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Socioeconomic status (SES) influences genetic susceptibility to diseases. A study in Finland found that lower SES individuals have a higher genetic risk for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and depression, while higher SES individuals are more likely to have genetic risks for breast, prostate, and all cancers. These findings suggest that polygenic risk scores…

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests that consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) may be associated with chronic insomnia in adults. The study found a significant link between UPF consumption and insomnia independent of other factors. Previous research has shown the benefits of healthy dietary patterns on sleep…

The CROWN trial presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting showed that lorlatinib, a third-generation ALK inhibitor from Pfizer, provided the longest progression-free survival (PFS) reported for any targeted therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The benefits included a 72% improvement in PFS and a 92% reduction in intracranial progression…

Quality sleep is important for mental well-being, but disrupted or insufficient sleep may increase the risk of homicides and suicides in vulnerable individuals. A recent analysis of national data over the past 15 years found that the risk of these violent deaths peaks at night. Factors such as nocturnal wakefulness, age, alcohol use, and relationship…

Burnout, defined as chronic workplace stress that has not been managed, is a common issue for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) due to the demanding nature of their job. Factors contributing to burnout include high levels of responsibility, lack of time management skills, and employer demands. To avoid burnout, communication, self-care, and seeking professional help…

The Network of Community Cancer Support Centres is seeking over €5 million in funding from the Government in the upcoming Budget. The centres, which provide a range of free services to cancer patients and survivors, saw a 16% increase in demand in 2023, with 97,500 people accessing individual and group services. The centres require annual…

Cassie Cox, a Georgia resident, is grateful for her Obamacare insurance policy that covered her ER visit with no out-of-pocket cost due to low income. The South, including Georgia, has seen a surge in ACA enrollment with enhanced federal subsidies. But with the possibility of these subsidies expiring and a potential second Trump presidency, there…

Results of the phase 2B HERIZON-BTC-01 study showed that zanidatamab exhibited durable antitumor activity in patients with previously treated advanced HER2-amplified biliary tract cancer. More than half of the patients who received zanidatamab monotherapy survived at least a year, with a median overall survival that exceeded 15 months. The study included 87 participants with various…

Technological advancements are expanding the ways clinicians can effectively treat cancer, with new modalities and drug therapies becoming available. The chief medical officer of Genentech, Levi Garraway, expressed excitement about the possibilities that technology is opening up in the field of oncology. This surge of new medicines, from small molecules to cell therapies, is allowing…

The negotiations for a global pandemic accord by the World Health Organization have hit a roadblock as member states missed the deadline to come up with a draft treaty by 24 May. Any agreement will likely take a year to reach as extensive negotiations are still needed. The accord aims to prevent a repeat of…

Research presented at ENDO 2024 reveals that people under age 50 with a history of obesity for 10 years have a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 individuals and found that long-term obesity increased the risk of cardiovascular events by 25-60%. However, obesity did not significantly impact…

A recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour investigated the role of specific oscillatory activity patterns in the human striatum in reinforcement motor learning using transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) with neuroimaging. The study involved 48 healthy volunteers who performed a force-tracking task with tTIS of the striatum during training. Results showed that tTIS disrupted…

An AI patient navigator successfully re-engaged patients in colonoscopy screenings, doubling the completion rate in underserved communities. Colorectal cancer disparities exist among people of color in the United States. A study led by Alyson Moadel found that compared to White individuals, Black people have a higher CRC incidence and mortality rate. The study introduced the…

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder of concern with the vaccination for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older adults, reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite the investigation into the risks by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC, the current recommendation is to continue RSV vaccination…

Gilead Sciences’ cancer therapy Trodelvy did not improve overall survival for patients with advanced bladder cancer compared to chemotherapy, threatening its accelerated approval. This is the drug’s second disappointing data readout after a failed lung cancer study earlier this year. Trodelvy targets the TROP-2 protein on cancer cells and was approved for triple-negative breast cancer…

A HIQA report found that switching to enhanced flu vaccines for over-65s could lead to better clinical outcomes, specifically in preventing hospitalizations and cases of the flu. The report notes that while these enhanced vaccines may be more expensive, they could ultimately save the HSE money due to reduced hospitalizations. However, the cost-effectiveness of high-dose…

KFF Health News senior correspondents discussed various health topics such as weight loss drugs, diabetes medication costs, obesity medicine training for doctors, bird flu cases, cancer patients facing medical debt, and medical residency program applications. The discussions took place on different media platforms like radio and television. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that…

Heron Therapeutics reported increased net product sales of $34.7 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $29.6 million in the same period in 2023. The company saw growth in both its acute care and oncology care franchises. CEO Craig Collard expressed satisfaction with the financial performance, attributing it to revenue growth, improved margins,…

The article discusses the importance of evaluating digital therapeutics individually based on their merits, as not all are created equal. It also highlights the effectiveness of digital therapeutics in ophthalmology in improving vision for patients with amblyopia. The second article focuses on the challenges faced by young caregivers and the impact on their lives. The…

The US has confirmed its first case of a person with H5N1 flu experiencing respiratory symptoms, in the midst of an outbreak among dairy farms. Previous cases had only shown symptoms of conjunctivitis. The patient is being treated with antiviral medication and is isolating at home. Household contacts are also being monitored. The CDC assures…

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have isolated human monoclonal antibodies against influenza B, a virus that disproportionately affects high-risk groups. Current flu vaccines do not provide broad immune responses against both influenza A and B, making additional treatment options necessary. The researchers found two groups of antibodies that effectively target the neuraminidase glycoprotein of…

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association explored the relationship between Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score and risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. The LE8 score includes factors such as diet, physical activity, and blood pressure. Findings showed that higher LE8 scores were associated with lower risks of CVD and…

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended marketing authorization for Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients aged 6 years and older with diabetes. Severe hypoglycemia is a complication that can occur in people with diabetes who take insulin or certain medications, and can lead to serious problems such as loss of…

The AAR Surgical Robotics Complex by Augmented Assistant Robots aims to revolutionize robotic surgery by addressing common challenges faced by surgeons. It focuses on affordability, precision, and accessibility, with the goal of democratizing access to top-tier medical care globally. The complex features innovative technologies such as single-use instruments, multi-directional manipulators, and remote control capabilities for…

The Women’s Health Coalition for Digital Solutions was launched by Talkspace and Ovia Health to improve women’s health through technology and collaboration. The coalition will focus on integrating services, advocating for comprehensive women’s health benefits, advancing innovation, providing resources and support to employers, and reducing the stigma around women’s health issues. The goal is to…

From September 2025, a new law will ban the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes through vending machines in Ireland. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced the prohibition as part of ongoing efforts to protect the population from the health risks of tobacco products. The ban aims to denormalize the sale of these harmful products and…

Akili, a company providing video game-like digital therapeutics for ADHD, has entered a merger agreement with Virtual Therapeutics in a $34 million deal. Akili shareholders will receive $0.4340 per share in cash. After the merger, the combined companies will operate under the Virtual Therapeutics brand. Akili CEO Matt Franklin believes this move will create a…

RiverStone Health, a large health clinic in Montana serving low-income individuals, is cutting services and laying off workers due to a $3.2 million revenue loss. This loss is attributed to Montana officials disenrolling a high number of patients from Medicaid. Federal health clinics across the U.S. that adjust fees based on income are facing similar…

A review of over 1,700 prior authorization requests for pain medication in cancer patients showed that the majority were approved, but many patients still experienced uncontrolled pain and side effects after denials. The study presented at ASCO Annual Meeting emphasizes the need for a more effective and transparent prior authorization process to ensure timely access…

The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that Change Healthcare will notify patients whose sensitive health information was exposed in a security breach. This update relieved concerns of hospitals and doctors who feared having to track down the affected individuals. Federal law mandates that patients must be informed when their data is compromised. Over…

Precision medicine has shown promising results in improving the diagnosis and survival rates of children with high-risk cancers. Researchers from Australia have enrolled over 1,600 children in the Zero Childhood Cancer National Precision Medicine Program and expanded the trial to include all children diagnosed with cancer in Australia. By utilizing whole genome sequencing and molecular…

H.E.L Group has expanded its global sales network by appointing two new distributors, Paralab and ProAnalytics, to provide technical and application support to customers in Europe and the US. ProAnalytics will distribute H.E.L’s BioXplorer bioreactors in the US, while Paralab will supply BioXplorers and PolyBLOCK Compact Automated Parallel Synthesis Platform in Spain and Portugal. The…

A clinical trial for a small-diameter defibrillation lead for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators exceeded safety and efficacy expectations, with 98% successfully implanted and 99.5% placed precisely in the desired location. The lead had a low rate of major complications, no fractures, and high efficacy rates for defibrillation and pacing. The lead, OmniaSecure, is an improvement over previous…

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in human health, and the loss of these microbes can lead to disease. BiomeBank, a biotechnology company, is working to restore the gut microbial ecology through donor-derived microbiome therapy, which has been approved for the treatment of C. difficile infection in Australia. The company’s Consortiome platform allows for…

Moderna’s mRNA vaccine for RSV has been FDA approved for adults 60 and older, marketed as mResvia. The vaccine is expected to be available before the 2024/2025 respiratory virus season. It is based on prefusion F protein technology, showing 78.7% efficacy in initial studies. Compared to GSK and Pfizer’s RSV vaccines, mResvia is administered via…

The CAI Airway Leads Network Education Day took place in Dublin on April 5, 2024, featuring informative sessions and networking opportunities. David Coleman from BobbyStudio captured photos from the event. The education day was organized by the Irish Medical Times and provided valuable insights for professionals in the field of airway management. Source link

San Francisco-based Plenful, a workflow-automation platform for pharmacy and healthcare operations, has raised $17 million in Series A funding just under a year after its launch, adding to the initial $9 million investment. TQ Ventures led the round, with other investors including Mitchell Rales and Susa Ventures. Plenful offers AI-enabled automation tools for pharmacy technicians,…

Céline Gounder discussed concerns about the avian flu virus impacting the supply of eggs used in vaccine production on “CBS Morning News.” Fertilized hen eggs are still the main ingredient in flu vaccines, despite challenges like mutations and virus spread. Scientists are exploring alternatives such as cell-based vaccines, but companies are hesitant to switch from…

Eating six servings of flavonoid-rich foods per day was linked to a 26% lower risk for type 2 diabetes, with individual flavonoid subclasses showing risk reductions ranging from 19% to 28%. Researchers found that consuming more flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods like tea, berries, and apples was associated with a lower risk for type 2 diabetes….

In less than three months, the FDA will decide on approving MDMA for treating PTSD, potentially marking the first Schedule I psychedelic with medical use. Other psychedelics are also being researched for various conditions. The FDA will review the effectiveness and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, considering blinding issues and expectancy bias in trials….

Medicines can have up to four types of names: chemical, generic, brand, and colloquial. Chemical names refer to the full chemical composition, while generic names are assigned by organizations like the World Health Organization. Brand names are assigned by pharmaceutical companies, and colloquial names are given by the public. Proprietary names are used to market…

Researchers at the University of Cologne found that reducing glycogen levels in fruit flies improves short-term memory related to food intake. The study focused on how the neurotransmitter octopamine influences the formation of food-related memories based on internal energy reserves in the body. High glycogen levels led to stable memories of food intake, even during…

SciY was created to provide comprehensive scientific software solutions for industries such as biopharma and chemistry, focusing on automation and digitalization. Different companies came together under the SciY umbrella to combine expertise and activities in a vendor-agnostic approach. The mission of SciY is to empower life sciences through automation and digitalization, ensuring effective data storage,…

The European Medicines Agency has recommended the approval of Ixchiq, the first vaccine in the EU intended to protect adults against chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever and joint pain, with some individuals experiencing lasting joint pain or severe acute disease. The vaccine triggers the production of neutralizing antibodies and…

Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have been found to be responsible for insomnia in one-third of adults, according to researchers. These foods, which are mass-produced and high in fat, sugar, and salt, are designed for extended shelf life. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found a significant association between the…

CinRx Pharma, known for creating startup companies around promising drug assets, has raised $73 million in financing. The investors were industry insiders and high-net worth individuals. CinRx has now raised a total of $176 million. The company operates using a “hub and spoke” model, with separate subsidiaries sharing resources provided by the parent company. One…

Opportunity for partnership in a high-earning practice in Co. Wexford after 6 months as a salaried GP with competitive salary and covered expenses. Located near Kilmore Quay and Rosslare, with 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm hours. 15-minute appointments, fully computerized with diagnostic equipment. One full-time GP and two part-time GPs, out-of-hours covered by CareDoc. Contact Dr. Michelle…

Former National Institutes of Health official Anthony Fauci is facing questions about incendiary emails written by his close adviser, David Morens. Morens described deleting emails and using a personal account to avoid FOIA disclosure. The pressure is on Fauci as he prepares to appear before a House subcommittee exploring COVID-19 origins. Lawmakers are questioning NIH’s…

The Endocrine Society will hold their annual meeting, ENDO 2024, in Boston from Saturday through Tuesday. The meeting will feature plenary sessions on cardiometabolic disease, AI, hormones and aging. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, attend debates, and hear about new clinical practice guidelines. Professional development sessions will also be available for career development….