Author: healthadmin

A large international study has found that the kidney disease drug Filenone may benefit far more patients than current treatment guidelines recommend. Researchers reported that the drug helps protect kidney function, lower the risk of cardiovascular complications, and improve survival for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This effect was seen not only in diabetic patients but also in patients with non-diabetic CKD and certain glomerular diseases. The findings were presented at the European Society of Nephrology Congress in Glasgow, UK, and simultaneously published in three major medical journals: lancet, New England Medical Journaland Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. Achieving publication…

The TORCH complex is a group of pathogens that can cause mild or asymptomatic infections in pregnant mothers, but can cause serious complications in the developing fetus, including stillbirth, lifelong disabilities, and birth defects. Researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi recently assessed long-term trends in TORCH infections in regions where reliable data is lacking. TORCH includes pathogens that cause toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus, and other infections. Dr Sudhahar Tamizan, a doctor at AIIMS who led the study, said that despite improved vaccination coverage, these infections remained a risk in the…

A study of more than 229,000 obese adults without diabetes in the United States showed that weight loss drugs were associated with a lower risk of obesity-related cancers. The study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), such as semaglutide (trade names: Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (trade names: Mounjaro, Zepbound), were associated with a 41% lower overall risk of developing cancer in non-diabetic patients who used the drugs for weight management compared to those who relied on diet and exercise alone. Published today (Monday) in a major cancer journal Oncology annual reportThis study is the first to examine the association…

Healthcare mergers and acquisitions continue as healthcare providers, medical technology companies, payers, and other industry players look to expand their businesses and gain a competitive edge. Here’s a round-up of new deals revealed, completed, rumored, and canceled during May. provider Sutter Health and Alina Health has taken another step toward its planned $26 billion intermarket merger with the signing of a definitive agreement. The deal, expected to close by the end of the year, will create Alina as a division of Sutter in exchange for more than $2 billion in market investments. If the deal closes, the organization will span…

Young children with autism tend to look at faces less than other children and focus on details in the background, but taking objects out of the environment changes the way they observe others. Removing toys from social settings increases the amount of time all children spend looking at people, which could inform better design of clinical and educational spaces. The findings were published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social skills. One common feature of this condition in early childhood is a decreased tendency to look into the…

A new psychological model provides evidence that the belief that Jews hold disproportionate social power fuels anti-Semitism across both ends of the political and ideological spectrum. The findings of this study indicate that tailored educational and social interventions may be needed to address prejudice, depending on a person’s underlying worldview. The study was published in the journal american psychologist. Antisemitism includes prejudice, discrimination, and hostility toward Jews. Researchers point out that this particular form of bias causes two contradictions in the social sciences. First, people generally tend to respect or respect individuals they consider powerful. But when bigots perceive Jews…

State lawmakers are again considering sweeping legislation that would ban toxic PFAS chemicals from products such as food packaging, cookware and firefighting foam.More than a dozen states have banned the use of PFAS chemicals in certain consumer products. But some industry groups are concerned that the expansive Massachusetts law could be costly for small businesses and difficult to enforce.PFAS molecules are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment or in the body. Studies have linked them to health problems, including an increased risk of some cancers.“The evidence that these are harmful…

Australia’s top neurologists say they are being ignored by chemical regulators considering the future of a controversial herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease.Dozens of the country’s top movement disorders experts say the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Agency (APVMA) was not involved during the review.There are growing concerns that “real world data” about the link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease is being ignored.The regulator’s final decision on the herbicide is expected to be made in the middle of this year.Movement disorders expert Associate Professor Wesley Thevasasan said he and other experts had submitted their comments to the regulator during the public…

An analysis of 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data revealed that 2.8% of participating Americans ages 12 and older reported using psilocybin in the past year. Generalized to the entire U.S. population, this equates to approximately 8 million people. Young adults and men were more likely to have ever used psilocybin, whereas women and individuals over age 50 were less likely to have ever used psilocybin. The paper is American Journal of Psychiatry. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain types of mushrooms, also known as “magic mushrooms.” After ingestion, the body converts…

Numerous studies have linked exposure to nature to a variety of health benefits, from improved cognitive function to lower blood pressure and improved mental health. Other studies have found a link between the human microbiome and time spent outdoors. However, what has been overlooked and understudied in this context is the collection of microorganisms found within the nose, or the nasal microbiome. Researchers at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science recently set out to fill that gap. In a study conducted at the museum in a cohort of 111 museum visitors, microbiologists identified characteristics and patterns in nasal microbes…