The composition of intestinal flora can predict the risk of serious infections like pneumonia. A study by researchers from Amsterdam UMC and the University of Turku followed 10,000 people for 6 years, with over 600 developing infections due to less healthy gut flora. Those hospitalized for infection had fewer butyrate-producing bacteria, important for the immune…
A retrospective analysis of a large cohort with low screening uptake found that lung cancer screening was associated with earlier-stage diagnoses and improved survival. The study assessed the impact of lung cancer screening among Veteran Health Administration patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2011 and 2018. Screened patients had higher rates of stage I diagnoses…
Researchers have developed a new blood test that can predict the onset of Parkinson’s disease seven years before symptoms appear. Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as tremors, memory loss, and mobility issues. The test uses artificial intelligence to analyze eight blood-based biomarkers that are typically altered…
Black Basta, an offshoot of the Russian cybercriminal group Conti, is a major threat to healthcare organizations, having impacted over 500 worldwide. They typically give victims 10-12 days to pay a ransom before leaking data, earning over $100 million in their first year. Healthcare providers face increased security risks during ransomware attacks, resorting to manual…
The RCPI Public Health Summer Scientific Meeting featured speakers such as Dr. Diarmuid O’Shea, Dr. Emer O’Connell, Dr. Mary Codd, Prof. Cecily Kelleher, Dr. Isabel Simpson, Prof. David Weakliam, and Dr. Trish Scanlan. The event was attended by professionals in the field of public health and highlighted important topics and research in the field. The…
Lenovo is partnering with Rendever to introduce VR technology into Carolina Caring’s hospice care services, focusing on elderly patients. Rendever’s platform facilitates group VR sessions to reduce social isolation. Fundamental VR is incorporating AI into its surgical training platform to provide predictive insights and enhance surgical skills. HouseCall VR is collaborating with the University of…
La Oficina de Protección Financiera del Consumidor ha propuesto nuevas regulaciones que protegerían a los consumidores de que las deudas médicas afecten sus puntajes de crédito. Estas regulaciones beneficiarían a millones de estadounidenses con facturas médicas impagables y cumplirían con la promesa de la administración Biden de abordar el problema de la deuda de atención…
A novel multidrug regimen called ViPOR targeting survival pathways in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma showed significant responses in certain subtypes, with 38% of the cohort experiencing a complete response and tumors shrinking in 54% of participants. The regimen could be used before or instead of CAR-T therapy, offering a potentially curative option for patients with…
A rare genetic mutation called the Christchurch mutation has been found to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in a large extended Colombian family. Researchers identified 27 individuals in the family who carried both a genetic variant guaranteeing Alzheimer’s and the Christchurch mutation. Those with the mutation developed mild cognitive impairment at 52 and dementia…
A recent report from the UK’s Health Services Safety Investigations Body found that continuous observation of patients at risk of self-harm may be ineffective and could even worsen their conditions in some cases. The findings may not be fully relevant to all situations, as different healthcare systems and practices exist worldwide. Om Prakash, a professor…
A recent study suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) may soon be able to detect and diagnose cancer in patients, leading to earlier treatment. Researchers have found that DNA methylation patterns can indicate the presence of cancer, and they have trained an AI model to identify 13 different cancer types with high accuracy. The use of…
Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a groundbreaking method to 3D print personalized corneas using a laser-based process with bioink made from the patient’s own stem cells and collagen fibers. This innovative solution aims to restore vision impaired by corneal disorders without the need for cornea donations, reducing the risk of rejection….
Avian influenza, including the H5N1 bird flu, is spreading rapidly worldwide, increasing the risk of mutations that could lead to widespread human infections. Symptoms can range from respiratory issues to more uncommon symptoms like diarrhea and seizures. Recently, H5N1 was reported in dairy cows, posing a new threat. The virus is primarily spread through close…
Collagen is essential for maintaining the health and structure of skin, hair, nails, bones, and joints, but natural production decreases with age. Supplementing collagen can help improve skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, and improve joint mobility. Studies show that collagen peptides can increase satiety and support weight management. Vitauthority Multi-Collagen Burn is a collagen supplement drink…
The US healthcare landscape is shifting towards payers managing care actively rather than just paying for claims submitted by providers. Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid are examples of this change, with payers making care decisions using mechanisms like prior authorization and case management. The challenge now is how payers will navigate contradictory incentives in the…
The leading medical unions in Ireland are urging the HSE to end the recruitment freeze in the health service. The ICTU group of healthcare unions is advocating for the publication of the 2024 pay and numbers strategy. They are concerned about the impact of the recruitment freeze on patient safety and staff morale due to…
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by unpredictable seizures, with causes including genetics, head trauma, strokes, and infectious diseases. Genetic testing, such as chromosomal microarray analysis, can help identify copy number variants (CNVs) associated with epilepsy. A recent study found that 16% of adults with childhood-onset epilepsy and intellectual disability had pathogenic CNVs, with some…
Nomad Health, an online job portal for temporary healthcare workers, recently secured $22 million in funding led by HealthQuest Capital. The company appointed Justin Lambert as its new CEO, replacing Dr. Alexi Gharib Nazem, who will remain on the board of directors. Nomad allows users to search for healthcare job openings nationwide based on pay…
La adicción de G Kumar al vapeo alcanzó su punto álgido en la Universidad de Colorado, donde él y sus amigos se volvieron adictos a los vapeadores saborizados. A pesar de enfermarse, perder vapeadores y contagiarse de covid-19, muchos jóvenes no pueden dejar este hábito. El aumento del vapeo entre los adultos jóvenes ha generado…
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their guidance on addressing grief in young patients, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on discussions around grief and bereavement. The report emphasizes the importance of pediatricians in advising caregivers and collaborating with professionals in various settings to support grieving children. Additionally, the report addresses common misconceptions about…
Novant Health’s attempt to acquire two hospitals north of Charlotte was halted after a federal court of appeals temporarily prevented the purchase. The deal, which would have given Novant near-monopoly power in the region, was called off due to opposition from the Federal Trade Commission. Novant, a nonprofit hospital system with $8 billion in revenue,…
The Labour party plans to invest in general practice to improve the “front door for the NHS,” focusing on increasing primary care’s budget proportion and addressing pressures such as waiting lists and social care. The manifesto promises to reform primary care by piloting neighbourhood health centers and improving patient experience. There are plans to utilize…
A study conducted by Monash University in Australia found that the country loses 41,194 work years annually due to work-related injuries, diseases, and mental health conditions. This equates to more than 41,000 lost jobs. The researchers developed a new metric called “Working Years Lost” to measure the national burden of workplace injury and illness resulting…
Researchers at the University of Utah Health have discovered that a specific population of “time cells” in mice is essential for learning complex behaviors where timing is critical. These time cells act like a clock, firing in sequence to map out short periods of time. As animals learn to distinguish between differently timed events, the…
The American Diabetes Association’s 84th Scientific Sessions will focus on new endpoints for diabetes management tools and best practices for optimization. Emerging research on GLP-1 receptor agonists shows benefits beyond obesity, such as in kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Trials on drugs like tirzepatide and once-weekly semaglutide will be highlighted. Sessions will cover debates on prioritizing…
Health officials in Los Angeles County, California, are warning about a significant increase in mpox cases in the past two weeks, with ten new cases reported compared to less than two cases per week on average. The Monkeypox virus can spread through contact with infected animals or individuals, as well as through respiratory droplets. Symptoms…
Health systems often lack structured professional development programs to train the next generation of nurse managers. Current programs focus on degrees and qualifications rather than practical leadership skills. An alternative, leadership ladders, can fill this gap by developing team members of all roles in various leadership interests. These ladders can transform culture, improve staff morale,…
Johnson & Johnson in Ireland is rebranding its pharmaceutical segment to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine and its medical technology segment to Johnson & Johnson MedTech. With a workforce of over 6,000 people, the company aims to leverage its expertise in innovative medicine and medical technology to address complex diseases. The rebranding is part of…
Existen muchas formas en español de decir que alguien tiene gripe, lo que puede complicar las traducciones. California planea utilizar inteligencia artificial para traducir una amplia gama de documentos de salud y servicios sociales, pero algunos advierten que la IA podría no capturar el significado completo. La IA ya se utiliza en la atención médica…
Reducing steroids and implementing more targeted therapies can help minimize organ damage in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus, as presented at the EULAR 2024 Congress. A study conducted by Maria Hanif and colleagues analyzed 4,738 visits among 430 patients, finding that methylprednisolone exposure, disease activity scores, and physician assessments were associated with organ damage accrual. The…
Priscilla Agnew-Hines tragically lost her son to an overdose in early 2020, prompting her to donate his brain to a groundbreaking study on genetics in neurological conditions among African Americans. The study, led by researchers from Morgan State University and Johns Hopkins University, found that genetics and environmental factors play a significant role in disease…
The shortage of oral cholera vaccines is causing the worst outbreaks in 20 years and highlighting vaccine inequity and manufacturing issues. WHO has raised cholera to its highest health emergency level and warned that one billion people are at risk of dying from a preventable disease. There is limited progress in improving access to safe…
Education officials in Los Angeles are working towards banning smartphone and social media use by children during the school day. The move is supported by the governor of California and based on concerns about the negative impact of excessive cell phone use on young people’s mental health. Research has shown that limiting phone and social…
Series two of Wonderhood’s Super Surgeons: A Chance at Life will air on 18 June, showcasing innovative robotic surgery and following cancer patients and their clinical teams at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. The series features rare and recurrent cancer cases, including patients like Anthea, Cameron, and Rich, and highlights pioneering surgeries such as…
Elderly patients with dementia undergoing colonoscopies have higher rates of non-procedural complications, such as renal injury, pulmonary events, cerebrovascular accidents, and sepsis compared to those without dementia. They are less likely to have routine discharges, more likely to have longer hospital stays, and incur higher hospital costs. This study highlights the importance of cautious decision-making…
A recent study shows that engaging in a specific exercise routine for one year around retirement age can preserve leg strength for up to four years. This is important as leg muscle strength is a strong predictor of mortality in older adults. The study involved 369 recent retirees who were assigned to lift heavy weights,…
Talkiatry, a telepsychiatry company, has secured $130 million in Series C funding to expand its online psychiatric and therapy services for children and adults with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. The funding round was led by Andreessen Horowitz and aimed at advancing value-based care models. Talkiatry currently employs over 300 full-time psychiatrists across 43…
The England and Wales High Court recently heard a case involving a young woman, referred to as ‘G,’ who died after ingesting engine coolant. The hospital Trust sought authorization to cease medical support, which was opposed by G’s mother. Despite efforts to save her, extensive testing confirmed irreversible brain damage and G’s death. The court…
Mika Health, an oncology-focused digital therapeutics company, has partnered with pharma companies AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo to provide digital therapeutics to women undergoing breast cancer treatments through a program called “UNITE.” The Mika Health app offers psychological support, medication tracking, reminders, education, and nutrition advice personalized to each patient’s specific type of cancer. The partnership…
Medical research has historically neglected older women, leading to a lack of crucial information for managing their health. The Biden administration has initiated the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research to address this issue. Research on older women’s health is inadequate, with many drugs being studied primarily in men and then assumed to work…
A study published in Pediatrics found a link between poor sleep and hypertension in children and teenagers. It is estimated that 6% of children in the United States have hypertension. The study showed that every extra hour of sleep was associated with reduced odds of hypertension. Researchers hypothesize that inadequate sleep may contribute to the…
Republican lawmakers are concerned about the FDA’s partnership with the nonprofit Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) to test AI products in healthcare. They believe that this partnership could lead to conflicts of interest, as CHAI is composed of technology companies like Microsoft and Google, as well as healthcare systems that support AI businesses. The director…
Wilkinson discusses the workforce planning issues in the NHS, noting the high number of doctors leaving for countries like Australia and New Zealand for better quality of life. Despite higher salaries and better working conditions abroad, many eventually plan to return to the NHS due to non-work related factors like family and friends. However, returning…
Women diagnosed with perinatal depression have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the following 20 years compared to those without perinatal depression. Perinatal depression affects one in five women globally. A study of 600,000 women found increased risks of high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure in those with perinatal depression….
The hepatitis E virus has been found in the sperm of pigs, suggesting it may be sexually transmitted and associated with male infertility. The virus is the leading cause of viral liver infection globally, prevalent in both humans and pigs. Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that the virus circulated in blood and feces of…
A new vaccine called Capvaxive has been approved by the US FDA to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia in adults. The vaccine protects against 21 serotypes responsible for 84% of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in adults aged 50 or older. The CDC advisory panel will meet in June to discuss the vaccine’s approval. Testing…
Fasting is not only a common diet strategy for weight loss but is also being researched as a potential way to combat cancer. Studies have shown that fasting can boost the immune system’s natural killer cells, which can fight cancer cells without prior exposure. A study conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that…
Day One Biopharmaceuticals recently received FDA approval for its first drug and is now building its pipeline with a deal to acquire rights to a novel drug from MabCare Therapeutics, originally named DAY301. This drug targets protein-tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) found in certain cancer cells. Other companies, like Genmab, are also developing PTK7-targeting drugs. Day…
The Government has announced a new RSV Immunisation Pathfinder Programme in Ireland, offering a vaccine to 28,000 infants to reduce illnesses and hospitalizations caused by the virus. The initiative aims to prevent up to 453 hospitalizations and 48 ICU admissions based on evidence from a similar program in Spain. The program follows advice from the…
Scientists are investigating a new approach to treating early-stage melanoma by directly applying anti-cancer drugs to the tumor site. Traditional methods of administering immunotherapy drugs cause whole-body side effects, but the new localized approach can reduce toxicity and potentially improve outcomes. By delivering drugs directly into the skin near the tumor, researchers have shown promising…