Body dysmorphia, also known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition that causes excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s physical appearance, particularly affecting teens, especially girls. A new study has found BDD to be six times more prevalent in girls than boys, significantly impacting their quality of life. BDD often goes…

A new analysis has found that tirzepatide, a drug used to treat obesity, consistently reduces body weight regardless of a patient’s BMI before treatment. This finding suggests that the drug may be effective for a wide range of individuals struggling with obesity. Cookies are used on the website for analytics, advertising, and to improve the…

The nursing industry is currently facing a crisis with a high turnover rate and lack of retention. Data shows that a significant number of nurses are considering leaving their current roles, with many turning to agency roles for higher pay. To address the issue, hospitals must consider offering competitive wages compared to agencies and other…

Health officials in Ireland have confirmed nine cases of measles so far this year, which is more than double the total number of cases seen in 2023. An additional ten cases are under investigation. The cases are spread across different regions in Dublin, with a weekly update on cases being posted on the Health Protection…

A study published in Lancet Hematology showed promising results for using eltrombopag and cyclosporin A as first-line treatment for severe aplastic anemia. The multicenter phase 2 trial treated 54 patients with severe AA and found a 6-month hematologic overall response rate of 46%, with a complete response rate of 4%. The most common adverse events…

The Brunei Ministry of Health has updated the BruHealth app with new features to improve the patient experience. This includes a queue management system for booking appointments and checking in before visiting health facilities, real-time queue number tracking, video consultations, and access to health records. The Indonesian Ministry of Health has also updated its mobile…

Neal Osborne, a City Council member in Bristol, Virginia, with Type 1 diabetes, suffered a harrowing experience in the local hospital’s emergency room due to a malfunctioning insulin pump. Osborne waited for 30 hours before being moved to the intensive care unit, highlighting issues with ER wait times in the region. Ballad Health, a 20-hospital…

A study found that neighborhoods historically redlined in the 1930s have a higher prevalence of diabetes compared to non-redlined areas. Redlining, a discriminatory practice by the Federal Housing Administration, denied credit and insurance to residents in economically disadvantaged areas. These redlined neighborhoods were more often inhabited by racial-ethnic minority groups. Residents in redlined neighborhoods are…

Novo Nordisk is acquiring Cardior Pharmaceuticals for up to $1.1 billion to add new drug candidates to its cardiometabolic pipeline. Cardior focuses on RNA targeting for heart disease and its lead candidate, CDR132L, is in Phase 2 development for heart failure. The deal, slated to close in the second quarter, does not disclose the upfront…

A new preference informed allocation system was implemented for allocating foundation programme places to medical students in the UK. This system, known as PIA, uses a ranking system generated by a computer algorithm, rather than academic performance, to assign students to their preferred deanery. The goal of PIA was to create a fairer system, reduce…

Researchers at The Australian National University have discovered a gene mutation causing psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease with red, scaly patches. The mutation, known as IKBKB, can lead to psoriatic arthritis, causing joint pain and swelling. The mutated gene affects immune cells, leading to inflammation. Around 500,000 Australians have psoriasis, with 3 in 10…

Recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized technology and society. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are becoming valuable resources for information, especially in healthcare. However, ethical and safety concerns need to be addressed as AI errors, health disinformation, and privacy issues are prevalent. AI errors arise when inaccurate information is generated, posing…

UC Berkeley has created a harvesting box that can extract water from the air in places like the Mojave Desert, providing a solution to the global water crisis. The box, powered by sunlight, uses metal-organic frameworks to pull moisture from the air, producing over a gallon of drinkable water per day. Northwestern University researchers have…

The European Medicines Agency recently approved the marketing of bevacizumab-vikg for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. The drug has shown significant efficacy in clinical trials, with a higher percentage of patients gaining visual acuity compared to other approved medications. The safety profile of the drug was reported to be consistent with previous studies,…

A recent study from the University of Birmingham found that individuals with a lung disease called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) have a higher risk of developing heart conditions, regardless of other risk factors like smoking or age. The study, published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, involved 220 patients with AATD, which causes lung…

PGI Chandigarh is planning to implement QR code-based payment systems in their outpatient departments (OPDs). This move aims to streamline the payment process and provide a more convenient option for patients. By scanning the QR code, patients will be able to make payments easily and efficiently. The hospital is taking steps to improve their services…

The Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) conducted a study on digital diabetes management tools and found that they do not provide significant clinical benefits and can increase health spending. The analysis evaluated eight digital tools for type 2 diabetes but found that only Virta’s solution leveraging nutritional ketosis showed promising results. The other tools only…

Daffodil Day is an annual fundraising event that supports cancer services in Ireland. Last year, the Irish Cancer Society provided night-nursing care, funded scientific researchers, and supported Cancer Trials Ireland. They have also established Daffodil Centres in 13 hospitals staffed by cancer nurses and volunteers. Today, health facilities nationwide are celebrating Daffodil Day, with events…

The Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research provided updates on Alzheimer Disease (AD) and AD and related dementias (ADRD) treatments and ongoing research in a virtual meeting. New treatments for AD, such as Leqembi and donanemab, were discussed. Biogen Inc. discontinued Aduhelm in favor of prioritizing lecanemab. Resources for dementia caregivers have increased, including a public…

Johnson & Johnson MedTech has partnered with NVIDIA to incorporate artificial intelligence in surgical procedures. The collaboration aims to enhance real-time analysis and expand the use of AI algorithms in surgery decision-making, education, and collaboration. By utilizing NVIDIA’s AI platform for healthcare, J&J MedTech plans to integrate AI into its surgical technologies to improve patient…

Jason Barton and his family attended the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, where a tragic shooting occurred. Despite not being officially listed as victims, they experienced trauma and physical injuries. The community has come together to support survivors, address medical and psychological needs, and distribute donations. The Barton family, like many others affected, struggles…

Jasper Therapeutics has initiated a phase 1b/2a clinical trial, called SPOTLIGHT, to evaluate subcutaneous briquilimab for the treatment of chronic inducible urticaria. Briquilimab is a novel antibody therapy that targets c-Kit in mast cell-driven diseases. The first patient has been dosed in the study, which aims to establish proof of concept for mast cell depletion…

The FDA has authorized a new antibody drug, Pemgarda, to protect immunocompromised individuals from Covid-19. This drug by Invivyd is the first available since AstraZeneca’s Evusheld was pulled due to its ineffectiveness against new Omicron variants. Immunocompromised patients, including cancer and transplant recipients, eagerly anticipate this protection as their weakened immune systems may not respond…

John Holman Bentley Williams was born in Eastbourne, the son of a GP, and went on to study medicine at Oxford after completing national service in the Royal Air Force. He was part of the Oxford athletics team as a hurdler and witnessed Roger Bannister’s historic four-minute mile in 1954. After qualifying as a doctor,…

A study conducted in Canada found that physicians, particularly male doctors, are working fewer hours compared to three decades ago. The long-term trend of declining work hours among physicians should be considered in workforce planning and health care policy decisions. The COVID-19 pandemic also had an impact on physician work hours, with a temporary decline…

A recent study in Nature Human Behaviour examined the long-term psychiatric effects and vaccination’s role on mental health in COVID-19 survivors using UK Biobank data. The research found that COVID-19 survivors faced heightened risks of various psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, mood, and anxiety disorders, with increased prescriptions for psychotropic medications. The study also highlighted the…

Living with depression can affect relationships, as psychologist and depression sufferer Deborah Serani explains. Strong relationships can be a buffer against depression, but it can be hard to maintain them when dealing with symptoms like moodiness and difficulty concentrating. It’s important to communicate openly with loved ones about your needs and feelings, and not to…

The European Medicines Agency has recommended granting marketing authorization for two medications – Agilus for the treatment of malignant hyperthermia, and Neoatricon for the treatment of hypotension in neonates, infants, and children. Agilus contains dantrolene sodium and works by preventing the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Neoatricon contains dopamine hydrochloride and works by…

A recent study funded by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals hospitalized with influenza were more likely to require hospital care for neurological conditions in the following year compared to those with COVID-19. The study, which included 77,272 individuals with COVID-19 and an equal number with influenza, found lower rates of common neurological…

The U.S. FDA has approved a single tablet combination of macitentan and tadalafil for the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension. This medication offers a convenient option for patients with this condition. The combination of macitentan and tadalafil has been shown to be effective in improving symptoms and quality of life for individuals with pulmonary artery…

The digital health industry is facing challenges in funding and financing, with an oversaturation of startups making it difficult for many to succeed in the market. Successful startups are those that can quickly demonstrate ROI for customers and show improved outcomes through measurable data. Health system leaders prioritize ROI when considering new products, with a…

The Minister for Health appointed barrister Mark Connaughton as chair of the new Paediatric Spinal Taskforce for children with scoliosis. The taskforce aims to improve care for children with scoliosis who are currently facing long waits for surgery. The group will include multiple stakeholders with draft terms of reference for their work. Minister Donnelly highlighted…

Social frailty is associated with an increased risk for incident motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) in older adults. A study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia found that social frailty, defined by factors such as going out less and not feeling confident, independently raised the risk of MCR. The researchers used the Makizako Social Frailty Index…

RNA-focused digital therapeutics company Flamingo Therapeutics appointed Dr. Ezra Cohen to its board of directors. The company specializes in RNA therapies for oncology and is supported by various investors. Dr. Cohen has a background in developing pharmaceuticals, particularly for head and neck cancers. He is optimistic about Flamingo’s potential to improve treatment options in oncology….

Antonio Abundis, un padre de tres hijos diagnosticado con leucemia, perdió su cobertura de Medi-Cal en julio pasado debido a una nueva verificación de elegibilidad en California. Esta situación se ha visto reflejada en cientos de miles de latinos que han sido desafiliados de Medi-Cal, lo que ha generado dificultades para reestablecer la cobertura. Algunos…

Dr. Sheri L. Rowen discusses new treatment options for patients with presbyopia at Hawaiian Eye 2024. She mentions successful outcomes with the Light Adjustable Lens+ for a patient needing cataract surgery. Additionally, she highlights a modular shape-changing lens from Atia Vision, a new 0.4% pilocarpine drop, and laser scleral microporation from Ace Vision Group. Dr….

Celebrities used to keep their illnesses private, but that changed in the early 20th century with a growing obsession with celebrities. Athletes like Lou Gehrig and public figures like Betty Ford started the trend of publicizing their illnesses, influencing others to do the same. Disclosure of illnesses like cancer and mental health conditions has helped…

The Czech Republic is facing a significant outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, with over 3000 cases reported this year. Deputy health minister Josef Pavlovic urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and to address any gaps in vaccination status. The government is taking steps to address the outbreak and prevent further…

Lab tests conducted on cannabis flower sold in Colorado revealed that the THC potency reported on labels was often inflated. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis, and accurate reporting is crucial for medical patients and recreational users. Misleading information can impact dosages, customer trust, and industry integrity. The study found that 70% of samples…

A study led by NTU Singapore has found that Streptococcus anginosus bacteria play a significant role in causing stomach cancer. These bacteria, which are commonly found in the body, can lead to cell damage and changes that encourage gastric cancer, including inflammation and abnormal cell growth. The researchers also discovered that disrupting a protein on…

In the last 20 years, treatment options for major depressive disorder have significantly improved. Advances in evidence-based treatment have led to the development of more selective antidepressants with fewer side effects. Psychotherapy combined with drug therapy, such as newer medications like citalopram and escitalopram, is found to be the most effective. Newer treatments like ketamine…

The study found that most survivors of childhood cancer in Ontario, Canada do not meet surveillance guidelines for screening adult cancers or other long-term adverse effects of treatment. Only 53% followed recommendations for cardiomyopathy screening, 13% for colorectal cancer screening, and 6% for breast cancer screening. The risk for developing secondary cancers is high among…

Prosopometamorphopsia (PMO) is a rare neurological disorder that distorts facial perception, causing individuals to see demonic-like faces. It has been reported in fewer than 100 cases and is often misdiagnosed as schizophrenia. The condition stems from dysfunction in the brain’s facial processing network and can be triggered by head trauma, stroke, epilepsy, or migraines. A…

A recent study found that children under 2 years who received the MMR vaccine had a reduced rate of antibiotic treatment. The study suggests that the MMR vaccine may have a positive impact on reducing the need for antibiotics in young children. This finding highlights the potential benefits of vaccination beyond just preventing the targeted…

Scientists worldwide are researching advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs) to harness the body’s healing potential, revolutionizing healthcare. These living therapies, utilizing cells, proteins, tissues, and nucleic acids, offer curative potential for rare and stubborn diseases. Despite challenges in manufacturing and supply, ATMPs have shown promise, evidenced by 34,400 CAR-T cell therapies delivered. The field is…

Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin will begin testing wearable devices for patients with severe asthma. The devices will be integrated into a digital platform and used by 50 patients on a trial basis. Patients will also receive a home spirometer to measure lung function. The wearable device will allow patients to record various health data,…

Traffic-related pollution is linked to increased neuritic plaques in Alzheimer’s patients, especially in those without APOE ε4 alleles. Exposure to PM2.5 has been associated with dementia and cognitive decline. A study at the Emory Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center found a significant association between PM2.5 and CERAD scores. The study had limitations, including a small…

A study published in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair found that augmented reality (AR) headsets can deliver effective virtual dual-task training for people with Parkinson’s Disease to improve their gait. This innovation makes therapy more accessible for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, who often struggle with walking due to symptoms like loss of balance and shuffling gait….

Verily, Alphabet’s life science subsidiary, has shifted its focus to using AI and data science for precision health. Andrew Trister, Verily’s chief medical and science officer, discussed the company’s collaboration with Google, its development of technologies like the Verily Retinal Camera, and its exploration of generative AI models like Med-PaLM and Gemini. Verily aims to…

KFF Health News reporters discussed various health topics in recent podcasts and news segments. Aneri Pattani talked about reporting on addiction and opioid spending in Massachusetts. Rachana Pradhan explored constraints on women’s health care at Catholic hospitals, while Paula Andalo covered Colorado students advocating for carrying naloxone. KFF Health News is a national newsroom focusing…