Healio’s recent articles on glaucoma cover the FDA’s de novo classification of the Fysx ocular pressure adjusting pump for patients with certain types of glaucoma, as well as the effectiveness of timolol microdrops in lowering IOP compared to conventional drops. Other topics include the importance of looking at all available data to detect glaucoma progression,…
Sign up for the biotech newsletter to stay informed about the latest in science and politics driving biotech. In this newsletter, topics include Pfizer’s new once-daily GLP-1 pill for obesity, the complications and benefits of CAR-T therapy, biotech layoffs, and Element Biosciences raising $277 million in funding. The newsletter also discusses the case for adaptive…
Partha Kar, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, discusses the importance of leadership in the NHS. He highlights a gap between the leadership principles emphasized by the NHS and the actual failures in leadership that affect patient outcomes and access to care. Kar suggests applying the “Klopp test,” inspired by…
States that have implemented stricter abortion restrictions post the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision, are associated with higher levels of mental distress among residents, especially those of lower socioeconomic status. Data analyzed from the National Household Pulse Survey over two years revealed a 3% relative increase in self-reported mental health issues like anxiety and…
The editorial paper in Oncoscience discusses the potential of antibody-drug conjugates in treating gynecologic cancers, focusing on biologically aggressive tumors like uterine serous carcinoma and carcinosarcoma. Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine emphasize the importance of cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy in treatment but note the high recurrence rate, necessitating multiple treatment combinations. The use…
New research suggests that individuals who are more active in the evening perform better on cognitive tests than those who are typically more active in the morning. However, it is important to note that this does not mean all morning people have worse cognitive performance. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night is important for…
In today’s healthcare landscape, CFOs face pressure to optimize resources. Indirect procurement, often overlooked, can be a lever for value. The Procurement Maturity Model is a self-assessment tool for healthcare organizations to improve their procurement capabilities. This model goes beyond cost-cutting measures by enhancing operational efficiency, improving patient care, and ensuring financial sustainability. Organizations progress…
Dr. Chris Luke discusses the impact of President Biden’s suspected ‘brain failure’, noting instances of cognitive decline during a televised debate and other public appearances. The potential implications of this decline are significant given the upcoming American presidential election, with opponents of Biden weaponizing his frailty. Luke also reflects on historical examples of presidents concealing…
Finding the right nursing home is crucial for those who are physically or cognitively disabled or recovering from surgery. Use Medicare’s online comparison tool to search for homes, seek advice from state-designated resources, area agencies on aging, and ombudsmen. Pay attention to staffing levels, inspection ratings, and turnover rates. Look for homes with adequate staffing…
Dr. Seth L. Sherman, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Stanford Medicine, discusses innovations in knee cartilage repair at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. He emphasizes the importance of sticking to evidence-based treatments like matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) or osteochondral allograft for large or multiple defects. Sherman also mentions ongoing…
Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, a drug for diabetes also known as Wegovy for weight loss, was found in a study to lower rates of dementia and other mental problems. Meanwhile, smaller pharmacy benefit managers are gaining popularity as some health insurers and employers are moving away from major players like CVS Health and UnitedHealth Group due…
The authors discuss the need for the UK to streamline priorities, forge respectful partnerships, and drive multilateral reform in global health. They highlight the UK’s historical leadership in global health, with initiatives like the Health is Global strategy, but note recent setbacks, such as cuts to global health aid and delays in humanitarian aid. They…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that weight-loss drugs known as GLP-1 agonists may reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers compared to insulin treatment. The study analyzed data from over 1.6 million people with type 2 diabetes and found that those treated with GLP-1 drugs were less likely to be diagnosed with…
Researchers at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation have conducted a groundbreaking study exploring the relationship between amyloid-like structures and neuronal cells in Alzheimer’s disease. By creating a self-assembling peptide-based hydrogel that mimics the amyloid-beta environment associated with AD, they were able to observe elevated neuroinflammation and apoptosis markers in healthy neuronal cells. The study…
The European Medicines Agency has issued new recommendations for patients taking GLP-1 RAs who need general anesthesia or deep sedation. The EMA’s PRAC advised health professionals to consider the risk of delayed gastric emptying with GLP-1 RAs before administering anesthesia. GLP-1 RAs are used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity by controlling blood sugar…
Novo Nordisk’s bid for once-weekly slow-acting insulin, icodec, has been rejected by the FDA due to concerns about manufacturing processes and use in type 1 diabetes patients. The FDA advisory committee also raised issues about higher rates of hypoglycemia with icodec compared to daily injections. This setback comes as rival Eli Lilly’s once-weekly insulin, efsitora…
A new report in Ireland shows that trust in conventional medicine is high, with 90% of people trusting their medical care. However, satisfaction with the public health system is low, with only 39% being satisfied. Men are more satisfied than women, and older age groups are more positive about the system. The main reasons for…
Los Angeles-based clinical decision software company Regard closed a $61 million Series B round led by Oak HC/FT, with Cedars-Sinai Health Ventures and existing investors participating. Regard offers a clinical support tool that uses AI to evaluate patient history, generate clinical decisions, and facilitate communication among clinicians, which can be integrated into providers’ EHR systems….
Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a nonprofit newsroom focused on health and health policy, distributing journalism for free through media partners. Readers and listeners can support KHN by making a contribution to KFF, an independent program of KFF. KFF is a nonprofit organization not associated with Kaiser Permanente. Donating to KFF will help support KHN’s…
Elizabeth A. Comen, MD, has been appointed as an associate professor in the department of medicine at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. Previously, she worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine. Comen’s research focuses on the relationship between the immune system and breast cancer growth, particularly in metastatic disease. She…
In the first article by Sharon Stathoplos, the focus is on the lack of preparedness in schools for health crises like the H5N1 bird flu, with a call for better collaboration between education and public health departments. The second article by Richard A. “Red” Lawhern argues that overprescribing opioids was indeed a cause of the…
Love potions are fictional drugs that have been featured in various fictions for centuries. The oldest term is “love-drink,” dating back to the 13th century, followed by “love potion” and “love philtre” in the 16th and 17th centuries. These fictional concoctions have been portrayed in works like the legend of Tristan and Isolde, Chaucer’s Canterbury…
Extreme heat can not only lead to heat-related illnesses but can also amplify side effects of many common medications. Certain medications, such as those requiring refrigeration, can be damaged in hot weather, while others can malfunction or deteriorate. Medications like blood pressure pills, beta blockers, antidepressants, and pain relievers can also cause dehydration or hinder…
Cambridge scientists have developed an AI tool that can predict whether people with early signs of dementia will develop Alzheimer’s disease with 82% accuracy, using cognitive tests and MRI scans. This approach could reduce the need for invasive tests and improve treatment outcomes. Current diagnostic methods may lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. The AI…
Healthcare professionals in the EU are being warned about the risk of anaphylactic reactions in MS patients treated with glatiramer acetate. The EMA issued a warning after a review found evidence of such reactions occurring even years after treatment initiation. Common side effects of the drug include vasodilation, arthralgia, anxiety, and hypertonia. The PRAC committee…
Cityblock, a value-based primary care company, has partnered with Alliance Health in North Carolina to provide medical and behavioral health services to Medicaid members with serious mental illness or substance use disorder. The partnership aims to offer care outside of traditional office settings and address nonmedical drivers of health. The companies have a value-based contract…
The Phase 3 ANDROMEDA study supports the approval of a subcutaneous (SC) regimen for the treatment of Light Chain (AL) amyloidosis, a rare and incurable blood disorder. Janssen Pharmaceuticals has announced reimbursement for the Darzalex® ▼ (daratumumab) SC formulation in combination with other drugs for adults with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis. This announcement follows EC…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed physician fee schedule for 2025, recommending coverage for digital health tools and telehealth services. The proposal includes Medicare payment for digital mental health treatment devices and the creation of new billing codes for practitioners specializing in mental health care. CMS also plans to add…
An acute shortage of nurses and aides in nursing homes across the US is leading to a decline in the quality of care for residents. Despite state laws mandating minimum staffing levels, many nursing homes operate below these standards with little to no consequences. The Biden administration is now implementing federal rules to improve staffing,…
A study presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting showed that single-stage slope-reducing high-tibial osteotomy may have similar return to sport rates as isolated ACL reconstruction in active patients. The study compared outcomes of 48 patients who received either isolated ACL reconstruction or ACL reconstruction with a slope-reducing high-tibial osteotomy. Initial…
Share your recent hires, promotions, and job changes with us so we can spread the news. In this week’s feature, MBX Biosciences appointed Salomon Azoulay as their new chief medical officer, who previously worked at Sumitovant Biopharma. Stay tuned for more updates on who is joining and leaving the industry. Remember, all work and no…
Wes Streeting, the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has acknowledged that the NHS is broken due to long waiting lists, low public satisfaction, and staff wellbeing concerns. To address these challenges, plans include reducing waiting times and improving emergency department care. Integrated care services involving local government and community partners are…
A new artificial intelligence tool developed by Cambridge scientists can predict whether individuals with early signs of dementia will develop Alzheimer’s disease with 80% accuracy. This approach aims to reduce the need for invasive and costly diagnostic tests while improving treatment outcomes. Early detection is crucial, as treatments are most effective at this stage. The…
A study analyzed data from over 1.5 million patients with type 2 diabetes to investigate the impact of antidiabetic medications on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. Results showed that metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors were associated with significantly lower risks of dementia and AD compared to other antidiabetic drugs. The study highlights the importance of…
hCMV is a virus that infects nearly half of the French population, with transmission through bodily fluids. It is linked to various cancers, including glioblastoma, a deadly brain tumor. While hCMV has been found in GBM cases, causality has not been proven. A study showed that hCMV can induce the formation of GBM-like cancer cells…
HHS issued a proposed rule called the HTI-2 rule to improve healthcare data sharing among providers, payers, patients, and public health organizations. This rule builds on the previous HTI-1 rule and introduces new certification criteria for software used in healthcare. It includes technology updates, standards updates, and the adoption of USCDI version 4 by 2027….
Three mental health professional bodies in Ireland have signed a memorandum of understanding renouncing the practice of conversion therapy, which they describe as unethical, potentially harmful, and unsupported by evidence. They aim to advocate for and support the LGBTI+ community. Conversion therapy attempts to change or suppress sexual orientations or gender identities deemed inferior, and…
Ohio State University food scientists have discovered that Greek yogurt can help reduce garlic breath by trapping the stinky sulphides found in garlic. The combination of fat and protein in yogurt helps to keep the smelly molecules bound in the mouth, reducing their concentration by up to 99%. The researchers found that Greek yogurt, with…
The digital health sector in the U.S. is experiencing a surge in investment, with $5.7 billion raised in the first half of 2024. Series A funding is most prevalent, with 38% going to AI startups. Unlabeled deals, used by startups needing capital, have increased since 2019 but declined in 2024. Disease treatments and mental health…
The lawsuit of Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra may limit federal agencies’ power to mandate health insurance coverage, potentially affecting access to free birth control for millions of Americans. Opponents argue that Obamacare’s requirements for preventive care coverage infringe on their rights. A recent appeals court ruling found one group’s recommendations unconstitutional but allowed only…
Since 2006, the time to diagnosis, morbidity outcomes, and mortality rates among patients with calciphylaxis have improved. Patients with non-nephrogenic calciphylaxis are being diagnosed faster every year by an average of 13.9 days, while those with nephrogenic calciphylaxis are being diagnosed faster by 4.38 days annually. Factors such as finger involvement contribute to diagnostic delays,…
A new study using artificial intelligence analyzed MRI scans of children to predict sex and gender based on brain connectivity patterns. They found that patterns associated with sex were different from those linked to gender identity. Despite including gender as a factor, the study did not fully separate the effects of sex and gender on…
The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority reprimanded Novo Nordisk for not disclosing payments to healthcare professionals and organizations in the UK, totaling £7.8m. The lack of transparency could have influenced healthcare decisions and policy making. The company’s poor compliance with industry standards highlighted the need for a Sunshine Act to mandate transparent disclosure of…
Scientists have identified a novel major risk gene, LAG3, associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). This gene variant, found in Icelandic and Finnish populations, reduces the expression of LAG-3 protein in immune cells, leading to a higher risk of AITD. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights the importance of a multiomics approach in identifying…
Researchers from The University of Queensland have discovered how Haemophilus influenzae, a common bacterium, manipulates the human immune system during respiratory infections to cause persistent illness. The bacterium can turn off the body’s immune responses, leading to chronic infections in vulnerable groups such as those with cystic fibrosis, asthma, and the elderly. The research, led…
Hospital-onset bacteremia (HOB) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is linked to higher mortality rates, with birth weight and postnatal age identified as risk factors. A multicenter retrospective cohort study from 2016 to 2021 involving 451,443 infants found that HOB incidence was 1.1 per 1000 patient-days, with higher rates in infants with higher birth…
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major flaws in healthcare supply chains, leading to shortages of essential items like PPE. Supply chain leaders fear future pandemics and recognize the need to update technology to improve inventory management and other processes. AI holds promise in healthcare for improving patient care and supply chain efficiency. However, implementing advanced technology…
New data from the Department of Health shows that more than 1.4 million extra outpatient appointments could have been carried out in Irish hospitals last year if productivity had been increased. Productivity metrics indicate that there were 1,024 outpatient appointments per acute hospital consultant in 2023, compared to 1,429 in 2016. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly…
Seae Ventures acquired fellow venture capital firm Unseen Capital, known for investing in companies supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs and marginalized communities. Seae’s portfolio includes startups like Cabaya Care, Clinify, and Tia, while Unseen has invested in Ayana Therapy, CareAcademy, and Violet. The acquisition will increase Seae’s assets to over $200 million and enable a focus on…
Medical debt is a rising issue for many people in the United States, leading to individuals avoiding care or prescriptions. The Biden administration proposed banning medical debt from credit reports, and Senator Bernie Sanders will discuss this issue at a hearing. Local governments, like Los Angeles County, are exploring ways to help residents by purchasing…