Japanese drugmaker Nippon Shinyaku announced that its Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug, Viltepso, failed to meet its primary endpoint in a placebo-controlled confirmatory trial. The drug, part of a class of treatments for the rare disease called exon-skippers, did not show statistically significant differences compared to the placebo in terms of improving muscle function. Although children…
Researchers at Edith Cowan University are studying the effects of ellagic acid, an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables, on halting and reversing fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to obesity and currently has no long-term treatment, but dietary interventions like ellagic acid show promise. Ellagic acid, found in foods like…
Researchers at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have discovered a new way to potentially slow down or halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by manipulating the plexin-B1 protein. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, focuses on reactive astrocytes to understand brain cell communication. By enhancing the brain’s ability to clear amyloid plaques, the…
Neuropsychiatric symptoms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are more common and complex than previously thought, serving as potential early warning signs of disease flares, according to a study published in eClinicalMedicine. Patients with SLE often experience nightmares and hallucinatory “daymares,” which may not align with traditional theories of symptom onset. Clinicians need to be aware…
Red light therapy offers multiple benefits for overall skin health, such as reducing inflammation, increasing collagen production, and improving skin texture. Previously only available in exclusive clinics, red light therapy can now be accessed through portable solutions at home. The BQ60 is a compact option with adjustable stand for optimal treatment. The Full-Body Red Light…
Hospitals in the U.S. saw improvements in patient safety and care quality before the pandemic, but these trends reversed during Covid-19 due to labor shortages and financial challenges. Systemic issues in healthcare, such as poor communication and health disparities, contribute to declining quality. Transitioning to value-based care through patient engagement and communication can improve outcomes…
Mosquito-borne diseases are becoming more common in mainland Europe due to climate change, with outbreaks expected to increase in areas popular with Irish tourists. Global warming is expanding the range of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes, leading to more cases of malaria and dengue in regions previously unaffected. Efforts to prevent and control outbreaks include enhancing…
The FDA Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee voted against recommending approval for insulin icodec, a once-weekly insulin for adults with type 1 diabetes. Concerns were raised about the risk of hypoglycemia and the lack of data on risk mitigation strategies. The committee members who voted against the drug cited data showing higher rates of…
The American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago is a gathering of thousands of cancer researchers and clinicians to showcase new science and research. With over 5,000 research abstracts being presented, it can be overwhelming to know where to focus. Reporters from STAT will be covering the event and providing updates on the…
A new tool called Conditional Viral Expression by Ribozyme Guided Degradation (ConVERGD) has been created by scientists to easily study specific subpopulations of cells. By combining AAV-based reporter tools and ribozyme technology, this tool can target and manipulate subgroups of cells based on their features. This advancement allows for more precise interrogation of cellular subpopulations,…
A new study led by Prof. Ronen Hazan demonstrates the effectiveness of personalized phage therapy in treating antibiotic-resistant infections in animals, specifically in a Siamese cat with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The combination of a specific phage applied topically with ceftazidime administered intramuscularly led to complete healing of a persistent surgical wound after fourteen weeks….
A study found that continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) detected elevated glycemic metrics in women with gestational diabetes earlier in pregnancy compared to the standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The study involved 768 participants who wore a CGM device until delivery and were diagnosed with GDM using OGTT. Women with GDM had higher mean glucose…
Delta Air Lines takes healthcare data seriously, using it to understand and optimize the health of its employees. The company has created a data platform that integrates data from various sources, such as third-party administrators and mental health providers. This data helps Delta make informed decisions to enhance employee wellness. However, accessing healthcare data remains…
Leading European cardiologists gathered in Dublin on April 20 to share new insights and advancements in cardiac patient care with Irish healthcare professionals. The Mater Private Network’s Heart Summit, in collaboration with CVRI Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, provided a platform for discussions on topics such as polypills, female care for coronary…
A study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found that women with preeclampsia during their first pregnancy have a higher risk of developing arrhythmias. The study included data from over 500,000 primiparous women in Denmark and found that those with preeclampsia had a higher 20-year cumulative incidence of arrhythmias compared to those without…
Heads of government called for a new international treaty to prevent and respond to pandemics, but negotiations at the World Health Assembly collapsed due to lack of consensus. Key issues include sharing pathogen samples, equitable distribution of vaccines, and building global vaccine capabilities. Prevention is crucial, with a One Health approach addressing animal and environmental…
A 62-year-old woman has died of cholera on the French island of Mayotte, bringing the death toll from the epidemic to two. The woman died at her home in the capital, Mamoudzou. Response teams disinfected the home and provided care to the deceased’s family and friends. In late April, Mayotte reported its first locally acquired…
Researchers studied the environmental impact of a Mediterranean diet with reduced energy intake in individuals with metabolic syndrome. The study found that this intervention led to significant reductions in acidification, eutrophication, and land use, with diet adherence and caloric reduction playing crucial roles. The findings suggest that the Mediterranean diet can have a positive effect…
Antihypertensive drugs are linked to a slight increase in the risk of eczematous dermatitis among older adults, especially with diuretics and calcium channel blockers. A study of over 1.5 million older adults in the UK found that those using antihypertensives had a higher incidence of eczematous dermatitis compared to non-users. Overall, any antihypertensive drug use…
According to a panel of venture capitalists at a conference, the healthcare startup funding landscape is experiencing a slower pace and more scrutiny, but this doesn’t mean the market is in trouble. Digital health funding has cooled off, showing more discipline and practicality. Investors are now focusing on companies deserving of funding. Capital deployment has…
OsteoRemedies announced FDA clearance for expanded indications of its Spectrum GV dual antibiotic bone cement for use in revision total hip arthroplasty procedures. The bone cement is now indicated for component fixation during revision THA and two-stage revision THA after initial infection. Dr. R. Michael Meneghini highlighted the importance of dual antibiotic coverage in high-risk…
New data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting show that the HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers by 56% in men and 36% in women. Despite the proven efficacy of the vaccine, rates of vaccination in the US remain low. The vaccine not only prevents cervical cancer but also…
Nina White, who suffered a heart attack at 51, experienced symptoms often dismissed by women: chest tightness, fatigue, and dizziness. Heart disease is a leading killer of women, with risk increasing sharply after menopause due to dropping estrogen levels. Women’s symptoms during heart attacks differ from men’s and are often misinterpreted as indigestion or fatigue….
A recent study published in Psychological Medicine found that cannabis use during adolescence significantly increases the risk of psychotic disorders, while this risk is not as high in young adulthood. The study used recent population-based data from Ontario residents aged 12-24 and found that frequent cannabis use in adolescents was associated with a higher risk…
Scientists from NASA discussed how satellite monitoring of air quality can improve respiratory health globally. They download 25 terabytes of data daily, providing information on land and sea temperatures, precipitation, fires, aerosols, and more. NASA’s Earth Action Program aims to use this data to benefit the economy, health, and environment. NASA’s TEMPO satellite scans the…
Biogen has announced a deal to acquire Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) for $1.15 billion with the potential for an additional $650 million based on milestones. HI-Bio focuses on a targeted approach to treating autoimmune diseases by depleting immune cells causing disorders. Their lead program, felzartamab, is in mid-stage clinical development for three indications. Biogen aims…
A study found that older adults taking antihypertensive drugs had a higher incidence rate of eczematous dermatitis, with diuretic drugs and calcium channel blockers having the highest rates. The study, using data from primary care records, showed an increased risk of eczematous dermatitis in patients taking antihypertensive drugs, with a potential for 43,500 new cases…
A clinical trial of Johnson & Johnson’s radiopharmaceutical drug JNJ-6420 for prostate cancer showed promising results with 18% of patients having a complete or partial response. However, four participants in the trial died. The drug is designed to target cancer cells with radioactive isotopes and is being developed for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. This comes…
The FDA advisory panel recommended the approval of a new blood test called Shield by Guardant Health for colon cancer detection. This non-invasive test can increase screening rates for average-risk Americans and potentially reduce preventable deaths. Despite concerns about its accuracy compared to colonoscopy, the test detected 83% of colon cancers in a study. The…
The annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in 2024 focuses on new four-part drug combinations for patients with multiple myeloma and the potential impact on treatment. Quadruple therapy involves adding a monoclonal antibody drug to standard treatments, resulting in deeper responses and longer survival. Studies test the effectiveness of these combinations…
A new study presented at the 61st European Renal Association Congress has identified high levels of antinephrin autoantibodies in patients with difficult-to-diagnose kidney diseases linked to nephrotic syndrome. This discovery offers a novel biomarker that could revolutionize the diagnosis and management of these diseases. Antinephrin autoantibodies were found in a significant percentage of patients with…
Healthcare organizations are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals, with hospitals facing cyber attacks that force them to revert to paper recordkeeping. Deputy director at CISA, Nitin Natarajan, emphasized the need for healthcare providers to increase their cybersecurity resilience in the face of evolving threats. While HHS has launched a cybersecurity program to support healthcare providers,…
Operation Transformation, an Irish TV show focusing on weight loss, was recently canceled after 17 seasons. The show, criticized for its judgmental approach, refused to incorporate weight-loss drugs into its program, revealing its focus on drama and ratings rather than actual help. The belief that success and weight loss are solely the result of personal…
Dr. Ashkan M. Abbey shared tips for performing sutureless intrascleral IOL fixation in eyes with poor capsular support at the Retina World Congress. He uses 27-gauge trocar cannulas to create scleral tunnels 180° apart to fixate a three-piece IOL in dislocated or aphakic eyes. He also discussed outcomes from a study of the first 488…
In the biopharmaceutical industry, there are grand promises of making clinical trials easier for sites and patients, but in reality, many of these promises are not fulfilled. Sponsors often implement complicated plans for collecting biospecimens and managing samples, making the process more difficult. Centricity, which is supposed to prioritize the needs of trial sites and…
Louisiana Republican state Rep. Kathy Edmonston believes parents should have the right to choose whether to vaccinate their children. She wants schools to inform parents of the exemptions available under Louisiana law. Despite low health indicators in Louisiana, around 90% of kindergarten children are fully vaccinated. Some lawmakers are proposing bills to relax vaccine requirements,…
Researchers have discovered that inhibiting a specific metabolic pathway in cells infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can reduce latent infection and the risk of associated diseases, including cancer. EBV is the first virus proven to cause cancer in humans, with 90% of the adult population carrying it. The virus reprograms infected cells’ metabolism, increasing…
New research shows that improvements in kidney function outcomes with GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes extend to overweight or obese individuals without diabetes. A study presented at the ERA Congress 2024 analyzed data from the SELECT trial, which included adults with pre-existing cardiovascular disease who were overweight but did not have…
Healthcare systems are facing challenges in providing clear and accessible health information to older adults, especially those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. There is a need to improve health literacy, particularly through the use of technology that is tailored to the needs of older adults. The shift towards value-based care models in healthcare is also…
Antibiotic resistance is a major global health threat, leading to as many as 750,000 deaths per year. The Lancet study highlights the importance of preventing infections through measures such as hand hygiene, clean water, sanitation, and vaccination to reduce deaths linked to antibiotic resistance. Vulnerable populations, such as babies, children, the elderly, and those with…
Measles cases are on the rise in the United States, with a significant increase in the first quarter of this year. The majority of those infected are children, with half of them requiring hospitalization. The rise in cases can be attributed to a growing number of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children due to…
A position paper published in The Lancet Public Health emphasizes the need for health care institutions to prioritize bereavement care as a public health priority. The paper highlights the lack of continuity of care for bereaved individuals after a person dies in palliative or end-of-life care settings, leading to feelings of abandonment and increased risk…
Approximately one-third of Americans who reach age 65 will require nursing home care during their lifetime, highlighting the vulnerability of nursing home residents during the Covid-19 pandemic. The shortcomings in the nursing home industry and government oversight made residents susceptible to morbidity and mortality. Despite efforts by individual care professionals, systemic issues persisted. The Department…
Gerald T Freshwater, a retired physician from Lerwick, UK, agrees with McCartney’s conclusions about physician associates (PAs) in general practice. He believes that costs and activity will increase while efficiency will decrease with the introduction of PAs. The General Medical Council is proposing simplification of PA regulation, with more power to bypass fitness to practice…
Biking is a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors, but it’s important to protect your hands and wrists to prevent injuries. Dr. Sanj Kakar, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, shares tips to avoid common injuries like wrist fractures and carpal tunnel syndrome. To prevent injuries, he suggests using thicker grips, wearing bike…
A recent study led by McLean Hospital researchers sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms underlying schizophrenia by analyzing genetic and cellular data from postmortem brain tissue. The research identified specific neuronal populations affected by genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, particularly implicating excitatory neurons and neurodevelopmental pathways. This study provides insights that could lead to…
Men undergoing screening through PSA measurement have a reduction in neoplastic mortality. However, frequent biopsies and diagnosis of low-grade cancer are common due to PSA’s low specificity. A urine test, MPS2, with 18 genes targeting high-grade cancer outperforms PSA testing. MPS2 has a sensitivity of 95% for high-grade cancer, reducing unnecessary biopsies and detecting aggressive…
Healthcare innovation is rapidly evolving with new technology continuously emerging. Nurses are seeking technology that can streamline workflows and reduce mundane tasks, allowing them to focus more on patient care. The integration of technology into patient care requires involvement from those who will be using it. The American Organization for Nursing Leadership Foundation’s 2024 Longitudinal…
The Minister for Health highlighted the need for urgent reforms at University Hospital Limerick’s emergency department due to increasing patient numbers on trolleys. Despite a significant increase in funding and workforce, the Midwest region is lacking in healthcare provision compared to other regions. The UHL Hospitals Group has fewer consultants compared to other regional hospital…
In early February, dairy farmers in Texas noticed sick cattle, which was later identified as a highly pathogenic strain of the bird flu virus, H5N1. The outbreak spread to eight other states before being detected. The virus hasn’t adapted to spread from person to person, but mutations within cows could pose a risk. The delay…