New Atlas

Medical Audio available

Sugary gel allows vaccines to be transported where refrigeration is lacking

David Szondy May 23, 2019

In an effort to make vaccines more available to people in difficult to reach areas, a team of scientists at McMaster University has developed an inexpensive, sugary gel that can preserve heat-fragile antiviral vaccines for over eight weeks at temperatures up to 40° C (104° F).

A new technique preserves vaccines at temperatures up to 40° C, making transport easier and cheaper

Medical Audio available

Imaging innovation brings oral hepatitis B vaccine closer to reality

Rich Haridy May 5, 2019

A collaboration between physicists and immunologists has provided new insights into ways to optimize the efficacy of oral vaccines. The research is working towards an oral hepatitis B vaccine that is safer, cheaper and more easily administered than the current injectable alternative.

A new oral hepatitis B vaccine will not need refrigeration, allowing for cheap and easy transportation ...

Biology Audio available

Possible white-nose vaccine shows promise in bat tests

Ben Coxworth May 2, 2019

Caused by a fungus known as Pseudogymnoascus destructans, white-nose syndrome is currently killing bats across North America at an alarming rate. There may be hope, however, as a potential vaccine has recently been shown to be effective at warding off the disease.

A little brown bat affected with white nose syndrome, which is visible as white fuzz around ...

Medical Audio available

Success in first phase of human trials for colorectal cancer vaccine

Rich Haridy April 25, 2019

Positive early results from the first phase of human testing for a unique colorectal cancer vaccine are proving promising. A newly published study outlining the Phase I trial results suggests the vaccine is safe, and stimulates immune activation, paving the way for larger human trials.

A vaccine for colorectal cancer is all set for larger human trials to commence later this ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Massive roll out of world’s first malaria vaccine commences in Africa

Rich Haridy April 23, 2019

The world’s first malaria vaccine is beginning a wide roll out commencing in Malawi before being introduced into Ghana and Kenya over the following weeks. This initial pilot program is aimed at children up to two years of age, with over one million expected to be immunized over the next three years.

After 30 years of development the vaccine is set to be administered to over a million ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

"Global measles crisis" as WHO reports cases up 300% from last year

Rich Haridy April 16, 2019

Preliminary measles surveillance data released by the WHO has revealed a stark surge in global cases over the first three months of 2019. The data indicates measles cases are 300 percent higher than at the same time in 2018, with major outbreaks currently occurring in a dozen different countries.

Measles cases around the globe are soaring to levels not seen in decades

Medical Audio available

Injecting immune stimulants turns tumors into "cancer vaccine factories"

Nick Lavars April 8, 2019

Scientists at New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made an exciting breakthrough in the realm of cancer treatment, describing a new way of supercharging the body's immune system so that it can take the upper hand and destroy tumor cells around the body.

Scientists have come up with a new way to enhance the body's immune system in its ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

No link between MMR vaccine and autism, massive decade-long study confirms

Rich Haridy March 6, 2019

A new study has further dispelled the myth of a link between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism. Following over half a million children for more than a decade, the research found the MMR vaccine does not trigger autism, even in children with high specific autism risk factors.

A massive study has looked at 650,000 children and found no evidence to suggest the MMR ...

Health & Wellbeing

Microneedle patch packs silver nanoparticles for safer vaccinations

Ben Coxworth March 5, 2019

Although it's important to get vaccines to people in developing nations and elsewhere, it's also crucial that those medications subsequently be administered in a safe and sterile manner. A new microneedle patch could help, as it incorporates bacteria-killing silver.

An illustration depicts the microneedle patch in microbe-killing action

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Measles resurgence raises concerns over vaccine exemptions

Rich Haridy February 10, 2019

A major measles outbreak in Washington state is being blamed on low-vaccination rates. In response, Washington lawmakers are currently debating a measure seeking to remove a current exemption that allows parents to refuse vaccinating their child based on philosophical or personal beliefs.

Officials in Washington are debating removing personal belief vaccine exemptions in the wake of an ongoing ...