Medical textbooks contain rare and eerie conditions that can seem almost otherworldly, such as Alien hand syndrome, Apotemnophilia, and Argyria. These often misunderstood disorders offer unique challenges for patients and highlight the diversity of the human condition. Other examples include Autophagia, Capgras syndrome, and Cotard’s syndrome, which showcase delusional beliefs and body dysmorphic disorders. The…
The highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus was detected in swine for the first time in the U.S., raising concerns about cross-species transmission. The virus was found in one out of five pigs on an Oregon farm, which led to the euthanization of the swine for further analysis. The farm is under quarantine, and other…
In the latest episode of the MedCity Moves Podcast, Senior Reporter Katie Adams discusses executive hires and exits in the healthcare industry, including new leaders at CVS Health, Cityblock Health, and Define Ventures. She also covers recent healthcare layoffs at Kaiser Permanente and Steward Health Care. The episode features an interview with Amy Abernethy, co-founder…
Trinity College School of Medicine in Dublin recently held a Stethoscope Ceremony on September 13, 2024. The event was captured in photos by David Coleman and BobbyStudio. The ceremony was a significant milestone for medical students as they received their first stethoscopes, marking the beginning of their journey in the medical field. The event was…
Virtual reality and digital tools are revolutionizing medical education, allowing students to practice surgical techniques and emergency responses in a risk-free environment. This technological integration is reshaping the traditional medical training landscape, providing immersive learning experiences that enhance retention and practical skill development. VR training is particularly effective in specialized fields like emergency medicine and…
Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance is happening from tomorrow to Jan. 15 in most states, with a new rule allowing DACA recipients to enroll in ACA plans. The rule is being challenged in federal court by Kansas and 18 other states, while 19 states and D.C. support it. The lawsuit argues that the…
Lifestyle medicine interventions and training in the military can improve the health of service members. However, military physicians lack confidence in providing these interventions, as shown in a study conducted by Jeffrey J. Smith. The study found that only a small percentage of military physicians were comfortable providing lifestyle medicine interventions related to stress, physical…
In this newsletter, it is discussed how semaglutide is effective in treating osteoarthritis, TMS shows promise in slowing Alzheimer’s disease, and the top executives of AstraZeneca in China are under investigation. Earnings reports from companies like Amgen, Regeneron Pharma, and Merck are highlighted, along with the delay in the release of Compass Pathways’ study on…
The government has announced a substantial increase in funding for the NHS, including a £22.6bn boost to the day-to-day budget over two years and additional funding for equipment, testing capacity, surgical hubs, general practices, and social care. The average annual growth of 3.8% in NHS resources across the UK was revealed in the autumn statement….
A study by the University of Pennsylvania and 26 U.S. children’s hospitals has found that elevated body mass index (BMI) is significantly linked to a higher risk of developing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) in children and young adults. The study showed a 25.4% increased risk for PASC in those with obesity and a…
A recent study published in Nature reveals the impact of sleep on reducing cardiac inflammation and promoting recovery after heart attacks. Both mice and humans showed that sleep helps regulate immune and neural pathways to limit inflammation and damage to the heart. The brain plays a crucial role in maintaining heart health during sleep by…
New guidelines released emphasize the negative impact of race correction or adjustment in biomedical research tools on patient care. Despite some recent corrections, uptake of changes has been slow. The report highlighted inaccuracies in various clinical algorithms and decision support tools that incorporate race and ethnicity, affecting diagnosis and treatment decisions. A shift away from…
A recent report published in JAMA Network revealed a significant increase in autism cases in the U.S., particularly among young adults, with rates nearly tripling over the past decade. The study analyzed data from over 12 million patients and found a 175% spike in diagnosis rates. The research also showed an increase in autism diagnoses…
The FDA’s delay in approving MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD has created uncertainty in the field of psychedelic medicines. Despite this setback, experts at the HLTH 2024 conference in Las Vegas remain hopeful for the future of this treatment option. Lykos Therapeutics had submitted a new drug application for MDMA-assisted therapy, but the FDA requested an…
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Ireland and worldwide. A partnership between the Irish Cancer Society and Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre has launched a pilot program to improve early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer. The €4.9m initiative aims to tackle Ireland’s deadliest cancer, which kills more people annually than…
Custom prosthetics are uniquely designed for individuals with limb loss, offering personalized fit and functionality that generic options cannot match. These prosthetics are tailored to the individual’s anatomy, lifestyle, and goals, providing stability, control, and aesthetic appeal. The process involves a comprehensive evaluation, design, fabrication, fitting, training, and rehabilitation. Custom prosthetics not only improve physical…
A woman named Stephanie from Indiana moved to Citrus County, Florida, where she received methadone treatment covered by Medicaid. However, she was unexpectedly dropped from Medicaid due to a reevaluation of eligibility, causing her to panic about the cost and potential withdrawal symptoms. Millions of Americans, including Stephanie, lost Medicaid coverage after federal protections expired…
New data presented at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference showed that Winlevi (clascoterone) cream 1% effectively reduces oil production, remains stable when used with other acne medications, and improves outcomes in skin of color. A study demonstrated a reduction in facial sebum production with Winlevi, with significant reductions in oily face appearance, pore size, and…
The H5N1 bird flu virus was found in a pig on a farm in Oregon, marking the first time this virus has been seen in a pig in the United States. The pig did not show signs of illness, but all five pigs on the farm were euthanized for study. Pigs are known as a…
Shortages of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) in the UK have led to appointment cancellations for diagnostic imaging, procedures, and surgeries due to the lack of the necessary radioactive isotope. The Department of Health and Social Care issued a patient safety alert regarding the scarcity of Mo-99, which is used to produce technetium-99m (Tc-99m). Patients across the country…
Independent pharmacist Nikki Bryant works to maintain profitability at Adams Family Pharmacy against the challenges posed by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which control prescription pricing in the U.S. PBMs create higher costs and restrict patient access to medications, impacting independent pharmacies negatively. State legislation to increase reimbursement for independent pharmacies was vetoed by Gov. Brian…
The review assesses AI’s ability to predict embryo chromosome conditions using image analysis for non-invasive IVF screening. AI algorithms have shown potential in accurately predicting embryo ploidy, although further research is needed to improve reliability. A study evaluated AI models for this purpose, finding a pooled diagnostic performance of 0.67 sensitivity, 0.58 specificity, and an…
The TASTE-2 trial tested a combination of edaravone and dexborneol for the treatment of acute stroke and found that patients showed significantly improved function at 90 days compared to those who received a placebo. The study involved 1362 patients and showed higher rates of functional independence in the treatment arm. Previous trials also showed positive…
Researchers have found that late onset of menopause is associated with a greater risk for asthma in women. Menopause, typically occurring around age 51, marks the end of menstrual cycles and involves significant hormonal changes. Previous studies have shown links between asthma and sex hormones, with adult-onset asthma more common in women. Women are also…
HR and finance leaders often face unpredictable health insurance costs, with renewal rates on group plans causing budget havoc. The bipartisan Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) program allows companies to set budgets for employees to purchase individual insurance plans that best fit their needs. The program includes Qualified Small Employer HRA (QSEHRA) and Individual Coverage HRA…
The Week in Medicine is a round-up of the latest happenings in Irish medicine. The post for October 30, 2024, on Irish Medical Times featured humorous content. Source link
Brigland Pfeffer, a 2-year-old, was bitten by a rattlesnake in his San Diego backyard. Emergency room staff struggled to administer antivenom, resulting in a high bill of $297,461, with antivenom alone costing over $200,000. The high cost of antivenom is due to hospital markups, lack of competition, and legal costs. Brigland’s insurance negotiated down the…
A study of patients with ankylosing spondylitis starting their first TNF inhibitor found that those who stayed on the treatment for at least 2 years had a median drug survival period of 10.6 years, with 24% discontinuing. The most common reason for discontinuation was inefficacy, followed by clinical remission and adverse events. Patients receiving different…
GSK’s vaccines business faced challenges in the third quarter, with lower sales forecasts for vaccines for the year. Sales of the RSV vaccine, Arexvy, dropped by over 70% due to narrower U.S. recommendations. Both Arexvy and the shingles vaccine Shingrix fell below analyst forecasts. It was expected that GSK’s vaccine division would see lower sales…
The fertility rate in England and Wales has dropped to its lowest level on record, with the total fertility rate falling to 1.44 children per woman in 2023. This is down from 1.49 in 2022. Wales and the north west of England saw the biggest declines in fertility rates compared to the previous year. There…
A survey conducted by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center shows that pancreatic cancer rates are increasing among people under age 50, but many still believe it only affects the elderly. More than half of adults under 50 are unaware of the early signs of the disease and believe there is nothing they can…
The SynGAP Research Fund has awarded grants to Dr. Clement Chow for advancing therapeutic development for SYNGAP1-Related Disorders. Dr. Chow’s research utilizes a Drosophila model to screen drugs, leading to the identification of N-acetyl-L-leucine (NALL) as a potential treatment. A follow-up grant supports further studies on NALL’s therapeutic potential. This approach aims to accelerate the…
After experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety herself, psychiatrist Funda Bachini, MD, realized that perinatal mental health conditions such as PPD and PPA are underreported and undertreated. A survey suggests that 1 in 4 new mothers in medicine experience PPD, double the general population rate. Tragedies in the medical community related to mental health highlight the…
New research suggests that working out just once or twice a week, known as the “weekend warrior” pattern, can provide cognitive benefits similar to those who exercise regularly. A study of more than 10,000 adults found that weekend warriors were 13% less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared to those who did not exercise…
Healthcare leaders, including Black and Latino technology leaders as well as women leaders, are endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president. They cite her understanding of healthcare barriers for communities of color and her support for expanding digital health and minority entrepreneurs. They criticize President Trump for lacking a concrete plan to replace the ACA…
Exactech, a Florida device manufacturer facing over 2,000 lawsuits for defective hip and knee implants, filed for bankruptcy. The company will be sold to investor groups providing $85 million in financing for operations. The bankruptcy pauses patient lawsuits seeking damages and lawyers representing injured patients are dismayed. Exactech’s growth into a global entity was the…
The FDA approved a 10 mg immediate-release tablet of RoxyBond for pain management in situations where other treatments are inadequate. This oxycodone hydrochloride formulation, manufactured by Protega Pharmaceuticals, is the first 10 mg abuse-deterrent immediate-release oxycodone approved by the FDA. Using the SentryBond abuse-deterrent technology, RoxyBond offers multiple levels of protection against physical and chemical…
This content is from D.C. Diagnosis, STAT’s newsletter about health and medicine politics and policies. Former President Trump discussed RFK Jr., vaccines, and health agencies’ future. He hinted at RFK Jr. being involved in a potential second administration but showed caution about vaccine safety. Trump also emphasized genetics in immigration discussions, reflecting a resurgence of…
In the mid-1970s, advancements in diabetes care included home blood glucose monitoring and the emergence of diabetes specialist nurses. John Day, a consultant diabetologist, recognized the potential for empowered patients to improve their own outcomes with support from multidisciplinary teams. He organized diabetes education study group workshops in Ipswich where specialists discussed innovative concepts like…
Just one or two weekend sessions of physical activity, known as the ‘weekend warrior’ pattern, may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia as effectively as more regular exercise, according to research. Participants who exercised once or twice a week had a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment. This pattern of exercise may be…
Researchers from Johns Hopkins have developed a method to determine which patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer could benefit from immunotherapy using computational tools. This study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focused on identifying predictive biomarkers to improve treatment selection for patients. Through mathematical modeling and virtual clinical trials, they…
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently updated their breast cancer screening guidelines to recommend average-risk women start screening at age 40, instead of 50. While some experts support this change, others are skeptical, citing potential harms including false positives and over-diagnosis. However, starting screening earlier may address racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes,…
Orlynvah, a new drug for urinary tract infections, has been approved by the FDA, providing a new treatment option for patients with limited alternatives. The drug, a combination of sulopenem etzadroxil and probenecid, has shown effectiveness in treating uncomplicated UTIs in adult women. Clinical trials with over 3,800 participants demonstrated that Orlynvah works as well…
Crescent Biopharma is going public through a reverse merger with GlycoMimetics to capitalize on a recent groundbreaking cancer drug development still fresh in investors’ minds. The company’s lead program is a bispecific antibody called CR-001, similar to Summit Therapeutics’ ivonescimab. Crescent aims to replicate the properties of ivonescimab to compete in the checkpoint inhibitor therapy…
Ireland will invest in developing nursing and midwifery professions in Kenya through a new bilateral labour agreement. The plan aims to address shortages in the nursing and midwifery workforce in Ireland by increasing the number of Kenyan nurses and midwives working there. Collaboration with the World Health Organization will help develop and monitor the workforce…
Chronic stress can alter sperm and impact a father’s children’s mental health, increasing their risk for anxiety and depression. This phenomenon is known as epigenetic inheritance, where experiences can leave a mark on genes that are passed down to the next generation. A recent study by researchers at the University of Melbourne focused on how…
Hurricane Helene damaged a Baxter International factory in North Carolina, leading to a shortage of IV fluids across the country. Patients relying on parenteral nutrition, such as those with autoimmune diseases or cancer, are particularly affected as supply issues persist. CVS Health’s subsidiary, Coram, has stopped providing parenteral nutrition, further exacerbating the situation. Some patients…
A high school student presented data at the Lifestyle Medicine Conference showing that implementing a course focused on well-being into the curriculum improved happiness for students. The study compared EPOCH happiness scores in students who took the Science of Well-Being for Teens class to a control group. Students who took the course showed increased happiness…
Get your daily dose of health and medicine through STAT’s free newsletter Morning Rounds, covering topics like Lassa fever and its recent fatality in Iowa, the impact of eviction lawyers on preterm births, and the potential benefits of certain ultra-processed foods. Former President Trump’s comments on vaccines and the role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr….
Annie Sara Mathew, also known as Joyce, was born in a village in Kerala, India. She excelled academically and pursued a bachelor of science before studying medicine in Thiruvananthapuram. There, she met Mathew, also a medical student. Source link