Data demonstrates that Black women and infants in the South face higher health risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Black women are more likely to face unfair or indifferent treatment from medical professionals, and the legacy of systemic discrimination has led to poor health outcomes. In states like South Carolina, where abortion bans have been upheld,…
Serge Resnikoff, MD, PhD, chair of the International Myopia Institute, discussed the cost of early management of myopia progression at the FLORetina meeting. He dispelled misconceptions about the high cost, stating that a recent study showed the lifetime cost of myopia management is equivalent to traditional myopia correction with single vision glasses. While special glasses,…
A Colorado state board voted not to place Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ cystic fibrosis medication on a list of drugs for which payment limits will be set for most residents. The board unanimously found the $310,000 medicine to be “not unaffordable.” This decision came amidst a series of meetings reviewing proposed medicines, as Colorado is one of…
The new government of New Zealand (Aotearoa) plans to abandon tobacco control measures, prompting condemnation from the Māori health organization Hāpai Te Hauora. These measures include raising the legal age of sale for tobacco products, reducing retail outlets, and removing nicotine from tobacco products, aimed at creating a smoke-free generation. Smoking is a major cause…
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a highly sensitive e-skin for robotic prostheses in collaboration with the automotive company Honda. This technology allows robotic hands to perform delicate tasks such as grasping an egg or lifting a glass of water without breaking it. The skin is also capable of distinguishing between normal…
The United States has approved breakthrough gene editing therapy using the CRISPR tool to treat sickle cell disease. This is a major advancement in gene therapy for patients with sickle cell disease, which affects over 100,000 Americans, mostly Black individuals. The therapy was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and uses Nobel Prize-winning…
Dr Rosalind Eggo, an Associate Professor at LSHTM, has been awarded over £1.9 million in funding to research health disparities and associated infectious disease burden across England. Health disparities are preventable differences in health outcomes based on factors like income, ethnicity, education, age, gender, or disability. The research will analyze health records for over 20…
The article discusses the benefits and popularity of no-spray, pesticide-free Christmas trees among environmentally concerned customers. It highlights the success of Reed Island Christmas Tree Farm in southern Virginia, which offers eco-friendly trees that attract hundreds of customers. The article also emphasizes that the practice of organic tree farming, such as at Reed Island, is…
The FDA approved two gene-editing treatments for patients aged 12 years or older with severe sickle cell disease, marking the first cell-based gene therapies for the condition. Exa-cel uses CRISPR gene-editing technology and demonstrated success in a clinical trial, while Lovo-cel uses a different technology and also showed positive results. Both treatments were found to…
Researchers conducted a study on the manipulation of gut microbiota using flaxseeds and found that it could be beneficial in the prevention of breast cancer. Flaxseed is known for various health benefits, including relieving constipation, controlling cholesterol levels, and reducing inflammation. The study revealed that flaxseeds contain phytoestrogens called lignans that could influence the relationship…
