Author: healthadmin

A new review suggests that vitamin D does more than support bones in childhood, but says more solid human evidence is still needed for its most powerful non-skeletal effects. Important points Vitamin D is clearly important for skeletal health during the first 1,000 days, especially for preventing rickets and supporting early bone development. This review suggests that vitamin D may also influence immune, metabolic, and selected neurodevelopmental pathways, providing biological plausibility as a programming factor in early childhood. Most evidence for non-skeletal benefits in humans remains complex, limited and context-dependent, with stronger signals often observed in people and populations with…

FRANKFORT — Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill that critics say would prevent Kentuckians from suing pesticide companies for failing to warn them of the dangers of their products. Beshear said this is “dangerous to Kentuckians” and “ignores the health of America.” Bechar’s Tuesday Veto Message Senate Bill 199, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell (R-Murray), would “close the public’s access to court to seek damages from the manufacturers of these pesticides, if the products simply carry federal Environmental Protection Agency-approved warning labels.” “These labels do not warn consumers of the risks of using these pesticides, including the…

A major study from UK Biobank suggests that for the same total amount of activity, doing more activity at a vigorous intensity is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, dementia and other chronic diseases. Research: Amount and intensity of physical activity and risk of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular chronic diseases. Image credit: muse studio / Shutterstock In a recent study published in european heart journalresearchers evaluated the association between percentage of vigorous physical activity (%VPA) and incidence of chronic disease outcomes. PA is a modifiable lifestyle factor that can reduce the risk of chronic disease and mortality. Guidelines…

Amgen’s rare disease drug Tabneos is under increased regulatory scrutiny, with the FDA warning of severe liver damage, including deaths, among patients receiving the drug. From the drug’s approval in 2021 through October 2024, 76 cases of drug-induced liver injury with “reasonable evidence” of a coincidental association with Tabneos were reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), according to Tuesday’s safety communication. This drug can be used as an adjunctive treatment for severe activated antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. But the FDA is trying to change that by asking Amgen to withdraw the product, which the company has…

An experimental study investigating the health effects of a three-week ultra-processed food diet found that such a diet impairs both metabolic and reproductive health compared to a diet based on unprocessed foods. The negative effects of ultra-processed food diets were independent of total caloric intake. The paper was published in cell metabolism. Ultra-processed foods are industrial preparations made primarily from refined raw materials and additives rather than natural foods. In NOVA’s food classification system, these are the most highly processed food categories. Ultra-processed foods typically contain substances such as refined sugars, hydrogenated oils, starches, and isolated proteins. It also contains…

A study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego may make it easier to treat breast cancer by uncovering a new way the body prevents it from spreading. Researchers have discovered a new role for an inflammatory protein called TYK2 in mechanotransduction, the process by which cells sense and respond to their physical environment. Understanding mechanical transmission provides insight into how cancer spreads and provides new therapeutic avenues. Furthermore, as drugs that inhibit TYK2 are being investigated as treatments for autoimmune diseases, this study highlights the need to consider the effects of these drugs on breast cancer progression.…

As artificial intelligence sources of medical information increase, Hartford Healthcare and K Health announced Thursday the launch of a new tool that will serve as a “24/7 AI bridge” to medical teams. PatientGPT is designed to use patient data through secure access to medical records and “provide personalized education and guidance” to answer health questions, the statement said. “We are at a tipping point in healthcare,” K Health CEO and co-founder Aron Block said in the announcement. “Demand is accelerating, and patients are already using AI to navigate their lives. The question is not whether AI will shape healthcare; it’s…

When doctors review diagnostic scans for lung cancer, they may find abnormalities that are not related to the lungs. New research shows that some of these abnormalities may be signs of other undiagnosed cancers. The study, led by researchers at Brown University School of Public Health, analyzed lung screening data from more than 26,000 people who participated in the landmark National Lung Screening Trial. This large federal study helped establish computed tomography (CT) scans as the standard method for screening people at high risk for lung cancer, especially long-time smokers. Because CT scans look at areas of the body other…

President Donald Trump stood on the Truman Balcony of the White House last week during the “Great American Agriculture Celebration” and announced what he called a “historic” boost for the nation’s farmers. President Trump said the Environmental Protection Agency will require a record amount of crop-based biofuels to be blended into the nation’s gasoline supply, a move the administration promises will bring jobs and cash flow to the agriculture industry, which is feeling the double whammy of the president’s tariffs and soaring fertilizer prices linked to the Iran war. President Trump has called himself a “true friend and champion” of…

A proposed plan to address toxic PFAS and 1,4-dioxane pollution in North Carolina is facing growing opposition from environmentalists who say it lacks enforcement and could leave local communities paying the price. The proposal, which is being considered by the North Carolina Environmental Control Commission, would require certain industries and wastewater utilities to monitor their emissions and develop plans to reduce pollution. But critics say they fall short of requiring real cuts. “We’re not holding polluters accountable,” said Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear. “The burden should not be placed on the community to clean this up. The burden…