A new study on Clostridioides difficile infections finds that choosing an alternative antibiotic for high-risk patients with pneumonia can reduce infection risk. C. diff infections can be deadly, and they are often acquired by hospitalized patients taking broad-spectrum antibiotics. More than 450,000 C. diff infections are reported in the United States each year, leading… read on > read on >
Despite progress in recent decades, too many Americans still have dangerously high LDL cholesterol levels, and about a quarter don’t even know it, new research finds. That puts those people at risk for a longer span of artery clogging disease and increases their risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study says. “We are… read on > read on >
Newer oral medications for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) do work quite well in the “real world,” despite some doubts that they would, according to a new study. The study, of 622 adults with RA, found that most were doing well on medications called JAK inhibitors, a relatively new drug class for the arthritic condition. They are… read on > read on >
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 1, 2023 A new gene therapy for sickle cell disease was deemed safe by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Tuesday, paving the way for full approval by early December. The FDA had already decided that the therapy, known as exa-cel, was effective. Developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals of Boston and… read on > read on >
Many antibiotics long used to treat common childhood infections are no longer effective because of antibiotic resistance. The authors of a new study say global guidelines on antibiotic use need to be updated to reflect this, and they called for an increased focus on developing new antibiotics for infants and children. “We are not immune… read on > read on >
A new, more comfortable wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) device could be on its way. Researchers from Australia and India have created a compact, lightweight, gel-free hexagonal-shaped ECG patch that they say is ideally suited for point-of-care diagnostics. For those at risk, having a wearable device that can detect heart problems and assess overall cardiac health can… read on > read on >
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS, is debilitating and has no cure. Now, researchers at the University of Michigan have developed an environmental risk score that will allow them to assess a person’s risk for developing ALS, as well as their survival after diagnosis. Toxins such as pesticides and carcinogenic PCBs affect a person’s… read on > read on >
In some big cities, mobile stroke units can deliver a powerful clot-busting drug to patients as these specialized ambulances speed to the hospital. Now, a new study shows these units deliver anti-clotting treatment a median of 37 minutes faster than when traditional ambulances drive stroke patients to the ER. And that extra time gives stroke… read on > read on >
TUESDAY, Oct. 31, 2023 Getting a yearly flu shot is one of the best ways to protect yourself from infection or severe illness, but not everyone likes shots. Now, there is some potentially good news for those who fear needles: A nasal spray flu vaccine that you can take or give at home is on the… read on > read on >
The ancient art of tai chi, plus a modern twist, may help older adults reverse mild declines in brain power, a new clinical trial reveals. Researchers found that tai chi classes helped older adults improve their subtle problems with cognition (memory and thinking skills). It also helped them with a fundamental multitasking skill: walking while… read on > read on >
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