Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have developed a humanized mouse model with a human immune system and gut microbiome. Led by Paolo Casali, the team aimed to create a model with a fully functional human immune system to overcome limitations of current models. This breakthrough, detailed in an…
High-dose antipsychotics like quetiapine, clozapine, and olanzapine are linked to an increased risk of pneumonia in patients with schizophrenia. A study with 61,889 patients revealed that high-dose quetiapine posed the highest risk, followed by clozapine and olanzapine. Antipsychotic monotherapy and those with high anticholinergic burden were also associated with higher pneumonia risk compared to no…
Researchers have found a connection between inflammation levels in your 20s and cognitive health in midlife. High levels of inflammation in early adulthood are linked to reduced cognitive function in your 40s, possibly increasing the risk of dementia later in life. The study tracked 2,364 adults over 18 years, finding that those with moderate or…
Many healthcare organizations have shifted to value-based payment models, with more than half of healthcare payments in 2023 being part of this system. Capitation, a payment model where providers receive a fixed fee per patient, is playing a significant role in this transformation by incentivizing preventive care and reducing unnecessary costs. The Centers for Medicare…
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating how a €19 million allocation specifically for children’s spinal and orthopaedic services was spent by Children’s Health Ireland. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has requested an audit to determine how the funds were used, as they were allocated more broadly than intended. Despite an increase in spinal procedures,…
Zepp Health has launched the latest Zepp OS smartwatch operating system running on ChatGPT-4o, featuring an upgraded voice assistant. Kakao Healthcare has joined KMI’s diabetes screening program in South Korea, along with Salus Care, to detect and prevent diabetes early. Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital in India has implemented Dozee’s AI-based remote patient monitoring system to…
Elisabeth Rosenthal reflects on the complex nature of pain and the limitations of the zero-to-10 pain scale that has become ubiquitous in medical care. Originating from a push for more attention to pain management in the ’90s, the zero-to-10 scale fails to capture the multifaceted nature of pain and has contributed to the opioid epidemic….
A study found that patients with rosacea are at an increased risk for malignant melanoma, joint problems, metabolic disease, and visual disturbances. The study used the TriNetX platform to analyze real-world patient data and found a strong association between rosacea and skin cancer. The risk of melanoma was notably higher in patients with rosacea compared…
The content includes various articles and letters discussing issues in healthcare, specifically in the fields of psychiatry and weight loss treatment. The first article criticized psychiatrists for not fulfilling the social contract by not accepting Medicare and Medicaid patients, while responses highlighted the financial challenges they face. The second article addressed Medicare’s coverage of weight…
In a publication by Minerva on 20 June 2024, it was incorrectly stated that guidelines recommend restricting the use of valproate to men and women under 55 due to its teratogenic effects. The corrected statement is actually that guidelines recommend restricting the use of valproate to men and women over 55. The error has been…
A recent study published in the journal JAMA found that diabetes medications like GLP-1 agonists, including the popular drug Ozempic, can reduce the risk of developing certain obesity-related cancers. Patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with these medications had a lower risk of developing 10 out of 13 cancers studied, such as kidney, pancreatic, esophageal,…
A sexually transmitted strain of mpox is causing concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with fears of it spreading to neighboring countries. DRC has approved two vaccines for the virus, but obtaining an adequate number of doses is a challenge. The region affected by the new strain is plagued by armed violence, making immunization…
The European Commission has approved Tagrisso combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Lung cancer diagnoses in Europe exceed 450,000 annually, with EGFR mutations present in 10%-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and Europe. Tagrisso is a third-generation EGFR-TKI that has shown significant clinical activity in NSCLC, including…
Three children in India, including a 5-year-old, have died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection in the past two months. The most recent victim, 14-year-old Mridul, contracted the infection while bathing in a pond in Kerala. The infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri, typically found in soil and warm freshwater. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea,…
Hospital wayfinding is a major challenge for patients, with 30% getting lost and reporting high levels of stress. Despite this, healthcare CIOs do not prioritize digital wayfinding solutions, with only 27% of patients having access to it. Indoor positioning in healthcare settings is more difficult due to physical interference, radio frequency noise, the complex layout…
Being a fan of Taylor Swift can have mental health benefits, improve mood, reduce stress, and boost self-esteem. Her music touches on themes young people struggle with such as love and self-discovery, making her a positive role model. Fan communities provide social connections and bonding opportunities. However, obsession with a celebrity can have downsides, like…
Georgia-based KORE and Australian mCare Digital partnered to launch the mCareWatch 241 smartwatch for virtual patient monitoring. The watch includes features like SOS setting, GPS tracking, heart rate monitor, and fall detection. It retails for $499 plus a monthly service plan. mCare Digital’s cofounder expressed excitement about meeting customer needs. Wearable device use is on…
Jerrian Reedy, a Black medical student, was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after losing his father, aunt, and grandmother within nine months. He is among a small percentage of Black medical students in Mississippi, where Black doctors are underrepresented but needed for better health outcomes for patients of color. State laws banning diversity,…
Sandra Mazzoni, DO, discussed a study presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting that used artificial intelligence to analyze patterns in how patients with multiple myeloma respond to therapy. The study utilized a database of hundreds of patients with myeloma to identify genetic patterns that correlate with different outcomes in overall survival. Mazzoni, a hematologist at…
New research published in JAMA Network Open found that GLP-1 drugs are more effective in reducing the risk of 10 obesity-associated cancers in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to insulin or metformin. The study analyzed data from over 1.6 million patients from 2005 to 2018. GLP-1 drugs are known for their efficacy in weight…
Ngaire Woods emphasizes that effective collaboration between central and local governments, along with collaborative leadership from various stakeholders, is crucial in countering the pandemic. To combat climate change, drastic measures such as reducing fossil fuel use, increasing renewable energy, and transforming agriculture to be plant-based are necessary. Rethinking the economy, focusing on sustainability rather than…
A new survey by the Prevent Cancer Foundation found that more than 65% of American men are behind on routine cancer screenings, with almost 1 in 5 not scheduling their own healthcare appointments. According to CEO Jody Hoyos, advocating for health and discussing screenings with healthcare providers is crucial for early detection and better outcomes….
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have mapped the potential outcomes of changes to the VHL tumor-suppressing gene, a crucial step in understanding genetic variations linked to cancer. The study identified harmful VHL variants that increase kidney cancer risk and highlighted the impact of the HIF gene on tumor growth. Belzutifan, a drug inhibiting HIF,…
At the Congress of the European Academy of Neurology 2024, experts debated the pros and cons of early vs late initiation of anticoagulants after an acute ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The majority favored early anticoagulation to prevent recurrent ischemic strokes, despite the risk of hemorrhagic transformation. Different studies, such as TIMING and…
Researchers have found that reducing processed meat consumption, such as bacon, by just 10 slices a week could lead to significant health benefits, including fewer cases of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and colorectal cancer. This small dietary change could prevent over 350,000 cases of diabetes in the U.S. over 10 years. Cutting consumption of unprocessed red…
The article discusses the fascination with novel therapies like MDMA-assisted treatment for PTSD and the importance of also recognizing and advocating for existing effective treatments. It highlights the challenges and delays involved in developing new pharmacological treatments and emphasizes the need to balance innovation with practical solutions available today. The article stresses the significance of…
A Consultant Cardiologist Non-Interventional position is available at Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry, with a salary range of £94,127 to £126,907. The job reference number is 54352355 and the closing date for applications is Friday 26th July at 3.30pm. A waiting list may be established for future vacancies. Applicants must demonstrate how they meet the…
The FDA has granted Fast Track Designation to the imaging agent 99 mTc-maraciclatide for endometriosis diagnosis, which could revolutionize women’s healthcare. Developed by Serac Healthcare, this technology aims to provide a non-invasive and reliable test for the condition, reducing the average seven and a half year delay in diagnosis. The Fast Track process will prioritize…
Amazon has rebranded its healthcare offerings, integrating Amazon Clinic into One Medical. The new One Medical Pay-per-visit telehealth service offers pay-per-visit and membership options for common conditions like pink eye or flu. Messaging visits cost $29 and video visits cost $49. The $199 annual membership ($99 for Amazon Prime members) offers on-demand virtual care, same-day…
Many older adults are worried about the rising costs of healthcare services and their ability to afford them. A recent survey found that the top concerns among seniors are the costs of medical care, long-term care, and prescription drugs. Financial worries are compounded by limited Medicare coverage for services such as dental care and vision…
The availability of prefilled syringes for faricimab-svoa represents a significant advancement in ophthalmic care. These syringes streamline the treatment process, enhance patient safety, and improve clinical efficiency for ophthalmologists. They simplify the preparation and administration of Vabysmo, reducing the risk of contamination and dosing errors. The use of prefilled syringes saves time in busy clinical…
A federal judge ruled against Boehringer Ingelheim’s challenge to the new Medicare drug price negotiation program, citing that the company’s arguments were unconstitutional under different parts of the Constitution and that Medicare officials had not violated procedural laws. Judge Michael Shea made this decision, which was published late Wednesday, marking another legal loss for the…
In the 2024 UK general election, nine doctors were elected as Members of Parliament, with four in the Labour government and five among the Conservative MPs. A total of 34 doctors ran for election, down from 51 in 2019, with a total of ten doctors being elected. Among the doctors elected, emergency medicine doctor Rosena…
Scientists have identified more than 5,000 genetic variants that increase the risk of developing cancers such as eye, lung lining, brain, skin, and kidney cancers. The research focused on the BAP1 gene, a tumor protection gene, and found that disrupting variants in this gene significantly increase the risk of cancer. These findings, published in Nature…
The impact of urban configurations on human and environmental health is a crucial topic in the face of rapid urbanization. A recent study in Europe classified cities into different configurations and examined their impact on air pollution, CO2 emissions, and mortality rates. Compact cities were found to have lower CO2 footprints but higher pollution levels,…
Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, has shown 100% efficacy in preventing HIV in women at high risk of infection during an interim analysis of the phase 3 PURPOSE 1 trial. The results were so promising that Gilead Sciences stopped the trial’s blinded phase and offered open-label lenacapavir to all participants. The drug is…
Chronic insomnia is a common issue among Americans, with around 12% of adults in the U.S. being diagnosed with the condition. Men are slightly more prone to insomnia than women, and millennials have the highest rate of diagnoses. The age group 25-34 and those in the Western region of the U.S. are most likely to…
Foodsmart, a telenutrition and food benefits management platform, received a $200 million investment from The Rise Fund to address food insecurity, which affected 12.8% of U.S. households in 2022. The platform, founded in 2010, connects patients with chronic diseases to registered dietitians, meal planning, food ordering, and SNAP benefits. The investment will help Foodsmart scale…
Irish hospitals will begin using drones to deliver medical supplies in a trial partnership with Blackrock Health, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Medtronic, Wing, and Apian. This will be the country’s first ongoing medical device delivery service by drone. The initiative aims to demonstrate the benefits drones can offer in healthcare logistics, leading to more efficient…
Hospitals are struggling with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections, especially in ICUs. A recent study suggests that asymptomatic carriers may be a hidden reservoir, shedding bacteria without symptoms and putting others at risk. Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School and Rush University Medical Center conducted a study in a single ICU, finding a…
Virtual primary care provider K Health secured $50 million in funding from investors including Claure Group and Royalty Pharma’s CEO. The company offers AI-enabled primary care, urgent care, mental health, and medical weight management services. K Health’s AI-powered platform streamlines the provider experience by assessing patients through AI chat and providing personalized insights to providers….
In Terre Haute, Indiana, two rival hospitals are seeking to merge, which supporters claim will save patients money and improve health outcomes. However, similar mergers in other states have led to reports of decreased care quality. Certificates of public advantage (COPAs) allow these mergers in some states despite FTC concerns about reduced competition. The FTC…
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology showed that some women with sexual arousal disorder experienced improved sexual function with topical sildenafil cream compared to a placebo cream. While overall, the cream did not show a statistically significant improvement for women with sexual dysfunction diagnoses, a subset of women with female sexual arousal disorder or…
Top Biden administration officials, Micky Tripathi and Troy Tazbaz, have withdrawn from an industry body focused on setting safety standards for artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Tripathi, the national coordinator for health information technology, and Tazbaz, director of Digital Health Center of Excellence at the Food and Drug Administration, stepped down as nonvoting members of…
Elisabeth Perreau-Saussine, a fourth year medical student at University College London, emphasizes the importance of educating medical students as environmental stewards who can evaluate and reduce the use of single-use plastics in healthcare. She highlights the unnecessary and wasteful use of plastics in medical procedures, advocating for a data-driven approach to evaluate the necessity of…
Research suggests that living in dangerous neighborhoods can lead to higher smoking rates among residents. This is due to feelings of powerlessness and mistrust, which can promote maladaptive coping behaviors like smoking. Neighborhood vigilance plays a role in smoking rates and the severity of problems faced when trying to quit. Residents of less secure neighborhoods…
A recent study published in Nature Genetics focused on genome-wide analysis of nearly 800,000 women’s DNA to examine genetic factors influencing puberty timing, specifically age at menarche (AAM) in females. Researchers identified 1,080 distinct signals related to AAM, explaining 11% of trait variation. They found that polygenic risk factors affected puberty timing, with extremes in…
An open-label extension study of subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 for treating chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) showed durable functional improvements up to week 24 with no new safety signals. The study involved the FDA-approved coformulation of efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc for CIDP treatment. Patients in the study demonstrated high adherence to the treatment, with participants who…
The FDA has revoked the authorization for brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food due to safety concerns. BVO, used as a stabilizer and emulsifier in sports drinks and sodas, was found to have potential adverse health effects, particularly on the nervous system. Companies have until August 2, 2024, to reformulate and relabel their products before…
GSK and CureVac formed a partnership during the Covid-19 pandemic to develop mRNA vaccines against the novel coronavirus and other infectious diseases. GSK will now have full control of developing and manufacturing the avian influenza vaccine and two other vaccine candidates, for which they will pay up to €1.05 billion based on milestones. CureVac’s technology…