At the age of 7, Alison Feller was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic illness that she had to learn to manage throughout her life. Despite the challenges, she found solace in running and eventually made a career out of it through her podcast, “Ali On The Run.” Through her struggles with Crohn’s flares and…
Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), topical corticosteroids (TCSs), and topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are recommended as mainstay treatments for children, adolescents, and young adults with vitiligo. Guidelines specifically addressing pediatric vitiligo management are lacking, so a protocol was established to create consensus recommendations. Topical therapies like TCIs and TCSs, as well as phototherapy, are important…
A new study has shown that spending quality time with a dog can help reduce stress and improve concentration. The study, published in the journal Plus One, analyzed how different interactions with dogs can impact human brainwave patterns. Results showed that activities like playing, grooming, and walking a dog can increase alpha-band oscillations in the…
Zydus Lifesciences has received approval from the USFDA for their Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride Injection, which is used to treat certain mental disorders. The medication has been found effective in managing conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. By obtaining this approval, Zydus Lifesciences has expanded their portfolio of mental health medications available in the United States….
At the HIMSS conference in Orlando, Philips announced an expansion of its relationship with AWS to scale digitized pathology slides in the cloud. The collaboration aims to help pathology labs store and analyze vast amounts of data, streamline workflows, and reduce clinician burnout. With a shortage of pathologists, digitization of pathology slides allows for remote…
The Retina International World Congress, one of the largest global gatherings of eye experts, will take place in Dublin in June at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. The event will feature a scientific conference titled ‘Targeting the Cure: The Future of Vision Research’, with speakers including experts in gene therapy and ocular gene therapy. Professors…
A recent study found that adults with ADHD exhibit higher levels of camouflaging behavior, where they modify or suppress traits to fit in with neurotypical norms, compared to neurotypical individuals. However, individuals with ASD still engage in more camouflaging than those with ADHD. The study, conducted in the Netherlands, included 105 adults with ADHD, ASD,…
During a fireside chat at HIMSS24, experts discussed how exchanging health information can improve health equity. They focused on social determinants of health, such as broadband access, to reach underserved communities. The National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved (NHIT) works with state health information exchanges to utilize data effectively. Key takeaways include the need…
The new chief of the Social Security Administration, Martin O’Malley, is promising to overhaul the system of clawing back overpayments from beneficiaries, calling it unfair. O’Malley plans to propose changes such as establishing a statute of limitations, shifting the burden of proof to the agency, and imposing a 10% cap on clawbacks. The agency has…
A study published in Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics found that adults with central vision loss exhibit reduced face recognition accuracy, especially under low luminance conditions. The study compared individuals with central vision loss, peripheral vision loss, and controls in facial recognition tasks. Results showed a significant decrease in facial identity discrimination and facial expression recognition…
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization is cutting ties with Chinese company WuXi due to increasing scrutiny from the U.S. government. This decision marks a shift from defending WuXi to now having to rely on other companies for drug development. WuXi is the only Chinese company among BIO members that may be blacklisted from doing business in…
Dr. Colin Walker, a paediatrician who passed away at age 100, revolutionized neonatal care by establishing intensive care units and clinical data collection services for babies in Tayside, Scotland and the UK. Walker’s interest in cardiology led him to pioneer techniques such as cardiac catheterisation to detect heart abnormalities. He set up the first cardiac…
A new rapid test has been developed to diagnose melioidosis, a neglected tropical disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, faster and more accurately than current methods. The test, called CRISPR-BP34, has a sensitivity of 93 percent and can deliver results in less than four hours for certain samples. This advancement could save lives by…
A sharp increase in gonorrhea cases among young women has been reported in 15 European countries in 2022 and 2023, with a smaller increase observed in young men. The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) conducted a study to assess the magnitude of the increase. The study found significant exceedances in reported cases,…
Many individuals are turning to water immersion therapies such as cold plunges, hot tubs, face dunking in ice water, foot baths, and swimming to improve health and well-being. Research suggests that these activities can help ease muscle pain, boost relaxation, improve circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, improve mood, and promote quality sleep. Cold water…
A phase 3 trial of a maternal vaccine candidate for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was stopped early due to a higher risk of preterm births in the vaccine group compared to the placebo group. The trial, sponsored by GSK, involved 5328 pregnant women receiving the candidate vaccine or placebo. Data showed a 6.8% preterm birth…
Cod liver oil supplements are a great addition to your wellness routine, offering essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and D, and more to support heart, brain, and immune health. Earthley Cod Liver Oil is sustainably sourced and minimally processed, while Life’s Fortune Cod Liver Oil is certified organic and non-GMO. Soulsation Icelandic…
A study has found that salivary and peri-implant crevicular fluid biomarkers can be valuable predictors of peri-implant disease conditions. These biomarkers show promise in diagnosing and monitoring the health of dental implants. The use of cookies for analytics, advertising, and site improvement is disclosed, and users are required to agree to the use of cookies….
Novartis has acquired IFM Due for $90 million after funding the company’s preclinical development of molecules targeting the STING pathway involved in inflammatory disorders. Novartis gains access to IFM Due’s research on cGAS, a protein that regulates the inflammatory response. The acquisition marks the third exit event for IFM Therapeutics, with Novartis potentially paying an…
The personal information of over one million Irish citizens was exposed by the HSE due to a misconfigured Covid-19 vaccination portal. Cybersecurity researcher Aaron Costello discovered the issue in December 2021 and informed the HSE, who resolved the problem. The HSE confirmed that no unauthorized individuals with malicious intent accessed the information. The portal allowed…
Palliative care initiated more than 30 days before death in patients with advanced breast cancer resulted in less chemotherapy use in the last month of life. Data from 340 patients who died from metastatic breast cancer were analyzed, showing that early initiation of palliative care reduced aggressive treatment at the end of life. The study…
Juan Santos of the Tavistock Group discussed Lake Nona, a community in Orlando known as Medical City due to its healthcare ecosystem. With institutions like the UCF College of Medicine, Orlando VA Medical Center, and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Lake Nona has 24,000 residents and focuses on holistic health. The community offers a variety of amenities,…
South Carolina is considering a bill that would prohibit doctors from providing certain health-care services to transgender minors, including gender-transition surgery, puberty-blocking drugs, and hormone treatments. This is part of a larger trend of anti-trans legislation in Republican-led states, with 23 states already passing laws restricting gender-affirming care. Critics argue that these bills are discriminatory…
Dr. Rishi P. Singh discusses the evolving management of retinal vein occlusion at Hawaiian Eye 2024. The biggest change will involve using dual therapy with faricimab after its FDA approval in 2023. Faricimab affects both angiopoietin-2 and VEGF pathways, offering new potential for patient outcomes. Singh is excited to see the results of implementing this…
Amazon Pharmacy will now handle home delivery of anti-obesity therapy Zepbound and other Eli Lilly drugs through LillyDirect. Only a few patients have been treated with the first two gene therapies for hemophilia worldwide. Access is not the issue, as insurers are willing to pay high costs for current treatments. The challenge lies in convincing…
Co-infections with malaria are common in endemic countries and among travelers with malaria. A positive malaria test does not necessarily mean it is the sole cause of illness, especially in resource-constrained settings where diagnostic capacity is limited. A case study of a 16-year-old girl with malaria and pneumonia highlights the complexity of diagnosing and treating…
A study found that individuals living in extreme poverty in low- and middle-income countries have a high prevalence of risk factors for heart disease, including hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and dyslipidemia. This challenges the common belief that the environment and lifestyle of those in extreme poverty protect against these risk factors. The researchers analyzed data…
Between 2006 and 2014, over 81 million painkiller pills were shipped to Huntington, leading to an overdose crisis. The community previously faced trauma from a 1970 plane crash, which brought them together. The opioid crisis evolved to include fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, leading to a rise in overdose deaths. Huntington implemented a Quick Response…
Despite widespread misinformation and hesitancy surrounding vaccines, science supports their safety and effectiveness in preventing dangerous diseases. Factors such as historical exploitation, access to healthcare, and socioeconomic status contribute to vaccine gaps, particularly affecting marginalized communities. Misinformation has led to preventable outbreaks of diseases like measles, highlighting the importance of education and outreach efforts. Strategies…
When considering a job offer at an academic radiation oncology practice, prospective employees should focus on compensation, daily duties, and location. The job should be “great” in at least two of these areas and “good” in the third for the offer to be acceptable. Graduating residents often lack guidance on evaluating job offers, so this…
A recent study found that people with persistently high metabolic syndrome scores are at an increased risk of developing various types of cancers, including breast, endometrial, kidney, colorectal, and liver cancer. Metabolic syndrome consists of conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels, which can increase the…
Devi Ahilya Hospital in Indore was sealed as it was found to be operating without proper permission. The hospital was shut down due to the violation of regulations. The authorities took this action to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. The hospital’s operations were halted until it obtains the required permissions to resume its…
At the HIMSS conference, Google Cloud introduced new AI features to assist healthcare organizations in utilizing their clinical data more effectively. The Vertex AI Search for Healthcare is a generative AI-powered search tool to help healthcare providers quickly access patient data and clinical notes. This tool is customizable to fit EHR workflows and displays footnotes…
The HSE is asking passengers who were on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Dublin on March 9 to contact them due to a confirmed case of measles on the flight. Pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and infants under 12 months old are urged to contact the HSE urgently. Passengers are advised to watch…
Patients with gait limitations before autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (auto-HCT) were more likely to have worse functional limitations after the transplant, according to a study published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The study included 101 patients undergoing auto-HCT for lymphatic or hematopoietic malignancy. Mobility assessments using inertial sensors showed a decline in mobility…
The health technology sector in India, consisting of 10,000 startups, is expected to triple in value by 2028. A report by Bain & Company and HealthQuad focused on segments like pharma services, health tech, biotechnology, and medtech. Health tech accounted for 25% of India’s healthcare innovation market in 2021, projected to increase to 35% by…
Zuranolone, a new treatment for postpartum depression, has hit the market with promising results but faces challenges in insurance coverage. Many insurers have yet to establish clear guidelines for when they will cover the drug, potentially limiting its accessibility. Previous experiences with a similar drug, brexanolone, showed restrictive policies that hindered patient access. Advocates are…
A recent survey found that 14% of older adults who regularly use aspirin do not have a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which goes against current guidelines that advise against aspirin use for primary CVD prevention in certain age groups. The study also revealed a lack of knowledge among aspirin users about the benefits and…
A Phase 3 trial of Amylyx Pharmaceuticals’ ALS drug, Relyvrio, failed to show benefit compared to placebo, disappointing the ALS community. Previous positive results from a Phase 2 study did not replicate in a larger group, impacting patients like Gwen Petersen, who saw stabilization on the drug. Concerns arise about insurance coverage and future ALS…
The Royal College of Physicians is set to hold an extraordinary general meeting to debate the role of Physician Associates and Medical Associate Professions. This debate has escalated due to concerns that were previously ignored, leading to uncertainty among PA colleagues. Five motions are up for debate, including the scope of practice, training opportunities, and…
A study found that DNA from the mpox virus can be detected in different parts of the body up to four weeks after symptom onset. Researchers analyzed samples from 64 men with mpox infection, finding variations in viral DNA persistence based on the sample’s location. The study, part of multiple projects by the Emerging and…
Researchers at MIT have developed a gel called GastroShield that can be sprayed onto surgical sites during endoscopic procedures to prevent delayed bleeding and reinforce tissue integrity. The gel forms a protective layer that lasts for three to seven days, promoting tissue healing post-surgery. This gel is designed to interact with tissue through various interactions…
Dianne Rosenbluth, 81, struggled with osteoarthritis and joint pain, but found relief through exercise and lifestyle changes. Regular physical activity, including low-intensity activities like walking, have helped ease her symptoms and improve her overall quality of life. Experts agree that a measured approach to exercise can benefit those with osteoarthritis, reducing pain, stiffness, and swelling….
Abbott has recalled the HeartMate Touch Communication System due to potential issues with the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device where the pump may unexpectedly stop or start. This can lead to serious adverse health consequences including lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, and even death. The FDA has classified this recall as Class I, the most…
Researchers are recommending the fortification of table salt with folic acid as a new approach to preventing life-threatening birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. The WHO recommends women of reproductive age take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily from trying to conceive until 12 weeks gestation to prevent these defects. While many countries have…
A study has found that the use of benzodiazepines for controlling seizures in children may increase the risk of being on multiple medications in the future. This information was revealed through research on the long-term effects of benzodiazepine use in pediatric patients. The study suggests that caution should be exercised when prescribing benzodiazepines for seizure…
In the second episode of Debunked, hosts Arundhati Parmar and Samir Batra discuss healthcare costs, particularly site-neutral payments and a new law in California. Site-neutral payments aim to address unfair hospital pricing for outpatient services at facilities owned by health systems, but the American Hospital Association successfully lobbied against it for this year. The podcast…
A survey of recent GP graduates in Ireland found that 96 percent stayed in the country to work as a GP, with 78.4 percent planning to stay long term. Only three percent planned to move abroad. The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) reported a growing demand for GPs, improved financial opportunities, and various career…
A study found that the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) is associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Participants were recruited in China and evaluated for various TyG-related factors. Men had higher rates of hypertension and predicted CVD risk compared to women. TyG-WC was the best predictor of hypertension risk, while TyG-WHR was the best predictor…
Vaginal laxity is a common but overlooked issue affecting many women, with symptoms including reduced friction during intercourse, decreased sexual satisfaction, and stress urinary incontinence. Causes can range from childbirth to hormonal changes and genetics. Treatment options include non-surgical methods like Kegel exercises and surgical options like vaginoplasty. Understanding these options and seeking professional guidance…