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Global and regional progress towards reduced burden of oral conditions between 2019 and 2023: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2023
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026) Adebiyi, Babatope Oluwadamilare; Adedokun, Kamoru Ademola; Bernabe, Eduardo
Background WHO's Global Oral Health Action Plan (GOHAP) targets include a 10% relative reduction in the combined prevalence of main oral conditions by 2030. The first GOHAP evaluation was planned for 2023, with subsequent evaluations scheduled for 2026 and 2030. The aim of this systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 was to evaluate global and regional progress (2019–23) towards this target and related complementary indicators. Methods Using modelled estimates from epidemiological surveys and registries in 204 countries and territories, we estimated the age-standardised prevalence of untreated caries in deciduous and permanent teeth, severe periodontitis, edentulism, other oral disorders and orofacial clefts, and the age-standardised incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer. Progress towards GOHAP targets was measured by comparing the percentage change from 2019 to 2023 in the above indicators against the stated GOHAP target of a 10% relative reduction. Findings Globally, the age-standardised prevalence of main oral conditions declined (−1·55% [95% uncertainty interval −2·32 to −0·82]) between 2019 and 2023, but global cases increased by 3·07% (2·32 to 3·75), from 3·62 billion (3·35 to 3·95) to 3·73 billion (3·45 to 4·06). Among complementary indicators, reductions in age-standardised prevalence were observed for untreated caries in permanent teeth (−1·99% [−2·49 to −1·40]) whereas the age-standardised incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer increased (8·35% [0·13 to 16·32]), as did the age-standardised prevalence of orofacial clefts (2·25% [0·77 to 3·83]). Progress was heterogeneous across GBD super-regions, with south Asia having the largest reductions in the age-standardised prevalence of main oral conditions (−3·34% [−4·95 to −1·80]) and untreated caries in deciduous teeth (−9·09% [−17·62 to −0·08]). Sub-Saharan Africa showed the largest increase in prevalent cases of main oral conditions (9·51% [8·09–10·94]) and age-standardised incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer (14·86% [1·19–32·45]). The high-income super-region had an increase in the age-standardised prevalence of main oral conditions (1·24% [0·56–1·96]) and untreated caries in deciduous teeth (9·21% [6·60–11·89]).
Detection of Coxsackievirus A24v during an acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreak in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, January-February 2024
(Public Library of Science, 2026) Mapunda, Lawrence Amon; van Heusden, Peter; Baluhya, Robert
Background In January 2024, an outbreak of acute viral conjunctivitis was declared in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, following initial case clusters reported in December 2023 and continuing through February. Patients presented with red, itchy, and burning eyes, eyelid swelling, photophobia, and eye discharges. As the responsible pathogen had not been laboratory-identified, this study aimed to detect and characterize potential viral agents of the outbreak through an urgent outbreak response investigation. Methods Conjunctival swabs were collected from 25 suspected cases using a convenience sampling approach. Bacterial culture was performed on MacConkey and blood agar. Viral detection used a multiplex real-time RT-PCR targeting adenovirus, metapneumovirus, enterovirus (EV), and parainfluenza virus. All enterovirus-positive samples with a Ct value <30 (four samples) were selected for genomic sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis was conducted with IQ-TREE. Results Nine of 25 samples (36%) were positive for enterovirus (EV) by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Genomic sequencing of the four eligible samples (Ct < 30) detected Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v) in two of four sequenced samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Tanzanian outbreak sequences formed a clade with CVA24v strains from a concurrent 2024 outbreak in France/Mayotte and were closely related to recent sequences from East Africa and South America. Bacterial culture yielded no significant pathogens. Conclusion We detected enterovirus (EV) during an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Tanzania. Of nine EV-positive samples, CVA24v genomes were reconstructed from genomic sequencing in two samples, with phylogenetic analysis placing Tanzania sequencences within a clade with sequences from France (Mayotte), Mexico, Brazil, and Uganda strains consistent with regional circulation. Given that sequencing was performed on only two samples, a causal role for CVA24v in this outbreak cannot be definitively established; however, these findings provide the first genomic evidence of CVA24v circulation in Tanzania and demonstrate the value of rapid genomic epidemiology for outbreak pathogen detection in resource-limited settings
Euclid quick data release (q1): xxvii. the strong lensing discovery engine b – early strong lens candidates from visual inspection of high-velocity dispersion galaxies
(EDP Sciences, 2026) Rojas, Karina; Collett, Thomas; Karagiannis, Dionysios
We present a search for strong gravitational lenses in Euclid imaging with a high stellar velocity dispersion (σv > 180 km s−1) reported by SDSS and DESI. We performed expert visual inspection and classification of 11 660 Euclid images. We discovered 38 grade A and 40 grade B candidate lenses, which is consistent with an expected sample of ∼32. Palomar spectroscopy confirmed 5 lens systems, while DESI spectra confirmed one system, provided ambiguous results for another, and helped to discard a third system. The Euclid automated lens modeler modelled 53 candidates, confirmed 38 as lenses, failed to model 9, and ruled out 6 grade B candidates. For the remaining 25 candidates, we were unable to gather additional information. More importantly, our classified non-lenses provide an excellent training set for machine-learning lens classifiers. We created high-fidelity simulations of Euclid lenses by painting realistic lensed sources behind the tagged (non-lens) luminous red galaxies. This training set is the foundation stone for the Euclid galaxy-galaxy strong-lensing discovery engine.
Bayesian component separation and power spectrum estimation for 21 cm intensity mapping data cubes
(Oxford University Press, 2026) Murphy, Geoff G.; Bull, Philip; Santos, Mario G.
Foreground removal remains an ongoing challenge in radio cosmology, and increasingly sensitive experiments necessitate more robust analysis techniques. In this work, we model simulated data from a single-dish intensity mapping experiment, and use the Gibbs sampling and Gaussian constrained realization (GCR) techniques to draw samples from the posterior probability distribution of the model parameters. This allows for a separation of the foregrounds and 21 cm signal at the map level, as well as recovery of the 1-dimensional H i power spectrum to within statistical uncertainties. Despite the model consisting of over 2 million free parameters in the example presented here, these methods allow us to sample from the Bayesian posterior at a rate of (Formula presented) s per iteration. This framework is also resilient to frequency channel flagging (e.g. due to RFI excision), with the GCR steps effectively in-painting the missing data with statistically consistent model realizations. The power spectrum is recovered accurately in the presence of strong foreground contamination and RFI flagging – the estimate falling within (Formula presented) of the true model in our example, similar to the commonly-used transfer function correction method. Statistical realizations of foreground and H i maps are also recovered, with associated uncertainties available from the full joint posterior distribution of all parameters.
Female scrap collectors in Qumbu, Eastern Cape, South Africa through the lens of resilience theory
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2026) Xweso, Mzukisi; Schenck, Catherina
Background/Objectives: Women working in the informal sector are frequently exposed to multiple layers of vulnerability and trauma, yet their mental health experiences remain insufficiently explored. Methods: This qualitative study examined the mental health implications of trauma experienced by female scrap collectors in Qumbu, Eastern Cape. Guided by resilience theory, the study explored how these women navigate and cope with the challenges associated with their daily work. A total of 13 female scrap collectors were selected through convenience sampling and participated in semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed thematically. Results: The findings revealed that women engaged in scrap collection face perpetual insecurity and gendered vulnerability in informal workspaces, enduring public degradation with significant psychological consequences, experience persistent stress due to insufficient earnings and navigate informal relations with truck drivers that act as sites of economic exploitation and psychological insecurity. These experiences may contribute to chronic stress, fear, feelings of worthlessness and mental exhaustion, which significantly affect their psychological wellbeing. Conclusions: Based on these findings, the study recommends the implementation of targeted psychosocial support interventions, such as trauma-informed counselling and peer support groups, to enhance coping mechanisms and strengthen resilience. Furthermore, a multidisciplinary facilitative healthcare approach and advocacy efforts aimed at addressing the mental health needs of female scrap collectors are essential for strengthening their agency, promoting psychosocial wellbeing and reducing their exposure to harm within the informal working environment.