Latest news with #Yon
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
South African woman gets a life sentence for selling
A judge in South Africa sentenced a woman to life in prison Thursday after she was convicted of selling her 6-year-old daughter, who is still missing, in a case that has captivated and horrified South Africans. The woman, Racquel Smith, 35, sat stoically as the judge handed down the sentence after a three-month trial in a town on South Africa's west coast. The mother and two men were found guilty earlier this month of kidnapping and trafficking her eldest child, Joshlin Smith, for exploitation. 'The accused did not show remorse,' the judge, Nathan Erasmus, said Thursday, adding that up until the eve of sentencing, the mother 'still lied.' The two men were also sentenced Thursday to life in prison, the minimum penalty for kidnapping and enslavement of children in South Africa. The girl disappeared in February 2024 from a shack she shared with her mother, two siblings, and her mother's boyfriend in the seaside town of Saldanha Bay, on the country's west coast. The police, naval officers and members of the community combed the town, but the girl was never found. A photograph of the girl was plastered all over town, and then on national news outlets. Two weeks into the search, the police arrested her mother; her mother's boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis; and a friend of the couple, Steveno van Rhyn. Prosecutors said the mother was addicted to drugs and had sold the girl for 20,000 rand, about $1,100. Public interest in the case was so high that court proceedings were held in a community center in Saldanha Bay and broadcast on national television. During the trial, the mother and the two other suspects declined to testify. On May 2, when they were convicted, a judge ruled the girl had been sold into slavery. Prosecutors argued for a life sentence, urging the judge to consider that the child was still missing. 'We do not have her, we do not know where she is, but that is why the state has provided evidence to give her a voice, as she is not in court,' Eric Ntabazalila, a spokesperson for South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority, said in a statement. Many questions about the case persist. But Smith has steadfastly declined to divulge any information about her daughter's disappearance, even after the pleas of the girl's paternal grandmother, Rita Yon. Joshlin's two younger siblings often asked after their sister, Yon said. 'We are still missing Joshlin,' Yon told the TV channel Newzroom Afrika after the sentencing on Thursday. 'It doesn't feel nice not knowing where she is, what she eats or drinks, and how the people who have her treat her.' This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shingles Vaccine Can Reduce Risk of Stroke And Heart Attack, Study Finds
A new study highlights a perhaps unexpected way to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease: getting vaccinated against shingles. Cardiovascular disease – involving the heart or blood vessels – is by far humanity's leading cause of death. It kills about 18 million people globally each year, mostly via heart attack or stroke. While this is a daunting public health problem, medical science has revealed ways to lower risk: A heart-healthy diet helps, as do exercising daily, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and avoiding smoking. According to the new study, covering data on more than 1.2 million people in South Korea over the age of 50, those who received a shingles vaccine showed a 23 percent lower risk of cardiovascular events overall. This protection lasted for up to eight years, with the greatest reduction in risk observed two to three years after vaccination. The effect was more pronounced in men, people younger than 60, and those with unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or inactivity. A shingles vaccination is already widely recommended for adults over 50 to protect against the viral disease, known for its painful skin rash and blisters. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the culprit behind chickenpox. After people recover from chickenpox, typically in childhood, the virus can remain dormant in nerve cells for years or decades, then abruptly reactivate. The immediate effects of shingles are bad enough, but while the rash usually fades in a few weeks, the disease can be insidiously persistent, explains pediatrician researcher Dong Keon Yon from Kyung Hee University in South Korea. "Shingles causes a painful rash and can lead to serious complications, especially in older adults and those with weak immune systems," Yon says. "Research shows that, without vaccination, about 30 percent of people may develop shingles in their lifetime." The most common complication is long-term nerve pain that can last for months or years. Shingles near the eyes can also lead to vision loss, and some people develop lasting neurological problems. Recent research suggests shingles also raises stroke and heart attack risk. "In addition to the rash, shingles has been linked to a higher risk of heart problems, so we wanted to find out if getting vaccinated could lower this risk," Yon says. The researchers merged data from several South Korean government agencies, ultimately studying more than 1.2 million people. Spanning 2012 to 2021, this included information on vaccination status as well as cardiovascular health and other relevant factors. Vaccinated people had a 23 percent lower risk of cardiovascular events overall, including a 22 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease, a 26 percent lower risk of heart failure, and a 26 percent lower risk of a major cardiovascular event like stroke or heart attack. "The shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors," Yon says. That would be big news if confirmed, but makes sense given what we know about shingles' short-term effects on the cardiovascular system. "A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation, and clot formation that can lead to heart disease," Yon explains. "By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks." One of the largest and most comprehensive of its kind, the study has some limitations, the authors acknowledge. The sample lacks diversity, since all subjects are from South Korea. "While we conducted rigorous analysis, this study does not establish a direct causal relationship, so potential bias from other underlying factors should be considered," Yon says. The study only addresses the live zoster vaccine, which uses a weakened form of the virus. There's also a recombinant subunit vaccine for shingles, featuring just a viral protein, that's increasingly prevalent in many countries. In addition, previous research suggests both shingles vaccines may also protect against dementia. The study was published in the European Heart Journal. Spikes of Bird Flu in Cats Could Be a Warning of a Future Pandemic HIV Drugs Dramatically Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease, Study Finds Measles Could Become Endemic in US if Surge Continues, Expert Warns
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shingles vaccine has unexpected effect on heart health
The list of potential benefits of the shingles vaccine continues to grow. Beyond protecting against the viral infection and resulting painful rash, the shot has also been linked to a reduced risk of dementia, as Fox News Digital previously reported. And now, a new study has found that the vaccine could lower the risk of heart disease for up to eight years. Dementia Risk Could Dip With Common Vaccine, Study Suggests In the long-running study, researchers analyzed up to 12 years of data for more than 1.2 million people aged 50 or older in South Korea, focusing on shingles vaccination rates and 18 different types of cardiovascular disease. They found that those who received the shingles vaccine had a 23% lower risk of heart issues, including stroke, heart failure and coronary artery disease. Read On The Fox News App The benefits were greater for people under 60 years old, likely because they have a better immune response, according to the researchers. Blood Pressure And Dementia Risk Share Surprising Link, Study Suggests The vaccine's heart health benefits were also more prominent among men and those who have unhealthy behaviors, such as being sedentary, drinking alcohol and smoking. The findings were published in the European Heart Journal on Tuesday. The primary symptom of shingles is a painful rash that can lead to serious complications, particularly for older adults and those with weak immune systems, according to lead author Professor Dong Keon Yon from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Without vaccination, about 30% of people may develop shingles in their lifetime, Yon noted. "In addition to the rash, shingles has been linked to a higher risk of heart problems, so we wanted to find out if getting vaccinated could lower this risk," he said in a press release. "Our study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors. This means that vaccination could offer health benefits beyond preventing shingles." The researchers shared several possible reasons for the vaccine's protective effect on heart health. "A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease," Yon said. "By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks." Dr. Jasdeep Dalawari, a Virginia-based interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company, was not involved in the study but offered his comments on the findings. "This result is notable but requires careful interpretation, especially for the U.S. population," he told Fox News Digital. "The study used a live vaccine, whereas the U.S. uses Shingrix, a recombinant (non-live) vaccine," Dalawari noted. "It's important to note that Shingrix is over 90% effective against shingles, compared to the live vaccine's 51%." The live zoster vaccine contains a weakened form of the varicella zoster virus that causes shingles. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter The cardiologist also pointed out that the observational study shows correlation, not causation, and that further research is needed. "The study included 1.2 million individuals aged 50+, all from one ethnicity," he said. "Expanding the participant pool to include diverse ethnicities would be beneficial in our multi-ethnic society." Although the study did consider other health conditions, lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status, the researchers agreed that it had some limitations. "As this study is based on an Asian cohort, the results may not apply to all populations," Yon noted. "While we conducted rigorous analysis, this study does not establish a direct causal relationship, so potential bias from other underlying factors should be considered." For more Health articles, visit The team plans to conduct further research into the heart health benefits of the non-live, recombinant vaccine, which contains a protein from the article source: Shingles vaccine has unexpected effect on heart health
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Shingles vaccine lowers heart attack risk for 8 years, says new study: Here's what it means for you
People who have been vaccinated against shingles have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular conditions — with the risk for heart attacks being 22% lower and heart failure 26% lower, according to a large study from South Korea. Importantly, the protective effect of the vaccine lasts for eight years, with the greatest reduction in risks observed between 2 and 3 years after vaccination. The study is based on the insurance data of over 1.2 million people, followed up for six years on average. What is shingles? Shingles is a viral infection that causes painful rashes in stripes across one side of the body. It is caused by the chicken pox virus called varicella-zoster. The disease occurs when the virus gets reactivated years after a bout of chickenpox. A shingles vaccine, recommended for people above 50, can prevent this reactivation by boosting immunity. What did the study find? The study found the risk of overall cardiovascular events was 23% lower in people who had received the vaccine. The risk of a major cardiovascular event was 26% lower, heart failure 26% lower, disorders that affect the blood flow in the brain such as strokes was 24% lower, heart attack was 22% lower, and clotting disorder was 22% lower. 'Our study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors. This means that vaccination could offer health benefits beyond preventing shingles,' said study author, Professor Dong Keon Yon from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, in a release. Importantly, the study found that the impact was more pronounced in men, those below the age of 60 years, and those with unhealthy lifestyles. How does the vaccine prevent heart attacks? While the mechanism of action is not entirely understood, scientists think it could be because the vaccines prevent shingles, which has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have shown that an infection increased the risk of conditions like heart attack and heart failure by 1.5 to 2 fold. 'A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease. By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks. Our study found stronger benefits in younger people, probably due to a better immune response, and in men, possibly due to differences in vaccine effectiveness,' said Prof Yon. Is shingles vaccine available in India? Who should take it? There are two approved shingles vaccines available across the world — one that uses a live, weakened virus and the second that uses a recombinant technology to develop parts of the virus that do not cause disease. Both vaccines are available in India. Shingles vaccines are recommended for individuals over the age of 50 years, especially those living with conditions that weaken the immune system. Will the newer recombinant vaccine also protect the heart? The Korean study is based on data of people who were administered the older live vaccine. Hence, the researchers say, similar studies would have to be conducted in people who have received the newer vaccine.
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
This vaccine lowers risk of heart attack and stroke by 26% — so why was it discontinued in the US?
The nerve! A type of herpes virus — the varicella-zoster virus — causes chickenpox in childhood and shingles later in life. Shingles travels along nerves, triggering a distinctive blistering rash and what some have described as the worst pain they have ever experienced. Advertisement 3 Shingles infections trigger a distinctive blistering rash and intense pain. ryanking999 – A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. Older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those who've had chickenpox are at higher risk of shingles. Experts say vaccination is the most effective way to reduce this risk. Advertisement Now, a new study out of South Korea reports that a certain type of vaccine can offer benefits beyond lowering the risk of shingles — but it's no longer available in the US. The live zoster vaccine, which contains a weakened version of the shingles virus, can lower the risk of heart failure, a stroke, a heart attack or death from heart disease by 26% for up to eight years, according to research published Monday in the European Heart Journal. 'Our study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors,' said Dong Keon Yon from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul. 'This means that vaccination could offer health benefits beyond preventing shingles.' Advertisement 3 Experts say vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk of developing shingles. Getty Images South Korea offers two live zoster vaccines — SkyZoster was approved in 2017 and Zostavax in 2009. The US allowed Zostavax until 2020. Advertisement Researchers found that its effectiveness waned over time and it didn't protect everyone, such as people over 80 and those with weakened immune systems. Studies suggested that Zostavax was 67% effective in the first year but only 50% effective in year 2. It was replaced by Shingrix, a recombinant vaccine that uses a protein from the varicella-zoster virus to activate the body's immune system to recognize and fight the virus. Shingrix has been found to be over 90% effective in preventing shingles. 3 Shingles is most common in older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those who've had chickenpox. Suriyawut – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that healthy adults 50 and older and immunocompromised adults 19 and older get two doses of Shingrix. Yon's team said more research on the recombinant vaccine is needed to see if it can provide similar cardio benefits as the live zoster vaccine. South Korea also offers Shingrix. Yon's study included data from over 1.2 million adults 50 and over in South Korea. Advertisement The protective effect was strongest in the two to three years after vaccination and especially pronounced in men, people younger than 60 and those who smoke, drink alcohol or avoid exercise. 'This is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over a period of up to 12 years,' Yon said. 'For the first time, this has allowed us to examine the association between shingles vaccination and 18 different types of cardiovascular disease,' he added. 'We were able to account for various other health conditions, lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status, making our findings more robust.' Yon noted that the study does not establish a direct causal relationship between the vaccine and the lower risk of heart problems, so underlying factors should be considered.
