Medical Technology

Providence Health Plan and the American Heart Association have partnered to launch a cardiovascular health initiative in underserved communities in Oregon and Washington. The initiative, called Embracing Community Care, will provide self-measured blood pressure programs in 20 community organizations and clinics over three years. The program will provide blood pressure measurement kits, education, and resources…

Urban planning experts and neurobiologists suggest that lack of street shade in low-income neighborhoods traps older Americans inside during summer months, leading to various health risks. This issue is exacerbated in areas with high street temperatures, known as urban heat islands, where seniors are less likely to be outside and active. The study highlights the…

Withings has received FDA clearance for its Sleep Rx Mat, a device that diagnoses sleep apnea at home. It features sensors to measure respiratory rate, body movement, heart rate, sleep cycles, and snoring. Withings aims to enable earlier and more precise diagnosis of sleep apnea. In addition to Sleep Rx, Withings has also launched U-Scan…

In San Francisco, police are cracking down on homeless encampments, giving people a choice to go to a shelter or face arrest. This is part of a statewide effort following a Supreme Court ruling that makes it easier to fine and arrest people for living on the streets. Health care experts warn that this approach…

Results from the INFINITY-SWEDEHEART trial showed that Elixir Medical’s drug-eluting coronary implant was noninferior to a drug-eluting stent for target lesion failure at 1 year. The bioadaptable drug-eluting coronary implant is seen as a significant advancement in treating coronary artery disease by restoring vessel natural function. In other cardiology news, researchers found that not fasting…

For a limited time, you can get a STAT+ subscription for $5 for the first three months, providing access to the latest news in health and life sciences. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released new guidelines for addressing childhood obesity, causing concern among experts about the risk of eating disorders. A poll showed that…

Alison Avenell, Andrew A Klein, Jennifer A Byrne, Peter Wilmshurst, Mark J Bolland, Andrew Grey, and others authored a paper discussing barriers to investigating and reporting research misconduct, with a focus on prioritizing publication integrity. They highlight the importance of addressing issues such as lack of incentives for reporting misconduct, fear of retaliation, and difficulties…

Children born in 2020 will face twice as many wildfires in their lifetimes compared to those born in 1960, particularly in California and other western states where wildfires are a regular occurrence. Wildfires produce harmful PM2.5 particles that can lead to respiratory issues. However, measuring long-term exposure to wildfire PM2.5 is challenging due to fluctuating…

Cardiologists and vascular surgeons are advocating for regular screenings to prevent complications in those with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). PAD can lead to blocked arteries in the legs, a potential precursor to artery blockages in the brain and heart. The new ESC guidelines recommend personalized treatment plans, including exercise and diet, for the almost 300…

Perioperative regional anesthesia reduces acute postoperative pain and decreases prolonged opioid use and chronic postoperative pain at 3 and 6 months after surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 trials involving 4948 adults undergoing elective noncardiac surgeries found that regional anesthesia led to decreased opioid use and chronic pain. It also reduced opioid consumption…

Babywearing is a popular practice that offers convenience and comfort for parents. It has been a tradition in cultures worldwide for centuries. Benefits include convenience, reducing fussiness, boosting the parental bond, and improving infant health. Choosing a safe baby carrier is crucial, and following guidelines such as the “T.I.C.K.S.” of babywearing is important. There are…

A cardiogenic syncope service at Craigavon Area Hospital is revolutionizing care for patients in Northern Ireland by providing timely diagnosis and treatment for individuals who experience fainting episodes. Dr. Jude Tweedie, a consultant cardiologist, recognized the need for a specialized service after discovering that many patients were being discharged without a full diagnosis. The service…

In 1982, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop warned about the potential hazards of video games to young people’s health, a statement later retracted for lacking scientific basis. Nowadays, policymakers are concerned about protecting children from social media harm, with Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy advocating for warning labels on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Some…

A study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting compared mazdutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist, with dulaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes. Results showed that mazdutide led to greater decreases in HbA1c levels and body weight compared to dulaglutide. The study, funded by Innovent Biologics, enrolled 731 adults with…

The American Academy of Pediatrics is now endorsing more aggressive tactics to address childhood obesity, a shift from previous practices of “watchful waiting.” The academy now recommends early treatment at the highest level of intensity appropriate for each child, including options like bariatric surgery for some teenagers, using the obesity drug Wegovy, and intensive behavioral…

The BMA has reported that over 80% of general practices in England are already participating in some form of collective action due to concerns over contractual terms and insufficient funding. GP partners in England voted overwhelmingly in favor of collective action with 98.3% of members voting yes in a summer ballot. The BMA is urging…

Brain surgery for brain tumors or epilepsy aims to remove abnormal tissue while preserving language and movement control areas. A Northwestern Medicine study identified critical language connector sites in the brain that, when removed, lead to more language errors post-surgery. By recording brain signals, researchers pinpointed key features of these sites using graph theory and…

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that laughter exercise was just as effective as artificial tears in relieving dry eye symptoms in patients with dry eye disease. The study compared the safety and efficacy of laughter exercise to artificial tears containing 0.1% sodium hyaluronate. The participants who engaged in laughter exercise…

The FDA has approved atezolizumab and hyaluronidase-tqjs as a subcutaneous injection for adults with various types of cancer. This is the first programmed death–ligand 1 inhibitor to be approved for subcutaneous administration. The approval was based on a trial showing similar outcomes between subcutaneous and intravenous administration. The recommended dose is one injection every 3…

Many people struggle with stress and mental health challenges that can lead to suicidal thoughts, which often go unrecognized. Raag Malhotra, a psychologist, shares insights on recognizing warning signs and supporting those with suicidal thoughts during Suicide Prevention Week. Factors triggering suicidal thoughts vary for each person, often related to untreated mental health issues. Physical…

Medication costs are rising significantly in the U.S., with spending at $722 billion in 2023. While efforts are made to curb costs, the focus should shift to increasing medication value. Pharmacists play a crucial role in optimizing medication use by providing guidance to patients and collaborating with physicians. By improving medication experiences and addressing common…

Google has used 300 million audio samples of coughs, sniffles, and labored breathing to train its AI model to detect diseases like tuberculosis. Working with Indian startup Salcit Technologies, the technology will be incorporated into smartphones to transform respiratory care in India and globally, particularly in communities with limited access to healthcare. This builds on…

Patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria experienced significant improvement with the use of Dupixent in a phase 3 trial conducted by Regeneron. The study showed that patients experienced an 8.64-point reduction in itch severity and a 15.86-point reduction in urticaria activity while using Dupixent compared to placebo. Additionally, 30% of patients on Dupixent achieved complete disease…

A targeted immunotherapy developed by iTeos Therapeutics and GSK showed promising response rates in lung cancer patients, leading to a Phase 3 trial. The combination of a TIGIT-targeting antibody and GSK’s Jemperli increased tumor shrinkage compared to Jemperli alone, meeting the Phase 2 trial goals. Analysts had expected this success. iTeos’ CEO Michel Detheux expressed…

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that an AI-based system called CHARTWatch was effective in reducing the risk of unexpected deaths in hospitalized patients by identifying those at high risk of deteriorating health. The study involved over 13,000 patients and showed a decrease in high-risk patients and a reduction in…

The impact of climate shifts on human evolution is explored in a recent review, highlighting the role of environmental adaptation in the evolutionary history of early humans. Researchers discuss how climatic changes influenced the evolution of hominins during the Pleistocene in Eurasia and Africa, leading to migration, survival, and cultural and biological adaptations. Climatic modeling…

A study presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2024 found that adding nivolumab to rucaparib did not improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced high-grade ovarian cancer. The study compared the combination therapy to rucaparib monotherapy and found the combination was associated with shorter PFS. The study enrolled 863 patients across 24…

Laughter has been found to be a safe and low-cost remedy for those with dry eye disease. A recent study suggests that laughter exercises could be an effective treatment for the condition, which affects millions of people worldwide. Participants in the study were assigned laughter exercises or traditional eye drops, with both groups showing significant…

During the early stages of the pandemic, nurses were leaving their jobs in large numbers, raising concerns about the future of the workforce and healthcare industry’s reliance on agency labor. New data from Mercer suggests a national surplus of about 30,000 nurses by 2028, but shortages will persist in several states and rural areas. Expert…

Dublin and Galway will see the creation of 1,000 new healthcare jobs with a €500 million investment by Blackrock Health. The hospital group, which includes Blackrock Clinic, Hermitage Clinic, Galway Clinic, and Limerick Clinic, will expand its workforce to 4,000 over the next five years. This investment will lead to an increase in beds, new…

3D Systems announced FDA clearance of patient-matched guides for use with total ankle platforms from Smith & Nephew. This collaboration offers a personalized solution for total ankle replacement surgeries. The partnership between 3D Systems and Smith & Nephew aims to provide surgeons with a complete system for personalized total ankle replacements, using 3D-printed instruments for…

The online edition of ESMO in 30 Seconds from the European Society for Medical Oncology’s annual meeting in Barcelona, Spain discusses AstraZeneca’s success in bladder cancer with Imfinzi, Merck and Eisai’s combo in liver cancer, and Bristol’s approach in lung cancer. AstraZeneca plans to bring data to regulators for approval, Merck and Eisai’s combination reduced…

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth face significantly higher rates of suicide risk compared to cisgender individuals, with 78% of TGD youth screening positive for suicide risk in an Emergency Department study. Suicide is a leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24, with LGBTQ+ high school students being at a particularly high risk. Suicide…

The study used interpretive phenomenological analysis to interview 10 participants who had been misdiagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) instead of Autism. The participants shared how the misdiagnosis of BPD led to stigma and harmful treatments, such as masking their autistic traits. Correct diagnosis was described as life-changing, leading to self-acceptance. Barriers to accessing autism…

A study presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2024 and published in Nature Medicine demonstrated that trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) was effective in treating patients with HER2-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer, including those with brain metastases. The DESTINY-Breast12 trial, led by Nancy Lin, MD, showed promising results with a median progression-free survival…

A recent study has found that children’s screen time habits closely mirror those of their parents, and excessive screen use in the family can negatively impact children’s language development. The study suggests the need to limit screen time and focus on more face-to-face interaction within the family for improved language skills. The research team studied…

Roche has received FDA approval for subcutaneous injectable versions of two of its biologic drugs, Tecentriq Hybreza for cancer and Ocrevus Zunovo for multiple sclerosis. The subcutaneous injections significantly reduce dosing time, with Tecentriq Hybreza requiring a seven-minute injection every three weeks compared to a 30-60 minute IV infusion. The FDA approval was based on…

Irish Life Health extended their Health in the Home service to the Munster region, allowing clinically suitable patients to receive treatment at home instead of going to the hospital. The service is available to all Irish Life Health members on hospital plans at no extra cost, 365 days a year. Services include IV therapy, wound…

During a debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, false statements were made by Trump on a variety of issues, including abortion, healthcare, and the Affordable Care Act. Trump falsely claimed to have saved the ACA, while Harris called out his record of criminal convictions. The debate, fact-checked by PolitiFact, covered…

A study presented at the American Neurological Association annual meeting showed that South American young adults who smoked or vaped had lower cognitive assessment scores compared to those who did not. The research, conducted on 405 college students in Ecuador, found a stronger correlation between vaping and lower cognitive function. Students who smoked or vaped…

A study presented at a medical conference in Barcelona showed that using AstraZeneca’s immunotherapy drug, Imfinzi, both before and after surgery improved survival rates in patients with bladder cancer. This treatment reduced the risk of death by 25% compared to chemotherapy alone and lowered the risk of disease recurrence by about a third. The results…

Saul Newman, a senior research fellow at University College London, suggests that people who want to live to 110 should move to the most deprived area in their country. In the UK, Tower Hamlets in east London has the highest number of people aged 105 or 110. Newman believes that poverty and shorter lifespans may…

Long-term data from the CheckMate 067 trial shows that about half of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with a combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors survive cancer-free for 10 years or more. The Phase III trial included 945 patients and demonstrated that combining nivolumab and ipilimumab dramatically improved outcomes for a previously fatal condition. The study…

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established a pandemic preparedness research network, called ReVAMPP, to focus on developing vaccines and monoclonal antibodies for high-priority pathogens. The network will receive approximately $100 million per year to fund research on prototype pathogens from virus families known to infect humans and potential pandemic threats. The goal is…

The TOPGEAR study investigated the efficacy of adding preoperative chemoradiation to standard perioperative chemotherapy for resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction. The study found that the addition of preoperative chemoradiation did not improve overall or progression-free survival. Despite this, preoperative chemoradiation did increase pathologic complete response rates and tumor downstaging. While the study…

Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body uses fat for energy instead of carbs, often achieved through a low-carb or ketogenic diet. Monitoring ketosis with test strips can indicate proper fat-burning, but high ketone levels can be dangerous for those with diabetes. Ketones can be measured in urine, breath, or blood to confirm ketosis…

The FDA has authorized Apple AirPods Pro 2 to function as hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss. Users can test their hearing with a mobile app and activate personalized settings on the AirPods Pro 2. This feature will improve access to care for those with hearing loss and promote hearing protection. The devices…

The introduction of the small molecule drug ibrutinib has transformed the treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) over the past decade, offering better outcomes and patient experiences. Professor Patrick Thornton has played a key role in identifying the subset of patients who benefit most from the drug. The use of ibrutinib has evolved to…

Roche has expanded its digital pathology open environment by integrating over 20 advanced AI algorithms from eight new collaborators to support cancer research and diagnosis. The third-party AI tools will be integrated into their navify Digital Pathology software to improve pathologists’ workflow and provide precision medicine for cancer patients. Collaborators include companies such as Deep…

Jessica Staten, a patient with kidney stones, underwent a procedure at a Catholic hospital operated by PeaceHealth. After a successful surgery, she was shocked to receive a bill of $5,313.63. PeaceHealth declined to offer financial assistance, forcing Staten to take on debt to pay the bill. This incident raises questions about the financial practices of…