Research found a temporary rise in U.S. traffic accidents around a solar eclipse in 2017, with a 31% increase in fatal accidents during the eclipse. The rise in accidents was likely due to increased traffic as people traveled to view the eclipse. The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8 is within driving range for…
Scientists conducted a study on wearable breath sensors for healthcare monitoring, focusing on tracking respiratory parameters and biomarkers for disease detection. They discussed traditional breath analysis methods and advancements in wearable devices that enable real-time monitoring of systemic health. The review explored various breath sampling techniques, biomarker detection methods, and monitoring respiratory parameters like temperature…
Overactive bladder can have physical and emotional impacts, affecting social interactions, intimacy, and sleep quality. The loss of control over one’s bladder can be devastating, leading to feelings of shame and self-blame, especially in younger individuals. Seeking help and treatment is important, as there are options available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life….
The annual report from the Alzheimer’s Association revealed that approximately 6.9 million older adults in the US are living with Alzheimer’s disease, with another 200,000 under age 65 having younger-onset AD. Despite little change in prevalence since 2023, the number of people over 65 with AD is predicted to almost double by 2050. The report…
Vaping is viewed as a safer way to consume substances like nicotine and cannabis compared to smoking, as it involves heating liquid into vapor instead of burning. However, a new study revealed that cannabis vaping liquids may contain toxic metal particles, even in unused cartridges. Lead, nickel, zinc, and copper nanoparticles were found in the…
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a warning to medical colleges about a scam involving fake letters. These letters are being used to trap medical colleges in fraudulent activities. The NMC is urging medical colleges to be cautious and verify the authenticity of any letters received. This warning comes as a precautionary measure to…
Brain fog is a common symptom of menopause that can be worrying for women with a family history of dementia. Midi Health, a virtual care clinic for menopausal women, has partnered with Neurotrack to offer cognitive screenings to help differentiate between menopause brain fog and more serious cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s. The screening uses Neurotrack’s…
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland now offers paid leave for staff who become parents through surrogacy. The new surrogacy leave policy allows for 24 weeks of paid leave and 16 weeks of unpaid leave, matching the university’s adoptive leave policy. Staff will retain all annual leave, privilege, and public holiday entitlements while on…
Long-term adherence to a plant-based diet is not linked to an increased risk of hip fracture in postmenopausal individuals, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study from 1984 to 2014 and found that both healthful and unhealthful plant-based diets were not associated with hip fracture…
Midi Health, a women’s health clinic, is partnering with Neurotrack to help midlife women determine if brain fog is a symptom of menopause or a sign of cognitive impairment like early dementia. Patients can complete a three-minute cognitive screening test on their smartphone, tablet, or computer, allowing for quicker assessment compared to traditional methods. Patients…
Sara England’s baby, Amari Vaca, needed emergency care after struggling to breathe following open-heart surgery. Despite having insurance, Cigna denied coverage for the $97,599 air-ambulance flight, claiming it was not medically necessary. Legal safeguards under the No Surprises Act could have protected them, but insurers have the final say on what is considered medically necessary….
A study showed that an annual COVID-19 vaccination campaign with a second dose for at-risk populations reduced disease burden and health care costs by over $3 billion in a year. The optimal time interval between doses was found to be around 5 months, with possible range of 3 to 6 months. The study, led by…
Chick-fil-A is easing its commitment to using chickens raised without antibiotics due to concerns about antibiotic resistance. The company will now switch to chickens raised without antibiotics important to human health at its over 3,000 locations in the U.S. This change comes a decade after Chick-fil-A announced a “No Antibiotics Ever” policy by 2019. The…
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has successfully transplanted a genetically edited pig kidney into a 62-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease, marking a medical milestone. This is the third transplant of a pig organ into a living human, following two failed attempts with pig hearts in 2022 and 2023. The patient, Richard Slayman, is recovering…
Researchers from King’s College London found that 60% of stroke survivors would experience depression within 18 years, much higher than previously thought. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health, analyzed data from 6,600 stroke survivors and found that 90% of depression cases occurred within five years post-stroke. Severe depression tended to occur earlier and…
This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric health care, specifically looking at foregone care and missed well-child or vaccination-related visits. Data was collected from a nationwide longitudinal survey administered to parents of children aged five to 12. Findings show that a significant percentage of children had not received necessary health care,…
Kate, Princess of Wales, recently disclosed a cancer diagnosis and undergoing chemotherapy. She mentioned the challenge of discussing it with her children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. Wendy Baer, MD, director of psychiatric oncology at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, advises caregivers to understand their diagnosis and treatment plan before talking to children. She suggests…
In the aftermath of a cyberattack on the Change Healthcare claims clearinghouse, some clinicians have resorted to workarounds, applying for advanced payments, or switching back to paper claims. UnitedHealth Group is working to process $14 billion in delayed claims and restore services. Officials are focused on helping clinicians facing cash flow issues, particularly in underserved…
A study found that women with pregnancy complications or poor heart health post-pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. Maintaining or improving cardiovascular health through lifestyle changes can reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from the UK Biobank on 500,000 adults, finding that higher Life’s Essential 8 scores,…
A study published in JAMA found that patients with SGLT2i-associated ketoacidosis receive significantly lower insulin doses compared to those with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) ketoacidosis. The study highlights the importance of personalized treatment for different types of diabetic ketoacidosis. The findings suggest that insulin dosages should be adjusted based on the specific underlying cause of…
AbbVie is acquiring Landos Biopharma for $20.42 per share, a 155% premium, to expand its scope in treating ulcerative colitis. Landos’s drug, NX-13, targets the NLRX1 receptor associated with inflammatory disorders in the gut. In Phase 1b trials, NX-13 showed safety and clinical improvement in patients with ulcerative colitis. A Phase 2 trial is ongoing….
Dr. Eilish Cleary, an Irish doctor and former chief medical officer in New Brunswick, Canada, passed away at the age of 60 in Fredericton. She served as the CMO in the province and was well-respected in the medical community. Dr. Cleary’s death was announced in the Irish Medical Times, where she was remembered for her…
Easy-to-read fact sheets offer valuable information for clinicians to share with patients and caregivers. Obesity is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and weight loss goals are crucial for managing the condition. Medications like metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists can help with weight loss and blood sugar control. Studies show the…
Boston-based Neurable has partnered with Healthspan Digital to bring its brain-computer interface technology to health and longevity clinics. Neurable’s technology collects brain signals and translates them into commands for external devices, using signal processing technology from the University of Michigan. Healthspan Digital provides personalized health options through analytics and technology, including AI-enabled predictive analytics and…
Conservative Christian lawyers aim to restrict access to abortion pills nationwide, challenging the FDA’s regulation of mifepristone, the drug used in 63% of U.S. abortions. The case could lead to a de facto nationwide abortion ban. Anti-abortion groups have previously petitioned to limit mifepristone’s availability, citing safety concerns that have since been discredited. If successful,…
A study found that the use of a predictive tool did not significantly affect patients’ willingness to undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial with 211 patients with knee osteoarthritis and found that access to an online tool did not decrease patients’ willingness to undergo surgery at 6 months. However,…
Vertex Pharmaceuticals moved from Cambridge to Boston’s Seaport a decade ago, sparking new development in the area. Now, with its lease set to expire in 2028, the company is considering relocating within the neighborhood. This potential move may impact the prominent headquarters that Vertex currently occupies on Fan Pier. The decision reflects the changing dynamics…
A diagnostics company, Randox Health, removed advertisements for its type 1 diabetes genetic test after complaints that it used fear tactics. The advertisements referred to type 1 diabetes as a “silent killer” and suggested it could be in your genes. The company claimed their test could determine future risk of developing the condition. The type…
A study conducted in Sweden found that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among three- and four-year-olds decreased after the pandemic, indicating that the weight gains during the pandemic were temporary. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, involved data from over 50,000 children aged three to five. The researchers observed a decrease in obesity rates…
A study conducted in Sweden found that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 3- and 4-year-olds decreased after the pandemic, indicating that the increase during the pandemic was temporary. The study, based on data from over 50,000 children, showed that weight trends in 5-year-olds remained stable. The findings suggest that changes in dietary habits…
Early research presented at an American Heart Association conference suggested that certain forms of intermittent fasting, such as 8-hour time-restricted eating, may be linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular death. However, experts and researchers caution that these conclusions are premature and misleading, as the study has limitations and does not establish causality. Further research,…
An estimated 3% of the world’s population have psoriasis, with 6.4 million people affected in Europe. Around one third of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis, which can lead to irreversible joint damage. Patients also face increased risks of other health issues like cardiovascular diseases and obesity, with higher rates of depression. The HIPPOCRATES research consortium…
Body dysmorphia, also known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition that causes excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s physical appearance, particularly affecting teens, especially girls. A new study has found BDD to be six times more prevalent in girls than boys, significantly impacting their quality of life. BDD often goes…
A new analysis has found that tirzepatide, a drug used to treat obesity, consistently reduces body weight regardless of a patient’s BMI before treatment. This finding suggests that the drug may be effective for a wide range of individuals struggling with obesity. Cookies are used on the website for analytics, advertising, and to improve the…
The nursing industry is currently facing a crisis with a high turnover rate and lack of retention. Data shows that a significant number of nurses are considering leaving their current roles, with many turning to agency roles for higher pay. To address the issue, hospitals must consider offering competitive wages compared to agencies and other…
Health officials in Ireland have confirmed nine cases of measles so far this year, which is more than double the total number of cases seen in 2023. An additional ten cases are under investigation. The cases are spread across different regions in Dublin, with a weekly update on cases being posted on the Health Protection…
A study published in Lancet Hematology showed promising results for using eltrombopag and cyclosporin A as first-line treatment for severe aplastic anemia. The multicenter phase 2 trial treated 54 patients with severe AA and found a 6-month hematologic overall response rate of 46%, with a complete response rate of 4%. The most common adverse events…
The Brunei Ministry of Health has updated the BruHealth app with new features to improve the patient experience. This includes a queue management system for booking appointments and checking in before visiting health facilities, real-time queue number tracking, video consultations, and access to health records. The Indonesian Ministry of Health has also updated its mobile…
Neal Osborne, a City Council member in Bristol, Virginia, with Type 1 diabetes, suffered a harrowing experience in the local hospital’s emergency room due to a malfunctioning insulin pump. Osborne waited for 30 hours before being moved to the intensive care unit, highlighting issues with ER wait times in the region. Ballad Health, a 20-hospital…
A study found that neighborhoods historically redlined in the 1930s have a higher prevalence of diabetes compared to non-redlined areas. Redlining, a discriminatory practice by the Federal Housing Administration, denied credit and insurance to residents in economically disadvantaged areas. These redlined neighborhoods were more often inhabited by racial-ethnic minority groups. Residents in redlined neighborhoods are…
Novo Nordisk is acquiring Cardior Pharmaceuticals for up to $1.1 billion to add new drug candidates to its cardiometabolic pipeline. Cardior focuses on RNA targeting for heart disease and its lead candidate, CDR132L, is in Phase 2 development for heart failure. The deal, slated to close in the second quarter, does not disclose the upfront…
A new preference informed allocation system was implemented for allocating foundation programme places to medical students in the UK. This system, known as PIA, uses a ranking system generated by a computer algorithm, rather than academic performance, to assign students to their preferred deanery. The goal of PIA was to create a fairer system, reduce…
Researchers at The Australian National University have discovered a gene mutation causing psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease with red, scaly patches. The mutation, known as IKBKB, can lead to psoriatic arthritis, causing joint pain and swelling. The mutated gene affects immune cells, leading to inflammation. Around 500,000 Australians have psoriasis, with 3 in 10…
Recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized technology and society. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are becoming valuable resources for information, especially in healthcare. However, ethical and safety concerns need to be addressed as AI errors, health disinformation, and privacy issues are prevalent. AI errors arise when inaccurate information is generated, posing…
UC Berkeley has created a harvesting box that can extract water from the air in places like the Mojave Desert, providing a solution to the global water crisis. The box, powered by sunlight, uses metal-organic frameworks to pull moisture from the air, producing over a gallon of drinkable water per day. Northwestern University researchers have…
The European Medicines Agency recently approved the marketing of bevacizumab-vikg for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. The drug has shown significant efficacy in clinical trials, with a higher percentage of patients gaining visual acuity compared to other approved medications. The safety profile of the drug was reported to be consistent with previous studies,…
A recent study from the University of Birmingham found that individuals with a lung disease called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) have a higher risk of developing heart conditions, regardless of other risk factors like smoking or age. The study, published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, involved 220 patients with AATD, which causes lung…
PGI Chandigarh is planning to implement QR code-based payment systems in their outpatient departments (OPDs). This move aims to streamline the payment process and provide a more convenient option for patients. By scanning the QR code, patients will be able to make payments easily and efficiently. The hospital is taking steps to improve their services…
The Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) conducted a study on digital diabetes management tools and found that they do not provide significant clinical benefits and can increase health spending. The analysis evaluated eight digital tools for type 2 diabetes but found that only Virta’s solution leveraging nutritional ketosis showed promising results. The other tools only…
Daffodil Day is an annual fundraising event that supports cancer services in Ireland. Last year, the Irish Cancer Society provided night-nursing care, funded scientific researchers, and supported Cancer Trials Ireland. They have also established Daffodil Centres in 13 hospitals staffed by cancer nurses and volunteers. Today, health facilities nationwide are celebrating Daffodil Day, with events…