Health leaders in the UK are in support of potential government plans to restrict smoking in outdoor public areas in an effort to reduce tobacco-related deaths and lessen the strain on the NHS. While the plans are not final, they could involve banning smoking in places like pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and hospital grounds in…
A new blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease is on the horizon, potentially replacing more invasive and costly methods like spinal taps and brain scans. This test could make diagnosis faster, more accessible, and cheaper, allowing more people to start treatment at earlier stages of the disease. Current diagnostic methods include PET scans and cerebral…
Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have developed a method for determining the optimum time of cancer treatment based on a person’s circadian rhythm. The study focused on the response of triple-negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapy at different times of day, finding that certain medications are most effective during specific windows. This personalized approach…
Spouses of patients with cancer in Denmark have a higher risk of suicide attempts and deaths, especially in the first year after the cancer diagnosis. A study analyzed data from 1986 to 2016, comparing suicide attempts and deaths of spouses of cancer patients to those without a cancer diagnosis. Results showed an increased risk, particularly…
Elinzanetant, a new non-hormonal drug, has shown promise in reducing the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women, including hot flashes and night sweats. In a phase 3 clinical trial conducted by Bayer, the drug was found to significantly improve sleep quality and overall quality of life in postmenopausal women experiencing moderate to…
The healthcare industry is shifting from a focus on embracing AI to one of avoiding potential pitfalls and ensuring successful implementation. A three-part framework has been developed to help healthcare leaders evaluate AI tools, focusing on compliance, safety, and ethics. The implementation of AI requires a comprehensive rollout strategy and careful consideration of the changing…
HIQA is conducting a review on emergency care delivery in the mid-west, focusing on University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The final report will be sent to the Health Minister in summer 2025. The review will involve input from medical professionals and patients through a clinical advisory forum and stakeholder engagement. It will also consider the findings…
Hackensack Meridian Health has unveiled a cancer risk and early detection program in partnership with CancerIQ, utilizing advanced technology to streamline cancer risk assessments and personalize care plans. The program includes a CancerIQ tool that identifies individuals with higher cancer risk, offering personalized prevention and detection strategies. By leveraging molecular cancer screening techniques like liquid…
Donald Trump claimed at a campaign rally that over 300,000 Americans are dying annually from fentanyl, a number that is not supported by government statistics. While opioid-related deaths have been labeled an epidemic, the actual figures are around 100,000 to 110,000 deaths per year. Trump also falsely stated that overdoses were at their lowest during…
Dr. Analisa Arosemena discusses Vevye, a treatment for dry eye disease, in a Healio Video Perspective from the Women in Ophthalmology Summer Symposium. Vevye features a water-free vehicle that improves the bioavailability of cyclosporine and provides faster results. Arosemena mentions that 98% of users do not feel stinging, unlike with other water-soluble cyclosporines. Vevye is…
Anthony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was hospitalized for nearly a week with West Nile virus infection, which was initially misdiagnosed as a bacterial or tick-borne disease. Fauci, a leader in the U.S. Covid-19 response, described the illness as the worst he has ever experienced. West Nile virus…
Experts in global pathogen research stress the need for universal and comprehensive biosafety measures to address risks associated with handling dangerous microbes. Concerns have been raised regarding biosafety and biosecurity procedures following the COVID-19 pandemic, with discussions on the risks and benefits of viral surveillance and research. Limiting funds for pathogen surveillance compromises pandemic preparedness….
The WHO has declared the current mpox outbreaks as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to an upsurge in cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus and spreads through contact with infected individuals or animals. The declaration triggers a coordinated international response…
A Ludwig Cancer Research study discovered a metabolic switch in T cells crucial for creating memory T cells, providing lasting immunity to known pathogens and improving anticancer immune responses. This study identified PPARβ/δ as the master regulator of this switch. Furthermore, TCF1, a protein in T cells, activates this pathway, promoting the formation and maintenance…
Experts are concerned about new UK guidelines restricting valproate use in women and men under 55 due to safety risks, prompting the question of whether the US should update its guidelines. The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued guidance requiring two specialists to approve valproate use in new and existing female…
Looking for a supplement to improve brain health, focus, and calmness? Explore tyrosine supplements, which are amino acids crucial for neurotransmission and hormone regulation. Tyrosine plays a role in producing key brain chemicals, supporting stress response, mood, and cognitive function. Rich food sources include eggs, cheese, and soybeans. Benefits of tyrosine include stress relief, mood…
Celeste Health Solutions, a company launched by USAble Corporation, offers a range of healthcare solutions to employers to alleviate the burden of managing multiple point solutions. They use data to connect employees to the right solutions and provide administrative support and detailed reporting to employers. Celeste collaborates with third-party healthcare providers to ensure a seamless…
Dr. Catherine Conlon emphasizes the need to start a conversation about building a national Food Strategy. A proposal from Professor Donal O’Shea suggests treating high sugar foods like cigarettes with plain packaging, removing branding, and standardizing packaging. While comparing ultra-processed food with tobacco is simplistic, measures like limiting online marketing of unhealthy foods, warning labels,…
Research by Dr. Bryan McCabe and his team at Columbia University’s Brain Mind Institute has identified a protein called Trio that may reverse the decline of connections between muscles and neurons as we age. The protein plays a crucial role in maintaining the “plug and socket” connection vital for muscle function. By artificially boosting Trio…
Fusion implemented its electronic health record system for the Ohio Department of Youth Services, becoming the sole EHR provider for state agencies managing Ohio’s justice system. The new EHR, live since June 24, aims to streamline patient record management and care coordination for DYS staff. Other companies, like Bicycle Health and Momentum, provide similar services…
KFF Health News correspondents discussed various health topics on different radio and TV shows in August. These topics included the trauma experienced by children who survived a shooting, how states plan to spend opioid settlement money, social media bans affecting mental health help for teenagers, Vice President Kamala Harris’ health proposals, the MitraClip device, nursing…
The federal government has allocated over $1.4 billion in funding through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to support more than 290,000 individuals with HIV who have low incomes. This funding will help cover costs for HIV medication, co-pays, and premiums for health insurance. The program has seen an increase in virally suppressed patients, with 89.6%…
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration criticized Johnson & Johnson for planning to change payment methods for hospitals participating in a drug discount program. The company intended to issue rebates for two medications instead of offering discounted prices, which was deemed inconsistent with federal law. The move is scheduled for October 15th and affects…
In Northern Ireland, the BMA’s Consultants Committee has accepted a 5.26% average additional pay increase offered by the Department of Health, ending their pay dispute. After a high voter turnout and overwhelming support from consultants, the offer includes a revised pay scale with uplifts at all pay points. The agreement was reached following negotiations and…
A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that televisit-delivered outpatient care for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not associated with a higher risk of IBD-related hospitalization. The research included 534 IBD patients with a hospitalization and 534 matched controls without. Patients with a higher percentage of televisit-delivered care were less likely to…
A recent study from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center reveals that almost half of U.S. counties have at least one ‘pharmacy desert’ where there is no retail pharmacy within 10 miles. This lack of access to medications disproportionately affects communities with higher social vulnerabilities and fewer primary care providers, leading to worse health…
Stanford researchers have developed a new vaccine helper that combines two adjuvants to improve vaccine efficacy for COVID-19 and HIV candidates. The experimental additive enhanced the effectiveness of vaccines and could be adapted for various pathogens. The new adjuvant platform, using sphere-shaped nanoparticles and toll-like receptor agonists, triggered stronger and longer-lasting immune responses compared to…
Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in metabolic processes, particularly in converting food into energy. Biotin deficiency can lead to beauty concerns like thinning hair and brittle nails. Supplements like Nutricost Biotin, VitBoost Biotin Collagen & Keratin, and Nutra Harmony Biotin Supplements are popular choices to…
NYC-based AI startup Paige launched OmniScreen, an AI-powered biomarker module that can evaluate more than 505 genes and identify 1,228 molecular biomarkers from standard pathology slides. The product analyzes digital images of cancer tissue slides to detect genetic mutations and biomarkers important in determining cancer types and guiding treatment decisions. OmniScreen is faster and more…
New research challenges the belief that weight-loss medications work solely by reducing eating habits. A study led by Prof Donal O’Shea found a link between increased metabolic activity from medications like Ozempic and weight loss. The study involved 30 patients and focused on GLP-1 hormone-based medications. It revealed that those with lower metabolic activity benefitted…
Depression can cause memory loss due to biochemical and neurological changes in the brain, affecting the ability to make or access memories. Stress, linked to depression, impacts memory impairments by disrupting hippocampal neurogenesis and amygdala sensitivity. Decreased dopamine activity in the brain hinders encoding of positive memories. Treatment may involve therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and…
Synapticure, a telemedicine company focusing on people with neurodegenerative diseases, partnered with Pearl Health to offer personalized support to Medicare patients with dementia through the CMS GUIDE program. The collaboration provides online visits with Synapticure neurologists and respite care services for caregivers. The partnership allows Pearl Health primary care providers to refer patients to Synapticure…
Julie Rovner is the host of the KFF Health News podcast “What the Health?” and an expert on health policy issues. The upcoming general-election campaign between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is expected to focus on reproductive health, while Medicare’s recent drug price announcements are also generating interest. Panelists on the…
DePuy Synthes has announced FDA approval and the launch of its Velys active robotic-assisted spine system. This system is designed for use in cervical, thoracolumbar, and sacroiliac spinal fusion procedures. The Velys spine system allows surgeons to utilize robotic-assisted surgical planning and navigation for improved patient care. Aldo Denti, company group chair of DePuy Synthes,…
High-profile gene editing startup Tome Biosciences is set to terminate nearly all of its staff starting November 1, according to a legal filing. The company has reportedly struggled to raise funds or find a partner, leading to plans to wind down operations and seek a buyer by the same date. Despite stating that it is…
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion in outer London has effectively reduced older, more polluting vehicles in Greater London, resulting in improved air quality. A report by the Greater London Authority found that by February 2024, 96.2% of all vehicles in the expanded zone were ULEZ compliant, up from 90.9% in June 2023. The…
Rice University bioengineers have developed a system for culturing cancer cell clusters inspired by the lotus leaf’s self-cleaning and water-repellant properties. The system, called SHArD, mimics the nanoscale structure of the lotus leaf to create a highly tunable platform for generating three-dimensional tumor models. This new tool aims to study metastasis, the spread of cancer…
A new treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer, confirmed by a study at Uppsala University and published in eClinicalMedicine, shows promising results in avoiding surgery and reducing the risk of recurrence. This treatment involves radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery if needed, with the aim of complete tumor disappearance to avoid surgery altogether. The study,…
Areej El-Jawahri, MD, moved from Iraq to the United States and initially planned to study law. However, after a friend’s terminal cancer diagnosis, she was inspired to pursue a career in hematology and palliative care. She is now a practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital and advocates for palliative care in oncology. El-Jawahri emphasizes the importance…
Milk thistle is a herbal supplement known for its potential health benefits, especially for liver health and detoxification. The key component, silymarin, in milk thistle is believed to offer these benefits. Scientific studies support its role in protecting the liver from toxins, aiding in detoxification, and promoting healthy skin. When choosing a milk thistle supplement,…
Americans are struggling with long wait times and difficulties in scheduling doctor’s appointments, leading to delays in care and lack of access to primary care doctors. The integration of new digital tools in healthcare can improve efficiency for practices and providers, leading to better patient access, satisfaction, and engagement. These tools can reduce administrative tasks,…
The Mental Health Commission and Children’s Ombudsman are advocating for the prioritization of the Mental Health Act in Ireland. A new toolkit has been launched to provide practical advice to young people accessing child and adolescent mental health services, focusing on their rights, legal protections, and self-advocacy. The Ombudsman for Children expressed concerns about young…
Colorectal cancer is a deadly disease that can be detected early through screening, increasing chances of survival. Many avoid screening due to fear of colonoscopy, but FIT screening is an easy and effective option. It involves testing for blood in stool at home, with results indicating the need for further investigation. Regular FIT screening can…
The Asia-Pacific region is seeing increased investment in generative AI technology, with over six in 10 APAC leaders planning to invest in genAI in the next three years. Leaders are concerned about data bias in AI applications affecting health outcomes and are looking to make AI more transparent, ensure diversity in data use, provide continuous…
Garret Frey, paralyzed from the neck down for 37 years, continues to fight for the rights of people with disabilities. He won a landmark Supreme Court case in 1999, ensuring he could attend high school with proper care. Recently, his federal complaint led to Iowa increasing Medicaid payments for caregivers. Frey advocates for policies that…
The CDC has updated its 2024 U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, recommending lidocaine for pain management during IUD placement and advising against routine use of misoprostol. In a recent Q&A, experts discussed the importance of counseling patients about potential pain during IUD placement and the risks and benefits of pain management options. Other…
The content discusses various health-related topics, including Vice President Harris’ speech on healthcare, new Covid vaccines, a significant donation to Columbia University, the removal of an unproven fibromyalgia test from the market, and the potential for a registry for AI tools in healthcare. Additionally, it mentions a study on portion sizes and public health, the…
In 1996, the bar to entry into general practice was raised with the introduction of the MRCGP exam as a mandatory assessment. Stuart Murray led the development of a standardized assessment tool at Glasgow University to measure competency in general practice. The tool included multiple choice questions, video consultations, written reports, and trainer evaluations. Despite…
Federal regulators have blocked two private sector enrollment websites from accessing consumer information through the federal Obamacare marketplace due to “anomalous activity.” This step is part of an effort by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to curb unauthorized enrollment and switching of Affordable Care Act plans by rogue agents. The two websites, Benefitalign…
Former President Trump claimed at a rally that over 300,000 Americans die from fentanyl each year, a statement that lacks factual basis as government statistics show drug overdose deaths are around 100,000-110,000 annually. Opioid deaths have been labeled an epidemic, with about 81,000 related deaths. Trump also inaccurately stated that fentanyl deaths were the lowest…