A step toward ‘living biotherapeutics’: Chemical engineers have created a coating for microbes that could make it easier to deploy the organisms to treat gastrointestinal disease
The human gut is home to thousands of species of bacteria, and some of those bacteria have the potential to treat a variety of gastrointestinal diseases. Some species may help to combat colon cancer, while others could help treat or prevent infections such as C. difficile. One of the obstacles to developing these “living biotherapeutics” […]
Moderna Wants Boosters for All, Too; 30% of HCPs Unvaxxed; Masks Work. Here’s Proof
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Moderna is getting in on the “boosters for all” game, applying to the FDA for emergency use authorization for a booster dose of its vaccine for all adults. A decision on Moderna’s EUA application may come as early as this week. (Reuters, New York Times) New […]
FDA to OK Booster for All Adults; Stopping Suicide Contagion; Monkeypox in Maryland
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Pfizer has applied for FDA emergency use of its COVID-19 pill, known as Paxlovid, in high-risk outpatients; the drug combines a novel antiviral with HIV-treatment ritonavir, cutting the risk of hospitalization and death by 89%, the company says. (CNBC) In other good news for Pfizer, the […]
Anxiety cues found in the brain despite safe environment
Imagine you are in a meadow picking flowers. You know that some flowers are safe, while others have a bee inside that will sting you. How would you react to this environment and, more importantly, how would your brain react? This is the scene in a virtual-reality environment used by researchers to understand the impact […]
Are Your Hobbies Connected to Your Specialty?
Throughout my career I have met doctors with some of the most interesting hobbies — car collectors, wine makers, coffee roasters, and many others. I’ve often wondered whether physicians who have utilized their specialized skills in the practice of medicine have parlayed those skills into hobbies. In other words, is there a connection between physicians’ […]
How Can I Solve My Relationship Without Breaking Up?
No matter how strong your relationship is, it will face some challenges along the way. Does that mean you should break up? Not at all. While it’s true that some problems are beyond solving, you can work through the rough patches. We discuss 7 relationship problems and how to solve them without breaking up or leaving […]
COVID Vaccine Spurs Good Response in People With Crohn’s, Colitis
Latest Digestion News THURSDAY, Nov. 4, 2021 (HealthDay News) Here’s some comforting news for people who struggle with inflammatory bowel disease and worry that the immune-suppressing drugs they must take might blunt their response to COVID-19 vaccines: New research finds vaccination triggers a strong immune reaction in these patients. “At eight weeks, following […]
Antiviral Pill Almost 90% Effective; ‘Boostermania’ Not Slowing; COVID Death Gene
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Pfizer announced that its oral antiviral reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in a study of patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms. “Boostermania” continues to outpace the rate of new COVID vaccinations. (NPR) As of Thursday at 8 a.m. EDT, the unofficial […]
U.K. OKs Merck’s COVID Pill; Moderna Protection Wanes Too; APA Apologizes for Racism
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. The U.K.’s drug regulator cleared Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics antiviral oral drug for COVID-19, the first nation to do so. (CNBC) Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine was more effective at preventing Delta variant infections among clinical trial participants vaccinated more recently, pointing to waning protection. (New England Journal […]
Arthritis Drug Price Spiked 50-Fold; Who Is Monica Gandhi? Public Health in Crisis
Welcome to the latest edition of Investigative Roundup, highlighting some of the best investigative reporting on healthcare each week. Arthritis Drug Price Spiked 50-Fold The cost of a 30-count box of indomethacin (Indocin), an anti-inflammatory rectal suppository for arthritis, surged from $198 in 2008 to more than $10,000 by October 1 of this year, according […]