Sharon Woodward, a former medical technician, was forced to retire after being diagnosed with a debilitating form of arthritis, leaving her with over $20,000 in medical debt. She had to move to a small town in Virginia and at times relied on food banks to eat. This is a common story in America, with 100…
Ophthalmologists were urged to collaborate with the industry to reduce the carbon footprint of medical products at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. Dr. Emily M. Schehlein emphasized the need for the industry to minimize unnecessary waste and carbon emissions. A survey conducted by EyeSustain in 2023 found that while the industry is interested in…
Dr. Laurie Glimcher, inspired by her father, learned that big discoveries require big risks in science. In the late 1990s, she and her postdoctoral student conducted experiments at her Harvard immunology lab that colleagues considered “crazy.” After a year of trial and error, they made a groundbreaking discovery that white blood cells could be reprogrammed,…
Doctors are concerned about the high amount of money being paid to oversee patients in pilot trials of the weight loss drug Wegovy. Leaked documents show that primary care networks will be reimbursed £1109 for each patient in the pilot if GPs initiate prescribing, and £663 if patients are referred to a specialist weight management…
Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada have developed plant-based microrobots intended to facilitate medical procedures. The robots consist of a biocompatible hydrogel material and cellulose nanoparticles that respond predictably to environmental factors, such as changes in pH. Magnetic elements incorporated into the robots allow them to be moved and deliver cargoes throughout the…
Researchers from the Organoid Group and the Rare Cancers Genomics Team have created a new model for studying neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in the lab. The researchers found that some types of NETs need the protein Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) to grow, potentially making them treatable with inhibitors of the EGF receptor. This discovery is surprising…
Sharon Woodward was a medical technician who had to retire in her mid-40s due to being diagnosed with a debilitating form of arthritis, resulting in her accumulating over $20,000 in medical debts. She was forced to move to a small town and relied on food banks to get enough to eat. This story is one…
Experts are concerned about the rise of a new COVID-19 variant, JN.1, especially as the holiday season approaches. The 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine appears to work against this variant, but vaccine uptake is still low. JN.1 is a subvariant of Omicron and is showing up in Europe. Wastewater data suggests it is fueling a new wave…
The survey at a pediatric rheumatology clinic shows that many teenagers and young adults on teratogenic medication aren’t being asked by their rheumatologist about their sexual activity. Many aren’t aware that their medication could harm a fetus. The most common diagnoses among participants were juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and about one third…
Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia reviewed 17 studies and found a 2.35 times higher likelihood of Schizophrenia in cat owners. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness affecting behavior, thoughts, and feelings. It is believed to be caused by a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and environment. The study has received criticism for…
