Essential in public health. Google Street View predicts coronary heart disease risk based on the neighborhood you live in

Pollution linked to increasing number of cancers in young adults

A recent study published in Scientific Reports investigated trends in cancer incidence among young adults in New York State and the association between cancer and exposure to various environmental factors. The results showed that carcinogenic factors in the environment, even if they are present in small amounts, through chronic, long-term exposure, especially in the first part of life, represent one of the major risk factors in the occurrence of cancers in young people.

In the United States, the cancer it is the leading cause of morbidity and mortalityand exogenous factors such as lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to 70% – 90% of cancer risk in young people.

642,013 cancer cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2018 and data on risk factors between 2000 and 2009 were included in the study.

The results showed that cancer incidence among 25-49 year olds in New York State is bigger than the US national average for most types of cancer, with significant increases seen for breast cancer (14%), prostate cancer (25%), thyroid cancer (39.7%), and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (24.1%) ). Statistical models revealed positive associations between air pollutants (P.M_2.5mineral dust and ozone) and melanoma, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Among lifestyle factors, physical inactivity has been associated with thyroid cancer.

Google Street View predicts coronary heart disease risk based on the neighborhood you live in

Data about the appearance of buildings, green spaces, sidewalks or streets, obtained from Google Street View may indicate new types of factors that contribute to the risk of coronary heart disease. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, showed that factors in the urban environment may explain 63% from the variation in coronary heart disease risk between different city regions.

The research team from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, analyzed over half a million images of Google Street View in seven US cities and collected data on coronary heart disease rates in those regions. Using a based approach on artificial intelligencefound that certain characteristics of the built environment can provide important clues about the risk of coronary heart disease in different urban areas.

It was found that green spaces and pedestrian roads are associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, while unpaved streets are associated with greater risk. These findings could be useful in guidance urban plans to create a healthier living environment, but also to identify communities at risk.

Climate change favors the spread of infectious diseases outside their usual range

Infectious disease specialists draw a alarm regarding the impact climate change on the spread of diseases such as malaria, Lyme disease or infection with Zika virus.

Climate change has influenced the spread of diseases transmitted by vectorssuch as malaria and Lyme disease, by expanding the areas and periods of vector activity. Mild winters and long summers favored Lyme disease (tick-borne) cases in months such as January or February and in areas further north than the usual range.

Also, the changes in wild animal migrationthe loss the natural habitat and proximity to people have led to an increase in the number of zoonosessuch as the plague and infection with hantavirus (spread by rodents).

Another issue raised by experts refers to diseases considered endemic that will be found outside known areas. At the same time, sea ​​level rise and extreme weather events contribute to the spread waterborne infections (E. Coli, Vibrio).

Experts emphasize the need for more rigorous surveillance of infectious diseases and the training of medical teams to anticipate and manage changes in the pattern of these pathologies. They encourage the continued education of clinicians and the implementation of policies that reduce the impact of climate change, thereby protecting public health.

HIV infection could be cured by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing

The use CRISPR-Cas, “molecular scissors” that can “cut” viral DNA from infected cells could cure HIV infection. In a study conducted by a team of researchers from Amsterdam, it was demonstrated how gene editing technology allows the virus to be eliminated from infected cells. For now, the mechanism has been demonstrated on cell cultures, in the laboratory, but based on these results, a preclinical study will also be conducted.

The CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology, for which it was awarded Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2020, allows the performance of precise changes in the genome the patient. The method opens new perspectives in the treatment of HIV, addressing one of the major challenges of this infection: the integration of the virus into the host’s DNA, which makes it extremely difficult to eliminate. The researchers focused on parts of the virus genome that remain the same in all known strains of HIV from infected T cells.

The study, which will be presented at European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID, Barcelona, ​​27-30 April 2024), showed that the use of CRISPR-Cas, together with two molecules guide RNAmay be completely inactivates the virus and may remove its DNA from the host’s cells.

“We hope to strike the right balance between efficacy and safety with this therapeutic strategy. Only then can we consider clinical trials.” said Dr. Elena Herrera-Carrillo from the University of Amsterdam.

While the results are promising, the research team acknowledges that more time and effort is needed to turn this discovery into a widely available therapy for patients. Currently, HIV infection can be controlled with drugs antiretrovirals, but complete healing remained an unrealized goal. This research brings hope for the development of more effective and safer therapeutic strategies to manage and eventually cure HIV.

Conservation of biodiversity and natural habitats prevents pandemics

An international team of researchers has proposed a new strategy for preventing pandemics by conserving biodiversity and protecting natural habitats. This strategy is based on the assurance of sufficient food and safe shelters for wild animalsin order to limit the transfer of pathogens to humans.

Pandemics occur when infected animals, such as bats, come into contact with domestic animals and humans, transmitting to them the pathogens they carry. Viruses that can be carried by bats are SARS-CoV-2SARS-CoV-1, Nipah, Hendra and possibly Ebola.

For Hendra virus, for example, the transmission pattern is as follows: when bats lose their habitat and food sources, they will migrate in small groups to agricultural and urban areas, where they will excrete the virus in their urine. It falls on pastures and can infect horses and subsequently humans. But when natural habitats can provide adequate food, especially in the winter months, bats will stop migrating, limiting the spread of the virus.

“The world is more focused on how we can detect and control a new pathogen entering the human population, rather than asking how we can prevent this pathogen from entering the human population in the first place”said Raina Plowright, a professor at Cornell University.

Therefore, the research team proposes protecting areas where wild animals find food and shelter, to reduce contact between them and people. This approach includes protecting ecosystems and promoting biodiversity conservation policies to maintain the natural balance and reduce the risk of new pandemics in the future.