A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that increased systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure in midlife are associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation in later life. The study, conducted with participants from the ARIC study, showed that elevated blood pressure was linked to a…

San Francisco-based telemental health company Brightside Health secured $33 million in Series C funding from S32 and investors including Kennedy Lewis, Time BioVentures, and Anne Wojcicki. The funding brings their total raised amount to $100 million. The company provides care for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders through a Crisis Care psychiatry platform. The funding…

The Supreme Court appears unlikely to restrict availability of the abortion pill mifepristone in its first abortion case since Roe v. Wade, with more abortion-related cases on the horizon. Republicans target health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, giving Democrats an advantage. Conservative justices express skepticism about challenges to mifepristone, which could impact the drug’s safety…

Surgeons at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute performed a successful lung-liver transplant on a patient with advanced lung cancer, believed to be the first of its kind. The patient, Gary Gibbon, initially received treatment for lung cancer that damaged his lungs and liver, leading to the need for a transplant. Through the Double Lung Replacement…

“The Readout LOUD” is a biotech podcast that covers various topics including who can sue the FDA, the impact of a Supreme Court case on medication abortion and new medicines, and the implications of a trade war on the pharmaceutical industry. The podcast also discusses contrarian views on new obesity treatments, efforts to ban Chinese…

The article discusses the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland, with critics highlighting an increase in alcohol related deaths since the policy was introduced. However, the final evaluation report concluded that MUP had a positive effect on population level health outcomes and reduced alcohol related health inequalities. Data showed that approximately 150…

New research from Karolinska Institutet supports the idea of lowering or removing the current recommendation of a weight gain of at least 5 kg during pregnancy for obese women. The study indicates that there are no increased health risks for either the mother or the child with weight gain below current guidelines. For women with…

A recent study from Kobe University analyzed how synaptic proteins change during early development in mice and marmosets, as well as individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This research provides insights into the mechanism behind synaptic development and potential treatments. Primate brains undergo a process of synaptic pruning after early childhood, reducing connections between brain cells….

Women today are struggling to balance their many roles in life, leading to increased stress and decreased happiness. Lack of free time is a major factor in this trend. It is important for women to prioritize self-care to ensure they have the energy to fulfill their responsibilities. Making time for oneself should be treated as…

A study in preclinical models suggests that familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may be transmissible via bone marrow transplant, but experts warn against immediate conclusions for humans. Researchers found that transplanting mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) stem cells into mice resulted in rapid development of AD-like symptoms. While this finding raises concerns about disease transmission through…

Detoxing involves eliminating toxins to allow organs like the liver, kidneys, and digestive system to function optimally. Fiber-rich foods aid digestion, while anti-bloating products reduce discomfort. The products mentioned, such as Vitauthority Detox Nourish, Fiber Fix, Her Own Debloat Gummies, Inno Cleanse, and SkinnyFit Detox Tea, offer a holistic approach to detox. These products support…

Regular exercise 2-3 times a week may help reduce the risk of developing insomnia, according to a study published in BMJ. The study suggests that consistent physical activity over the long term can have a positive impact on sleep quality. It is important to maintain a regular exercise routine to potentially lower the risk of…

Interoperability tools in healthcare are not being adopted as widely as they should be, hindering the smooth exchange of patient data. Despite the development of standards like FHIR and tools like DICOM and HL7, many providers still rely on outdated methods like faxing. The resistance to change may be due to factors like cost, complexity,…

New measures announced by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will ban the sale of e-cigarettes at events for children, and their promotion near schools and at kids’ movies. These measures are part of an effort to reduce young people vaping, with a six-month lead-in period starting from September 23. The HSE will now have the power…

Thromboelastography (TEG) was studied as a tool for evaluating venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in female cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. TEG parameters were used to assess hypercoagulability, with 63% of patients showing this after the first cycle and 75% after the second cycle. Patients with ovarian cancer had higher TEG values compared to those with breast…

Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative brain disease that primarily affects movement control. The three main symptoms are tremors, muscle rigidity, and slowness of actions. These symptoms result from the loss of nerve cells in the brain, particularly in the substantia nigra region. Diagnosis can be challenging, and treatment aims to alleviate symptoms through drug therapy,…

Pelago, a digital substance use management platform formerly known as Quit Genius, secured $58 million in Series C funding, bringing its total raise to $151 million. Existing investor Atomico led the round, with participation from other investors including Octopus Ventures, Y Combinator, and Kinnevik AB. Pelago works with health plans, employers, and individuals to offer…

Controversial legislation in some states has allowed hospital mergers that create monopolies, despite the Federal Trade Commission’s belief that competition is beneficial for the economy. The creation of Ballad Health in Tennessee and Virginia resulted in a state-sanctioned hospital monopoly, leading to issues like longer wait times in emergency rooms. Critics argue that such mergers…

A study conducted in Finland found that people with glaucoma have higher direct costs compared to those without the disease, as well as higher rates of premature retirement, leading to a significant economic burden on individuals and society. The study evaluated data from the Health 2000 survey and found that glaucoma patients spent more time…

Adam’s Biotech Scorecard is a new subscriber-only newsletter focusing on biotech developments, with the inaugural edition discussing Viking Therapeutics. The company’s dual-acting GLP-1/GIP treatment for obesity, VK2735, has shown impressive weight loss results with minimal side effects, making it a strong competitor to existing obesity treatments. With a stock price increase of 800% and a…

Shera Chok, chair and founder of The Shuri Network, highlights the need to address racism and misogyny in the NHS and health technology industry following Frank Hester’s alleged derogatory comments in 2019. The comments, which included discriminatory remarks about black, Indian, and Malaysian people, underscore the broader issue of discrimination in the healthcare and digital…

A study found that babies fixate on the same meaningful regions in photos as adults, showing an inclination to focus on interesting or important information as they age. This research offers insights into visual development that could aid in the early detection of vision problems. The study utilized adult-generated meaning maps to analyze where infants…

A study published in Scientific Reports evaluated sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) parameters to predict truck collisions caused by microsleep-related behaviors in professional truck drivers. Findings showed that oxygen desaturation index, nadir oxygen saturation, and night-time driving were associated with collisions. SDB, a common issue among truck drivers, can lead to various health problems and motor vehicle…

Alexa Federico, a certified nutritional therapy practitioner with Crohn’s disease, shares her experiences of dating and intimacy while managing her condition. She emphasizes the importance of being open and honest with partners about her health, which has led to understanding and acceptance. Dr. Megan Elizabeth Riehl stresses the significance of communication and finding a supportive…

Ovarian cancer is a deadly disease with one in seven women dying within two months of diagnosis in the United Kingdom. Early detection is crucial as nine out of ten women survive when diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, two-thirds of women are diagnosed late, making treatment more challenging. Diagnosis is difficult due to misconceptions…

Getting insufficient sleep can make you feel older than you actually are, according to a new study. Researchers at Stockholm University found that just two nights of inadequate sleep can add more than four years to your perceived aging. Participants in the study reported feeling an average of 0.23 years older for every night of…

A recent study found that exposure to outdoor light at night and air pollution are both linked to a higher risk of stroke. These factors can have negative impacts on health and increase the likelihood of experiencing a stroke. It is important to be aware of these risks and take steps to minimize exposure to…

A Novocure medical device that uses electricity to kill tumors has shown promising results in slowing the progression of lung cancer that has spread to the brain. The device, which uses “Tumor Treating Fields” to exert physical forces on cancer cells, was tested in a Phase 3 trial with adult non-small cell lung cancer patients…

Dr Austin O’Carroll has been appointed as the new chairperson of Dublin’s North Inner-City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, overseeing €2.25 million in funding for local drug services. The Task Force aims to ensure the effective delivery of services and address gaps in provision. This move follows the Government’s decision to re-constitute the Task Force,…

NEC Corporation and Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed AI technology to support individuals with chronic lower back pain by estimating its causes. The tool uses NEC’s human pose estimation technology to analyze body parts’ relationships, including joint flexion and back shape, to determine the cause of pain. Abductive reasoning technology processes image and…

Fiona Lu fell into depression in ninth grade but couldn’t get therapy due to her Medi-Cal plan requiring parental consent. She later campaigned for a new law allowing young patients covered by Medicaid to get mental health counseling without parental consent. The law faced opposition from parents concerned about losing control over their children’s health…

A study published in Biomedicines found that a blood sample analysis using Raman spectroscopy, combined with statistical modeling, was able to diagnose fibromyalgia accurately. The method, using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with gold particles, showed 100% diagnostic accuracy in discriminating fibromyalgia from other rheumatic disorders. This could potentially lead to a rapid and cost-effective diagnostic test…

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is known for critiquing drug prices, but they recently valued a new treatment at $3.9 million, the highest in history. This treatment, now approved as Lenmeldy, has the potential to cure babies with metachromatic leukodystrophy, allowing them to lead normal lives. This showcases the power of gene…

David J Hunter and colleagues highlight the decline of public health in the UK since 2010 due to factors like austerity, Brexit, and covid-19. They emphasize the need for stronger policy and leadership to address rising obesity levels, stalled life expectancy gains, widening health inequalities, and the weakening of public health agencies. The government’s opposition…

A Japanese drugmaker, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, has reported two more deaths potentially related to its dietary supplements containing red yeast rice. Last week, the company recalled three supplement brands due to customer complaints of kidney problems. The total number of deaths being investigated is now four, with over 100 others hospitalized. Red yeast rice is known…

A recent review article in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition discussed the impact of food allergies (FA) on the economic, psychological, and social quality of life (QoL) of individuals. FA affects more than 10% of adults and 8% of children, with common allergens being milk, shellfish, nuts, and eggs. Managing FA leads to psychosocial burdens,…

Research has debunked the belief that men have higher sex drives than women due to societal norms and biases influencing how sexual behaviors are reported. Factors like biology, age, and societal attitudes impact sexual interest for both men and women. Studies have found that men and women report similar levels of sexual activity when societal…

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) increases the risk of earlier death, but screening for muscle function can help with intervention. A study in the Netherlands evaluated 5888 older adults and found that those with sarcopenia had a higher risk of all-cause mortality. Participants with SO and altered body composition had an even higher risk. The researchers suggest…

“Popcorn brain,” a term describing scattered thoughts and lack of focus often caused by excessive screen time, can lead to decreased attention spans and productivity. The effects of excess screen time can impact brain development in children, disrupt sleep patterns, and contribute to feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. Mental health counselor Natalie Rosado suggests limiting…

Diabetes can be managed through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and medication. Junk food consumption can contribute to the development of diabetes due to its high sugar, fat, and calorie content. It is important to be mindful of the foods we eat and make healthier choices to prevent or manage diabetes. Consulting with a healthcare…

Mass General Brigham aims to transition 10% of its medical patients to at-home care, with potential to move up to 30-40% eventually. The health system partners with Best Buy for at-home care services, focusing on patients with conditions like heart failure, COPD, and pneumonia. The Covid-19 pandemic has increased acceptance of virtual and at-home care,…

A new report has shown that rates of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) in Ireland increased by almost one third last year, with significant rises seen among young women and girls. Gonorrhoea saw a 68% rise in cases, while chlamydia grew by 25%. Overall, 23,272 STI cases were reported, with the majority relating to chlamydia and gonorrhoea….

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that adding the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin to the standard CHOP regimen did not improve outcomes in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The study included adult patients who received either Ro-CHOP or CHOP as frontline treatment. After a median follow-up of 6 years, there were…

Funding of A$6.5 million has been awarded to four genomics-focused research projects at the University of Melbourne. These projects aim to establish patient datasets for inherited retinal diseases, develop new solutions for endometrial-related health issues, and improve prostate cancer diagnosis using genomic testing. The projects will have access to DNA sequencing technology at the TAGC…

Assisted living facilities in Montana are facing financial struggles due to delays in Medicaid payments for residents. Providers are waiting for payments ranging from weeks to months, leading to financial strain and challenges in providing care. The state’s Medicaid redetermination process has caused disruptions in payments to providers, affecting long-term care facilities, substance use disorder…

ChatGPT, an AI language model, scored well in producing high-quality and accurate summaries of medical abstracts, according to a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine. While it struggled to classify the relevance of abstracts to medical specialties, the researchers suggested that ChatGPT could help busy clinicians by summarizing literature efficiently. The summaries were…