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Research on social determinants of health for children and young adults with leukemia and lymphoma is necessary to improve care, as these factors impact outcome disparities for patients with hematological malignancies. Access to novel therapies, such as immunotherapies, targeted treatments, and diagnostics, is a significant issue, and disparities are driven by systemic racism and historic…
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first gene therapies for sickle cell disease. The approval sparked discussions at the American Society of Hematology meeting, where doctors and researchers expressed measured optimism about the landmark shift in the treatment of the disease. However, questions were raised about whether these innovative treatments will reach the patients…
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is conducting a review of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Ozempic, Saxenda, and Wegovy, used to treat type 2 diabetes and weight management, after reports of suicidal ideation and self-harm. The review was prompted by the Icelandic Medicines Agency following reports of these issues in people using liraglutide and semaglutide. The…
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a smartphone attachment to measure changes in pupil size, useful for neurological conditions. This helps people with darker skin tones, who were previously underserved by available technology. The attachment fits over a smartphone camera and uses far-red light to capture images of the iris and…
A Japanese study found that wasabi, specifically its active ingredient 6-MSITC, may help boost memory in healthy adults aged 60 and older. The study, published in the journal Nutrients, involved 72 volunteers who showed an improvement in short- and long-term memory after taking a 100 mg wasabi extract supplement for three months. The researchers found…
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) has updated its recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease with diverse symptoms and traditionally limited treatment options. The updated recommendations, published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, emphasize multidisciplinary and individualized management, regular assessment of disease activity and organ damage, and…
As winter approaches, there is concern about distinguishing between a common cold and the more serious RSV, COVID-19, and influenza. Symptoms such as runny noses, coughing, and congestion are common to all four illnesses, but differentiating the three viruses from a common cold is important. With similar symptoms, it is crucial to consider testing for…
A study found that patients with multiple myeloma had dramatically worse outcomes in real-world settings than in clinical trials. Patients in the real-world experienced worse progression-free and overall survival on six of seven standard treatments compared with those in clinical trials. The analysis included nearly 4000 patients with multiple myeloma and compared real-world outcomes with…
The CDC has issued a health advisory for a more serious and infectious variant of the mpox virus reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), now spreading in 22 out of 26 provinces. This variant has a 10% fatality rate, with person-to-person transmission occurring, including through sexual contact and household contact. Health officials…
