Mary Lou Retton spoke about her recent hospitalization due to pneumonia and revealed that she was uninsured. She cited preexisting conditions and cost as the main reasons for not having coverage and not specifying her type of insurance or financial details. The Affordable Care Act addresses these concerns by offering coverage through federal and state…
Alcohol Change UK runs Dry January, a campaign that encourages people to abstain from alcohol for 31 days at the beginning of the year. The initiative offers numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced diabetes risk, and lower cholesterol. The campaign also encourages participants to download the Try Dry app to track progress and…
Medicare Advantage, a controversial health care program, is in the spotlight due to new data revealing overpayments and criticism of its quality rating system. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission discussed these findings, leading to conclusions that the federal government overpays Medicare Advantage insurers because they attract healthier, low-cost individuals and then code their health conditions…
John Hedges had a successful career in both military and civilian medicine, thanks to a medical cadetship with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was commissioned in 1969, completed his house jobs, and became the garrison senior medical officer in West Germany in 1974. He then trained at the Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot and…
Mitochondria play an important role in muscle development, regeneration, and maintenance, and problems with these can lead to muscle diseases such as muscle atrophy. The tethering of mitochondria to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is found in healthy cells, and this anchoring regulates metabolism, mitochondrial morphology, and calcium homeostasis. In people experiencing muscle atrophy, there is…
In this episode of omg OMx, Mike Greig from Bruker discusses the potential of mass spectrometry in pharma. He talks about his career in biotechnology, his mentor, and his passion for chemistry. He also discusses the evolution of drug development and the barriers to the marketability of mass spectrometry in the pharma industry. He mentions…
The United States is currently experiencing a surge in respiratory viruses, notably the JN1 variant of COVID-19. Hospitalization and death rates are increasing, but the response to the pandemic is waning due to complacency, pandemic fatigue, and decreased resources. COVID has become normalized, leading to increased awareness of virus transmission and increased use of protective…
The results of the phase 3 EMERGENT-2 trial showed that KarXT, a combination of a muscarinic receptor agonist with an anticholinergic agent, led to significant improvements in symptoms of schizophrenia compared to a placebo. The treatment showed potential as a new class of effective and well-tolerated antipsychotic medication. It was associated with fewer side effects…
Monitoring your blood pressure is crucial for maintaining good health, as hypertension can cause silent damage to your heart, arteries, and kidneys. This guide helps you find the best blood pressure monitors for your needs and budget, including options for tech-savvy users, value-conscious users, and healthcare professionals. The top contenders are the Wellue Blood Pressure…
Hydrogels show promise as electrodes for treating ventricular arrhythmia, a potentially life-threatening condition. These innovative electrodes could revolutionize the treatment of this heart condition. The use of cookies for analytics, advertising, and site improvement is acknowledged, and continued site use implies agreement to their use. For more information, the Cookie Policy and Cookie Settings can…
Amira CEO Loewen Cavill was inspired to create The Terra System, a product aimed at helping women manage menopause symptoms, after her aunt suffered severe sleep disruptions from hot flashes. The AI-powered product includes a wearable bracelet to predict hot flashes and a cooling mattress pad to help regulate temperature fluctuations. Amira also launched Amy,…
Six counties in Ireland, including Donegal, Westmeath, Leitrim, and Sligo, have reported high rates of Covid, flu, and RSV above 500 cases per 100,000 population. Donegal has the highest rate of seasonal viruses, with more than two-and-a-half times the national rate. The county has also been significantly impacted by the current flu season and RSV,…
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that metformin used as an adjunct to insulin therapy for patients with type 2 or gestational diabetes does not reduce the odds of neonatal adverse outcomes. The research involved pregnant adults with type 2 diabetes or diabetes diagnosed before 23 weeks of pregnancy,…
An antitrust lawsuit has been filed against Cigna-owned online pharmacy and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) Express Scripts by several independent pharmacies. The lawsuit alleges that Express Scripts teamed with rival PBMs to fix pharmaceutical reimbursement rates and fees, resulting in collecting a portion of the revenue. PBMs negotiate prescription prices, which can be substantially higher…
Lawmakers are struggling to fund the government and federal health programs. The Supreme Court is reviewing a case about Idaho’s abortion ban and federal law. The Biden administration is scaling back health provider conscience protections. Florida introduced legislation classifying abortion as a felony and penalizing those involved in distributing abortion pills. The FDA approved Florida’s…
Researchers compared facility fees for three common colonoscopy procedures at hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. They found that the fees were approximately 55% higher at hospitals compared to ambulatory surgery centers. The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, used data from four major insurers and included 13,287 in-network fees from hospitals and 17,052 fees from…
The Texas Medicaid program has agreed to cover costs for doctors to assess 4-month-old infertility patient Sufyan Pashai in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sufyan’s older brother has metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a gene mutation, and Sufyan is a candidate for treatment to prevent the disease from manifesting. This gene therapy called Libmeldy is…
A clinical editor discusses the potential fallacy of relying on easily measured data from wearable technology to inform mental health care, emphasizing the importance of considering the impact on patients. A study on lung cancer screening raises concerns about the high rate of complications found in those who undergo invasive tests after a positive screening…
Cedar-Sinai investigators have developed a way to use electronic health records to identify hospitalized patients with dementia. The method, outlined in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, is designed to help care teams provide tailored and targeted interventions for patients with dementia. An algorithm searches for dementia diagnoses and appropriate prescriptions in patients’ health…
Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso have identified a promising new pharmaceutical compound called thiophene F-8 that successfully kills leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. This could lead to new forms of therapy. Aguilera’s lab screened 1,300 different compounds and found thiophene F-8 successful in inducing cell death in leukemia and lymphoma cells….
The content discusses how isometric exercises have been found to be especially effective in lowering blood pressure. Isometric exercises involve holding a position to flex muscles, which constricts blood vessels leading to a buildup of metabolites and a release of nitric oxide, causing blood vessels to dilate. Research has shown that isometric exercises such as…
The FDA has not found any evidence linking glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications used for type 2 diabetes and obesity to suicidal thoughts or actions. This determination was made after reviewing clinical trial data and reports to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. While the agency cannot definitively rule out a small…
A recent study found that a person consumes around 240,000 tiny plastic particles from one liter of bottled water, raising concerns about the potential health impacts of micro-nano plastics. Researchers developed a new imaging technique to estimate the quantity of microplastics in bottled water and found significantly higher levels than previously reported. The study also…
Olanzapine and samidorphan combination has been found to be effective for the long-term treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This medication has shown promising results in managing the symptoms of these mental health conditions. In addition, cookies are used on the website for analytics, advertising, and to improve the site. By continuing to use the…
The FDA has found no evidence that GLP-1 drugs used for diabetes and weight loss cause suicidal thoughts or actions. Reports in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System prompted the review, but the agency determined that the reports did not demonstrate a clear relationship with GLP-1 drugs. However, the agency will continue to look into…
The number of patients waiting longer than 10/12 weeks for a hospital procedure was reduced by 11% last year, but overall waiting lists only fell by 3%, below the government’s target of 10%. Department of Health figures show a 32% reduction in those waiting longer than 12 months, with over 54,000 patients affected. The average…
The TRANSFORM-HF study found no significant difference in outcomes between torsemide and furosemide treatments for heart failure. However, patients with de novo heart failure had better outcomes compared to those with worsening chronic heart failure after hospitalization. The study analyzed patients from 60 US hospitals and found that de novo heart failure was associated with…
Harbor Health, a primary care clinic in Texas, secured $95.5 million in funding to expand its services and specialty care offerings. The funds will also be used to create patient-cocreated care plans and support Texas employers in lowering their costs. AI-enabled dental practice technology Peerlogic received $5.65 million in funding to scale its company and…
Congress is working on a bipartisan agreement to fund the government for the rest of the 2024 fiscal year. Jesse Ehrenfeld, president of the American Medical Association, discussed the organization’s priorities with Julie Rovner. They discussed issues such as Medicare pay cuts for physicians, the impact of Supreme Court decisions on medical practice, the legislative…
A study found that dialysis clinics treating patients with high social risk faced higher financial penalties in the ESRD Treatment Choices model. CMS levied fines for poor performance in the first year of its ESRD Treatment Choices model against dialysis clinics with higher proportions of patients at social risk. The model includes dialysis facilities and…
The content is about the latest in the biotech industry, discussed in a podcast called “The Readout LOUD” from STAT. The podcast covers the recent turnaround in the biotech industry, with deals and positive developments at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. It also delves into topics such as the Sarepta Therapeutics saga, Nvidia’s potential impact…
Labour has unveiled a child action plan aimed at creating the healthiest and happiest generation in Britain. The plan includes reducing paediatric waiting times, improving child mental health support, addressing junk food advertising, and implementing supervised toothbrushing in schools. A Labour government would establish a mission delivery board focusing on child health and inequalities. Keir…
Researchers from Osaka University have found that subtle changes in specific immune cell populations in the blood may signal the presence of an autoimmune disease. The study utilized single-cell RNA sequencing and found that characteristic changes in CD4+ T cells were associated with specific autoimmune diseases. These findings could potentially allow for the detection of…
The American Heart Association is celebrating 100 years by awarding its prestigious Merit Award to three researchers. Joseph Loscalzo will study natural food chemicals and their impact on heart disease. Daniel J. Rader will investigate lipid metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, while Philip S. Tsao will focus on the effects of vaping on abdominal aortic aneurysms….
Diabetes management with insulin involves learning to give yourself injections. Kathy Bostrom emphasizes the rapid changes in syringes and pens which have made the process easier. Syringes are prone to errors, while pens are more user-friendly. An alcohol wipe is essential while also having a sharps container. Different insulins require different times for their administration…
A new study published in JAMA Cardiology suggests that people who have experienced the death of a sibling may be at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular illnesses. The study, which analyzed data from over 2 million people in Denmark, found that individuals who lost a sibling had a 17% higher risk for overall cardiovascular…
Blood sugar levels need to be kept within the range of 80 to 130 mg/dL before a meal and less than 180 mg/dL two hours after a meal to avoid serious health issues. Hypoglycemia, when the blood sugar level drops to below 70 mg/dL, requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, fatigue, sweating, and…
The article discusses the approval of Bayer Eylea 8 mg in the European Union for the treatment of two major retinal diseases. This medication is used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema. The approval allows for the use of a higher dose of Eylea, providing potential…
Elevance Health has partnered with Samsung, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile to provide Medicaid members with smartphones and unlimited data, talk, and text at no cost. The program aims to improve access to virtual healthcare tools and bridge the digital divide for low-income individuals. The initiative is funded by the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program…
A Dublin-based GP practice on the north side of the city is looking for a GP to join their team. The practice focuses on providing high-quality patient care in a sustainable work environment, serving approximately 5,200 patients. They are open to integrating new skills and have the support of the local hospital to develop skills…
A study published in the European Journal of Heart Failure found that the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization due to heart failure is reduced in patients with low systolic blood pressure (SBP) when they are receiving higher doses of heart failure medications. The study used data from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry, and results…
Connecticut-based Vita Health has raised $22.5 million in Series A funding, with participation from various investors. The telehealth platform connects individuals contemplating suicide with providers and offers teletherapy and psychiatry services. The funding will support the company’s expansion to help address the increasing rate of suicides in the U.S. Vita Health aims to tackle the…
Bria Peacock from Georgia seeks to provide maternal healthcare in her community, with a focus on abortion care. Since the Roe v. Wade decision was overturned, Peacock has sought comprehensive abortion training in California, while her home state of Georgia has banned abortions after six weeks. Lack of training opportunities in some states has affected…
Surgeons should consider the 3D orientation of tibial plateau fractures before fixation. Understanding the fracture pathology and components is crucial in treatment, including the size and orientation of the fracture, which dictates the location of the medial plate. Methods of articular elevation depend on the degree of comminution and depression, and reducing varus medial column…
The UK’s 100,000 Genomes Project has revealed that certain tumors are more likely to carry mutations that can inform patient care, steering treatment choices or indicating a potential familial risk. The findings from over 13,800 solid tumors in adults are already influencing clinical practice in the UK’s National Health Service, with patients diagnosed with certain…
Adam Holland, Thomas D Brothers, Dan Lewer, Olivia M Maynard, and Mat Southwell address the urgent need for action to reduce drug-related deaths. They discuss the prescription of safer supply interventions in response to opioid toxicity and the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Despite controversy and concerns about limited evidence, observational studies show that opioid dispensation…
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that people using medical cannabis for chronic pain have a slightly increased risk of experiencing arrhythmia, which is when the heart beats too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. The research, done in Denmark, looked at 5,391 patients who had been prescribed cannabis for chronic pain and…
A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that pangolins are highly susceptible to coronavirus infection due to the pseudogenization of key immune system genes in their genome. Researchers analyzed pangolin skin and found that the host immune response pathways were not upregulated in response to infection. They also discovered that the coronavirus suppresses endogenous retrovirus…
The average American consumes about 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day, and sugary drinks, candy, baked goods, and sweetened dairy are the main sources of added sugar. Excess sugar intake can lead to various health issues, including mood changes, joint pain, skin aging, liver damage, heart disease, diabetes, kidney damage, weight gain, and erectile…
The FDA has rejected approval of the cancer drug zolbetuximab due to manufacturing issues. The drug, developed by Astellas, was intended for treating a specific type of gastric cancer. The FDA’s decision was related to unresolved deficiencies in the manufacturing process at a third-party facility. The company is working to resolve the issues and clarified…