Aims The risk of mortality from the coronavirus disease that emerged in 2019 (COVID-19) is increased by comorbidity from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Air pollution also causes excess mortality from these conditions. Analysis of the first severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1) outcomes in 2003, and preliminary investigations of those for SARS-CoV-2 since 2019, provide evidence [...]
An experimental COVID-19 vaccine being developed in the United Kingdom produces an immune response in both younger and older adults, British drug maker AstraZeneca said, raising hopes in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, also triggers lower adverse responses among the elderly, AstraZeneca, which is helping manufacture the [...]
Summary What is already known about this topic? Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) incidence in California has increased significantly since 2014. What is added by this report? During 2016–2017, 42.4% of California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey respondents reported general Valley fever awareness, but only 25.0% of persons living in a high-incidence region were aware that they lived where Coccidioides spp. exist. [...]
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) is a tasty edible herb closely related to sweet basil, but with distinct health benefits as an herbal medicine. These health benefits of holy basil extend to stress relief, sleep, anxiety, diabetes and many more aspects of health. Using holy basil is quite easy because it is available in many forms, including holy [...]
While most Lyme disease cases are confirmed in the summer, October and November are when the number of adult ticks carrying Lyme disease is highest and they are most active, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. “The adult ticks are emerging now and they are here to do two things – find a blood meal [...]
More than 120 people are part of a multi-country Salmonella outbreak linked to Brazil nuts. Since August 2019, the outbreak, caused by Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Anatum, has affected three European Union countries, the United Kingdom and Canada. The United States was one of more than 30 countries that received Brazil nuts from Bolivia contaminated with [...]
The post-9/11 anthrax attacks—when spore-laced letters were delivered to victims in the mail—terrorized the country. The government ordered millions of doses of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin to prevent the life-threatening disease—and then replenished the nation’s stockpile so that it might have enough in the event of a future attack. But after a few years, memory of the attacks began [...]
Abstract Some heavy metals have antimicrobial activity and are considered as potential alternatives to traditional antibiotic therapy. However, heavy metal tolerance genes (HMTG) have been already detected and coding different tolerance mechanisms. Considering that certain metals are promising for antimicrobial therapy, evaluation of HMTG dissemination in bacteria from sewage is essential to understand the evolution [...]
The present stance of the CDC rejects the notion that Norovirus can be transmitted through the air. Many microbiologists will tell you otherwise. When you consider the virus is responsible for 200,000 deaths annually, and that the global financial burden is estimated at a staggering $60 billion, it is important that we do all we [...]
Most look around but rarely down when they consider possible homes for germs. It’s probably best to rethink that. Hospital floors are particularly vulnerable to the gathering of infection-causing pathogens. While we don’t sit on or crawl around on hospital floors, they still are risky. Bedding, shoes, socks, clothing and a host of other items [...]
