Health and medicine news covering public health, clinical care, medical research, biotech, and wellness trends.
Israeli doctors delivered gene therapy into the brain of an eight-month-old baby with a rare genetic epilepsy, a world first. The procedure replaced the missing WWOX gene via a single injection at Schneider Children's Medical Center. The child has been discharged and is in stable condition.
Eight medical school accrediting organizations agreed to increase nutrition requirements at every level of U.S. medical education, training, and residency. The Department of Health and Human Services announced the agreement on Monday, with 19 additional medical schools pledging to incorporate 40 hours of nutrition education before graduation.
This commentary argues that Black women in the United States face systemic racism in maternal healthcare, leading to worse health outcomes regardless of socioeconomic status. Dr. Khiara Bridges contends that wealth and status cannot protect Black women from racial bias at the doctor's office, highlighting a persistent inequity in pregnancy care.
A new study in the Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy suggests Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) could treat male pattern baldness by reducing dihydrotestosterone's impact on follicles, preventing cell death, and improving scalp blood flow. The review spans laboratory research, clinical reports, and historical records from the Tang Dynasty.
Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) called for routine cardiac screening for all young people after Christian Eriksen's second collapse during a friendly match. CRY's UK-wide programme tests over 30,000 young people annually, finding about one in 300 with a life-threatening condition.
This commentary argues that certain medical routines, such as repeat colonoscopies, removal of actinic keratoses, and thyroid medication, may be unnecessary for older patients. It contends that the risks and burdens of these procedures often outweigh the slim benefits at advanced ages, advocating for more judicious medical decision-making.
Jax Jefferys, 5, died of a streptococcus A infection after being sent home from Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where doctors diagnosed flu and said there was nothing they could do. He had red rashes, a sign of Strep A, but was given steroids and died the next evening.
This commentary describes a novel clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital that provides coordinated vascular care for unhoused patients, aiming to prevent amputations. It argues that the current US healthcare system is reactive and fails to provide preventive care for vulnerable populations, and that this clinic offers a more effective model by meeting patients where they are.
This article examines the evidence for collagen supplements, arguing that while they may benefit skin elasticity and joint health, their effectiveness depends on the condition and overall lifestyle. It reports findings from a meta-analysis and expert opinions, suggesting collagen is not a panacea but can be helpful when combined with healthy habits.
This article reports on the Osteoboost belt, a vibrating device approved by the FDA for post-menopausal women with osteopenia. It explains the device's mechanism, citing NASA-funded research, and summarizes a clinical trial showing reduced bone strength loss in the spine. The piece presents the technology as a potential aid but notes limitations in fracture risk data.