Artificial Intelligence Creates Inroads to Ophthalmology Clinical Practice
SAN DIEGO — As some experts sound the alarm about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), ophthalmologists have begun embracing AI as a means to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. During a first-of-its-kind session at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, speakers discussed ongoing efforts to develop and […]
Elevated levels of toxic metals in some mixed-fruit juices and soft drinks
A new study has found that some commonly consumed beverages contained levels of toxic metals that exceed federal drinking water standards. Five of the 60 beverages tested contained levels of a toxic metal above federal drinking water standards, according to the study from Tulane University. Two mixed juices had levels of arsenic above the 10 […]
What does it take to thrive in cities, if you’re a bird? Identifying traits that help wildlife adapt to urban living can help cities bolster biodiversity through better urban planning
As cities gobble up natural spaces, some birds have learned to live alongside skyscrapers, traffic and noise — and large numbers of humans. A UCLA-led team of biologists wondered if those city-dwelling birds share common characteristics around the world that help them survive. In a paper published in Current Biology, they reveal the answer: Urban […]
Four-Year-Old Gets Hospital Bill; Woolly Mammoth Meatball; How AR-15s Damage Humans
Note that some links may require subscriptions. A Florida woman wanted to talk to the hospital about her 4-year-old son’s bill, but hospital officials said they couldn’t speak with her because the bill was in her son’s name. (NPR) The FDA approved the first over-the-counter naloxone (Narcan) product for reversing opioid overdoses. While over-the-counter naloxone […]
FDA Faults Next-Gen Olympus Duodenoscopes
If you thought the introduction of single-use duodenoscope components had made these devices safe, the FDA has some unwelcome news for you. The agency recently sent a warning letter to Olympus Medical Systems, one of the top duodenoscope manufacturers, upbraiding the company for its sluggish response to a slew of complaints about parts coming off […]
How Can Public Health Officials Increase Trust in Their Agencies?
Why do some people no longer trust public health agencies? Is it because COVID-19 wasn’t quickly eliminated? Not necessarily, according to researchers. “In a crisis of this scale, the U.S. public’s trust in public health agencies for information is not strongly related to organizations’ ability to eliminate the outbreak,” wrote Gillian SteelFisher, PhD, deputy director […]
These Surgeries Made the Sharpest Turns to Outpatient Setting After COVID
Some common general surgeries had the biggest migrations to the outpatient setting during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a retrospective cohort study confirmed. Compared with the previous few years, calendar year 2020 saw disproportionately more outpatient cases of mastectomy for cancer, minimally invasive adrenalectomy, thyroid lobectomy, breast lumpectomy, minimally invasive ventral hernia repair, […]
Abortion Pill Fight Heats Up; Cancer Screening Still in a Slump; 5 Good Sleep Habits
Note that some links may require subscriptions. A lawsuit challenging FDA approval of the abortion drug mifepristone (Mifeprex) has the potential to undermine the entire drug approval process in the U.S. (STAT) Could you repeat that? Health authorities said China’s COVID epidemic is “basically over” but “not yet ended.” (Reuters) Too many people who are […]
Can Coke ‘Enhance’ Men? Why Nurses Quit; Fetus Illegally Detained, Lawyer Says
Note that some links may require subscriptions. Do things grow better with Coke? Chinese researchers found that male mice who drank either Coke or Pepsi ended up with larger testicles than a control group of mice who drank tap water. (Daily Mail) Infant formula maker Reckitt said it is recalling 145,000 cans of its Enfamil […]
The Most Common Norovirus Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing Right Now
Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images Stomach issues and headaches can be some of the most common symptoms of norovirus. In regions across the U.S., cases of norovirus are rising. Among many people, it is casually known as a “stomach bug” or “stomach flu” — and it’s a sickness that no one wants to get. […]