Narrow Results

Aedes aegypti is the vector for numerous diseases in humans and other (reservoir) hosts, such as chikungunya, dengue fever and Zika virus. A new deterministic model is designed and used to assess the dynamics of the three diseases in a population where Aedes mosquitoes are abundant. The model to be designed incorporates the recently-released imperfect vaccine against dengue virus (Dengvaxia${}^{\circledR }$ vaccine by Sanofi Pasteur) as well as allow for sexual transmission of Zika. Further, the model allows for the assessment of the population-level impact of three biological hypotheses, namely a competitive dengue–chikungunya–Zika superinfection hierarchy, an antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue over Zika and that the Dengvaxia vaccine can induce reduced susceptibility to Zika infection in vaccinated individuals. After carrying out detailed theoretical analyses to gain insight into its qualitative features, the model is then fitted to the data recorded during the 2015–2016 outbreaks of the three diseases in Mexico. Simulations of the model show a reasonable fit to observed dynamics consistent with the competitive hierarchy assumed for the interactions of the viruses. Furthermore, Zika transmission dynamics is only mildly affected by changes in the parameter related to the infectiousness of Zika in relation to dengue, even in the region where antibody-dependent enhancement is assumed. The dengue vaccine has a very marginal impact on Zika transmission dynamics (and that the vaccine, no matter the coverage and efficacy levels, is unable to reduce the reproduction number for Zika transmission to a value less than unity). The model is extended to include the effect of seasonality and local weather variability (temperature and rainfall) on the dynamics of the three diseases. Simulations of the resulting non-autonomous model, using weather and demographic data for Mexico, show that for the current mean monthly rainfall value for Mexico, the burden of the three diseases increases with increasing mean monthly temperature in the range 16–29${}^{\circ }$C, and decreases with increasing mean monthly temperature thereafter. Additionally, for the current fixed mean monthly temperature and rainfall data for Mexico, simulations show maximum transmission activity of all three diseases if the temperature and rainfall values lie in the range 25–26.4${}^{\circ }$C and 90–128mm, respectively (these values are typically recorded in Mexico during the months of June, July and September). Simulations for two Mexican states (Oaxaca and Chiapas) where the three diseases are endemic show maximum transmission activity for all three diseases when temperature and rainfall lie in the ranges 20–25${}^{\circ }$C and 51–102mm for Oaxaca (these ranges are recorded during the months of May through September) and 19–21${}^{\circ }$C and 85–107mm for Chiapas (there ranges are recorded during the months of May, July, August and October), respectively. These simulations suggest suitable time when anti-mosquito control efforts should be intensified in Mexico (and the two selected states).

The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic is depicted to have high spatial diversity and slow growth, attributable to the dynamics of the mosquito vector and mobility of the human populations. In an effort to understand the transmission dynamics of Zika virus, we formulate a new compartmental epidemic model with a system of seven differential equations and 11 parameters incorporating the decaying transmission rate and study the impact of protection measure on basic public health. We do not fit the model to the observed pattern of spread, rather we use parameter values estimated in the past and examine the extent to which the designed model prediction agrees with the pattern of spread seen in Brazil, via reaction–diffusion modeling. Our work includes estimation of key epidemiological parameters such as basic reproduction number ($R_0)$, and gives a rough estimate of how many individuals can be typically infected during an outbreak if it occurs in India. We used partial rank correlation coefficient method for global sensitivity analysis to identify the most influential model parameters. Using optimal control theory and Pontryagin’s maximum principle, a control model has been proposed and conditions for the optimal control are determined for the deterministic model of Zika virus. The control functions for the strategies (i) vector-to-human contact reduction and (ii) vector elimination are introduced into the system. Numerical simulations are also performed. This work aimed at understanding the potential extent and timing of the ZIKV epidemic can be used as a template for the analysis of future mosquito-borne epidemics.

Next-Generation Large Molecule Affinity Purification Solution Improves Biotherapeutic, Disease Biomarker and Sports Anti-Doping Bioanalysis.

MR Solutions Brings New 3D, 1000X Magnification Imaging Modality to Preclinical Research.

Using Saltidin to Guard Against the Zika Virus.

Nagasaki University Hospital Boosts Patient Care and Safety with Zebra Technologies' Enterprise-Class TC55 Touch Computer.

CSIRO Uses Dell Supercomputer to Help Combat Post-Childbirth Complications in Women.

Philips Launches “World's Sleepiest Website” to Help Restless Sleepers Maximize Their Slumber.

Telstar Aeolus Proven to Consume Up to 35% Less Power than the Current Market Average.

SINGAPORE – Mitigating Disease Outbreaks with Smart Mapping Technology.

SINGAPORE – Nestlé Expands Research and Innovation Activities in Asia with New Research Centre in Singapore's Biopolis.

UNITED STATES – Cornell Researchers Report Blood-Brain Barrier Breakthrough.

UNITED STATES – Blueberries May Offer Benefits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

UNITED STATES – New Mouse Model to Aid Testing of Zika Vaccine, Therapeutics.

UNITED STATES – Harvard Scientists Report on Novel Method for Extending the Life of Implantable Devices in situ.

UNITED STATES & INDIA – Government Use of Technology Has Potential to Increase Food Security.

UNITED KINGDOM – OGT Develops New FISH Probes in ‘Outstanding’ Innovate UK Project.

UNITED KINGDOM – FEI Partners with Five Pharmaceutical Companies, the Medical Research Council and the University of Cambridge to Form Cryo-EM Research Consortium.

RUSSIA – Innovative Russian Medicine Mobilises Human Immune System to Fight Cancer.

AUSTRALIA – Positive Clinical Data from CAVATAK™ and YERVOY^® Combination Presented at the 2016 AACR Annual Meeting.

JAPAN – Bayer Receives Approval for Xofigo^® in Japan.

Tai chi may be more effective than aerobic exercise in relieving pain.

World’s first global index on China’s biopharma industry launched in U.S.

Food wasted in China could feed 30-50 million.

Agricultural high-tech zone in Chongqing.

China embraces modern agriculture.

Top science authority to be given wider role.

Chinese scientists analyze human brain’s “CPU”.

Chinese scientists discover protein that facilitates transmission of Zika virus.

New chemotherapy strategy to combat metastatic breast cancer.

Chinese scientists develop novel hydrogel for postsurgical cancer treatment.

Elsevier collaborates with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine to enable deeper research into traditional Chinese medicine.

Active vitamin D3 derivative for osteoporosis treatment accepted in China.

ProClinical expands global capabilities with opening of Shanghai office.

ASIA-PACIFIC – The secret to bats’ immunity

ASIA-PACIFIC – Rice can drown too

ASIA-PACIFIC – Eating mushrooms may reduce risk of cognitive decline

ASIA-PACIFIC – Reduce sugar intake to protect pancreas

ASIA-PACIFIC – Mother’s previous exposure to dengue may worsen Zika-infected baby’s brain abnormality

REST OF THE WORLD – Cashews may have fewer calories than previously thought

REST OF THE WORLD – A quarter of adults have never had their hearing checked

REST OF THE WORLD – Green tea cuts obesity in mice

REST OF THE WORLD – Potential new treatment for heart attack

REST OF THE WORLD – Vaccine developed to treat osteoarthritic pain

The following topics are under this section:

• Asia-Pacific — Early treatment of vision and hearing problems can contribute to enhancing health for older adults
• Asia-Pacific — Study finds association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder various biomarkers and health conditions
• Asia-Pacific — Japanese scientists discover new species of non-blooming orchids on Japanese subtropical islands
• Asia-Pacific — Improving sleep quality through short mindfulness training programmes
• Asia-Pacific — Breakthrough research in genetic engineering for precision agriculture boosts microbial manufacturing
• Asia-Pacific — Alteration of intrinsic properties of non-magnetized metals using light
• Asia-Pacific — Wireless manipulation of brain cells to help in neurological disease management
• Asia-Pacific — Relieving bottleneck in photosynthesis may have a major impact on food crops
• Asia-Pacific — Cardiac regeneration through novel dual stem cell therapy
• Rest of the World — American Heart Association advices prescription of omega-3 fatty acid medications to lower triglyceride levels
• Rest of the World — Evasion of immunodeficiency viruses by our ancestors
• Rest of the World — Detection of unreported cases of Zika virus during 2017 outbreak
• Rest of the World — How scorpion toxin is helping researchers solve the mystery of chronic pain

In this paper, we investigate communication among Twitter users in the context of the 2016 Zika crisis, to understand how influencers and audiences contribute to agenda setting in health crisis communication. We analyse the content of 146,953 Zika-related tweets posted between April and September 2016 and examine how discussion topics vary by network community and user involvement over time. We argue that audiences adopt a broad view of health crisis-related issues and advocate for long-term solutions drawn from theories of active audiences and agenda-setting. Based on our observations on the Zika crisis case, we propose a framework for the dynamics in health crisis communication, which suggests a shift of discourse from a short-term perspective on specific issues to a long-term perspective on broader issues. The research contributes to the KM literature by suggesting a new method for converting individual tacit knowledge to collective explicit knowledge. Applying the framework to the coronavirus pandemic conversations can offer significant insights into the crisis.

Zika virus infection, which is closely related to dengue, is becoming a global threat to human society. The transmission of the Zika virus from one human to another is spread by bites of Aedes mosquitoes. Recent studies also reveal the fact that the Zika virus can be transmitted by sexual interaction. In this paper, we use the fractional derivative with Mittag–Leffler non-singular kernel to study Zika virus transmission dynamics. This fractional is also known as the Atangana–Baleanu Caputo (ABC) derivative which is employed for the resulting system of ordinary differential equations. We investigate the proposed Zika virus model by using the Legendre spectral method. The model parameters are estimated and validated numerically by investigating the effect of fractional order exponent on various cases such as Susceptible human, infected human, asymptomatic carrier, exposed human, and recovered human. Numerical results obtained with the proposed method have been compared with exact solutions, showing in all parameters a very satisfactory agreement.

Climate change, travel, and urbanization contribute to increasing exposure to Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya. Lab-based diagnostics are required because of overlapping clinical presentations. Here we review the current diagnostic methods, and find them poorly adapted to point of care use in resource-limited settings: generally, serologic assays are hindered by cross-reactivity while molecular assays require laboratory conditions. We conclude that a differential diagnostic device is critically needed, requiring a simpler molecular assay kit that maintains high sensitivity and specificity.

The current concern over the Zika virus is far greater than documented in the historical record. This short review provides context to the current concern over a possible pandemic and provides a comprehensive bibliographic review of Zika virus literature organized into several key thematic areas.

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can have devastating effects on the foetus leading to congenital Zika syndrome. It is relevant therefore for couples living in countries with endemic Zika virus to understand the strategies they can utilise to reduce the chance of infection. In addition, couples planning pregnancy, or who are already pregnant, travelling to countries with Zika virus need to be informed of the potential risk and implications for future reproductive planning.