New Approach to Defeating Flu Shows Promise

New research on mice has shown that pulmonary administration of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) significantly reduces flu symptoms and prevents death after a lethal dose influenza virus. While GM-SCF therapy for humans as a flu...

US Population Living Longer

The age-adjusted death rate for the U.S. population fell to an all-time low of 741 deaths per 100,000 people in 2009 — 2.3 percent lower than the 2008 rate, according to preliminary 2009 death statistics released today by CDC’s National Center...

Wildlife Die-Offs Relatively Common, Recent Bird Deaths Caused By Impact Trauma

Large wildlife die-off events are fairly common, though they should never be ignored, according to the U.S. Geological Survey scientists whose preliminary tests showed that the bird deaths in Arkansas on New Year’s Eve and those in Louisiana were caused...

Number of Deaths From Avian Flu in Indonesia is the Highest Worldwide

The number of deaths from avian flu in Indonesia is the highest worldwide, due to a slow response rate and surveillance challenges, say specialists.

Medicaid Reimbursement And Childhood Flu Vaccination Rates Linked

Increasing the amount that physicians are reimbursed by Medicaid for administering influenza shots may raise vaccination rates among poor children. That is the conclusion of a study published online in the journal Pediatrics. Science Brief thanks to...

Zimbabweans Hit By Mysterious Flu Bug

According to reports in Zimbabwe’s state-run media a deadly flu bug with symptoms similar to those of the H1N1 virus has affected thousands of people in the country’s 10 provinces.

Guinness World Record Set for Most People Simultaneously Sanitizing Their Hands

Prior to the Philadelphia Union versus LA Galaxy soccer match on October 7, 2,151 fans achieved a new record with Guinness World Records for simultaneously sanitizing their hands. SCA, a global hygiene company, and its Tork® brand of away-from-home paper...

The Gambia Starts Week Long Nationwide AH1N1 Vaccination Campaign

A team of health workers spread across the Gambia has started a week-long nationwide vaccination campaign against the AH1N1 influenza or swine flu.

Advertising And Media Coverage About H1N1 Flu Reduced Public Concern

Advertising and media coverage about swine flu reduced public concern and improved the uptake of useful, protective behaviors such as hand-washing, according to new research led by Professor Susan Michie, UCL Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology...