Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools show potential in healthcare for aiding doctors in diagnoses and treatments, though reliability is a concern. A recent study assessed the performance of the GPT-4V AI model in answering medical questions compared to doctors’ diagnostic abilities. While GPT-4V outperformed doctors in accuracy, it struggled with justifications and image interpretation. The…
The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 mRNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to target the current KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. The vaccines are available within a week and are recommended for unvaccinated individuals aged 6 months to 4 years and older, with certain age groups advised to receive one or two doses based on their…
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade and the upcoming national election have put a spotlight on women’s health. Femtech companies are in a prime position to support women’s health equity by addressing challenges related to menstruation, menopause, and sexual health. However, pitching to investors who may lack knowledge of women’s health issues…
A study predicts that weather-related deaths in Europe will significantly increase by 2100 due to climate change. In Ireland, mortality linked to cold weather is expected to almost double, while heat-related deaths are also set to rise. Other countries, including Spain, Italy, Greece, France, and the UK, will also see significant increases in heat-related deaths….
Social media and manosphere influencers have claimed they can smell when a woman is ovulating, but Australian researchers debunked this myth. Scientists tested the claim and found no evidence to support it. They concluded that those making these claims are simply confused. The researchers searched for a smell associated with ovulation but found nothing. This…
Mindset Care, a platform helping people with mental illnesses apply for Social Security disability benefits, secured $13 million in funding led by Science Inc. The company uses AI solutions and a team of disability attorneys to streamline the application process, reducing time from weeks to under an hour. They operate in diverse environments to identify…
Democrats are concerned about the conservative ideals outlined in the Project 2025 “Mandate for Leadership” blueprint, created by the Heritage Foundation, which they believe could influence the federal government under a Trump administration. The plan includes anti-abortion policies and a focus on Christian nationalism. Despite Trump distancing himself from the document, Democrats continue to raise…
MRIMath LLC, a company in Alabama, has received FDA clearance for its cyber device and AI system designed to streamline glioblastoma care. The i2Contour device provides AI-powered tools to help physicians save time when evaluating brain imaging, allowing for quicker patient care. The system offers quicker labeling, volume measurement, and precision monitoring capabilities for glioblastoma…
Tome Biosciences, a gene-editing startup that received $213 million in funding, is reportedly struggling just nine months after launching. Sources claim that the company is winding down operations and seeking a buyer by November 1, although there are still options to keep the biotech running. The company attributes its challenges to a shift in investor…
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is calling for clinicians to be educated about climate change as part of their medical training and to get involved in environmental initiatives within the health service. The college conducted a global survey, finding that climate change is already affecting how healthcare professionals work, and that the…
Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic has announced that they are better prepared to supply their mpox vaccine for the current surge of the virus compared to previous epidemics. They are ready to supply up to 10 million doses by the end of 2025, with 500,000 doses currently in stock. The World Health Organization has declared the…
A study published in Nature Human Behavior examined the impact of video gaming on mental health in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns about gaming’s effects on mental health have led to stigma and policy debates. The study utilized a natural experiment involving gaming console lotteries and survey data from Japanese adults. Results showed that…
Patients with small peripheral non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and visceral pleural invasion have worse disease-free and recurrence-free survival rates, as well as higher rates of recurrence, regardless of the extent of surgical resection. The impact of visceral pleural invasion on overall survival, however, is not significant. This was discovered through a secondary analysis of…
Selenium is an essential mineral for cognitive health, thyroid function, and immune system support. Selenium supplements are beneficial for certain age groups and health conditions and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Selenium deficiency in pregnant women can affect the fetus and fertility levels. Recommended intakes vary by age and gender, with average daily requirements ranging…
Employers’ projected healthcare cost trend is expected to rise from 6% in 2022 to nearly 8% by 2025, according to the Business Group on Health survey. The increase is the highest in over 15 years and is expected to persist. Pharmacy costs are a major contributor to cost increases, with GLP-1s being significant drivers of…
The Western Health and Social Care Trust is seeking a Consultant in Emergency Medicine with a sub-specialty interest in Paediatric Medicine for Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry. The salary for this position is £94,127 – £126,907. The closing date for applications is Friday 13th September 2024 @ 3:30pm. A waiting list may be established for…
In this week’s Question Corner, a concerned mom reaches out for advice about her son who has been withdrawing, showing signs of anxiety, depression, and alcohol use. Melody highlights the dangers of using alcohol as a coping mechanism for anxiety, as it can worsen existing anxiety and trigger panic disorder. Research shows that chronic alcohol…
Woebot Health has partnered with Akron Children’s, a pediatric healthcare system, to provide AI-powered mental health support to adolescents aged 13 to 17 for the next three years. The platform will offer specific content for teens, addressing issues like media literacy, bullying, and body image. Clinicians in underserved rural communities can recommend Woebot to patients…
Federal regulators have blocked two private sector enrollment websites, Benefitalign and Inshura, from accessing consumer information through the federal Obamacare marketplace due to “anomalous activity.” This move is part of an effort to curb unauthorized enrollment and switching of Affordable Care Act plans by rogue agents. The agencies have received over 200,000 complaints in the…
In a study conducted by Tansu Birinci Olgun, supervised rotator cuff rehabilitation by a physical therapist in a clinic was found to be more effective than self-performed therapy at home for patients with non-traumatic partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Both groups showed significant improvements in outcome measures, but those supervised by a physical therapist reported greater…
A new study reports that Merck’s Ebola vaccine provided 84% protection to people vaccinated during the 2018-2020 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The vaccine’s effectiveness was lower than initially estimated, but still highly protective against developing Ebola virus disease. The study, published in Lancet Infectious Diseases, was based on data collected during…
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends linzagolix, a new treatment for uterine fibroids, benefiting 30,000 adults in England and Wales. Two in three women develop uterine fibroids, with half experiencing symptoms. Linzagolix, taken as a daily tablet, can be offered for long-term treatment with or without hormonal add-back therapy. In the US,…
A recent study discusses the development of small molecule drugs targeting immune checkpoints as a promising alternative to traditional antibody-based therapies in cancer treatment. These small molecule inhibitors offer advantages such as better tissue penetration, oral bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic properties. Examples include BMS-202 and CA-170, which block PD-L1 and PD-1 interactions, and YPD-29B, which promotes…
The animal tranquilizer xylazine is increasingly found in the illicit opioid supply, leading to severe wounds among drug users. A survey in Massachusetts found that 87% of respondents had xylazine wounds, leading to complications like infections or amputation. These individuals faced barriers accessing proper wound care, with inadequate pain management and stigma in healthcare settings….
A recent analysis by the American Cancer Society found that 40% of new cancer cases and 44% of cancer deaths in 2019 in the US were linked to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. Cigarette smoking was the leading risk factor, contributing to 19.3% of cases and…
Tirzepatide, an active ingredient in Eli Lilly’s diabetes and weight loss drugs, has shown promise in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals with prediabetes, obesity, or overweight. In a three-year trial involving over 1,000 adults, those taking tirzepatide had a 94% lower risk of progressing to diabetes and achieved significant weight…
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ drug candidate for multiple myeloma, linvoseltamab, was rejected by the FDA due to issues with the treatment’s third-party manufacturer. The FDA cited unresolved findings with the contract manufacturer, requiring a reinspection before approval. Regeneron’s drug is a bispecific antibody designed to target cancer cells and activate T cells. Clinical studies showed promising results,…
The Western Health and Social Care Trust is looking for Salaried General Practitioners to work in various Practices in Co Fermanagh, Co Tyrone, and Derry City. The salary ranges from £98,468 to £105,592 per annum. The Trust is committed to providing high-quality family care and offers career support, opportunities to pursue special interests, and flexible…
A study of 198 Korean national athletes competing in the Rio 2016 Olympics found that factors such as perfectionism, concerns over mistakes, and the motivational climate created by coaches were associated with attitudes towards doping. Educating athletes on the risks and consequences of doping alone is not enough to change attitudes. Creating a positive and…
Salcit Technologies from India has partnered with Google Research to utilize Google’s Health Acoustic Representations (HeAR) to enhance its bioacoustic AI technology Swaasa, aiming to improve early detection of tuberculosis through cough sound analysis. Google’s team trained HeAR on a large dataset of audio data to discern patterns within health-related sounds. This collaboration aims to…
A new medical group in California is dedicated to providing healthcare to homeless individuals, known as street medicine. Healthcare in Action is led by Sachin Jain and aims to capture government funding to address the health issues that cause and are exacerbated by homelessness. Street medicine providers, previously reliant on charity, are now eligible for…
A study conducted by John C. Lantis, MD, found that a new bromelain-based enzymatic debridement product called EscharEx was effective in debriding venous leg ulcer wounds quickly and without pain. The study showed that 63% of patients treated with EscharEx achieved complete debridement compared to 30.2% and 13.3% in the comparison groups. The average time…
The FDA approved lecanemab as an anti-amyloid drug for Alzheimer’s patients, but its safety for Down syndrome patients is unknown due to higher risk factors for brain hemorrhages and swelling. Research suggests caution in prescribing these drugs to this population. Limited data on Alzheimer’s in Down syndrome highlights the need for more inclusive clinical trials….
David Vetter, a freelance climate journalist based in Cardiff, UK, reflects on his father, Norman Vetter, a systems thinker who believed in the power of people rising above fear and selfishness. Norman Vetter, a medical professional, was involved in eradicating smallpox in South Asia in 1975 by working with the World Health Organization. Along with…
A study by CU Boulder researchers published in PNAS reveals the extraordinary process that occurs in a python’s heart after consuming a massive meal. The python’s heart grows 25%, becomes more efficient, and boosts metabolism fortyfold. This process could inspire new treatments for heart conditions like cardiac fibrosis in humans. Pythons are known for their…
Machine learning models for risk assessment of chemical compounds lack transparency, leading to skepticism among toxicologists and regulatory authorities. To address this, researchers at the University of Vienna developed the MolCompass software tool to identify areas where these models are weak. The RISK-HUNT3R project aims to develop non-animal risk assessment methods, supported by the European…
The FDA declined to approve the bispecific antibody linvoseltamab by Regeneron for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma due to issues at a third-party manufacturer. The manufacturer believes the issues have been resolved and a follow-up FDA inspection is expected in the coming months. This delay in approval was anticipated by Regeneron, as previously disclosed…
Smoking during pregnancy, even just one or two cigarettes a day, can harm the newborn. A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found no safe level of smoking during pregnancy. The research, based on data from over 12 million mother-infant pairs, showed that smoking before or during pregnancy increased the risk…
GLP-1-based agonists (GLP-1s) are showing positive results in preventing or reversing chronic conditions such as sleep apnea, fatty liver, and CVD. Recent research indicates GLP-1s can improve cardiovascular health, liver function, sleep apnea, kidney health, and reduce inflammation in the body. While medications like GLP-1s are promising, lifestyle changes and behavior modifications are also crucial…
Nurse managers in Galway are planning industrial action due to the failure of the HSE to implement recommendations to ease pressure on staff. The action, set to begin this Friday, involves a ‘work-to-rule’ by directors and assistant directors of public health nursing. The HSE is engaging in talks with the union in hopes of preventing…
A recent study has debunked the myth that humans can detect ovulation through scent, despite the belief in “Sherlock Hormones.” Researchers conducted experiments with over 1,200 participants and analyzed body odors using advanced technology, finding no significant differences between fertile and non-fertile phases. This study challenges the idea of a “fertility scent” and suggests that…
Consensus, an AI academic search engine for scientific research, raised $11.5 million in Series A funding led by Union Square Ventures. Investors include lead investors Daniel Gross and Nat Friedman, along with previous Seed investors. The company aims to make research papers more discoverable and accessible by using AI technology to provide answers to user…
Latinos in San Francisco have historically had high rates of new HIV cases, but recent testing data suggests a positive shift. The number of new HIV cases among Latinos dropped significantly in 2023, leading to optimism that efforts to address disparities were working. However, more outreach and testing are still needed, especially among new immigrants….
A study on veterans with COPD found that less than 40% were adherent to their inhaled medications. Factors associated with better adherence included older age, using more maintenance inhalers, and chronic prednisone use. Adherence was measured through self-report and pharmacy refill data. The study also found that medication beliefs, such as concerns about safety and…
Megan Hanson and her husband, Ben Burnham, experienced six consecutive miscarriages over the span of six years, leading them to create the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA) in 2019. The lack of research and support for recurrent miscarriages in the U.S. prompted them to fund research and provide resources for individuals and couples going through…
Bisphosphonate therapy is commonly prescribed for patients at risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, with oral therapy being the most common form. The therapy works by inhibiting bone resorption and is typically taken on an empty stomach with high adherence. It is important to assess patient eligibility for treatment using a fracture risk assessment tool and to…
Researchers have developed a modified peptide derived from the natural CART peptide, which has shown promising results in reducing appetite, aiding weight loss, and improving metabolism in obese and prediabetic mice. The modified peptide has been found to reduce Tau protein pathology in the brain and promote the formation of new nerve cells, suggesting potential…
A recent study in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that symptomatic chlamydia infections significantly increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal factor infertility. The study followed 5704 women over a long period, with chlamydia-positive women showing higher rates of PID at 3.8 per 1000 person-years. Symptomatic chlamydia infections posed…
Home foreclosure is associated with an increased risk of memory decline in late middle age, leading to an equivalent of 3.7 extra years of cognitive aging over a decade. Researchers studied data from the Health and Retirement Study from 2008 to 2018, analyzing memory scores and dementia probability over time. Foreclosure was linked to a…
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that a successful weight loss diet should include more protein and fiber while limiting calories. They tested a new program, the Individualized Diet Improvement Program (iDip), which focuses on increasing protein and fiber intake while consuming 1,500 calories or less daily. The program provides a unique tool…