GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

Malaria Suspected in Deadly Congo Outbreak as Laboratory Tests Show Positive Results

a month ago

• Initial laboratory tests suggest malaria as the likely cause of the mysterious illness that has killed 75 people and sickened 416 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with nine out of twelve samples testing positive. • Children under 14 years are disproportionately affected by the outbreak in Congo's western Kwango province, consistent with malaria's known impact on pediatric populations. • Geographic isolation has complicated response efforts, with the outbreak occurring 435 miles from the capital and the nearest testing facility located over 300 miles away.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and Perthera Launch "Know Your Tumor" Initiative for Precision Treatment

10 years ago

• The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has partnered with Perthera to launch "Know Your Tumor" initiative, offering molecular profiling services to guide personalized treatment decisions for pancreatic cancer patients. • The program aims to streamline molecular testing processes, providing comprehensive tumor analysis reports within one month of biopsy, while building a database of approximately 3000 patient molecular profiles over three years. • With pancreatic cancer's dire 6% five-year survival rate, this initiative represents a significant step toward the goal of doubling survival rates by 2020 through personalized treatment approaches.