The bipartisan Train More Nurses Act was unanimously passed in the Senate. The bill focuses on increasing the number of nurses, especially in underserved areas, and aims to strengthen career pathways for nurses. The legislation also seeks to facilitate the transition from LPNs to RNs. The bill awaits a vote in the House of Representatives…
Cedars-Sinai has introduced Xaia, a virtual psychotherapy companion accessible on the Apple Vision Pro headset. Xaia aims to assist people with anxiety, addiction, depression, and pain management through spatial-computing and AI technology. The experience, called “generated reality,” merges technology and therapy and uses mixed-reality environments to augment emotions and provide therapeutic techniques. Xaia remembers and…
Many states are using Medicaid funding for housing aid in response to the growing homelessness epidemic in the US. California is allocating $12 billion for the initiative, while Arizona is dedicating $550 million and Oregon is spending over $1 billion. The Biden administration is encouraging other states to follow suit. There is a debate on…
Biden officials urged social media platforms to remove misleading posts about vaccine safety, mask effectiveness, Covid-19 origins, and federal shutdowns. The Supreme Court is set to decide whether the government violated First Amendment rights with these actions. The case, Murthy v. Missouri, alleges that federal officials coerced social media and search giants to remove or…
The United States’ global leadership in health, including pandemic preparedness, faces uncertainty as the 2024 elections approach. Attention and policy are dominated by geopolitical crises, climate issues, and humanitarian crises, making it unlikely that global health will play a prominent role in the campaign. However, amidst the pessimism, there is hope. The US has contributed…
The study by Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with UMC Groningen and 17 other Dutch hospitals found that a Doppler ultrasound can be used to detect placenta problems in small unborn babies. Deviations from Doppler measurements can indicate a higher risk of oxygen deficiency and other health problems for the baby. Small babies with a malfunctioning…
A recent study investigated the effects of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) outcomes. The study included 80 participants with half consuming PSO and a Mediterranean diet and the other half only following the diet. The findings revealed that participants consuming PSO displayed significantly better cognitive outcomes compared to those only following…
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that causes depigmentation of the skin, affecting 0.5% to 2% of the population. It can have a significant psychological impact on patients and affects people of all ethnic groups. Treatments include immunosuppressant medications, phototherapy, and laser treatments. Recent research has led to the development of promising new drugs that target…
A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are up to eight times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those without the disorder. This highlights the need for mental health screening in patients with PCOS. The study included nearly 19,000 women with PCOS and…
Bold eye makeup can steal the spotlight, but the delicate undereye area needs care. Dark circles and eye bags often result from lack of sleep or poor skincare. Quality eye creams can hydrate, brighten, and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness. Some recommended eye creams are Gerovl Retinol Under Eye Cream, LOVE CINEMA Collagen Retinol…
A study found that maintaining good oral health can improve psychological well-being in older adults. The research suggests that taking care of oral health can lead to a better overall sense of well-being. The study also emphasizes the importance of oral health in older adults and its impact on their psychological health. It highlights the…
Primary shoulder replacements are now approved to be performed in ambulatory surgery centers by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, with reasonable reimbursement rates to encourage the shift from hospitals. As eligibility criteria for ASCs relax, evidence shows that patients with a wider range of comorbidities can undergo outpatient surgery. New perioperative pain management…
The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to empagliflozin for the treatment of adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This designation was based on the results of a phase 3 trial, EMPEROR-Preserved, which showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure by 21%. It also slowed kidney…
GE HealthCare has received FDA clearance for its Novii+ maternal and fetal monitoring solution, allowing for noninvasive measurement and display of fetal and maternal heart rates and uterine activity. The device is wearable and wireless, providing continuous monitoring for high-risk pregnancies. It offers personalized status views and alerts care teams for changes during labor, while…
State leaders in California are adopting sweeping policies in response to the growing health impacts of climate change to fend off the worst effects and encourage similar measures in other countries. This includes steps taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality to protect public health. While California wants to be a leader,…
Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to weaken the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare drug price negotiation program. They found support from a Democrat, Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina, who was not in Congress when the original bill was voted on and received donations from pharmaceutical companies in 2023. Davis said in a statement that he supports…
Sarah Alderson, an academic GP at the University of Leeds, has discovered that fire performing helps her to clear her head and escape from work pressures. This hobby grew out of her interest in Morris dancing and she now performs with a local group called Hellfyre Magpie. Fire performing involves dancing or performing with items…
The article discusses the role of dAcsl enzyme in regulating systemic lipid homeostasis and lipid transport. Lipid homeostasis and interorgan lipid transport are crucial for organism development and maintenance of physiological function. Dyslipidemia, which is the disruption of lipid homeostasis, can lead to physiological disorders such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental defects. Research…
Antidepressants that target the serotonin transporter are commonly prescribed, but can have significant side effects. Researchers from MedUni Vienna led a study to identify the basic principles of serotonin transport in order to develop novel drugs with improved selectivity and fewer undesirable effects. By determining the serotonin transporter’s recognition of the neurotransmitter serotonin, they aimed…
The article discusses the difficulty people face in sticking to their fitness goals, despite the high number of Americans making fitness-centered New Year’s resolutions. The piece offers practical advice from fitness experts, such as personal trainer Gunnar Peterson, who stresses the importance of consistency and prioritization in establishing a year-round fitness routine. He emphasizes that…
The arrival of GLP-1 receptor agonists has revolutionized treatment options for obesity. Medscape Medical News hosted a panel of experts to discuss these potentially life-changing medications and answer questions from the audience. GLP-1 RAs can be used as a primary drug for patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. They do not need to be…
Compression socks offer versatile benefits in situations like pregnancy, work, workouts, running, or travel by promoting improved blood flow and circulation, alleviating achiness, and preventing swelling. Athletes appreciate the advantages of enhanced circulation during workouts and running to minimize lactic acid buildup and decrease post-exercise muscle soreness. A snug fit, circulation pressure, and relief from…
Weight-bearing CT scans have been found to improve the precision of surgery planning for patients with flatfoot. These scans allow for a more accurate understanding of the patient’s foot anatomy and alignment, leading to more precise surgical plans. The use of these scans can help reduce the need for revision surgery and improve patient outcomes….
Healthcare consumers face a challenging and frustrating patient journey with numerous choices and a fragmented system. The burden of navigating this system often falls on patients, leading to long waits, being bounced around, and a lack of assistance. Technology such as automation and AI can streamline patient encounters, improve customer self-service, and support contact center…
Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale’s campaign ad claims that Dr. Anthony Fauci brought COVID to Montana a year before it broke out in the U.S. This ad is part of his fundraising efforts in his run for a Republican nomination. However, these claims are false. The study Rosendale references from the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in…
Amgen is testing their obesity drug candidate, MariTide, to see if they can wean patients toward lower doses over time. Very early data suggests that MariTide may provide longer-lasting weight loss than other popular obesity drugs and could potentially be taken less frequently. Amgen’s unique strategy is to transition patients to a less intensive dosing…
The NHS in England is offering a national gene testing program for Jewish people to identify the faulty BRCA gene, which increases the risk of certain cancers. Jewish people are more likely to have a faulty BRCA gene, putting them at higher risk for breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. The program will invite individuals…
A team of scientists led by Dr. Huong T. X. Hoang of Phenikaa University, Vietnam investigated whether mild COVID-19 infections could affect sleep quality. They recruited 1,056 individuals who were diagnosed with COVID-19 but not hospitalized and sent them a survey regarding their symptoms. 76.1% reported insomnia, with pre-existing chronic conditions and people with anxiety…
The Lancet published peer-reviewed results from a Phase 3 efficacy trial of the R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine. The World Health Organization recently prequalified the vaccine, leading to a global rollout expected to begin in mid-2024. With data from the trial, the vaccine’s effectiveness was reported as 75% in areas with seasonal malaria transmission and 68% in…
Mark Braxton discovered he had vitiligo in 1996 when he noticed white spots on his skin. The condition affected his self-esteem and made him feel insecure and isolated. He tried different treatments but found acceptance and support through the North Carolina Vitiligo Support Community. He now leads the community and hosts a podcast to help…
A new trial, led by Anastasios Charalampidis, MD, PhD, with the Department of Clinical Science, used self-managed physical activity combined with either nighttime bracing for 8 hours or scoliosis-specific exercise to prevent Cobb angle progression in moderate-grade AIS. This trial found that night bracing was more effective than self-managed physical activity or scoliosis-specific exercise alone,…
Candida auris, a deadly fungal infection that is on the rise in the U.S., has been reported for the first time in Washington state. It can cause severe illness in humans and is resistant to antifungal treatments. Four people have tested positive for the infection at Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill, with the source of…
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that both psychotherapy and antidepressants are viable options for managing depression in patients with heart failure. The study suggests that both treatments can be beneficial for improving depressive symptoms in this population. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing depression in patients…
AI algorithms have the potential to improve health monitoring for older adults, but data gaps risk widening health inequities. Healthcare algorithms are largely built from data that exclude older adults, women, people of color, and those from rural and low-income communities. Innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors can help bridge this gap by prioritizing solutions that address…
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that extracranial surgery and anesthesia are linked to worsened cognitive and functional outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study, based on data from TRACK-TBI, included 1835 participants with TBI. The researchers found that patients who underwent extracranial surgery had significantly worse outcomes at 2 weeks and 6…
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is spreading among deer populations and has the potential to infect humans. Research shows that the barriers to spillover into humans are less formidable than previously believed. Experts are working on a major initiative to address the threat of CWD, focusing on public health surveillance, lab capacity, diagnostics, risk communication, and…
Biogen announced that it would no longer sell or study Aduhelm, an Alzheimer’s disease treatment that was approved in 2021, due to corporate mistakes and regulatory issues. This marks the end of the road for the drug and serves as a cautionary tale in pharmaceutical history. The decision has significant implications for the biotech industry…
Laura Kudrna and her colleagues argue that for better health outcomes for ethnic minority groups, higher quality and more inclusive health research is necessary. They discuss the current limitations in the peer review process for funding applications, as well as the need to address systemic and interpersonal racism in medicine and society. They propose the…
Fermentation techniques in food production have become popular, with lactic acid fermentation being a significant contributor. Lactic acid bacteria are instrumental in producing a low pH environment that prevents food spoiling. Lactobacillus brevis, a bacterium that thrives in slightly acidic pH, is often present in fermented products like sauerkraut and pickles. The bacteria produce organic…
A recent study published in EBioMedicine found that physical activity levels are associated with changes in the gut microbiota. By using accelerometer-based assessments, researchers collected data from 8416 individuals to determine the impact of sedentary, moderate, and vigorous activity levels on gut microbiome abundances. The study showed that sedentary habits were linked to increased risk…
Erika Page has lived with vitiligo since she was seven years old, and found strength and connection through the vitiligo community. She felt isolated and alone until she connected with others online and in person, and found a sense of normalcy and understanding. This inspired her to create a positive platform, Living Dappled, to share…
Higher scores on the dietary inflammatory index in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were linked to increased pain over 10 years of follow-up. The study involved 944 adults aged 50-80 with KOA, who underwent MRI and completed a pain questionnaire. Results showed that higher dietary inflammatory index scores were associated with greater pain, but not…
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the gut and play a crucial role in supporting women’s health. They promote digestive balance, immune function, and maintain vaginal health. Factors to consider when choosing probiotics for women include strain selection, CFU count, formulation, delayed release, quality and purity, and health goals. Some recommended probiotics for women include…
Consuming protein before exercising can reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. This is important as hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can have negative effects on performance and overall health. It is recommended to include protein in pre-exercise meals or snacks to help stabilize blood sugar levels. This information is helpful for individuals looking to optimize their…
A new partnership has been formed between digital health providers Talkspace and Bicycle Health to support adults with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Talkspace offers therapy, psychiatry, and medication management, while Bicycle Health provides medication for addiction treatment, therapy, and peer support groups. This partnership allows patients to receive comprehensive care for…
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reported that Limerick, Cork, and Galway hospitals had the highest levels of overcrowding in January. More than 12,000 patients, including 278 children, were without a hospital bed. This was the second-worst January for overcrowding since trolley counts began in 2006. The INMO called for more beds and staff to…
A retrospective cohort study found that switching from dual therapy to monotherapy for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) did not result in different outcomes for patients. The study, conducted at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, included 140 patients with MRSA who received dual therapy with ceftaroline and daptomycin, and were then either…
Taliyah Murphy and other transgender women incarcerated in men’s prisons in Colorado faced sexual harassment and violence. However, a historic legal settlement in the form of a consent decree is expected, which will establish two new voluntary housing units for trans women, making Colorado the first state to offer a separate unit for them. The…
ARCH Venture Partners, a leading investor in the biotech industry, is in the process of raising $3 billion for its 13th namesake fund. The Chicago-based firm filed paperwork with the SEC and expects to raise a similar amount to its previous fund in 2022. ARCH declined to comment on the new fundraising. For the full…
The NHS is currently facing its most severe crisis, with funding constraints, workforce shortages, and high demand from an aging population. The BMJ Commission on the Future of the NHS has called for bold leadership from the next government to rebuild the service and prioritize health in all policies. They urge the next government to…