Preventive Care
Unlocking the body’s defenses: Understanding immunotherapy
The human body’s immune system serves as a guardian against diseases by identifying and neutralizing threats like bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Scientists are using immunotherapy to enhance the body’s immune response to combat abnormal cells, such as cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors are a key component of immunotherapy, blocking molecules that cancer cells use to…
FDA clears Nova’s Stat Profile Prime Plus analyzer for micro capillary sample mode
Nova Biomedical has received FDA clearance for a micro capillary sample mode on the Stat Profile Prime Plus Critical Care analyzer. This mode allows for an 11-test panel with just 90 microliters of blood, or a 22-test panel with 135 microliters. The analyzer provides a range of critical care tests with minimal blood volume, reducing…
New Data to Change Practice on BP Control in Acute Stroke
New trial data shows that early blood pressure reduction has a positive effect in hemorrhagic stroke and a negative effect in ischemic stroke. This challenges current guidelines on blood pressure control in acute stroke patients. The INTERACT4 trial in China involved 2404 patients with suspected acute stroke, where immediate blood pressure control was tested during…
Watershed Health Raises $14M For Its Care Coordination Platform
Healthcare providers often fail to coordinate care properly, resulting in wasted resources that cost the U.S. about $340 billion per year. Watershed Health CEO Dr. Chip Grant believes uncoordinated care is the biggest target for improving patient outcomes and reducing costs in healthcare. His startup, Watershed, raised $13.6 million to address this issue by connecting…
International doctors leaving Ireland due to inability to live with families here
International doctors in Ireland are facing difficulties with the visa process for family reunification, leaving them isolated from loved ones. Physicians from outside the EU are waiting up to a year for visa applications to be processed, with a high rate of refusals. The reasons for refusal are often minor or unrelated to the applicant….
Senators provide a roadmap for AI policy in the US
The Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group released a roadmap for AI policy in the U.S. Senate, emphasizing the importance of funding cross-government AI research projects, particularly in biotechnology and medicine. The group highlighted the potential of AI in healthcare settings, including disease diagnosis, medicine development, and provider assistance. They called for legislation supporting AI deployment…
The Lure of Specialty Medicine Pulls Nurse Practitioners From Primary Care
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly moving into specialty care practices, expanding their skills and earning higher incomes. This shift from primary to specialty care is concerning, as it may exacerbate existing physician shortages in primary care. While NPs are trained to work in primary care, many are now choosing to enter specialties such as cardiology…
Long-acting reversible contraception uptake tied to residential distance from hospital
Postpartum women living farther from the hospital are more likely to choose long-acting reversible contraception than those living closer. A study showed that women who lived more than 10 miles from the hospital were more likely to choose IUDs, implants, and injections at the 2-week postpartum visit. However, this difference disappeared by the 6-week visit,…
Readers respond to H5N1 and livestock movements, and more
STAT publishes selected Letters to the Editor in response to First Opinion essays to encourage discussion on difficult issues. An AI-based second opinion service could improve clinical decision-making, but there is a risk of automation bias when relying too heavily on AI tools. Real-time tracking of livestock movements is crucial for disease management, with innovative…
Support services for healthcare professionals must be properly funded
Harj K Kaul, an occupational physician and professor, discusses the challenges of supporting medical practitioners with mental health issues through NHS Practitioner Health (NHSPH). NHSPH offers support, treatment, and safe spaces for medical professionals. Kaul has seen an increase in complex cases in his clinics, with over 80% of them being medical practitioners. The world…
Creativity and humor shown to promote well-being in older adults via similar mechanisms
A recent study by researchers at the University of Brescia and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart explores the relationship between creativity, humor, and the well-being of older adults. The findings suggest that creativity and humor share common psychological and neurobiological processes that can promote well-being in the elderly. These mental processes, related to…
Get the best out of your microplate reader: recommendations for use
BMG LABTECH experts Ann-Cathrin Volz and Martin Mangold discuss microplate readers and their usage recommendations. BMG LABTECH specializes in microplate readers with various models to meet researchers’ needs. They offer single-mode to multi-mode instruments, including the CLARIOstar® Plus and SPECTROstar® Nano, each designed for specific research requirements. The choice of microplate color impacts measurements in…
DOJ Officially Moves to Reclassify Marijuana as Schedule III
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III controlled substance, a major policy shift that began with a directive from President Joe Biden in October 2022. The proposed rule, submitted this week, will undergo a 60-day public comment period before a final decision is made. The move follows a…
Uber Health Launches Solution for Caregivers
Uber Health introduced Uber Caregiver at its annual product event, offering a new solution to support caregivers. This service will allow caregivers to request rides and grocery deliveries for those they care for, with real-time updates and communication with drivers. Caregivers can also view and utilize care-receiver benefits through the app. The goal is to…
Health system failing public by not investing more in research, forum hears
The Irish Health Research Forum highlighted how Ireland lags behind Europe in research spending, hindering the healthcare system. Despite talented researchers, lack of support stifles quality initiatives and limits healthcare staff involvement. Embedding research in health services benefits patients, attracts investment, fulfills staff, and brings economic gains. Calls for increased government investment in research infrastructure…
The Vitamin Shoppe launches telehealth platform for GLP-1 access
The Vitamin Shoppe has launched Whole Health Rx, a telehealth service connecting users with providers to access GLP-1 medications for weight management. GLP-1s, typically used for diabetes, are now popular for weight control. The platform offers online medical assessments, access to medications like Ozempic and Rybelsus, nutritional support, and lifestyle guidance. Powered by WellSync, the…
Journalists Broach Topics From Treating Shooting Victims to Sunscreen Safety
Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a nonprofit newsroom focused on health and health policy. They distribute journalism for free through media partners and are supported by readers and listeners. KHN is an independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) and donations can be made to KFF to support KHN. KFF is a charitable organization not…
CDC concerned about spread of deadlier mpox strain
The CDC has issued a warning about an increase in clade I mpox cases in Africa, prompting concerns about potential global spread. While no cases have been reported in the U.S., clinicians are advised to be vigilant for possible cases in travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Clade I mpox is associated with…
Health tech solutions offered to combat Black maternal mortality
Black women face disparities in maternal care compared to white women. Simmone Taitt, founder of Poppy Seed Health, experienced a lack of follow-up and emotional support after a pregnancy loss. Taitt, alongside Melissa Hanna of Mahmee and Kimberly Seals Allers of Irth, are addressing the crisis in Black maternal health through their platforms. These women…
Hospitals are urged to increase use of virtual wards to cut admissions
NHS England is implementing measures to reduce waiting times in urgent and emergency care, including the expansion of virtual wards, direct GP referrals to same-day emergency care, and financial incentives for hospitals to cut 12-hour emergency waits. The two-year recovery plan aims to help hospitals meet new targets and improve patient access to timely care….
Better medical record-keeping needed to fight antibiotic overuse, studies suggest
Two studies by University of Michigan physicians suggest that inadequate record-keeping in clinics and emergency departments may hinder efforts to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. Approximately 10% of children and 35% of adults receiving antibiotic prescriptions lacked a specific reason in their record. The studies show higher rates of inappropriate prescribing in adults with Medicaid coverage…
Proteins in the blood could warn people of cancer more than seven years before it is diagnosed
Researchers in the UK conducted a study to explore the association between plasma proteins and cancer risk using observational and genetic approaches on participants from the UK Biobank. They identified 618 protein-cancer associations and 317 cancer biomarkers, including 107 cases detected up to seven years before diagnosis. The study used a multi-omics strategy to reveal…
How ‘Physician Mortgage Loans’ Work for Doctors With Debt
Physicians finishing medical school may carry over $200,000 in debt, making it difficult to qualify for traditional mortgages. Physician mortgage loans (PMLs) are designed to help doctors access mortgages despite high debt levels. PMLs have features like no required down payment or private mortgage insurance. However, PMLs may come with slightly higher rates and fees….
The Lure of Specialty Medicine Pulls Nurse Practitioners From Primary Care
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly playing roles in specialty care practices, expanding their skills and income. This shift from primary care to specialties is concerning for some experts, as it may worsen existing shortages in primary care. NPs and physician assistants (PAs) are being hired in specialty practices at a similar rate as in primary…
Paediatric Spinal Taskforce holds first meeting
The newly-established Paediatric Spinal Taskforce aims to involve patients and families in driving service improvements by providing them with a meaningful opportunity to express concerns. Chaired by Mark Connaughton, the taskforce promises to listen, engage, and act on the advice and concerns of all stakeholders involved. The group is addressing concerns around the use of…
Transcarent unveils AI-enabled consumer platform for care navigation
Transcarent, a digital platform for self-insured employers, launched WayFinding, an AI-enabled platform providing clinical guidance, benefits navigation and care delivery. The platform helps patients navigate care, make informed decisions on benefits and costs, and connects them to appropriate care providers. After securing $126 million in funding, Transcarent plans to enhance its AI capabilities. CEO Glen…
Clean Needles Save Lives. In Some States, They Might Not Be Legal.
Kim Botteicher runs a flower shop and nonprofit organization in Bolivar, Pennsylvania, helping people affected by the drug epidemic. Her organization, FAVOR ~ Western PA, supports individuals with substance use disorder by providing housing, jobs, and health care. Botteicher has also made sterile syringes available to prevent diseases among drug users. However, distributing syringes is…
High predictability, low false positives with pregnancy-adjusted sepsis screening tools
Pregnancy-adjusted screening tools were found to have high predictability rates for sepsis and chorioamnionitis in women during childbirth hospitalizations. A case-control study comparing pregnancy-adjusted and non-adjusted screening tools showed that the former had the highest prediction rate and lowest false-positive rates for sepsis. The study, conducted by Elliot K. Main, MD, and colleagues, assessed the…
HIV vaccine remains elusive. Immunologists keep trying new ideas
Despite multiple failures in the past, HIV researchers are hopeful about a new strategy to develop an effective vaccine. This strategy involves teaching the immune system to produce powerful and protective antibodies through exposure to different vaccine molecules. Studies in mice and monkeys have shown promising results in guiding immune cells to produce antibodies that…
Sixty seconds on . . . the pandemic treaty
World leaders and the World Health Organization are proposing a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response in light of the covid-19 pandemic. The goal is to strengthen global resilience to future pandemics and improve international cooperation. Drafting of the agreement is ongoing, with the hope of adopting a legally binding text at the…
A long-term ketogenic diet accumulates aged cells in normal tissues, new study shows
A study led by UT Health San Antonio found that long-term ketogenic diets may induce cellular senescence in normal tissues, affecting heart and kidney function. However, intermittent ketogenic diets with breaks did not have the same effects. The research suggests that taking breaks from a strict ketogenic diet may be beneficial to prevent long-term consequences….
Study finds accounting for sex improves precision and prognostic performance of CMR biomarkers for heart failure
A recent study in the European Heart Journal Open focused on the impact of sex on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) assessment of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) in heart failure (HF) diagnosis. The study highlighted the need for gender-specific diagnostic and treatment approaches in heart disease, particularly in women. The research identified sex-specific differences in…
Life Support Withdrawn Too Soon in Severe TBI?
New research suggests that some patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who died after life support was withdrawn may have survived and even recovered to at least partial independence if treatment had continued. The study, conducted with data from the TRACK-TBI project, found that delaying decisions on life-support withdrawal could benefit some patients. However,…