A study on ACL reconstruction with hamstring and quadriceps tendon autografts in patients aged 50 years and older showed satisfactory functional improvements and return to sport. Lysholm, Tegner, and VAS pain scores improved from pre-injury to 2-year follow-up with no differences between tendon types. Both autograft types had similar return to sport rates, although hamstring…
Pharmaceutical companies are cutting more staff than cash-strapped biotechs, leading to workforce reductions. Pfizer is scouting out its next science chief as there have been big changes in the company’s leadership. There is also a debate over a new side effect tied to the diabetes drug Ozempic. Entrepreneurs Alexis Borisy and Zach Weinberg discuss their…
James Munro, chief executive of Care Opinion, emphasizes the importance of patient feedback as a valuable source of information for improving healthcare quality and safety. While some healthcare staff may dismiss online feedback as trivial complaints, research shows that patients are reporting safety incidents that staff may not be aware of or are failing to…
A team of researchers from the Universities of East Anglia, Sheffield, and Leeds has developed an artificial intelligence method to analyze heart MRI scans in a specific view called the four-chamber plane. The AI model can quickly and accurately determine the size and function of the heart’s chambers, potentially revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of…
A new CAR-T cell therapy targeting CD22 has shown promising results in patients with large B-cell lymphoma who failed previous therapies, including CD19-targeted CAR-T treatment. The phase 1 clinical trial at Stanford Medicine found that over 50% of participants, most of whom had relapsed from CD19 therapy, experienced a complete response with durable results. The…
A multicenter retrospective study in Australia evaluated 4109 sepsis patients from emergency departments to determine the impact of culture positivity on outcomes. Bacteremic, urine culture-negative patients had the highest risk for ICU admission and early representation post-discharge. Nonbacteremic, urine culture-positive patients had the longest hospital stays. Antibiotic administration before sample collection reduced the likelihood of…
Researchers have discovered a new hormone called CCN3, also known as the Maternal Brain Hormone, that promotes bone growth and density in female mice. This hormone has shown to increase bone mass and strength in mice, even in situations where estrogen levels are low or in very old mice. CCN3 has the potential to aid…
Last year, UnitedHealth Group’s Optum announced plans to acquire Amedisys for $3.3 billion, facing scrutiny from the DOJ and the Oregon Health Authority. Amedisys recently disclosed a purchase agreement to sell certain home health care centers to VCG Luna. Experts believe the merger will likely go through, potentially with additional divestitures. Concerns about UHG’s growing…
The therapeutic use exemption (TUE) committee policy states that glucocorticoid injections for hay fever are prohibited in sports competition. Athletes needing these injections during the washout period should contact their sport’s International Federation or Sport Ireland’s Anti-Doping Officer. The TUE application process requires a comprehensive medical file, including medical history and evidence of non-IM glucocorticoid…
Courier Health, a health tech company, secured $16.5 million in Series A funding led by Norwest Venture Partners, with participation from Work-Bench. The New York-based company offers a CRM system for biopharma commercial teams to analyze patient data and manage workflows. The funds will be used to expand teams and improve the product. The platform…
The Republican Party released a draft platform softening its stance on abortion, despite major anti-abortion groups supporting it. The Federal Trade Commission is preparing to sue large pharmacy benefits management companies for anticompetitive behavior. The GOP presidential platform will not include a call for a national abortion ban for the first time in decades. Lawmakers…
Dialysis Patient Citizens has introduced a new kidney disease training curriculum for community health workers, aiming to educate them on managing kidney disease and slowing its progression. The program includes online modules and in-person training sessions, with key partners such as the Illinois Public Health Association and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. The goal…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed new codes in the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule that would allow clinicians to bill for digital mental health treatments like apps delivering cognitive behavioral therapy. These codes are limited to FDA-cleared medical devices and cover the cost incurred by clinicians. While over 20 software-based medical treatments have…
Sarah Woolf, a movement psychotherapist, shares how writing a simple note to hospital staff before her breast surgery transformed her experience and helped her heal emotionally. She discusses the impact illness can have on a person’s sense of identity and mental health, drawing on her own struggles with cancer treatment. By humanizing her experience through…
A study at Cedars-Sinai found that Black and Hispanic women receive lower doses of postpartum pain medication compared to White women, even when reporting high pain levels. The study examined both opioid and non-opioid medications and found that other factors like pain assessments, epidural use, and maternal age did not explain the disparities. The study…
A recent study in European Urology Oncology focused on mortality risks in patients with prostate cancer based on their Gleason scores and clinical parameters. The Gleason score is used to assess the severity of prostate cancer, with lower scores indicating slower spread. Findings from the ProtecT trial suggested that patients with Gleason grade group 1…
Many patients experience persistent physical symptoms without an identifiable cause, leading to diagnostic challenges in medicine. Terms like “Persistent physical symptoms” have emerged to describe these health challenges, which may stem from a combination of physical and psychological factors. The new diagnostic approach focuses on the patient’s perception of their illness rather than ruling out…
Researchers studied the life expectancy loss of 335,000 heart attack survivors compared to healthy individuals. They found that women and young individuals experienced a greater loss in life expectancy than men, especially if their cardiac function was impaired. Factors such as income, education, and other illnesses also played a role in life expectancy reduction. However,…
Oncology is a critical area of healthcare with challenges and opportunities for innovation, especially in drug development. Cancer is a leading cause of death in the US, with high costs and increasing prevalence. Pharma revenue from oncology drugs is significant and expected to rise. Challenges in drug development include trial design, patient identification, and engagement….
Irish researchers have made a breakthrough in developing a vaccine against the potentially deadly MRSA bacterium. By targeting a key immune molecule during vaccine delivery, they have shown improved protection against infection in animal models. MRSA is a leading cause of bacterial infections with antibiotic resistance on the rise. While finding an effective vaccine has…
Boston-based Uwill has acquired Virtual Care Group, a telehealth platform for students, to expand its mental health services for colleges. Uwill offers on-demand access to therapists and crisis counseling, as well as online wellness events. Virtual Care Group, based in Los Angeles, matches providers with students and faculty for mental and physical health support, currently…
Jonna Tallant of Knoxville, Tennessee, has spent over $200,000 on unsuccessful treatments for her temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Despite the debilitating pain and financial strain, Tallant, like many TMJ patients, struggles with inadequate insurance coverage for treatments. The lack of coverage leads patients to pay high out-of-pocket costs, often for treatments that are not recommended…
A supervised, long-term exercise program for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and severe functional limitations showed improvements in functional disability and physical quality of life compared to usual care. The program included personalized exercises tailored to each patient’s needs and resulted in greater improvements in physical abilities over 52 weeks. The study highlights the benefits…
As Covid-19 swept through the U.S., schools were significantly affected, prompting discussions on preparing for potential avian influenza outbreaks. Despite billions invested in public health infrastructure, challenges remain, with experts warning about the possibility of an avian flu pandemic. The response to Covid-19 highlighted issues with nonpharmaceutical interventions in schools and highlighted the need for…
In 1978, John Stephenson coined the term reflex anoxic seizures (RAS) to explain unexplained syncope in children, highlighting a major area of medical misdiagnosis. Up to 30% of children were wrongly diagnosed with epilepsy, leading to unnecessary drug prescriptions with side effects. Trudi Lobban’s daughter suffered from frequent episodes of passing out, prompting her to…
Colorado health officials have confirmed a human case of the plague, a rare bacterial infection easily treated with antibiotics. The plague is transmitted through infected fleas and affects rodents, pets, and humans. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, high fever, and chills. Cases are most common in rural areas of the U.S. and worldwide in countries…
Researchers from the Technical University of Munich have discovered a mechanism in chronic hepatitis B that switches off immune cells attacking infected liver cells. This immune suppression is caused by endothelial cells in blood vessels in the liver setting a “sleep timer” for the immune cells. The longer the immune cells are in contact with…
Research on atopic dermatitis shows that it can occur at any age. Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH highlights that the age of onset varies throughout the lifespan. This information is important for healthcare professionals in understanding and treating the condition. Further research may help identify factors that contribute to the development of atopic dermatitis at…
Health officials in Colorado have confirmed a rare case of human plague, a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted from infected rodents. Plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, which occurs naturally among wild rodents and can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected flea or handling of an infected animal. The disease…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule cutting physician payment rates by 2.8% in next year’s Medicare physician fee schedule. Industry groups, including the American Medical Association and Medical Group Management Association, expressed outrage, stating that reimbursement should keep up with inflation. The proposed rule would decrease the conversion factor…
A new report on productivity in the health service suggests that more inpatient procedures in Irish hospitals should be done on a day-case basis by default. The report also recommends using improved discharge templates to reduce readmissions and average length-of-stay, increasing flu vaccine uptake, and other measures to improve efficiency. The report points to research…
The biologics sector in modern medicine consists of a variety of products like vaccines, blood components, and gene therapy. The development pipeline for biologics is complex and challenging, requiring strategic optimization to be cost-efficient and timely. Key strategies include leveraging advanced technologies like high-throughput screening and artificial intelligence, streamlining clinical trials with adaptive designs and…
A nursing training facility in India, the Virtual Reality Health Lab, has opened, featuring VR simulators for medical procedure practice and clinical skills development. Partnering with MediSim VR, the KD Hospital aims to enhance nursing training standards and address skill gaps. The facility offers training programs, research, and expert sessions, aiming to improve nursing education…
Zarinah Lomax is a documentarian in Philadelphia who uses art to raise awareness about gun violence. She has created portraits of victims and their loved ones to remind people of the impact of gun violence on families and communities. Lomax’s work has been featured in exhibitions and events, sparking conversations about the public health crisis…
Ocular Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a severe form of dry eye disease that extends beyond traditional classifications. Similar to DED, there is no consensus on measuring ocular GVHD. Symptoms include burning, foreign body sensation, and decreased vision. Treatment involves relieving symptoms and minimizing inflammation using corticosteroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or autologous serum tears. Management may include…
The Food and Drug Administration rejected Novo Nordisk’s weekly insulin for diabetes treatment due to concerns about manufacturing and use in type 1 diabetes patients. The company does not expect to fulfill the FDA’s requests this year. The FDA previously convened a panel of advisers who voted against approval for type 1 patients, citing concerns…
Labour’s new health and social care secretary Wes Streeting is optimistic about resolving the junior doctors’ pay dispute after meeting with them face-to-face for the first time. He wants to improve relations between the government and junior doctors to end the nearly two-year-old dispute. Streeting had an initial phone call with junior doctor leaders on…
World leaders have made a historic commitment to prioritize social participation in health decision-making processes for the first time in the World Health Organization’s history. This pledge is seen as a crucial step towards creating a healthier world, as it allows individuals, communities, and civil society to have a say in health policies and system…
A newly developed molecule, LK-2, could lead to new therapies for stroke-related brain injury, which is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Glutamate, a neurotransmitter, plays a key role in stroke-induced brain damage by overstimulating N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). Previous drugs targeting NMDARs have had limited success due to…
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission plans to sue the three largest pharmacy-benefit managers – UnitedHealth, Cigna, and CVS Health – over their negotiation tactics for drug prices, including insulin. Pharmacy benefit managers act as intermediaries between drug companies and consumers, negotiating fees and discounts with manufacturers. The three biggest PBMs are UnitedHealth’s Optum unit, CVS…
A study conducted in North Holland, the Netherlands, found that women who survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were more likely to develop anxiety and depression compared to male survivors. Researchers analyzed changes in employment, income, and mental health outcomes over five years for 259 women and 996 men who survived cardiac arrest incidents between 2009 and…
Healthcare is fundamentally about caring for fellow humans, with a primary goal of preventing pain and providing relief. AI has recently emerged as a major player in the industry, sparking both excitement and concern. While AI can enhance care delivery by analyzing data and informing decisions, the human touch remains essential for empathetic patient care….
Dr. Austin O’Carroll, a thalidomide survivor and GP, criticized a recent Government statement to thalidomide survivors, stating that it lacked a fulsome apology. The letter expressed sympathy but did not fully recognize the State’s responsibility in the scandal. O’Carroll highlighted that the State failed to publicly announce the withdrawal of thalidomide in Ireland in the…
A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge tested a new robotic third thumb, demonstrating that people of all ages could quickly learn to use it to manipulate objects. The extra robotic body part extends movement capabilities, potentially benefiting amputees or stroke patients. While control interfaces have been a challenge, recent advances are improving…
At Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris, the tech giant unveiled new AI-powered devices including the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch Ultra. The Galaxy Ring is a health ring that monitors heart health, sleep patterns, and cycle tracking, providing personalized insights. The Galaxy Watch Ultra features BioActive Sensors for accurate health measurements and advanced athletic…
Zarinah Lomax, una documentalista de Philadelphia, ha utilizado el arte para concienciar sobre la violencia armada en su ciudad natal. Ha creado vestidos y abrigos con mensajes impactantes, y ha exhibido retratos conmovedores de personas afectadas por la violencia. Su objetivo es recordar a las familias que no están solas y que cada vida perdida…
Underweight childhood cancer survivors are at a higher risk of late mortality, with a three times greater risk for all-cause mortality compared to ideal-weight survivors. This data comes from a retrospective cohort study analyzing survivors of childhood cancer treated in the 1970s and 1980s. The study included 9,454 survivors, with underweight survivors making up 6.6%…
lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that can lead to organ damage and joint pain. New research suggests that a molecular switch can control the conversion of immune cells between helpful and harmful states, offering a potential treatment for lupus. The study found that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a crucial role in this…
In South Africa, there have been 20 new confirmed cases of mpox, a disease causing three deaths in the past two months. The cases have been reported in three provinces: Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. These cases have raised concerns about the spread of the disease in the country. Source link
Kids experiencing anxiety can benefit from exposure therapy, guided by parents, according to a study at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Stephen Whiteside explains that exposure therapy helps kids face their fears effectively, especially in cases of social anxiety disorder. This therapy involves gradually exposing children to situations that provoke anxiety to help them realize that their…