Author: healthadmin
More than 2 in 5 adults in the United States have prediabetes, a condition characterized by higher than normal blood sugar levels and often leads to type 2 diabetes. A new study finds that vitamin D may help slow or prevent its progression, but only in people with certain genetic mutations. This research today JAMA network openfound that prediabetic adults with specific mutations in the vitamin D receptor gene had a 19% lower risk of developing diabetes if they took high doses of vitamin D daily. This discovery could one day help shape more personalized medicine and potentially delay or…
Public interest in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has increased significantly over the past decade, with Google search volume increasing by 340% from 2015 to 2025, while searches for SAVR (surgical aortic valve replacement) decreased by 42%, according to a new study. These trends parallel changes in practice, with clinician use of TAVR doubling between 2015 and 2021. The researchers presented this data today at the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2026 Scientific Sessions and Canadian Society of Interventional Cardiology/Canadian Association of Cardiac Interventions (CAIC-ACCI) Summit in Montreal. TAVR is a minimally invasive surgery in which a doctor…
A new sub-study suggests that sirolimus-eluting balloons (SEBs), drug-coated balloons, can reduce the number of stents patients need, making them a safe and effective way to treat certain types of heart attacks and unstable chest pain. Researchers presented their latest data today at the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2026 Scientific Sessions and Canadian Society of Interventional Cardiology/Consortium on Cardiac Interventions (CAIC-ACCI) Summit in Montreal. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurs when blood flow to the heart suddenly decreases, putting the heart muscle at risk. ACS often leads to non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), which accounts for 70% of…
Findings from the Can Escalation Reduce Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality in Cardiogenic Shock (CERAMICS) registry show that early use of small heart pumps improves outcomes in patients who experience severe heart failure, called cardiogenic shock, after having a heart attack and undergoing stenting. Researchers presented this latest data today at the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2026 Scientific Sessions and the Canadian College of Interventional Cardiology (CAIC-ACCI) Summit. Cardiogenic shock (CS) occurs when the heart suddenly cannot pump enough blood to the body and is the leading cause of in-hospital death after acute myocardial infarction (AMI, or heart…
New findings from the Northwell-Shock Registry show that while women with acute myocardial infarction-associated cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) are less likely to undergo invasive treatment, clinical decisions are driven by objective markers of disease severity rather than gender. However, men and women frame these decisions differently, suggesting significant differences in how treatment options are discussed with patients and caregivers. Researchers presented their latest data today at the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2026 Scientific Sessions and Canadian Society of Interventional Cardiology/Consortium on Cardiac Interventions (CAIC-ACCI) Summit in Montreal. AMI-CS occurs when a heart attack severely impairs the heart’s ability…
The Trump administration has announced a new program to accelerate Medicare coverage of breakthrough devices, touting the new pathway as a way for medical device companies to cut through red tape to obtain reimbursement. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday announced regulatory alignment for the FDA-designated Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) coverage pathway for Class II and Class III breakthrough devices. John Brooks, CMS deputy commissioner and chief policy and regulatory officer and senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in a press…
An extensive analysis of local data from across the United States reveals that local economic conditions are strongly linked to the psychological well-being of its residents. The findings, published in the journal PLoS One, show that variables such as median household income and educational attainment account for much of the difference in mental health rates between counties. This study highlights how geographic wealth disparities match the psychological state of local residents. Mental health conditions affect millions of adults in the United States each year. Beyond diagnosed mental illness, general psychological distress acts as a risk factor for chronic physical illnesses…
Physicists have used machine learning approaches to uncover unexpected details about how particles interact within complex systems. Their research focuses on non-reciprocal forces, where one particle affects another particle differently and vice versa. The survey results are PNASthe result of a collaboration between experimental and theoretical physicists at Emory University. By combining a custom neural network with laboratory data from dusty plasma, the research team showed that artificial intelligence can do more than analyze data and make predictions. It helps you discover completely new laws of physics. “We showed that AI can be used to discover new physics,” says Justin…
In a difficult first quarter for Roche, the company’s pharmaceuticals division’s core drugs fared well below Wall Street expectations. But the soaring Swiss franc is only part of the reason for the disappointing sales figures. Sales at Roche’s pharmaceuticals business in the first quarter rose 7% year-on-year at constant exchange rates to CHF 11.5 billion ($14.6 billion). However, this confirms a different picture, as on a reported basis the division’s sales fell by 4%, implying a significant negative impact of 11 points due to foreign exchange. But the overall currency gap of 11 points, or the Swiss franc’s 14-point disadvantage…
The FDA’s new approach to releasing redacted Complete Response Letters (CRLs) in the name of “radical transparency” is causing ripples in some parts of the pharmaceutical industry, as evidenced by a new petition filed on behalf of an anonymous drug company. The citizen petition, filed by the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Covington & Burling on behalf of “private drug companies,” asks the FDA to strengthen its disclosure of drug rejection letters and allow the drug companies involved to be more involved in the process. The action is in response to the agency’s new stance on publishing CRLs, which reversed course…