GUV Light Shows Modest Impact on Reducing Respiratory Infections in Long-Term Care Facilities: JAMA

Australia: Researchers have found in a new randomized clinical trial that germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) light in common areas of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) did not reduce ARI incidence per zone per cycle, but did lead to a modest overall reduction in total acute respiratory infections (ARIs). GUV may serve as a supplemental infection control measure in such settings.

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine by Andrew P. Shoubridge and colleagues from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, evaluated whether GUV appliances could help lower ARI rates in older adult residents of LTCFs. Respiratory outbreaks in such facilities are associated with high hospitalization and mortality rates, and current infection control practices often do not adequately address airborne transmission.

The multicenter, double-crossover, cluster-randomized clinical trial involved four LTCFs in metropolitan and regional South Australia. Eight zones covering a total of 211,952 bed-days were assessed over 110 weeks between August 2021 and November 2023. Each facility was divided into two zones, which alternated between active GUV appliances and inactive controls in six-week intervention periods separated by washout phases.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • A total of 596 acute respiratory infections (ARIs) were recorded during the study.
  • Of these, 79.7% occurred during the intervention or control periods.
  • The control group had an incidence rate of 4.17 infections per zone per cycle.
  • The GUV intervention group recorded 3.81 infections per zone per cycle.
  • The incidence rate ratio was 0.91, which was not statistically significant.
  • A secondary time-series analysis showed a mean reduction of 0.32 infections per week in the GUV group.
  • This reduction translated to a 12.2% overall decrease in ARIs throughout the study.

The findings suggest that while GUV did not significantly impact infection rates within individual study cycles, it contributed to a modest but meaningful decline in total ARI cases over time. According to the authors, this supports the potential role of GUV as an adjunct to existing infection control measures, particularly in settings with vulnerable elderly populations.

The study did have several limitations. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health restrictions affected study design, data collection, and diagnostic testing capabilities. Limited access to facilities prevented environmental sampling, and movement between intervention and control zones may have influenced outcomes. Additionally, many ARI cases were not confirmed through laboratory testing due to constrained diagnostic resources, and the results are specific to commercially available GUV devices used in the trial.

Despite these constraints, the research highlights the potential of GUV-based strategies to help mitigate airborne respiratory infections in long-term care environments. If proven cost-effective, integrating GUV with conventional infection control protocols could strengthen preparedness against seasonal outbreaks and emerging viral threats.

The authors emphasize the need for further research to optimize GUV deployment patterns and assess their impact across various facility layouts and infection prevalence levels.

Reference:

Shoubridge AP, Brass A, Crotty M, et al. Germicidal UV Light and Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infection in Long-Term Care for Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. Published online July 28, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.3388

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Artificial biosensor can better measure the body’s main stress hormone

Cortisol is a crucial hormone that regulates many important bodily functions like blood pressure and metabolism, and imbalances of this stress hormone can lead to health problems.

Traditionally, cortisol levels must be measured in a doctor’s office or other clinical setting. But a new advance in the design of artificial biosensors paves the way for point-of-care testing and diagnoses with far greater accuracy than is currently available.

Andy Yeh, an assistant professor of biomolecular engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has invented an artificial, luminescent sensor that binds with cortisol in the blood or urine and then emits light to indicate the levels of the stress hormone in the body. A new study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society demonstrates that this technique can detect cortisol across all levels relevant to human health.

Yeh demonstrated that this biosensor can be used in combination with the camera on a smartphone to enable people to measure cortisol levels at home or in a clinic, with high levels of sensitivity and without the costly instrumentation of the lab, greatly expanding access to accurate measurement of this important health indicator.

Designed from scratch

Yeh is an expert in artificial protein design, a technique that uses AI-guided computation to design proteins completely from scratch. This varies from traditional approaches, which modify proteins found in the natural world.

To create a new detection system for cortisol, Yeh designed a protein-based biosensor in which the stress hormone triggers two designed proteins to come close to each other at the molecular level. This process leads to light emission, with more light indicating more cortisol.

To Yeh’s knowledge, this is the first example of a completely computationally designed biosensor that can perform with such high sensitivity and dynamic range for detecting a small molecule analyte. Using a camera to measure the amount and color of light emitted allows cortisol levels to be read with more sensitivity than current tests provide.

Point-of-care

This new diagnostic tool would be in a “mix and read” format-similar to the technique used in Covid-19 nasal swab rapid tests. The test requires just a drop of blood or urine, which is mixed with a solution that contains the biosensor. Then, a smartphone camera and app could translate the light emitted into a direct measurement of cortisol levels.

“You can read the signal directly-the output of the sensor is light emissions, so essentially you can just take a picture of the test with your smartphone,” Yeh said. “Ideally, that’s really field compatible.”

Dynamic results

The test’s high level of sensitivity is a vast improvement over traditional tests, which don’t usually offer enough quantitative results when outside of the cortisol normal range. Yeh’s solution covers a wider dynamic range, offering quantitative results for healthy, too-low, and elevated levels of cortisol.

“This sensor is very, very sensitive compared to the current standard methods used in the hospital,” Yeh said. “The dynamic range is huge compared to the traditional assay.”

Down the line, Yeh envisions that this technology may also be used in a drug-development or diagnostic setting to better understand and treat the health issues that arise from cortisol deficiencies or surpluses.

Reference:

Julie Yi-Hsuan ChenXue Peng, De Novo Design of High-Performance Cortisol Luminescent Biosensors, Journal of the American Chemical Society, DOI:10.1021/jacs.5c05004.

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Diet Strongly Influences Enamel Hypoplasia Risk in Children: Study

Researchers have found in a new study that high sugar intake and vitamin D deficiency significantly contribute to enamel hypoplasia in children, while calcium-rich diets provide a protective effect, highlighting the critical role of nutrition in dental health.

Enamel hypoplasia is a developmental defect of enamel characterized by incomplete or defective enamel formation. It is often influenced by genetic, systemic, and environmental factors, including diet. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 children aged 6–12 years from urban and rural schools. Data were collected through structured dietary questionnaires and oral examinations to assess the presence and severity of enamel hypoplasia. Dietary intake was classified into groups based on sugar frequency, calcium-rich foods, and vitamin D levels. Enamel hypoplasia was graded using the Modified Developmental Defects of Enamel Index (DDE Index). Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square tests and logistic regression to evaluate associations. Results: Out of 200 children, 72 (36%) exhibited signs of enamel hypoplasia. High sugar consumption was significantly associated with enamel hypoplasia (P < 0.001), with 48% of children in the high-sugar group presenting with defects compared to 18% in the low-sugar group. Calcium-rich diets were protective, as only 10% of children with adequate calcium intake showed enamel hypoplasia (P < 0.05). Vitamin D deficiency was identified in 62% of affected children, indicating a strong correlation (P < 0.01). Logistic regression revealed that high sugar intake increased the odds of enamel hypoplasia by 2.8 times (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6–4.7). Diet plays a pivotal role in the development of enamel hypoplasia in children. High sugar consumption and vitamin D deficiency are key contributors, while calcium-rich diets offer protection.

Reference:

Meena M, Aijazuddin A, Kumawat R, Saxena S, Rajput T, Jaidupally RR. Assessing the Impact of Diet on Enamel Hypoplasia in Children. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2025 Jun;17(Suppl 2):S1972-S1974. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1818_24. Epub 2025 Jun 18. PMID: 40655848; PMCID: PMC12244768.

Keywords:

Diet, Strongly, Influences, Enamel, Hypoplasia, Risk, Children, Study, Meena M, Aijazuddin A, Kumawat R, Saxena S, Rajput T, Jaidupally RR, Calcium, children, diet, enamel hypoplasia, oral health, sugar consumption, vitamin D

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A non-invasive test enables accurate detection of infant meningitis

A high-resolution ultrasound device has shown great accuracy in detecting suspected meningitis in newborns and infants, potentially offering a non-invasive alternative to lumbar puncture, the traditional diagnostic method.

This is the main conclusion of an international study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the ”la Caixa” Foundation, in collaboration with hospitals in Spain, Mozambique, and Morocco. The results have been published in the journal Pediatric Research.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. When caused by bacteria or fungi, it can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early. Even in cases where the disease is overcome, it can leave serious after-effects, such as neurological damage or cognitive disorders. Despite medical advances in recent decades, meningitis remains a major threat to child health, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where limited access to early diagnosis exacerbates its impact.

Current diagnosis: invasive and impractical

At present, diagnosing meningitis requires a lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid, which is then analysed in the lab for signs of inflammation, such as elevated white blood cell counts.

This is an invasive technique, with associated risks and significant practical limitations. In high-income countries, it is performed routinely even in cases of low suspicion, resulting in a large number of “normal” procedures and therefore a low diagnostic yield. Conversely, in low-income countries, the lack of resources means the test is rarely performed, leading to significant underdiagnosis or, in many cases, empirical and often inaccurate diagnoses.

The alternative: an ultrasound device

The aim of the study was to validate the NEOSONICS device, which uses high-frequency ultrasound applied through the baby’s open fontanelle —a membranous gap between the bones of the skull, which has not yet closed— to visualise and analyse cerebrospinal fluid. A deep learning algorithm interprets the images, identifies and counts the cells, and determines whether there are inflammatory signs consistent with meningitis.

The study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was conducted between 2020 and 2023 and included over 200 newborns aged up to 24 months from the Spanish hospitals Sant Joan de Déu, La Paz and Quironsalud, as well as Maputo Central Hospital (Mozambique) and the Hôpital d’Enfants de Rabat-Ibn Sina (Morocco). “The device was able to correctly classify 17 out of 18 meningitis cases and 55 out of 58 controls without meningitis,” explains Sara Ajanovic, researcher at ISGlobal and lead author of the study. “Specifically, it detected high white blood cell levels in cerebrospinal fluid with approximately 94% sensitivity and 95% specificity.”

The new device — cost-effective, portable and easy to use — could not only reduce the number of lumbar punctures, but also be used in clinically unstable patients where lumbar puncture is contraindicated. “Introducing a non-invasive tool could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, prevent complications associated with lumbar puncture, and improve both early diagnosis and non-invasive monitoring of treatment response,” explains Quique Bassat, ISGlobal’s director general, ICREA researcher and senior author of the study.

Artificial Intelligence and the future of diagnostics

The validation of NEOSONICS marks a first step towards its future incorporation into clinical practice. At the same time, other studies coordinated by ISGlobal are exploring the potential of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with ultrasound technology to enhance interpretation of results. Using advanced algorithms, AI enables image metrics to be analysed and texture patterns associated with inflammatory cells in cerebrospinal fluid to be detected, thus improving the system’s diagnostic capacity in cases of infant meningitis.

References: Ajanovic S, Jobst B, Jiménez J, Quesada R, Santos F, Carandell F, Lopez-Azorín M, Valverde E, Ybarra M, Bravo MC, Petrone P, Sial H, Muñoz D, Agut T, Salas B, Carreras N, Alarcón A, Iriondo M, Luaces C, Sidat M, Zandamela M, Rodrigues P, Graça D, Ngovene S, Bramugy J, Cossa A, Mucasse C, Buck WC, Arias S, El Abbass C, Tligi H, Barkat A, Ibáñez A, Parrilla M, Elvira L, Calvo C, Pellicer A, Cabañas F, Bassat Q; UNITED study group. Non-Invasive Meningitis Screening in Neonates and Infants: Multicentre International Study. Pediatr Res. 2025 Jul 23. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04179-7

Sial, H., Carandell, F., Ajanovic, S., Jiménez, J., Quesada, R., Santos, F., Buck, W. C., Sidat, M., UNITED Study Consortium, Bassat, Q., Jobst, B., & Petrone, P. (2024). Novel AI-driven infant meningitis screening from high resolution ultrasound imaging. In medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312709

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Study unfolds new frontiers in hair regeneration through immune system insights

Recent advancements in dermatology have highlighted the crucial role of dermal T cell immunity in regulating hair follicle regeneration and addressing immune-mediated alopecia. This emerging perspective offers promising insights into the mechanisms that govern hair growth, loss, and potential therapeutic interventions.

The intricate relationship between T cells and hair follicle regeneration is driven by key regulatory signaling pathways that dictate the activity of epithelial stem cells. Under normal conditions, these pathways maintain a balance between immune tolerance and hair follicle cycling, ensuring continuous hair renewal. However, when this balance is disrupted, immune-mediated disorders such as alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, and cicatricial alopecia can emerge, leading to varying degrees of hair loss.

At the core of this interaction, immune privilege of hair follicles serves as a protective mechanism, shielding hair follicles from immune attack. However, in conditions like alopecia areata, the collapse of this immune privilege triggers an autoimmune response, resulting in hair follicle destruction. The presence of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, coupled with an overactive Th1/Th17 inflammatory response, exacerbates follicular damage, preventing normal hair growth.

Emerging research suggests that modulating T cell activity through immune-based therapies could pave the way for novel treatments. The ability of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to suppress excessive immune responses presents an opportunity to restore immune balance and promote hair regrowth. Furthermore, advances in cytokine-targeting therapies and JAK inhibitors hold significant potential in reversing immune-driven hair disorders.

Beyond alopecia, understanding the role of T cells in hair regeneration is reshaping the future of regenerative medicine. The influence of Tregs on stem cell activation, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions underscores their broader application in tissue engineering and skin repair. These findings not only reinforce the importance of immune regulation in hair follicle biology but also open new avenues for developing precision therapies tailored to individual immune profiles.

With the increasing prevalence of hair loss disorders and the growing demand for effective treatments, immune-centered approaches represent a transformative shift in dermatology and regenerative medicine. By harnessing the power of dermal T cell immunity, the future of hair restoration is poised to move beyond conventional treatments, offering long-lasting solutions that target the root causes of hair follicle dysfunction.

Reference:

Nana Tao, Qingru Sun, Yuyuan Ying, Yitao Wang, Jianli Gao, Dermal T cell immunity and key regulatory signaling pathways: Implications in immune-mediated alopecia and hair regeneration, Genes & Diseases, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2025.101518.

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NEJM Study compares contraceptive efficacy and side effects of Mini copper IUD with other contraceptive devices

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that the NTCu380 Mini IUD provides the same pregnancy prevention with fewer side effects than the widely used TCu380A copper IUD. This is what they concluded after a large-scale randomized trial of almost 1,100 women between 16 and 40 years that both the IUDs are copper-bearing and share a surface area of 380 mm² but vary in size and user ratings. The study was conducted by Courtney A. and colleagues.

A total of 1,105 participants were recruited and were randomly allocated 4:1: 887 received the NTCu380 Mini, while 218 received the TCu380A. The majority of participants were nulliparous (744 [83.9%] in the NTCu380 Mini group and 183 [83.9%] in the TCu380A group), which renders the results especially applicable to younger or first-time IUD users. Participants were followed for 37 months and a measure of efficacy, the Pearl Index, was used as the major outcome indicator, determining pregnancies per 100 woman-years in participants aged 35 or less. Other outcomes were time to pregnancy survival analysis, adverse event rates, and continuation of the device.

Key Findings

  • The 3-year Pearl Index of the NTCu380 Mini IUD was 1.86 (95% CI: 1.20–2.74), and the cumulative 3-year pregnancy rate was 4.8% (95% CI: 2.8–6.9%).

  • Successful placement was accomplished in 98.6% of the NTCu380 Mini group and 97.7% of the TCu380A group.

  • Adverse events (AEs), 3.5% in NTCu380 Mini users and 1.9% in TCu380A users, reported serious AEs, although this was not a statistically significant difference (P = 0.28).

  • AEs that resulted in discontinuation were significantly lower with the NTCu380 Mini group, 20.8% versus 33.2% with TCu380A (P = 0.001).

  • Bleeding or pelvic pain resulted in discontinuation in 14.5% of NTCu380 Mini users compared with 27.3% of TCu380A users (P < 0.001).

  • Although both IUDs had high efficacy in preventing pregnancy, the NTCu380 Mini had an improved side effect and continuation profile.

  • Among users of the NTCu380 Mini, 449 participants (51.3%) had stopped use at the end of the study compared with 122 participants (57.3%) among the TCu380A group (P = 0.07).

  • This indicates a slightly better continuation among NTCu380 Mini users. The significantly lower discontinuation rate because of pain or bleeding also indicates its improved tolerability.

In a heterogeneous group of predominantly nulliparous women, the NTCu380 Mini IUD had an approximately 5% pregnancy rate at 3 years, with a reduced frequency of side effects that resulted in discontinuation compared with the TCu380A IUD. These findings validate the NTCu380 Mini as an effective and more acceptable alternative to available copper IUDs in clinical practice.

Reference:

Schreiber, C. A., Nanda, K., Hubacher, D., Turok, D. K., Jensen, J. T., Creinin, M. D., White, K. O., Dayananda, I., Teal, S. B., Chen, P.-L., Chen, B. A., Goldberg, A. B., Kerns, J. L., Dart, C., Nelson, A. L., Thomas, M. A., Archer, D. F., Brown, J. E., Castaño, P. M., … Blithe, D. L. (2025). Contraceptive efficacy and comparative side effects of a Mini copper intrauterine device. NEJM Evidence, 4(8), EVIDoa2400480. https://doi.org/10.1056/EVIDoa2400480

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Embracing Hope: Study assesses Impact of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Neurodevelopment in Preterm Infants

Preterm neonates face a heightened risk of neurodevelopmental impairments, and understanding protective factors against the adverse effects of preterm birth is critical. Recent study aimed to determine if immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) provides beneficial neurodevelopmental outcomes in these infants during early childhood. A total of 108 very preterm neonates, aged 28 to 31 weeks at birth, were randomly assigned to either immediate SSC or standard care. The median age for the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III) assessment at follow-up was approximately 24 months in the SSC group and 25 months in the standard care group, with no significant differences in cognitive composite scores between the groups. The analysis was carried out to detect differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes, yet results showed no clinically relevant distinctions.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical methods incorporated two-sample t-tests and adjusted mean differences via linear regression considering the neonates’ sex and maternal education. Follow-up was challenging, with an 80% retention rate, and assessments were performed across multiple criteria, including the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and General Movement Assessment (GMA).

Breastfeeding Outcomes

Breastfeeding practices were notably more favorable in the SSC group; more neonates were breastfed at discharge, and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding was longer compared to the standard care group. Despite these positive breastfeeding outcomes, there was no significant difference in identified risks for developmental delays between the two groups at the 2-3 year follow-up.

Implications of Findings

The study found that while SSC did not lead to improved neurodevelopmental outcomes, the increased rates of breastfeeding may suggest an indirect benefit related to maternal-infant bonding. The nonseparation approach, which promotes immediate contact post-delivery, aligns with global recommendations, highlighting the importance of nurturing environments for preterm infants.

Limitations and Future Directions

Limitations of the study included the exclusion of the sickest neonates and challenges in follow-up due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence of a healthy full-term control group also constrained comparative analyses. Despite these limitations, the results suggest that while immediate SSC does not significantly change long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories, it can enhance breastfeeding initiation and duration, thus fostering closer maternal bonds. Future resource allocation may benefit from emphasizing the practical implementation of SSC rather than focusing solely on neurodevelopmental outcomes, as the intervention holds promise for improving maternal-infant interactions.

Key Points

– -Target Population and Objective-: The study focused on 108 very preterm neonates (ages 28 to 31 weeks at birth) to evaluate the effects of immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) on neurodevelopmental outcomes during early childhood, given the increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments in preterm infants.

– -Randomization and Assessment-: Participants were randomly assigned to either an SSC group or a standard care group, with follow-up assessments of neurodevelopmental outcomes conducted at a median age of approximately 24 months for the SSC group and 25 months for the standard care group, revealing no significant differences in cognitive composite scores.

– -Statistical Methods-: Statistical analysis employed two-sample t-tests and adjusted mean differences through linear regression, accounting for variables such as neonate sex and maternal education, although follow-up faced challenges with an 80% retention rate.

– -Breastfeeding Practices-: The SSC group exhibited significantly improved breastfeeding outcomes, including higher rates of breastfeeding at discharge and longer durations of exclusive breastfeeding compared to the standard care group; however, there were no significant differences in developmental delays (assessed at 2-3 years) between groups.

– -Implications for Maternal-Infant Bonding-: Although immediate SSC did not enhance neurodevelopmental outcomes, the noted increase in breastfeeding rates suggests potential benefits for maternal-infant bonding, aligning with global health recommendations for nurturing environments for preterm infants.

– -Study Limitations and Future Directions-: Limitations included exclusion of the sickest neonates, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on follow-up, and the lack of a healthy full-term control group. The findings suggest that SSC may enhance maternal-infant interaction rather than significantly alter long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories, indicating that future resource allocation could prioritize the implementation of SSC over solely focusing on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Reference –

L. Kristoffersen et al. (2025). Immediate Skin-To-Skin Contact In Very Preterm Neonates And Early Childhood Neurodevelopment. *JAMA Network Open*, 8. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.5467.

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‘Tongue swallowing prevention maneuvers’ delay CPR, could contribute to brain injury or death for collapsed athletes

Despite widespread public health efforts, the dangerous myth of “prevention of tongue-swallowing” continues to persist during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). New research in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology exposes the mainstream and social media’s detrimental role in perpetuating this misconception, which often leads to critical delays in proper CPR for collapsed athletes.

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Higher ultra processed food intake linked to increased lung cancer risk

A higher intake of ultra-processed food (UPF) is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, suggests research published online in the journal Thorax.

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Exercise rehab can lessen severity, frequency and recurrence of irregular heart rhythm

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation lessens the severity, frequency, and recurrence of the most common form of irregular heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation, or AF for short, finds a pooled data analysis of the available research, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

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