A systematic review examined the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists in reducing substance use disorders. Findings from available clinical trials showed inconsistent results due to study variability and patient differences. Substance use disorders, such as alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine, are a significant public health concern, with increasing prevalence and mortality rates globally. GLP-1 receptor agonists,…
Impaired circadian heart rate fluctuations in patients with long-standing diabetes are linked to increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. A study of 349 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes found that those with low daily heart rate fluctuations and a blunted nocturnal heart rate dip had a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause…
Poor posture can lead to debilitating lower back pain, which affects millions of people globally. Lumbar pillows, designed to support the natural curve of the spine, can help prevent and alleviate back pain. They offer benefits such as improved productivity, better sleep, and support while driving. When choosing a lumbar pillow, factors like material, shape,…
Terns Pharmaceuticals’ experimental GLP-1 obesity drug TERN-601 showed a 5.5% reduction in body weight in a small study. The drug aims to be an oral alternative to injectable obesity medicines, with plans for a larger mid-stage clinical trial next year. The Phase 1 trial enrolled 37 obese or overweight participants who received TERN-601 or a…
In December 2023, the FDA approved two novel treatments for Sickle Cell Disease, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, which use gene therapy to replace the faulty gene causing misshapen red blood cells. Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition affecting millions globally and predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa and among non-Hispanic Black or African American populations in the…
Kipu Health, a company specializing in technology solutions for behavioral health, has acquired Hatch Compliance, a cloud-based compliance management and software provider for behavioral health companies. The acquisition will enhance Kipu’s offerings to include robust governance, risk, and compliance abilities. The goal is to empower behavioral health organizations to meet regulatory standards while focusing on…
Julie Rovner is the chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ podcast, “What the Health?” The term health equity encompasses a wide range of issues, including access to medical care, race, ethnicity, gender, income, wealth, and geography. In a live taping at the Texas Tribune Festival, panelists discussed health equity and the impact…
New research conducted on adolescent Canadian athletes participating in high-risk contact sports like football, ice hockey, and rugby found that plasma biomarkers can help determine neuropathology in sports-related concussions. The study involved 849 individuals, with 154 experiencing sport-related concussions (SRC). Biomarkers like plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin c-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), neurofilament light (NfL),…
Drug ads on TV, social media, and the internet are prevalent, with the US and New Zealand being the only countries allowing direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. Manufacturers spend over $1 billion a month on ads, with drug companies being among the top TV ad spenders. The FDA allowed drug ads on TV in 1997, but the…
Evie A Hall, a senior house officer in general medicine at University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock, UK, agrees with Finn and colleagues that a four-year undergraduate medical degree may hinder accessibility for those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Hall argues that a shorter degree program would lead to more intense study hours, potentially deterring students who…
A recent study conducted by researchers from McGill University and Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada used the Canadian Light Source to investigate bone structure in mice with Marfan Syndrome (MFS). The study aimed to better understand the bones of individuals with MFS, who are at a higher risk of fractures due to decreased bone density….
DeepHealth, a subsidiary of RadNet, Inc., partners with HOPPR to develop AI models for cancer detection. This collaboration focuses on creating a Medical-Grade Generalized Foundational Model and Fine-Tuned models for breast, prostate, and lung cancer. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of AI solutions in radiology and health informatics. By combining HOPPR’s infrastructure with…
Researchers found that short-term adoption of low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets does not significantly affect gut-derived appetite hormones compared to pharmacologic treatments or bariatric surgery. A study on 20 adults showed that postprandial concentrations of certain hormones were higher after low-carb meals and lower after low-fat meals. However, no significant correlations were found between hormone responses…
Excessive exposure to outdoor light at night can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in younger adults. A study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that nighttime light pollution is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s, with a higher prevalence in individuals under 65. The study compared the impact of light pollution against other…
Eli Lilly’s once-weekly insulin, efsitora alfa, has shown promising results in two pivotal studies, being comparable to once-daily insulin in treating type 2 diabetes. The fusion protein aims to provide more stable glucose levels over a week, with positive outcomes in reducing hemoglobin A1C levels. This development brings the experimental insulin closer to competing with…
US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra visited Clarksburg, California, to discuss the Biden administration’s efforts to protect farmworkers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Becerra emphasized the need for stronger protections for farmworkers, who are on the front lines of the climate crisis. He highlighted the impact of heat and smoke on farmworkers’…
A study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with upadacitinib over 5 years showed greater reductions in disease activity compared to methotrexate. The study also found that upadacitinib had a more favorable risk-benefit profile than methotrexate. The long-term extension of the phase 3 SELECT-EARLY trial included 775…
The Biden administration has finalized a proposal to ensure health insurers cover mental health care the same way they cover physical health conditions. This is part of a long-standing effort to address disparities in mental health coverage. Despite existing laws requiring comprehensive mental health coverage, many Americans still struggle to access care. The new rules…
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have discovered that the protein NSD2 alters the function of the androgen receptor, leading to rapid cell division and growth that fuels prostate cancer development. This study, published in Nature Genetics, sheds light on how the androgen receptor, which typically regulates normal prostate development, is…
A study on children’s skincare products and exposure to harmful phthalates revealed that certain products, like lotions and oils, were associated with higher levels of specific phthalates in urine. Phthalates can disrupt endocrine function and have negative effects on children’s health. The study found differences in exposure based on race, ethnicity, and gender. Children from…
Researchers have developed two versions of an experimental monthly injectable semaglutide-loaded hydrogel that shows extended drug release and good tolerance in rats. The formulation aims to address patient adherence issues with current once-weekly or daily dosing regimens for type 2 diabetes or obesity. The hydrogel, injected under the skin, forms a gel disk or microgel…
Researchers have found a link between being a night owl, or someone who prefers staying up late and waking up later, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This risk is not solely due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as poor diet and smoking. Night owls also tend to have larger waistlines and…
The recent Supreme Court decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine poses a threat to mental health parity in the U.S. This decision could lead to legal challenges against legislation like the MHPAEA, undermining progress made towards equal coverage for mental health treatment. Previous attempts at mental health parity, such as the MHPA and MHPAEA, have…
A study found that low-dose interleukin-2 therapy showed positive results in treating bullous pemphigoid, with an early onset of response compared to corticosteroids alone. Patients treated with IL-2 had fewer days to disease control and a significant expansion of Treg cells in the first 2 weeks of treatment. The study included 20 patients in a…
The article highlights how race-based clinical algorithms in medicine can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments for people of different races. It shares a personal story of a woman, Vanessa Apea, who was wrongly diagnosed with leukemia due to a low white blood cell count common in people of African or Middle Eastern ancestry. The…
A study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes found that patients treated with systemic glucocorticoids are over twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to those not receiving the treatment. Glucocorticoids are commonly used to treat inflammation and autoimmune conditions, causing adverse effects like increased blood sugar levels and diabetes. The…
A recent study explored the association between alcohol consumption and dementia risk in current drinkers through linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization analysis. The findings challenge previous beliefs by suggesting that as predicted alcohol consumption increases based on genetic factors, so does the risk of developing dementia. While past studies have shown a potential protective effect…
The HARMONi-2 trial showed that ivonescimab improved progression-free survival compared to pembrolizumab in PD-L1-positive advanced NSCLC. This first phase 3 study with ivonescimab highlights its potential as a new standard of care. The trial involved 398 patients and found that ivonescimab doubled PFS to 11.1 months. Ivonescimab also had higher response rates and a manageable…
Immunity boosters like Echinacea are gaining popularity as people seek supplements to enhance their immune defenses. Echinacea is a flowering plant known for its immune-boosting properties and broader health benefits. It can reduce inflammation, improve skin health, enhance mood, and reduce the need for antibiotics by preventing respiratory infections. While generally safe, Echinacea may cause…
NeOnc Technologies is developing a novel approach to treat aggressive brain cancers, such as glioblastoma, by using intranasal drug delivery to bypass the blood-brain barrier. The drug, NEO100, is based on perillyl alcohol (POH) and has shown promising results in clinical trials. NeOnc initially aimed for a traditional IPO but is now pursuing a direct…
Think Surgical Inc. has received FDA clearance for its robotic system to be used with Medacta knee systems. The collaboration agreement between Think Surgical and Medacta will combine the robotic surgery platform and knee systems for patients undergoing robotic-assisted total knee replacement. This partnership aligns with Medacta’s commitment to innovation and Think Surgical’s dedication to…
A person in Missouri contracted H5 bird flu without known contact with infected animals or birds, raising concerns about possible person-to-person spread of a virus that has not circulated in humans. Public health officials are urgently investigating the source of the infection. Experts are puzzled by the slow response and lack of information on the…
Research has shown that altitude changes during commercial flights can impact the blood glucose levels of people with type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy. Insulin delivery from pumps was tested in a hypobaric chamber to mimic flight conditions, with results showing minor fluctuations in insulin over-delivery during ascent and under-delivery during descent. Rapid decompression…
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new technique that makes overlying tissues transparent to visible light, allowing for better viewing of organs within the body. By using a food-safe dye called tartrazine, researchers were able to achieve transparency in animal subjects and believe it could have significant applications in medical diagnostics. The process involves…
Treatment of acute, high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial among specialists. Systemic thrombolysis using rtPA is the current standard, but other mechanical and surgical options are emerging. Some believe rtPA is outdated due to technological advances, while others argue its efficacy and support its use. Alternatives like catheter-directed therapies and ECMO offer promise but also…
Recent study shows that well-planned low-carb diets can meet daily nutrient requirements, exceeding needs for vitamins A, C, D, E, K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamins B6 and B12 for men and women aged 31-70. However, some nutrients may fall short for certain populations such as iron for younger women and calcium for older…
Luke Ralston, a biomedical engineer and scientific reviewer at the FDA, emphasized the importance of transparency in AI regulation during a presentation at the HRX conference in Atlanta. The FDA sees AI regulation as specific to each device and its intended use. Two major issues in healthcare AI are performance drift and data generalization. Companies…
At the Women in Ophthalmology Summer Symposium, Dr. Diane M. Hilal-Campo discusses Twenty/Twenty Beauty, an ophthalmologist-formulated eye makeup line designed to be easier on the eyes and prevent dry eye issues. The line includes products like mascara, which was in high demand from patients seeking a non-irritating option. This makeup line has received positive feedback…
Summit Therapeutics presented data at the World Conference on Lung Cancer showing that their experimental drug ivonescimab outperformed Merck’s Keytruda in a late-stage trial for lung cancer. The Phase 3 study, HARMONi-2, conducted by Akeso, enrolled nearly 400 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Ivonescimab reduced the risk of tumor progression by 49% compared…
Research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna shows that spending time with a medical clown can reduce the length of hospital stays for children with pneumonia. Medical clowns have been found to alleviate stress and anxiety in children during medical treatment. In a study, children who received visits from medical clowns during…
Researchers at HKUST have discovered a promising alternative to chloroxylenol, a commonly used disinfectant, called 2,6-DCQ. This alternative is more effective in combating bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and can be rapidly degraded in water environments. The study led by Prof. Zhang Xiangru found that 2,6-DCQ was significantly more effective than chloroxylenol in inactivating pathogens and…
Older cannabis users undergoing surgery required higher doses of inhalational anesthetics compared to nonusers, according to a retrospective cohort study. The study included 22,476 patients aged 65 years or older, with 268 cannabis users matched to 1072 nonusers. Cannabis users had significantly higher average minimum alveolar concentrations of anesthesia than nonusers, though the clinical relevance…
A recent study found that women in their 40s are as vulnerable to heat-related health risks as men at the age of 65. Previous research has shown that more women die from heat-related issues than men. The study from Penn State University found that middle-aged and older women are more physiologically vulnerable to high heat…
Social determinants of health (SDOH) have a significant impact on health outcomes, with poverty being strongly correlated with worse health and premature death. Rural Americans, especially racial minorities, face higher rates of poverty and limited access to healthcare services. Healthcare leaders are using SDOH data to build healthier communities. Transportation and affordability are key challenges…
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that driving restrictions after implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation negatively impacted patient daily living and employment. Younger patients were more likely to report an impact. The study, which evaluated questionnaire responses from 2,741 patients in Denmark, found that driving restrictions affected the ability to maintain employment…
Amid the ongoing struggle of federal regulators to conduct drug manufacturing inspections post-COVID-19, concerns are raised about risks of contamination in drugs used by Americans. A significant number of pharmaceutical firms are overdue for safety inspections, posing potential quality issues. In other news, Eli Lilly’s once-weekly insulin is showing promise in pivotal studies, competing with…
Wisconsin health officials have issued a recall of eggs following a salmonella outbreak that has affected 65 people in nine states. The outbreak originated from a Wisconsin farm and has resulted in 24 hospitalizations, although there have been no reported deaths. The recall includes various types of eggs sold in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan under…
A study led by researchers at USC found that older adults vulnerable to financial scams may have brain changes linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The study focused on the entorhinal cortex, a region affected early in Alzheimer’s, and found a correlation between thinner cortex and susceptibility to financial exploitation. While the findings…
According to Medscape Medical News, it may take up to a year to see significant results with topical immunosuppressants and narrowband ultraviolet B treatment. These treatments can be effective in managing certain conditions, but patients should be aware that they may not see immediate results. It is important to be patient and consistent with these…
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid crucial for mood regulation, sleep quality, and gut health. It cannot be produced by the body, so dietary sources like turkey, chicken, dairy, nuts, seeds, and legumes are essential. Tryptophan can enhance mood by increasing serotonin levels, improve sleep quality by promoting melatonin production, support cognitive function, and aid…