When people have knee arthritis, cartilage cushioning the joint progressively breaks down. Now an early study hints at a possible solution: replacing it with cartilage from the nose. Researchers tested the approach in just two patients with knee arthritis, and said much work lies ahead. But the initial findings, published Sept. 1 in Science Translational…  read on >  read on >

As doctors around the world come up against severe cases of COVID-19, some positive news has emerged: New research shows the rheumatoid arthritis drug baricitinib may help reduce hospitalized COVID patients’ risk of death. Current standard-of-care medications aren’t enough, said study co-author Dr. E. Wesley Ely, a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center…  read on >  read on >

Here’s another reason to avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics: Long-term use of these medications could increase your risk of colon cancer, researchers say. “While in many cases antibiotic therapy is necessary and saves lives, in the event of less serious ailments that can be expected to heal anyway, caution should be exercised. Above all to…  read on >  read on >

A four-in-one pill containing “ultra-low doses” of different medications can provide better blood pressure control than standard drug treatment, a new clinical trial from Australia shows. About 80% of people given the “quadpill” achieved a healthy blood pressure of 140/90 within three months and continuing out to a year, compared to 60% of people who…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 1, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Doctors and researchers who helped care for college athletes with COVID-19 and set guidelines for a safe return to play now plan to study the long-term effects of the virus. The work could have a lasting impact beyond the pandemic. The research stems from trailblazing collaborations…  read on >  read on >

Another trial of an experimental HIV vaccine has been halted after researchers concluded the vaccine provided only limited protection. The trial in five sub-Saharan African countries was launched in 2017 to assess the Johnson & Johnson HIV vaccine in over 2,000 young women at high risk of HIV infection. This is the latest in a…  read on >  read on >

Sports-related head injuries in male athletes tend to grab all of the headlines, but new research shows that female athletes are also increasingly at risk. From 2000 to 2019, there was a threefold jump in sports-linked concussions seen among high school-aged girls. These injuries were most likely to occur during soccer, basketball, cheerleading, softball and…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Sept.1, 2021Sugar is killing Americans in droves, according to researchers who found that reducing the sweetener in packaged foods and beverages could prevent more than 2 million strokes, heart attacks and cardiac arrests. Less sugary packaged foods and drinks would also curb nearly a half-million heart-related deaths and an even greater number of diabetes…  read on >  read on >