A recent poll shows that most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials play a role in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, along with the person who pulled the trigger. The suspect charged with the murder has been portrayed as a heroic figure in some circles, leading to discussions about insurance company practices. Many…
Tonsillitis is a common reason for doctor visits and antibiotics prescriptions. The Centor Criteria are commonly used to determine the need for antibiotics based on symptoms like fever and swollen lymph nodes. A study in Sweden compared digital health care consultations to physical exams for tonsillitis assessment. Results showed that digital assessments were not as…
Sepsis is a deadly complication of infection that can lead to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), both associated with high mortality rates. NETs play a key role in the progression of sepsis by triggering inflammation. A study from Nanjing Medical University shows that medical ozone therapy targeting the AMPK/SR-A1 axis…
Women with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) face a higher risk of cirrhosis, while men have increased risks of hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic decompensation, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and non–sex-specific cancers. A cohort study examined outcomes in adults with MASLD, finding that women had higher rates of liver adverse events, while men faced higher…
Healthcare organizations in the U.S. are losing an average of $1.9 million per day during downtime following ransomware attacks, with 654 attacks on medical organizations since 2018 and 143 in just the past year. These attacks make it difficult for providers to access patient data and provide care until hackers are paid or ransomware is…
Brain injuries can have long-lasting effects on personality, speech, and movement. They can be classified as concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), with a 15-point scale used to determine severity. Common causes include work-related incidents, slip-and-fall accidents, sports-related injuries, and car crashes. Certain jobs, like construction, carry a higher risk of brain injury. Sports players…
In 2024, the FDA’s approval of omalizumab for food allergies dominated the news in the field of allergy treatment. Other popular topics included the impact of media on food allergies, social pressures, and bullying. The controversial Uber Eats Super Bowl commercial depicting an allergic reaction sparked discussion. Additionally, discussions on whether better drugs or food…
Vijay Yeldandia, a professor of medicine and surgery, reflects on his experience with polio in India, where vaccines were only widely available in the 1970s. With the recent appointment of vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., concerns have risen about potential policy changes that could impact vaccine requirements in the U.S. Experts fear that anti-vaccine rhetoric…
Circadian rhythms, controlled by biological clocks, have a significant impact on our health and disease. Light exposure is crucial for setting these rhythms and disruptions can lead to various health issues, including sleep disorders, heart attacks, stroke, obesity, autoimmune disorders, infections, dementia, and cancer. Maintaining a regular light schedule, using light boxes to supplement sunlight,…
Osmometry is a method to determine a sample’s osmolality by measuring the total number of osmotically active particles in a solution. Knauer’s K-7400S osmometer uses freezing point osmometry to accurately determine osmolality. The osmometer has a highly precise thermistor to detect temperature changes. It is commonly used in pharmacies for quality control of batch preparations,…
Research suggests that coffee consumption is associated with an abundance of the gut bacterium Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus, showing that specific foods can affect the intestinal microbiome. The study analyzed data from over 22,000 participants and found a fourfold higher abundance of L asaccharolyticus in coffee drinkers. In vitro experiments validated these findings, showing that coffee stimulates…
Prof Mary McCarron received the Research Impact Award for her work in improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities living with dementia. Her research has reshaped care practices and policy, leading to the development of guidelines that are set to influence dementia care nationwide. The award, presented at Dublin’s Mansion House, recognized Prof McCarron’s…
AI has become increasingly important in the field of oncology and hematology. It is being used for diagnosis, staging, and treatment decision-making. However, there are concerns about potential misuse, privacy breaches, and a loss of personalization in patient care. Healio has provided updates on AI in clinical settings, including a study that showed an AI…
STAT published a wide range of stories on health and medicine this year, covering topics such as the killing of a health insurance executive, UnitedHealth’s questionable practices, CRISPR advancements, GLP-1 therapies, vaccine policies under the new administration, AI in healthcare, drug patents, food as medicine, drug companies’ pricing strategies, and more. The coverage also delved…
A study published in Neurology found that COVID-19 infection does not lead to immediate changes in symptom severity or disability in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study included 796 participants with COVID-19 and 1,336 uninfected participants, and found no significant difference in symptom trajectory or disability levels between the two groups before or after…
President Biden signed the bipartisan HEARTS Act, aimed at preparing schools to respond to cardiac emergencies, into law this week. Backed by the American Heart Association, the legislation includes provisions for CPR training, AEDs, and emergency response plans in schools. The Act also establishes a grant program to support these initiatives. The goal is to…
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medications are effective weight loss tools for obese individuals, but many patients struggle with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and dehydration. Adjusting the dosage gradually and following a diet rich in fiber and smaller, easily digested meals can help manage these side effects. Hydration and avoiding heavy, fatty foods…
Traumatic injury is a leading cause of death, surpassing cancer and heart disease, with annual hospital costs exceeding $120 billion. Healthcare providers face high stress and inefficient care due to overwhelming electronic health record data. TraumaCare.AI develops AI software for real-time, data-driven insights to empower trauma and critical care teams. Their team includes healthcare IT…
The Cure Blindness Project, formerly known as the Himalayan Cataract Project, is dedicated to fighting preventable blindness in underserved parts of the world. The organization works in 30 countries in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South America, providing screenings and surgeries to those in need. The organization recently underwent a name change to better reflect its…
Genetic sequences of H5N1 bird flu viruses collected from severe cases in Louisiana and British Columbia show mutations that may affect the virus’s ability to attach to human cells. The mutations observed in both cases are believed to help the virus adapt to bind to cell receptors in the upper respiratory tracts of humans. While…
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found an increase in buprenorphine dispensing among adolescents and a decrease among young adults from 2020 to 2023 in the United States. The overall number of young adults and adolescents dispensed buprenorphine decreased annually, driven by significant decreases among young adults aged 20 to…
Protein glycosylation is a vital biological process that regulates cellular functions. Scientists at Fudan University developed a glycopeptide enrichment strategy called HG-TCs, allowing the identification of multiple glycosylation types simultaneously. This method can enrich glycopeptides using an azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction and release them through trypsin cleavage, minimizing sample loss. The approach offers a time-efficient workflow…
The REPREVIO trial found that vedolizumab treatment within 4 weeks of ileocolonic resection was more effective than placebo in preventing postoperative endoscopic recurrence of Crohn’s disease in patients with risk factors for recurrence. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab in this patient population, with vedolizumab resulting in a lower modified Rutgeerts score…
As the population ages and chronic diseases increase, the need for rapid therapeutic development in clinical trials has never been greater. This article explores four predictions for the future of clinical trials, including a rise in the number of trials, a surge in data capture popularity, narrowing gaps between enrollment plans and actual enrollment, and…
Research published in 2024 highlighted progress in preventing and understanding nosocomial infections caused by Candida auris and Clostridioides difficile. Studies explored prevention bundles, environmental sampling, patient testing, and the role of cockroaches in spreading outbreaks. One study found that cockroaches can carry pathogens linked to nosocomial infections. Other research showed the benefits of expanded screening…
Nearly five years ago, the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus shook the global medical community with its highly contagious nature and lack of known treatment. Convalescent plasma proved to be a successful treatment for Covid-19 while other therapies and vaccines were being developed. Now, the H5N1 avian flu virus poses a potential threat,…
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received therapeutic-dose anticoagulation with heparins had a lower 28-day mortality rate compared to those who received prophylactic-dose anticoagulation. The review, which included data from 20 trials and two additional studies, showed that higher-dose anticoagulation was associated with reduced mortality but…
Men with Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic condition affecting fertility in one out of every 600 men, face infertility due to an extra X chromosome. Professor Qiao Jie’s research at Peking University reveals that this extra chromosome causes disrupted gene activity and movement in fetal germ cells, leading to early loss of key reproductive cells. By…
COVID-19 survivors experience a more significant decline in kidney function compared to those recovering from pneumonia caused by other infections, particularly among those requiring hospitalization. The study, led by Viyaasan Mahalingasivam, found that after COVID-19, the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased, especially for hospitalized patients. The risk of a 25% reduction in…
MaKenna Lauterbach, a pregnant woman from Illinois, was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma after discovering a large tumor in her chest causing cough and breathlessness during her pregnancy. The timely intervention of doctors saved both her and her baby’s lives through an emergency C-section and tumor removal surgery. Lauterbach underwent immunotherapy and surgery to shrink…
President-elect Donald Trump appointed David Sacks as the White House’s first-ever czar for AI and cryptocurrency. Sacks will guide policy for AI and cryptocurrency, areas critical to American competitiveness. Analysts predict a looser approach to AI regulation under the incoming administration. One healthcare tech expert, Ryan Tarzy, believes Sacks’ appointment will benefit the healthcare industry…
Red light therapy is being studied for its potential in controlling myopia in children. While experts caution against using this treatment modality for children, research indicates promising results similar to other myopia treatments. Studies have shown that low-level red light therapy and atropine can increase retinal vascular density in premyopic children, but caution is advised…
In the midst of the 2020s, global health faces numerous challenges. The decade began with the severe Covid-19 pandemic followed by the emergence of mpox, a contagious disease spreading through sexual contact. The bird flu H5N1 virus has also resurfaced, now infecting dairy cows. Concerns arise about the potential for these viruses to mutate or…
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia are associated with an increased risk of neurological disorders in the months to years after giving birth. The study included over 600,000 women with singleton pregnancies in Sweden. Women with gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia had a higher risk of new-onset migraine,…
A research team at KIST has developed a novel stent surface treatment technology using laser patterning to promote endothelial cell growth and inhibit smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation in blood vessels. Traditional metal stents may cause restenosis, leading researchers to explore surface coatings with bioactive molecules. The team applied nanosecond laser texturing to create wrinkle patterns…
A study conducted at the Cleveland Clinic examined the impact of the interval between previous cardiac surgeries and subsequent reoperations on operative mortality and complexity of procedures. The study included 6021 cardiac reoperations involving resternotomy performed from 2008 to 2017 and found that early reoperations (
The FDA has issued a recall of Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF due to potential fungal contamination. The product, used to relieve dry eye symptoms, was distributed to various retail stores and online platforms. No adverse events related to the recall have been reported. Consumers with affected products are encouraged to stop using them…
The next wave of metabolic medicines in development involves obesity drugs that offer the benefits of currently available injectable drugs in pill form. Corxel Pharmaceuticals has acquired the Phase 2-ready drug candidate, VCT220, a small molecule GLP-1 agonist developed by Vincentage Pharma. GLP-1 drugs mimic hormones to regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite, targeting the…
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that Black premature newborns experience higher rates of complications such as late-onset sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis compared to white and Hispanic newborns. Mortality rates were similar across all racial groups by 2022. The research, led by Nansi S. Boghossian, analyzed data from over 90,000 newborns born at…
In 2024, STAT’s reporters provided excellent journalism, with a roundup of stories you may have missed. They also compiled a list of favorite stories, including one about the aftermath of curing cystic fibrosis, a shocking revelation about PFAS chemicals, and the impact of abortion restrictions on families. Other notable stories include the lack of progress…
Research on child development often establishes norms based on studies conducted in wealthier, western countries. These norms can be misleading as they may not apply universally due to cultural and social differences. Factors such as physical environment, parenting styles, and individual variations can significantly impact how children grow and develop. It is crucial to understand…
Scientists at Scripps Research discovered the interactions between polyphosphate (polyP), DNA, and magnesium, forming structures called condensates. This interaction could impact cellular responses and has applications in translational medicine. The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that DNA wraps around polyP-magnesium ion condensates in a specific magnesium concentration range. This DNA shell affects molecule transportation…
A survey of 35 pediatric dermatologists found that while all respondents receive inpatient central line dressing (CLD)-related consults, 66% lack standardized protocols for managing adverse skin reactions. Most reactions were in children aged 1-12 years, with management strategies including switching to alternative products and applying topical corticosteroids. The study highlights the need for a standardized…
Improving brain health is essential, and the American Academy of Neurology has outlined 12 key factors to protect the brain in a mnemonic called “SAFEST BRAINS.” These factors include sleep, mood, diet, exercise, social interaction, trauma avoidance, blood pressure, genetic factors, affordability, infections, negative exposures, and structural/social determinants of health. By discussing these factors with…
The article discusses the use of AI in the pharmaceutical industry to improve patient outcomes and R&D productivity. It explains different types of AI, potential applications in drug discovery and clinical trials, and the importance of ethical considerations. The article also highlights the need for data standards, improved trial design, and transparency in AI technology….
A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting discussed the prevalence of food sensitization among children in Honduras. The study found that food sensitization is common, despite lower rates of reported clinical food allergy. The research team hypothesized that prevalence of food allergy in lower- and middle-income countries…
Gender-affirming surgeries have become increasingly popular in the U.S. over the past decade, with more patients seeking procedures like vaginoplasty and phalloplasty. Despite the positive impact these surgeries have on patients’ mental health and well-being, they face political challenges, with some states passing laws limiting access to gender-affirming care. Surgeons who specialize in these procedures…
The “choking game” and other dangerous challenges popularized by social media can have deadly consequences, with rough estimates suggesting about 10% of U.S. teenagers have played such games at least once. Other games like the Skullbreaker Challenge, Tide Pod Challenge, and Car Surfing also pose serious risks. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to these activities due…
In orthopedic medicine, managing infected bone defects (IBDs) is a major challenge. Advanced biomaterials have led to the development of a dual-functional bone regeneration scaffold, Qx-D, capable of promoting bone growth and fighting infections. This scaffold, created by modifying demineralized bone matrix with a macromolecular quaternary ammonium salt, demonstrated excellent antibacterial properties against various bacteria…
A study found that parents of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) are less likely to get the recommended 7 hours of sleep and rely more on sleep medications. Data from the National Health Interview Survey showed that parents of children with AD were more likely to not meet the sleep recommendation and use sleep aids…