Novo Nordisk is investing in a new production facility in Denmark to manufacture rare disease drugs, with completion expected in 2027. The facility will create 400 permanent jobs and utilize advanced technology to meet global demand for life-changing medicines. The company’s focus on rare diseases includes hemophilia treatments, such as concizumab, which has received regulatory…
Research suggests that Covid infection may lead to an increased risk of developing shingles due to reactivated dormant viruses in the body. Studies have shown a link between Covid and shingles cases, with patients having a higher risk of developing shingles after a Covid infection. The immune response to Covid may not switch off properly,…
Grief is a complex and personal journey that involves five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages are not linear and individuals may experience them in different orders or not at all. It is important to seek support during this time from loved ones, counselors, or support groups. The stages of grief are…
State and local governments in the U.S. have begun spending billions in opioid settlements from companies accused of fueling the overdose crisis. A yearlong investigation by KFF Health News, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Shatterproof found that over $6 billion was received in settlements in 2022 and 2023. States allocated funds for…
A phase 3 clinical trial of veligrotug, an anti-insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor antibody, showed improvements in proptosis, clinical activity scores, and diplopia for chronic thyroid eye disease. The trial involved 188 patients, with those receiving veligrotug showing a higher proptosis responder rate, mean reduction in proptosis, and diplopia response compared to the placebo group. Veligrotug…
Health insurance companies are using AI to automate care denials, prompting patients and entrepreneurs to fight back using the same technology. Holden Karau created FightHealthInsurance.com to help patients and doctors appeal insurance denials. The product is open source and free, allowing patients to upload denial letters and fill in details before an AI tool drafts…
UK doctors who have recently returned from Gaza have described a dire situation, with blood soaked beds, emaciated colleagues and patients, and doctors performing brain surgery on children without basic equipment. At an event outside St Thomas’ Hospital in London, they spoke out about the conditions in Gaza and called for action to support their…
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have gained insights into the molecular changes leading to Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder caused by mutations in the MeCP2 gene. Loss of MeCP2 in adulthood leads to dysregulation of hundreds of genes before any measurable neurological deficiencies are observed. The MeCP2 protein directs gene expression in neurons, and…
Andrew Peterson has been working at Hamilton Company for seven years in the R&D team focusing on syringes. The syringes from Hamilton are known for their precision, with a tolerance of 1%. The company ensures accuracy by controlling the bore size during manufacturing. They also offer syringes with zero dead volume, reducing carryover between samples….
New biomarker analyses from the phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2024 provide insights into factors influencing response to pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study examined biomarkers like TMB and T-cell–inflamed GEP in relation to pCR and EFS. T-cell inflammation and TMB were associated…
Regular use of paracetamol in older adults can lead to gastrointestinal, heart, and kidney complications. Despite being a common painkiller, it is not safe to consume more than 4 grams in a single day. Long-term use may result in kidney damage. A study found that repeated use of paracetamol increased the risk of peptic ulcers,…
Precision medicine has transformed cancer care by personalizing treatment based on the genomic profile of a patient’s cancer. However, challenges remain in the widespread adoption of genomic sequencing, limiting patient access to targeted therapies. Studies show that many patients do not receive precision oncology due to barriers in obtaining biomarker test results and disparities in…
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused a deadly flash flood in Unicoi County, Tennessee, trapping dozens of people on the rooftop of the county hospital. Hospital staff and emergency responders were unable to evacuate them by ambulance or boat due to the fast-moving floodwaters. Eventually, everyone was evacuated by helicopter in a stunning success, with…
Patients with autoimmune or musculoskeletal diseases who achieve at least 5% weight loss through medication or surgery experience significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2024. The study analyzed data from the FORWARD Databank and included patients using weight loss therapies such as GLP-1 agonists and bariatric surgery. Results showed…
As 2024 comes to an end, First Opinion is releasing a series of essays on the role of AI in medicine and biopharma. One essay highlights the challenges faced by patients like James, who struggles with chronic substance use, due to fragmented and disorganized medical records. This lack of cohesive care often leads to delayed…
Researchers at the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia conducted a study to examine Black caregivers’ concerns regarding police interactions with Black autistic children. The study found that Black autistic youth face a higher risk of negative outcomes during police encounters due to increased police contact and use of force towards the…
A recent study published in PNAS Nexus explores the relationship between brain connectivity and intelligence by prioritizing interpretability in predictive modeling. Intelligence, crucial for life outcomes, was predicted using brain connectivity data from the Human Connectome Project. The study utilized machine learning techniques to identify about 1,000 highly predictive brain connections across cognitive states and…
The FDA has approved two microbial therapies to prevent recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), limiting access to conventional fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The FDA guidance issued in November 2022 targets stool banks, affecting OpenBiome, a major provider. Stakeholders, including the AGA, objected, leading to a reprieve until the end of the year. CDI affects 500,000…
Long-term use of common medications such as antihistamines, opiates, omeprazole, benzodiazepines, and tricyclic antidepressants may increase the risk of dementia, a condition affecting memory and thinking abilities. These medications can impact the brain and cause nerve cell damage, leading to cognitive decline. Research shows a connection between these medications and an increased risk of developing…
Tuva Health, an open-source healthcare data platform, recently launched with $5 million in seed funding to support its growth. The platform works with payers, providers, and pharmaceutical companies to clean messy data and provide normalization, data quality testing, and enrichment to make data analysis easier. Created by a community of healthcare data professionals, Tuva Health…
Healio Dermatology has compiled the most-read psoriasis articles of the year, with a Q&A about a celebrity controversy over tanning booths being the top topic. Other content included the impact of early life nutrition on psoriasis risk, weight loss induced by oral roflumilast treatment, and the association of stress with an increased risk of psoriasis…
Editas Medicine plans to lay off 65% of its staff, around 180 employees, due to financial struggles in the gene-editing field. The company’s stock has fallen 81% this year, and it has faced challenges in developing successful gene-editing programs. In contrast, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro is gaining popularity over Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in the U.K. for…
Concerts and radio stations during the holiday season play both Christmas and winter holiday music. Various western musical genres have a distinctive Christmas sound that evokes the holiday season with sounds of bells, choirs, and organs. Timbre, the quality of sound waves, carries cultural meanings and evokes emotions, playing a crucial role in how people…
A study from Miguel Hernández University in Spain reveals that foods with protein claims may mislead consumers, as many are high in sodium, fat, and sweeteners. The research analyzed 4325 processed foods in the Spanish market and found that about 13% of them had protein claims, with plant-based meat analogs having the highest prevalence. Despite…
The FDA has approved nemolizumab (Nemluvio) for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in patients aged 12 years and older. Nemolizumab targets the IL-31 receptor, known to promote itching and inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Clinical trials showed significant improvement in patients taking nemolizumab compared to placebo, with improved skin condition and reduced itching. Safety profiles were similar between…
Dr. Munib Ahmad, founder of FueGenix Hair Clinic, is revolutionizing the field of hair restoration by recognizing and addressing the critical gaps in the industry. Many practitioners focus on outdated techniques or solely on volume, resulting in unnatural hairlines and less confident clients. Dr. Ahmad’s meticulous technique and artistic vision blend technical precision with creative…
Epic, a successful healthcare technology company, prioritizes doing good, having fun, and making money. Founded in 1979 by CEO Judy Faulkner, it now covers over half of acute multispecialty hospital beds in the US and generated nearly $5 billion in revenue last year. Faulkner shared insights at the Forbes Healthcare Summit, emphasizing the importance of…
OrthoIndy has made leadership changes by appointing John Moeller as its chief operating officer and Lori Stark as its chief nursing officer. Moeller previously worked at Ascension St. Vincent, while Stark started her career at OrthoIndy in 2024. Both bring a wealth of experience to their new roles and are focused on patient-centered care. The…
Taylor Swift is now old enough to run for president of the United States. A one-year-old story about a little girl named Shelby who underwent gene therapy is revisited. A suspected case of bird flu in a child from California is inconclusive, with no definitive results. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is changing funding criteria…
Holiday heart, or alcohol-induced atrial arrhythmia, is a condition where binge drinking leads to irregular heartbeats. Symptoms include a fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, and shortness of breath. This condition is common during the holidays due to binge drinking, overeating, dehydration, and stress. It can be diagnosed through tests like an ECG or blood tests….
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland found that smoke from Canadian wildfires in 2023 traveled 2000 miles to the East Coast, leading to poor air quality days and an 18% increase in medical visits for heart and lung conditions. Patients reported worsened symptoms like coughing and increased reliance on medications. The…
Dermatologist Peter Lio advocates for integrative care, combining conventional and complementary therapies, for patients with skin diseases, as it meets patient satisfaction. Lio emphasizes that clinicians should not ignore patient interest in alternative medicine, which can fill the gap left by conventional therapies. He uses evidence-based alternative therapies alongside conventional treatments, accommodating patient preferences. Examples…
Kristi Halpin, a nurse and mother from New Jersey, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at just 31 years old. Despite initially dismissing symptoms like rapid weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and strange bruises, Halpin eventually sought medical help and received her diagnosis. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, her cancer is now under control….
Value-based care (VBC) is gaining traction for its potential to improve care delivery, reduce costs, and increase physician satisfaction. However, setting up and managing VBC programs is challenging, as it requires sophisticated risk management, data sufficiency, and operational changes. Larger practices like CenterWell Health have found success in VBC due to their scale and resources….
Weight loss through lifestyle intervention in women with HER2-negative breast cancer showed a correlation with improved inflammatory markers. The Breast Cancer Weight Loss (BWEL) trial, presented by Dr. Jennifer A. Ligibel, included 3,180 women with stage 2 and 3 HER2-negative breast cancer. Results showed a 5.7% weight loss at 1 year led to significant improvements…
First Opinion on STAT features articles about the life sciences written by experts in the field. Readers can also engage in discussions by submitting Letters to the Editor. One article discusses the impact of insurance companies on physician payments, suggesting a solution to level the playing field. Another highlights the challenges facing pediatricians, especially in…
A recent study found that opioid addicts experience structural and functional changes in specific brain regions, leading to alterations in volume and intrinsic resting-state functional connectivity. The study compared brain scans of opioid addicts and non-addicts, revealing differences in brain regions containing opioid receptors. The research highlighted variations in brain changes between men and women…
The World Health Organization has published its first report on drowning prevention, showing a 38% decrease in global drowning deaths since 2000. However, more than 30 people are still estimated to drown every hour, with children under 5 and individuals under 29 being most at risk. Progress in reducing drowning deaths has been uneven, with…
The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has recommended Emcitate (tiratricol) for treating peripheral thyrotoxicosis in patients with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the MCT8 gene. Emcitate, designated as an orphan drug, can restore normal thyroid hormone activity in MCT8-dependent tissues. A phase 2 trial showed…
Dr. Ruben, a pediatric allergist, warns that blowing your nose incorrectly can lead to nose bleeds and ear infections. He recommends covering one nostril and blowing gently into a tissue to avoid damaging nasal passages and causing ear infections. Dr. Tonia L. Farmer suggests using saline mist or drops to loosen mucus for a more…
AI innovation in healthcare is on the rise, but the reliability of AI tools and confidence scores is under scrutiny. While confidence scores are used to measure AI reliability in healthcare, they often rely on approximations rather than proven probabilities, leading to potential misleading results. Blindly trusting confidence scores can create risks, especially for healthcare…
More than 400 people have been hospitalized with the flu this winter season, with three deaths reported. The number of flu cases has almost doubled in a week, with 529 cases reported in the last week of November. The HSE is urging eligible individuals to get their winter vaccines to protect against the flu and…
Eloisa Mendoza ha estado ayudando a personas que no hablan inglés durante 18 años en Elko, Nevada. A medida que la población latina en la ciudad ha crecido, su trabajo se ha vuelto más importante. A pesar de la creciente necesidad de acceso lingüístico en áreas rurales, los legisladores en Nevada han excluido a los…
A study presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showed promising results for combining a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor with a PD-1 antibody in a nonchemotherapy regimen for BRCA-mutated breast cancer. The study, led by Dr. Erica L. Mayer, included patients with BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 mutations who achieved a pathologic complete response and residual…
The U.S. government agency Health Resources & Services Administration warned Sanofi about facing sanctions for changing payment methods in the 340B Drug Discount Program. The agency stated that Sanofi could be terminated from the program if it proceeds with the changes without approval from the Department of Health and Human Services. Sanofi planned to provide…
Architectural health research conducted by Cleo Valentine emphasizes the importance of creating happier and healthier built environments, especially in urban areas where over half of the world’s population resides. The built environment can have a significant impact on public health, and it is crucial for architects, developers, and authorities to collaborate and prioritize health considerations…
As the holiday season approaches, Australia is experiencing a rise in COVID cases, particularly in Victoria and Tasmania, marking the fourth year of a summer increase and the second year with a six-month gap between waves. Various factors such as the XEC variant are contributing to the current surge. The possibility of future waves every…
Researchers from Northwestern Medicine and Penn State have developed a tool called PlacentaVision that uses computer vision and AI to analyze photographs of the placenta to detect abnormalities associated with infection and neonatal sepsis. The tool could potentially improve neonatal and maternal care by providing early identification of placental infection. PlacentaVision is intended to be…
President-elect Donald Trump suggested the possibility of removing some vaccinations if he deems them dangerous during an interview with TIME. This comment came in relation to his nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has expressed skepticism about vaccines in the past. Despite claims that vaccines cause autism being debunked by medical professionals, Trump expressed…
Chronic pain affects around 50 million adults in the U.S. and is often misunderstood by healthcare professionals. The use of prescription opioids for pain management has led to addiction and other risks. Research suggests that chronic pain may be linked to the brain’s perception of pain rather than structural issues in the body. Chiropractic care,…