The Malaysian Insider :: Features
The Malaysian Insider :: Features |
| 83pc of infants worldwide get DPT vaccine Posted: 09 Nov 2012 01:22 AM PST  8 out of 10 infants received DPT vaccines in 2011. — shutterstock.com pic The good news is more than 8 infants out of 10 (83%) received DTP vaccines in 2011, which shows progress: 40 years ago, only 5% of infants worldwide received them. The report sheds light on the WHO's plan to increase worldwide vaccination rates for infants: "The Plan involves four goals: strengthening routine immunisation to meet vaccination coverage targets, accelerating control of vaccine-preventable diseases and introducing new and improved vaccines." "An accessible and well-functioning immunisation programme should be a key component of public health services in every country. By supporting countries to strengthen their health systems through the implementation of the new Global Vaccine Action Plan, we can increase global access to vaccines and make an impact on the lives of millions of people," comments Dr. Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele, the Director of WHO's Department of Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals, as part of the report. — AFP-Relaxnews |
| Brain protein mutation linked to autism, research shows Posted: 08 Nov 2012 11:17 PM PST  A study finds a protein that helps brain cells transfer data through neurological pathways called synapses was mutated in autism sufferers.©Shutterstock.com The study found a protein that helps brain cells transfer data through neurological pathways called synapses was mutated in autism sufferers, offering a likely explanation for their cognitive and behavioural difficulties. Principal investigator Johanna Montgomery, from Auckland University's Centre for Brain Research, said the mutated protein, called Shank3, provided exciting possibilities in the search for autism treatments. "(A treatment) is years away," she told AFP. "But we now know how it works, we know what goes wrong, so let's try to figure out a way to fix it. "Now we've got a focus for how we actually rescue this protein, to make it work appropriately again so that brain cells can communicate at the right levels." The two-year study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, was carried out by the Centre for Brain Research and Stanford University in the United States. Montgomery said researchers were beginning to understand the complex factors behind so-called autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which typically result in learning difficulties, lack of socialisation and repetitive behaviours. She said the condition was becoming more prevalent, partly due to more efficient diagnosis, with studies estimating it affects about one in 82 children. — AFP/Relaxnews |
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