NEW YORK TIMES - Determining why one twin becomes infected in the womb while the other does not may illuminate how Zika crosses the placenta, how it enters the brain, and whether any genetic mutations make a fetus more resistant or susceptible to Zika infection. Perhaps the virus entered through a weak spot in one placenta’s membrane, said ERNESTO MARQUES, an infectious disease expert at Pitt Public Health and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Recif...
Congratulations to NOAH SALAMA (IDM '17) on his recent acceptance into University of Rochester's 8-year MD/PhD program. As a Pitt MS student, Salama worked with Dr. Amy Hartman on research into viral immune response. His thesis was entitled "Analysis of Peripheral Immune Responses for the Development of an NHP Animal Model for Encephalitic Alphaviruses EEEV, VEEV, and WEEV."
A new study represents an important advance toward better treatments and even a cure. “The immune system stays activated, angry, upset and inflamed despite current treatments, and that’s not good,” said study leader JOHN MELLORS of infectious diseases and microbiology. The research, involving various research centers including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, counters the idea “that inflammation and immune-cell activati...
INGRID GODFREY (IDM), pictured, and CLAY COOK (BCHS), both Peace Corp Volunteers in Moldova, were delighted to receive the care packages sent by friends via the Center for Global Health. The boxes were filled with cards and small, non-perishable items like candy, magazines, lightweight books, and small personal care items.
MPH students ERIN COX (EPI) and ALISON FEATHERS (IDM), along with members of the National Health Corps Pittsburgh, represented the Allegheny County Health Department at the Carnegie Science Center’s annual Sci Tech Days. They presented information about Lyme disease to middle and high school student participants.
Dozens of Pitt Public Health grads from the capital area gathered at Penn Social during the 2017 ASPPH annual meeting, joining Dean Burke and host faculty for hearty conversations and refreshments. If the forecast of snow scared you away, we missed you! Access our photo albums anytime at www.publichealth.pitt.edu/flickr.
NEW YORK TIMES - In the impoverished northeast, devoted parents live around the needs of children whose grave disabilities are only beginning to be understood. “These babies, most of them or all of them, they’re going to live very long lives, you can keep them alive a long time, and they will need assistance from someone 24 hours a day,” said ERNESTO MARQUES, an infectious disease expert at the University of Pittsburgh and the Oswaldo Cruz Founda...
INFECTIOUS DISEASE ADVISOR - Work of study co-author and IDM professor JOHN MELLORS reported that different clonal virus populations can be recovered from the two cell types. The findings suggest that inducible virus production may be a good marker of the latent infectious reservoir in both cell types. Identifying the sources of latent HIV and developing tools to measure improvements in therapies are essential for clinicians and their patients.
Congratulations to EMILY ROBBINS (IDM '16) on her new position with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH). She will work as an epidemiology program associate in waterborne diseases with an initial primary focus on Legionella prevention within the community.
PITT NEWS - Peter Salk knows the last step to eradicating polio: teamwork.
According to him, his father, Jonas Salk--the inventor of the injected polio vaccine in 1952--knew more than research would be necessary to eradicate the virus: “Cooperation brings us results. But he knew we have to deal with the issues that arise from man’s relationship to man.”
Salk spoke to 150 students, professionals, and Pittsburghers about achieving polio eradi...