result of deforestation, sand flies have surged into human populations in South America and South Asia, infecting millions each year with leishmaniasis, a protozoan parasite that causes skin ulcers and attacks the liver, spleen and bone marrow. (MSNBC -- Health)
NIH Launches Drug Program for Rare Diseases May 21, 2009
One target under consideration for the NIH drug-development program is a potential new treatment for schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that affects about 200 million people world-wide and can cause internal bleeding and organ damage. In 2008 a team of researchers from NIH and Illinois State University wrote about chemicals that appear to inhibit an enzyme that's needed by the parasites that spread the disease to survive. (SmartMoney)
Tanzania combines beauty, culture with staggering problems Apr 29, 2009
After schistosomiasis and trypanosomiasis, I remember giggling nervously when she said plague. That at least I was familiar with. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Robot makes key artificial intelligence step: study Apr 4, 2009
Adam is a prototype, and King's team is at work on a follow-up robot, named Eve, which they say holds promise for scientists seeking new drugs to fight diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis. 2009. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Robot Scientist: First Machine To Make Discovery Apr 3, 2009
Adam is a still a prototype, but Prof King's team believe that their next robot, Eve, holds great promise for scientists searching for new drugs to combat diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis, an infection caused by a type of parasitic worm in the tropics. Prof King continued: "If science was more efficient it would be better placed to help solve society's problems. One way to make science more efficient is through automation. Automation was the driving force behind much of the 19th and... (Science Daily)
