There is a need to address online misinformation and stigma surrounding sexual health, especially with the rise in STD rates reported globally. The emergence of AI-driven technologies offers hope in improving STD detection, diagnosis, and prevention. AI can streamline and enhance STD diagnosis, provide accurate sexual health information through chatbots and virtual assistants, assist healthcare…
The National Ambulance Service is facing significant challenges with demand for services exceeding capacity, impacting staff well-being and retention. The HSE recruitment freeze has affected middle management and specialist expertise. The NAS needs 1,080 additional staff to address immediate challenges. A strategic plan has been approved by the HSE Board but is awaiting Government sign-off….
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 63.5% increase in antidepressant dispensing to adolescents and young adults, mainly driven by girls and women. The study tracked antidepressant prescriptions from 2016 to 2022, finding a rise in new initiations and monthly dispensing rates after the pandemic began. Female patients saw a significant increase in dispensing rates,…
Pawan Kohli, a strategic advisor at Redesign Health, spoke at HIMSS24 Venture Connect about learning from failure in the digital health market. Global digital health funding decreased significantly in 2023, with a drop in deals and mega-rounds. Companies like Olive and Pear Therapeutics shut down in 2023. Kohli suggested buying small rural health systems could…
In early 2019, Jennifer Hepworth and her husband were surprised by a bill of $3,500 for their daughter’s cystic fibrosis medication, which had previously cost $30. This increase was due to a change in their health insurance plan that no longer counted copay assistance towards their deductible. This practice, known as copay accumulator programs, allows…
The Contact Lens Institute’s “See Tomorrow” initiative revealed that nearly half of glasses wearers are interested in contact lenses, but only one in 10 were suggested them by their eye care provider. Survey results showed that patients were not trying contact lenses due to lack of information or recommendation from their eye care practice. Factors…
Scientists faced public backlash following the publication of genomic sequencing results from the All of Us Research Program. The study aimed to diversify genetic datasets with 1 million volunteers from underrepresented backgrounds, but critics found issues with how race and ethnicity were portrayed in the data using UMAP graphs. The controversy highlights the importance of…
The BMA has demanded an immediate investigation into reports of doctors and healthcare staff in Gaza being mistreated and assaulted by the Israel Defense Forces. The BMA representative Latifa Patel expressed concern and emphasized that healthcare workers are protected by the Geneva Conventions. She condemned any attacks on medical professionals, stating that such mistreatment is…
Research shows that car safety equipment is designed based on male bodies, leading to women in the front seat being more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a crash. A study found sex differences in injury patterns and a higher likelihood of women experiencing shock in car crashes, despite having fewer injuries than…
A recent study published in Nutrients examined the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) and eating behaviors among pregnant individuals and their non-pregnant partners in the US. The results showed that poor cognitive restraint was linked to higher GWG, indicating that restrained eating by couples could reduce the risk of complications such as infant macrosomia,…
Actress Olivia Munn shared her battle with breast cancer on Instagram, revealing an aggressive form of the disease despite a normal mammogram and negative genetic tests. Munn emphasizes the importance of individual risk assessments, which helped detect her cancer early. She underwent four surgeries, including a double mastectomy. Munn urges women to educate themselves about…
A new study examined metabolic syndrome trajectories and cancer risk, finding that adults with worsening metabolic syndrome over time are at increased risk for any type of cancer. Previous research has shown an association between metabolic syndrome and various cancers, but the reasons for this link remain unclear. The study of 44,115 Chinese adults over…
A man in Florida with severe migraines was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis, caused by tapeworm larvae in his brain. The infection was likely from eating undercooked bacon. The patient’s symptoms worsened over four months, leading to a CT scan that revealed cysts in his brain. Further tests confirmed parasitic tapeworm larvae, causing neurocysticercosis. Despite not traveling…
A recent study found that patients with cirrhosis who undergo contrast-enhanced CT scans are not at a higher risk for developing acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to those without cirrhosis. The study suggests that the use of contrast-enhanced CT scans in cirrhosis patients does not increase the risk of AKI. The findings provide reassurance for…
HiLabs, a company using AI to clean dirty data for health insurers, has raised $39 million in Series B funding. The company’s MCheck platform helps reduce healthcare operational costs and improve patient outcomes by cleaning healthcare data. With products for provider data accuracy, clinical results, payment accuracy, and value-based care, HiLabs aims to tackle the…
The Irish Kidney Association is marking World Kidney Day, emphasizing the need for increased awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its link to other conditions. A recent report found that over 200,000 people over 50 in Ireland have CKD, with 1 in 10 of the population affected. Despite the prevalence of the disease, many…
Telehealth usage for addiction treatment increased among insured adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, with federal regulations allowing for more flexibility in treating substance use disorders. Telemedicine led to greater access to care and potentially reduced substance use. However, racial and ethnic disparities in treatment persist, with Latino/Hispanic adolescents having lower initiation rates and Black adolescents…
Foundation Health, a San Francisco healthcare technology company, closed a $6 million seed funding round. Investors include Garry Tan of Y Combinator and others. The company focuses on digital pharmacy and telehealth solutions, working on APIs, virtual pharmacies, and direct-to-consumer services. The funds will be used to provide quick and scalable healthcare solutions. Founder Umar…
A battle over abortion access is intensifying in Montana, with challenges to state laws pending in court, a ballot initiative for extra protections, and upcoming state Supreme Court seats that could impact abortion rights. The state remains abortion-friendly due to a 25-year-old court ruling. Anti-abortion advocates are facing hurdles in overturning abortion protections, with recent…
An online obesity treatment and maintenance program resulted in significant weight loss among primary care patients, with participants losing an average of 3.6 kg during the 3-month weight loss phase. The study included 540 adults with overweight or obesity who were enrolled in a Rhode Island primary care network. Different maintenance interventions were then tested,…
A new study conducted by scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch suggests that the antiviral drug obeldesivir may be effective in treating Ebola Sudan infections, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. The drug, given in pill form, showed promising results in primate tests, with all treated animals surviving. If…
Kamran Abbasi, editor in chief of The BMJ, reflects on past strikes and the ongoing doctors’ strikes in the UK, highlighting the government’s unwillingness to negotiate meaningfully. He draws parallels between the treatment of miners in the 1980s and doctors today, emphasizing the importance of addressing issues beyond pay such as personal debt, training opportunities,…
Sleep is crucial for overall health, with many restorative processes happening during sleep. We sleep at night due to our biological clock, and disruptions can lead to poor health outcomes like cognitive issues, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Not sleeping enough or poor quality sleep can affect mental health, and societal factors like electronic device…
Nuclera, a biotech company revolutionizing protein expression screening, has appointed Joseph Bertelsen as Chief Commercial Officer. With 20+ years in life science tools and drug development, Bertelsen brings valuable sales experience to drive adoption of Nuclera’s eProtein Discovery platform. Previously at the Institute for Protein Innovation, Diagenode, and Abcam, Bertelsen has a MSc in Pharmaceutical…
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…