Oscoda, Michigan is the first community where harmful PFAS chemicals were found contaminating water caused by a nearby military installation. The Air Force has taken some steps to contain the chemicals, but cleanup efforts are costly and complex. PFAS chemicals have been linked to harmful health conditions such as cancer, and communities with PFAS-contaminated water…
The biotech newsletter has announced its final edition of 2023 and will resume on January 3. The newsletter covers key updates in biotech, including Bristol Myers Squibb’s purchase of Karuna Therapeutics and the FDA approval of a new medicine for a rare nerve disease. The biotech sector is experiencing volatility, with the XBI biotech index…
The holiday season often involves family tensions and arguments, but experts in psychology and mental health offer advice on how to manage gatherings. It is important for people to know why they are participating in potentially tense situations and to manage their expectations. It’s also important to avoid contentious subjects, and if they come up,…
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study and determined that liver cancer screenings among cirrhosis patients almost doubled after mailing in signed orders from their specialist. Additionally, the study showed that the inclusion of a $20 incentive with the mailed orders didn’t make a difference in patient participation. According…
Bouba Diemé was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2012 and later found out he has a congenital heart condition. He has made lifestyle changes to manage his condition, including finding calm through meditation and therapy, adjusting his exercise routine, and focusing on nutrition. He has learned to live with the condition and is embracing it….
A new study has shown that monoclonal antibodies used to treat acute COVID-19 infection could also be effective against long COVID. It was found that three patients with long COVID in Florida experienced complete and sudden recoveries after receiving the monoclonal antibody treatment Regeneron. Symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath improved…
A survey by the American Heart Association found that holidays are more stressful than tax season, causing people to overlook their health needs. 79% of participants neglected their own needs while creating special moments for others. The demands of the holiday season can be overwhelming, causing stress and taking weeks or even months to recover…
A study in JAMA found that maintaining ideal cardiovascular health can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality in individuals with high-normal levels of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). This highlights the importance of cardiovascular health in overall mortality outcomes, even for those with elevated UACR levels. The study suggests that focusing on cardiovascular health may be…
Knownwell, a primary care and metabolic health company, raised $20 million in Series A financing and launched an adolescent metabolic health program. The Boston-based company offers virtual and in-person care to patients in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Knownwell provides weight-inclusive primary care, metabolic health treatment, and support from registered dietitians, as well as…
A €2.5 million funding study will investigate the barriers preventing women from breastfeeding. Led by the UCC School of Nursing and Midwifery, the project aims to shift the focus from individual women to addressing government policy, legal protections, health systems, communities, and workplaces to support breastfeeding. The study will prioritize women-centered breastfeeding care and improve…
The content discusses the tragic death of Carlton “PeeWee” Gautney Jr., who died from an insulin pump malfunction. The pump, which was part of a recall, was manufactured by Medtronic and allegedly dispensed a fatal overdose of insulin. The investigation also highlights other cases of medical device malfunctions, including artificial knee and hip implants that…
Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, and David Evans, PhD, MBA, discuss the importance of entry pages in a website and how they can provide insight into the success of a website’s SEO. They explain that analyzing traffic for these entry pages can show how patients are finding and entering the website. Evans emphasizes that the traffic…
Health data breaches have reached a record high this year, affecting as many as 116 million people. This surge in breaches is largely due to an increase in hacking and ransomware attacks on health care organizations regulated by HIPAA. If you have received a notification about a cybersecurity incident from your health care provider, you…
The World Health Organization has identified a new Covid-19 strain, JN.1, as a “variant of interest.” JN.1 is an offshoot of the omicron subvariant BA.2.86 and is considered by WHO to pose a “low” risk to global public health. The strain has been detected in multiple countries and is responsible for a significant portion of…
A new study indicates that despite the availability of at-home colon cancer tests, many of them are unusable because of mistakes made by the patient. The study suggests that there are multiple reasons contributing to the unsatisfactory results, such as inadequate stool specimen, incomplete sample labeling, improper storage, or broken specimen containers. The study found…
A study from the Karolinska Institute compared exposure-based CBT with traditional CBT for treating fibromyalgia. They found that both treatments produced significant reduction in symptoms. The study involved 274 people with fibromyalgia, who were treated with either traditional or exposure-based CBT. The treatments were delivered entirely online. Participants answered questions about their mood and symptoms…
Ejection fraction (EF) is one of many measurements of heart function that measures the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart when it contracts. A low EF can indicate heart failure, specifically systolic heart failure. EF is usually measured using echocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound, and other techniques. Normal EF is between 55% to 70%, but…
Walking at a faster pace has been associated with more favorable health advantages and may be linked to a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults. A systematic review of 10 cohort studies found that adults who engage in fairly brisk or brisk/striding walking may have a lower risk of developing T2D,…
The focus on gut health as a crucial component of overall well-being has led to the emergence of a new generation of innovative entrepreneurs in the gut health supplements industry. This article highlights the top 8 companies at the forefront of this transformation, including Athletic Greens with its AG1 product, Eidon with its Liquid Silica…
Intrarectal Botox injections show promise for treating faecal incontinence, according to a recent study. The injections help to relax the muscles in the rectum, reducing incontinence episodes. This treatment could provide a non-invasive alternative to surgery for some patients. The injections are well-tolerated and have shown positive results in clinical trials. However, further research is…
The COVID-19 pandemic has left hospitals and health systems dealing with long-term effects, including workforce shortages. The sustained demand for hospitalization has led to patients staying longer and coming in sicker, exacerbating the challenges of workforce shortages. The American Hospital Association reported record levels of staff anxiety, stress, and burnout. Care Logistics has been helping…
National mental health charity Turn2Me has launched free Christmas support groups for those struggling over the holidays, covering issues such as Christmas blues, family problems, bereavement, and loneliness. The online groups are anonymous and facilitated by a psychotherapist. Any adult in Ireland can sign up for these services on Turn2Me.ie. The support groups take place…
Starting January 1, California’s Medi-Cal program plans to implement new standardized contracts with its 22 managed care health plans, tightening enforcement of quality measures, requiring public reporting of medical providers’ performance, and mandating investment to plug gaps in primary care access. State regulators will need to be tough to realize these changes amidst other initiatives,…
Patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative accelerated- or blast-phase myeloproliferative neoplasms who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells had a longer median overall survival (OS) than those who did not, according to a study presented at the ASH Annual Meeting. The study, led by Anand Ashwin Patel, MD, at UChicago Medicine, found that the stem-cell therapy resulted in…
Venture capitalists continue investing in drug research despite Medicare’s new authority to negotiate drug prices. The Inflation Reduction Act includes two measures that reduce drug prices, with Medicare price negotiation being the most controversial. Medicare will now negotiate prices for top-selling drugs without generic or biosimilar competition, beginning 9 years after their market appearance. The…
The author, Benjamin Woolf, recounts how he went into multiple organ failure and was hospitalized for nearly 100 days after being diagnosed with chronic thrombotic pulmonary hypertension and receiving treatment with macitentan and sildenafil. During his recovery, he became curious about the long-term effects of sildenafil, a medication commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. He…
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society and Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology issued updated guidelines for the use of antiplatelet therapy (APT) to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The guidelines provide recommendations for the use of acetylsalicylic acid in primary prevention, duration of dual APT (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention, choice of potent DAPT for patients with acute…
Cranial bones play a vital role in protecting the brain and enabling physiological functioning. Restoring critical-sized cranial defects is challenging, with autologous bone grafts often preferred by reconstructive surgeons. However, this method has limitations and risks. Inspired by the composition and structure of cranial bones, scientists developed two bioceramic scaffolds with gyroid pores. These scaffolds…
Dry January is a growing trend in which people refrain from drinking alcohol during the month of January to reset their bodies and re-evaluate their relationship with alcohol. The trend has been popularized in the UK and is spreading to the US. Participants have reported various benefits such as better sleep, energy, and more mindfulness…
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled a series of Olympus bronchofiberscopes and bronchovideoscopes that could lead to a risk of burns and fire. The recall affects devices distributed between January 1, 2001, and September 11, 2023. Use of the devices may cause serious adverse events to patients and to clinicians, and healthcare…
Experts provide valuable tips for avoiding overeating and weight gain during the festive season. Restrictive eating is not recommended as it may lead to binge eating later. Instead, focus on mindful eating and being aware of portion sizes. It’s important to stay active during the holidays, but not as a weight loss tool. Hydration is…
GSK has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) panel to conduct a study on the safety of their anti-cancer drug, Dostarlimab. The study will focus on assessing the safety of the drug and its potential side effects. This approval allows GSK to proceed with conducting the study in India. The company…
Healthcare disparities are a growing concern, leading to a focus on creating a healthcare system that promotes health equity. This concept has far-reaching implications, impacting not only individual patients but entire communities. The key pillars for achieving health equity are awareness and education, equal access to care, advocacy, response and promotion, and technology. Language access…
In February, four voluntary hospice providers in Ireland will be redesignated to section 38 agreements with the HSE, ensuring full State funding for adult hospices. The Government will provide a total of €18.6 million to support sustainable care for adult specialist palliative services. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly sees this as a significant step towards universal…
The EnPlace surgical device offers a minimally invasive treatment option for women suffering from pelvic organ/uterine prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor become weak and organs sag into the pelvic cavity, and transabdominal sacrocolpopexy has been the traditional treatment. However, due to complications, mesh repair is no longer…
Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a nonprofit newsroom focused on health and health policy, distributing journalism for free without advertising. It is a program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) and welcomes support through contributions to KFF, a charitable organization not associated with Kaiser Permanente. Readers and listeners are appreciated and encouraged to engage and support…
Ophthalmologists should track whether they attract patients through SEO or word of mouth to gauge the success of their online presence and marketing company. In a Healio Video Perspective, Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, and David Evans, PhD, MBA, discuss the difference between attracting patients through successful SEO vs. their practice’s existing brand. They emphasize the…
STAT is now publishing selected Letters to the Editor in response to First Opinion essays to encourage discussion on difficult issues. The letters include one from a former FDA associate commissioner who strongly disagrees with an article casting doubt on the agency. A patient advocate in Canada provides a different perspective on advocating for treatment…
England’s health and social care secretary, Victoria Atkins, has urged junior doctors’ leaders to end their latest round of strikes and resume talks with the government over a pay dispute. Atkins stated that many junior doctors would be uncomfortable with the timing of the strikes due to the impact on services and colleagues. The latest…
A new variant of COVID-19 called JN.1 is responsible for a sudden increase in infections in the United States. This variant has evolved from another variant called BA.2.86. It is likely either more transmissible or better at evading the immune system. However, the updated COVID booster shot should provide protection against this variant. Despite this,…
Microglia, small immune cells in the brain, play a significant role in regulating the body’s response to general anesthesia. The understanding of how different anesthetics block consciousness is still not fully comprehended, but researchers uncovered that microglia impact the effectiveness of anesthesia and regulate brain network activity in a region-specific manner. This discovery was unintentionally…
Many people are torn between wanting to spend time alone and fearing the risk of loneliness. Memes on social media capture this dilemma, with some people begging for alone time while others struggle with the negative emotions that come with it. Researchers have found that the relationship between time spent alone and loneliness varies by…
The European Food Safety Authority reevaluated the safety of erythritol, a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in food products. They found concerns over its laxative effects and set new guidelines for acceptable daily intake. The evaluation investigated erythritol’s manufacturing process, contaminants, and human exposure. The report established an acceptable daily intake of 0.5 g/kg…
Researchers have found a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and delayed language development in children, particularly in males and when used in the third trimester. Acetaminophen is commonly used for pain relief and fever and is considered safe for use during pregnancy. However, the study does not prove a direct cause and effect relationship…
Lupin, a pharmaceutical company, is set to acquire an established products portfolio in Europe and Canada from Sanofi for Rs 91 crore. The acquisition aims to expand Lupin’s presence in these regions and strengthen its product portfolio. This move will also contribute to Lupin’s growth strategy and market competitiveness. The company’s decision to invest in…
Reproductive health has been a major issue since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. In 2023, some states enacted total bans on abortion, while others worked to protect reproductive rights. The Guttmacher Institute and NFPRHA found several wins in 2023, including second-highest number of abortion protections enacted and the approval of Opill, the…
Five inpatient mental health centers in Ireland were found to be non-compliant with regulations on premises, staffing, and access to physical healthcare. The lowest compliance was found at Cork University Hospital’s acute mental health unit, with only 58 percent compliance. The inspection reports by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) found common concerns across all five…
New research presented at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting in 2023 found that intellectually healthy adolescents seen in epilepsy clinics have a high prevalence of eating disorders (EDs), particularly those diagnosed with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). The study involved a 10-year observational study of adolescents with comorbid EDs seen in epilepsy clinics and found…
Stem cells, in the forms of embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent, offer potential for regenerative medicine. Ethical concerns arise from the use of embryonic stem cells due to the destruction of embryos, but induced pluripotent stem cells offer a less controversial alternative. The potential applications of stem cells include regenerative medicine, disease modeling, drug development,…
A Tennessee dentist, Steve Galella, has invented and trained dentists to use a dental device called the Anterior Growth Guidance Appliance (AGGA) for TMJ and sleep apnea conditions. However, he has been sued by multiple patients claiming harm and tooth loss due to the device. Galella has settled almost all the lawsuits and rebranded the…