A study found that retinoic acid receptors (RARa) in the proximal tubules of the kidney are essential in preventing kidney injury that can lead to kidney failure. When RARa in the proximal tubules stop working, chronic kidney disease can develop. Current treatment options for kidney disease are limited, with dialysis or kidney replacement being the…

Heart disease is common among people with diabetes, with their risk of heart disease death and stroke being more than twice as high. Type 2 diabetes is associated with a higher prevalence of heart disease, making it the leading cause of death among individuals with this type of diabetes. The Framingham Study highlighted the increased…

During a presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology meeting, dermatologist Jenny Murase discussed safe options for treating infections in pregnant women, cautioning about certain drugs with potential risks. For bacterial infections, first-line treatments include mupirocin, penicillin, and dicloxacillin. Clindamycin is recommended for MRSA. Antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporins are suggested for general infections. Erythromycin…

Kidney diseases are a major cause of death in the United States, with millions of adults suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). This National Kidney Month, expert Lindsay Ducharme emphasizes the importance of dietary habits in preventing and managing kidney diseases. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste, maintaining electrolyte balance, regulating fluids,…

Single lung ventilation with double endotracheal tubes is an effective technique for isolating and ventilating one lung during certain surgical procedures. The use of two tubes can provide better lung isolation, improved oxygenation, and reduced incidence of complications compared to using a single tube. However, proper placement and monitoring are crucial for successful outcomes. The…

Wheel, a virtual care platform, has partnered with prescription drug company Cost Plus Drugs, mental health company Talkspace, and data sharing platform Health Gorilla to enhance its virtual care ecosystem. Wheel provides infrastructure for virtual care, connecting patients with clinicians nationwide. Through these partnerships, patients can access mental health services, home delivery pharmacy services, and…

The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) has released new educational resources for GPs on contraception and fertility management. The Quick Reference Guide (QRG) on Contraception Management provides detailed information on counseling and prescribing different types of contraception. The government’s introduction of free contraceptive services for women aged 17-31 is seen as a positive step…

Cybercrime in the healthcare industry is on the rise, impacting patient care and leading to lawsuits. A survey found that disruptions to patient care, poor outcomes, and increased complications are common due to cyberattacks. Health care organizations are facing multiple attacks annually with an average cost of nearly $5 million per attack. Supply chain attacks…

Magentus partners with Google Cloud to enhance customer data management using generative AI. They aim to simplify access to medical information for clinicians through AI solutions. Amwell is selected by Medibank to support preventative care programs with technology for lifestyle management. The ACCC approves Westpac’s acquisition of Dedalus’s HealthPoint, allowing the bank to compete in…

California could face over $40 million in fines for failing to improve suicide prevention measures in state prisons despite a federal judge’s warning. Chief U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller had threatened financial penalties for each violation if the state did not implement 15 suicide prevention protocols that had been lacking for almost a decade. The…

Silk Road Medical has launched a new tapered configuration of their transcarotid stent system in the U.S. This system is indicated for patients with carotid artery stenosis at elevated risk for adverse events from carotid endarterectomy. The Tapered Enroute Transcarotid Stent System provides additional configurations for tailored transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) with a short delivery…

U.S. regulators have approved a label expansion for Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy, highlighting its benefits for the heart. This move is expected to increase demand and insurance coverage for the popular treatment. The new label indicates that Wegovy can help reduce the risk of major heart complications for individuals with overweight or obesity and…

Junior doctors in Northern Ireland went on strike to protect patient care due to doctors leaving for countries with better pay and conditions. The strike, the first in Northern Ireland, was supported by 97.6% of doctors in a BMA vote. Doctors on the picket line at Ulster Hospital in Belfast expressed that they were at…

Matthew Treviño and Emily Fletcher are participating in a clinical trial at UC Davis Health to test a reversible hormonal birth control gel for men. The gel, developed by the Population Council and the NIH, is applied to the shoulders and works by suppressing sperm production while maintaining testosterone levels. The couple decided to participate…

Diabetes management requires regular blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration, usually through painful finger pricks. Researchers are exploring non-invasive methods using modern electronics. While infrared light has been proposed, near-infrared light (NIR) is more accessible. A study by Tomoya Nakazawa’s team developed a metabolic index based on the phase delay between oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin signals…

A lasting marriage is built on expressing emotions in meaningful ways. The concept of love languages, popularized by Gary Chapman, emphasizes the importance of understanding how your partner best receives love. Quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts are the five love languages. By identifying and fulfilling each other’s…

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has released new guidelines for cutaneous melanoma, which reflect the latest scientific evidence and consensus on best practices. These guidelines, chaired by Susan M. Swetter of Stanford University, highlight incremental advances in diagnosis and treatment, such as the recommendation for deep punch or elliptical biopsy following shave biopsies. The…

Researchers have found that taking 10,000 daily steps can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and early death, even for those with sedentary lifestyles. Data from over 72,000 individuals showed that those who took more steps had lower mortality and cardiovascular event risks. The optimal number of steps per day to counteract high sedentary…

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is accepting applications for their Health Communication Internship Program 2024. Interested individuals can find all the details on the ICMR website. By continuing to use the site, users agree to the use of cookies for analytics, advertising, and site improvement purposes. More information can be found in the…

In the past decade, digital therapeutics (DTx) have emerged as effective management tools for various conditions, but healthcare professionals have been slow to prescribe them due to lack of knowledge, administrative challenges, and insurance issues. DTx companies face hurdles in clinical trials, FDA approval, and reimbursement, hindering their economic viability. To overcome these obstacles, companies…

A GP is needed for a practice at the Primary Care Centre in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. The practice has a great team of nursing, phlebotomy, and administrative staff, as well as a Socrates software system. The GP will work alongside two other GPs. Interested candidates are asked to send their CV to accounts@springsidemedical.ie. Source link

Physical activity may delay cognitive decline and improve executive function, memory, and verbal fluency in older adults, according to a meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open. The study reviewed 104 studies involving over 340,000 participants to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and cognitive outcomes. Results showed that physical activity was associated with a decreased…

Following COVID-19, Accenture and a team of companies collaborated to create solutions to help Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) prepare for future public health challenges. Rachel Oldham, a manager at Accenture, will discuss the team’s work at the HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition in Orlando. The session will cover the background, best practices,…

The cyberattack on Change Healthcare has affected medical practices, causing delays in billing and leaving providers struggling to cover expenses. Attempts are being made to restore electronic payment systems, but solutions are slow, and many are resorting to paper claims. The attack has exposed vulnerabilities in the healthcare system to hackers, prompting calls for increased…

In a Healio Video Perspective from Retina 2024, Dr. Lejla Vajzovic discusses advancements in gene therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at a conference in Hawaii. Several companies are currently conducting trials to evaluate different gene therapy delivery options for AMD, including subretinal, intravitreal, and suprachoroidal approaches. Dr. Vajzovic expresses excitement about the progress…

STAT publishes selected Letters to the Editor in response to First Opinion essays to encourage discussion on challenging topics. The article discusses the CDC’s new Covid isolation guidance, highlighting ongoing risks and the prevalence of long Covid. It criticizes the policy for focusing on self-interest rather than viral load and suggests measures to reduce spread….

The target of 10,000 steps a day originated from a successful Japanese marketing campaign in the mid-1960s by a company called Yamasa. The campaign capitalized on the popularity of the Tokyo Olympics by introducing the world’s first step counter called a manop-kei, translating to “10,000 step meter.” This target has since been widely adopted as…

The first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, will soon be available in major retailers without the need for a prescription. Manufactured by Perrigo, Opill contains only one hormone, progestin, making it safer than combination pills. The pill works by preventing pregnancy in multiple ways, such as inhibiting sperm entry and ovulation. While it will offer…

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease affecting millions globally, caused by the body’s inability to produce or utilize insulin. Effective disease management is crucial to prevent long-term complications like heart disease. A study in Portugal assessed T2D knowledge in insulin-treated and non-treated patients, finding varying levels of understanding. While many knew about nutrition and…

The tween years, ages 8-12, bring on physical changes like puberty, independence, and a shift towards peers as primary influences. As parents, it’s crucial to maintain communication and provide structure and guidance while allowing for independence. Unhealthy peer pressure, body image issues, and romantic interests may arise, so it’s essential to approach these topics with…

A phase 2 study presented at the Conference on Retrovirus and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Denver showed that a once-daily oral combination therapy for HIV consisting of bictegravir plus lenacapavir is more effective than complex regimens. The study involved 128 participants who had been on a stable baseline regimen for six months before screening, with…

A study conducted by Norwegian researchers found that individuals whose parents were obese in middle age are at a higher risk of being obese themselves during the same life stage. The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity, used data from the Tromsø Study and found a strong association between parents’ BMI in middle…

Junior doctors at VIMSAR are threatening to go on strike due to pending stipend payments. They are demanding timely disbursal of their stipends, which have reportedly been delayed for several months. The doctors have expressed their frustration over the situation and are warning of a potential strike if their demands are not met. The hospital…

The U.S. healthcare sector has been slow to undergo digital transformation compared to other industries, leading to a lack of seamless digital experiences for consumers. Bill Fera of Deloitte highlighted the need for healthcare to move beyond electronic processes to true digital transformation, particularly through the use of generative AI. He emphasized the importance of…

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is urging the Health Service Executive (HSE) to lift the moratorium on recruiting frontline patient-facing staff due to a 13% increase in emergency department attendances. INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha highlighted that nurses and midwives are facing challenges and increased workload without additional staff. The lack of…

New data supports earlier COVID-19 vaccine use in patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) or CAR T-cell therapy. Research shows that patients vaccinated 3-4 months after treatment had similar immune responses as those vaccinated later. The study included 466 patients who received at least 3 doses of mRNA vaccines. Both antibody…

Dexcom’s new over-the-counter continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) solution, Stelo, has been cleared by the FDA. It is a wearable biosensor that provides round-the-clock glucose readings directly to a smartphone. The patch, which adheres to the back of the upper arm, detects normal, low, and high glucose levels and offers personalized insights into glucose health. Targeted…

Los proveedores de salud y expertos en adicciones en California advierten que el programa CA Bridge, que ayuda a pacientes con trastornos por consumo de sustancias a iniciar tratamientos de largo plazo después de salir de salas de emergencia, enfrenta desafíos financieros. A pesar de sus beneficios comprobados en la reducción de muertes por sobredosis,…

A recent study found that 7 out of 10 ED visits for unsupervised medication exposures by infants and young children in the US were due to unsupervised ingestion of melatonin from 2019 to 2022. Many incidents involved flavored products like gummies, and in nearly half of visits, children ingested adult or family formulations of melatonin….

The ALS community faces disappointment as Amylyx Pharmaceuticals’ drug Relyvrio fails to outperform a placebo in a study, raising questions about its approval in 2022. ALS advocate Mary Catherine Collet emphasizes the importance of facing the scientific data despite the setback. The drug generated significant revenue for the company, prompting discussions about its removal from…

The International AIDS Society (IAS) and UNAIDS are condemning Ghana’s parliament for passing legislation that would criminalize homosexuality. IAS president Sharon Lewin stated that this law, along with similar ones in Africa, would hinder progress in ending the HIV pandemic. Research shows that anti-gay laws are linked to lower use of HIV preventive services and…

A study investigated the impact of extrahepatic organ failure (EHOF) characteristics on the prognosis of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients. The study included 736 ACLF patients from six hospitals in China. Results showed that the number and type of EHOF, but not the onset time or sequence, influenced patient mortality. Patients were stratified into risk…

New England Biolabs has introduced the NEBNext Enzymatic 5hmC-seq Kit, a new method for detecting 5hmC sites with high yields and quality data. While the biological significance of 5hmC is not fully understood, its variation between tissues suggests it plays a role in gene regulation. Existing methods do not effectively distinguish between 5mC and 5hmC,…

The article discusses the negative impact of technology on mental health, particularly in the workplace, leading to burnout and stress. It highlights the importance of practicing mindfulness to combat these effects and protect against digital stress. A study found that mindfulness was more effective than confidence in technology in reducing the dark side effects of…

Dr. Mio Nakamura discussed the challenges of providing dermatologic care to patients with personality disorders at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting. Personality disorders, affecting up to 15% of the general population, can be difficult to treat and require flexibility. Nakamura shared her approach to caring for patients with borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality…

Two new studies from UCSF found that SARS-CoV-2 antigens can persist in the body long after the acute phase of COVID-19, up to 14 months in blood and over two years in tissue samples. The presence of viral fragments in tissues, even without reinfection, may contribute to conditions like Long COVID. Hospitalized individuals and those…

A study published in JAMA found that preoperative urine culture testing does not significantly reduce the risk of postoperative urinary tract infections. The research suggests that relying solely on this type of testing may not be an effective way to prevent UTIs in surgery patients. The study results call into question the common practice of…

In his State of the Union address, President Biden highlighted several critical healthcare issues facing Americans, including reproductive rights, prescription drug costs, the Affordable Care Act, and women’s health research. He criticized states banning abortion and promised to restore Roe v. Wade if Congress supports it. Biden discussed proposals to cap insulin costs and negotiate…

In December 2023, the Minister for Finance Michael McGrath initiated a review of the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT) currently set at €2 million. The review aims to examine the implications of potential changes to the SFT, which could impact individuals planning for retirement. The SFT has not been adjusted since 2014, despite inflation and earnings…

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that a continuous dosing schedule of PEG-asparaginase (PEGasp) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) reduced hypersensitivity reactions and antibody formation compared to a noncontinuous schedule. The study included 818 patients aged 1-18, with 312 in the medium-risk arm. Results showed fewer hypersensitivity reactions in…