Author: healthadmin
Turquoise Health, a healthcare pricing and payment platform, has secured $40 million in Series C funding. The startup was founded in December 2020 to help patients understand the cost of medical services before they receive treatment. Patients can compare costs with Turquoise Health’s online search engine, and users can also research providers, services and quality of care. Executives have previously said the platform’s goal is to make shopping for health care as easy as buying a plane ticket. The company has evolved its business from analyzing medical pricing data to building a platform that centrally manages data, contract information, and…
Following a major investment in China, AstraZeneca on Thursday announced plans to build a commercial cell therapy manufacturing site and a dedicated innovation center for the therapy in Shanghai. The move will make the British drugmaker the first multinational pharmaceutical company to boast end-to-end cell therapy capabilities in China, from early-stage research to large-scale commercial production, AZ said in a statement (in Chinese). These new facilities build on AZ’s $15 billion investment commitment to China outlined by CEO Pascal Soriot during a visit to China with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier this year. At the time, AZ highlighted among…
The malaria parasite is packed with tiny crystals that spin around constantly, a strange behavior that has puzzled scientists for decades. Researchers have now discovered that these crystals are powered by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, a reaction similar to those used in rocket engines. This constant rotation may help the parasite survive by safely removing toxic peroxides and managing harmful iron compounds.Impact: This discovery could open the door to new malaria treatments and spur advances in microscopic robotic technology. Crystals rotating inside the malaria parasite All cells of the parasite that causes deadly malaria Plasmodium falciparum It contains small…
Recent research published in Advances in neuropsychopharmacology and biological psychiatry Find out how psilocybin alters human brain activity, moving the brain from a resting state to a highly engaged processing pattern. Scientists have discovered that these measurable brain wave changes directly correspond to the intensity of a person’s psychedelic experience. The study also suggests that resting brain activity before taking a drug may predict the strength of a person’s response, opening new possibilities for personalized treatment. Psilocybin is an active chemical found in “magic mushrooms” that can cause significant changes in perception, mood, and thinking. By interacting with specific serotonin…
People who exercised regularly early in the morning were significantly less likely to develop coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity than those who exercised later in the day, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ACC.26). The study was based on more than 14,000 people’s health records and heart rate data from Fitbit. Although it is unclear whether the relationship between exercise timing and cardiometabolic health is causal or mediated by other factors, the researchers said their findings could inform approaches to counseling patients about physical activity based…
Today is Breakthrough Summit East Day! If you weren’t able to get tickets to attend in New York City to hear from leaders advancing science and medicine, join us virtually. (We have prepared special benefits for last-minute virtual participants.) Don’t worry if you can’t attend. Keep refreshing the STAT homepage today to see all of our coverage. The precarious state of science in the United States STAT’s Daniel Berman A STAT survey of nearly 1,000 federally funded researchers found that many academic scientists are upset after President Trump returns to the White House. Researchers have drastically scaled back their research…
A study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Sessions (ACC.26) found that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with worse health outcomes regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, but the potential effects of low to moderate alcohol consumption appear to vary by type of beverage. The study of more than 340,000 UK adults adds to previous research showing that reducing alcohol intake is good for health, and provides new insight into the effects of drinking at low and moderate levels. These results are from the general population, and the risk may be even higher in certain high-risk…
A new clinical trial found that adjusting the sweetness of your diet has no effect on how much you enjoy sweet foods. Even if people ate more or less sweet-tasting products, their preference for sweetness remained the same. The study also found no significant differences in markers related to heart disease or diabetes. Participants who increased or decreased their intake of sweet foods over a six-month period had similar results on all health measures. Because of these findings, researchers say public health guidance may need to be reconsidered. Current recommendations often focus on reducing sugary foods as a way to…
LGM Pharma, a leading provider of customized API sourcing, contract analytical testing, and CDMO services for the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle, today announced the second phase of its CDMO growth strategy, committing an additional $9 million to facilities in Rosenberg, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. This investment follows the company’s previously announced $6 million expansion in Rosenberg in 2025 to increase commercial capacity, expand research and development capabilities, and support continued demand for U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturing. Texas facility enhancements include a $4 million investment to expand its commercial-scale suppository manufacturing suite in response to increased customer and market demand, including growth…
Uncover critical gaps in U.S. public health preparedness amid measles outbreaks, H5N1 bird flu, and global threats like cholera and dengue. Insights from CDC PHDS milestones, TFAH Ready or Not 2025, and Gavi on strategic policies for resilient community health outcomes.