Headspace, a digital mental health company, has launched a new virtual reality app called Headspace XR aimed at helping users strengthen their mind-body connection through movement and breathwork. The app includes mood-boosting games, guided meditations, and techniques to reach a younger audience, especially Gen Z. Headspace plans to conduct a study to evaluate the app’s…
President Joe Biden delivered a State of the Union address focusing on accomplishments in health care, as well as discussing immigration, the economy, crime, job growth, infrastructure, and international conflicts. Biden aimed to counter his low approval ratings and draw contrasts between his policies and those of Trump and some Republicans, without mentioning Trump by…
A study presented at ACTRIMS 2024 found no correlation between depression and self-reported disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), contrary to the hypothesis. The study involved a retrospective chart review of 224 adults with MS admitted to Parkland Hospital. Data showed a trend between higher depression scores and higher disability levels but was not…
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals announced that their ALS treatment, Relyvrio, failed to provide any benefit in a large clinical trial, leading to consideration of withdrawing the medicine. The FDA called for a meeting to discuss Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug, donanemab, despite successful trial results. President Biden’s proposal to expand Medicare price negotiation in his State of the…
On February 1, the UK Foundation Programme Office announced changes to the specialised foundation programme recruitment, moving to a “preference informed allocation” system. This new algorithmically generated ranking system has raised concerns among academics, clinicians, and students about its impact on clinical academia. Medical student Marina Politis and colleagues argue that the changes will add…
Chronic kidney disease is a condition that can lead to serious health problems, and the Black community faces a higher risk due to genetics, hypertension, diabetes, and socioeconomic factors. Dr. Ivan Porter II, a Mayo Clinic nephrologist, explains that these factors create a cycle that increases the risk of chronic kidney disease. Awareness, controlling blood…
A study published in BMC Public Health explored the relationship between nutrient intake and multimorbidity in women. Multimorbidity, the presence of multiple chronic illnesses, is a global health concern that increases the risk of mortality and other negative outcomes. Unhealthy dietary habits can raise the risk, while consuming fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce…
Standard treatments help most people with depression, but about 30% continue to have severe symptoms after trying multiple antidepressants, known as treatment-resistant depression. For those affected, it’s important not to give up as there are still management options available. Experts do not have one definition for treatment-resistant depression, but it generally occurs when two different…
Two new exploratory studies presented at a 2024 conference highlighted the potential benefits of using radioenhancers in combination with radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. The studies showed that these agents, such as the hedgehog pathway inhibitor vismodegib and hafnium oxide nanoparticles (NBTXR3), can improve local control rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival in…
An independent lab report from Valisure found high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene in acne products containing benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne by reducing bacteria and causing the skin to peel. Tests showed that benzene can form in these products when stored at high temperatures, exceeding FDA limits by over…
