Researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have used cells from sarcoma patients to develop the largest collection of lab-grown 3D mini-tumors, or “organoids,” to better understand this rare cancer and identify therapies most likely to work for each individual patient. Their approach is detailed in the most recent issue of the journal Cell Stem Cell....
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‘Can I get bird flu from eating eggs?’ ‘Drinking milk?’ A California disease expert explains
Fernanda Galan, The Sacramento Bee Credit: CC0 Public Domain As poultry farms and dairies across California battle bird flu outbreaks, some are wondering if their food is safe to eat. Since highly pathogenic avian influenza surfaced in the United States in January 2022, the virus has been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry, according to the federal Centers...
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New COVID vaccine booster: Q&A on why you should wait
by Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Yes, older Americans should get yet another COVID shot—but if you have already gotten the latest version, there’s no rush. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said that people 65 and older or who are immunocompromised need a second dose of...
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Highly detailed reconstruction of human brain connectivity includes dozens of brainstem nuclei
by Ingrid Fadelli , Medical Xpress Credit: Hansen et al. Recent technological advances are allowing neuroscientists to map the human brain with increasing precision, highlighting connections between different regions and their function in greater depth. While the role of many brain regions has been broadly identified, the unique contribution of the brainstem to their function...
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Scientists identify six novel genes linked to cancer risk
by deCODE genetics Cumulative incidence of cancer among carriers and noncarriers. Credit: Nature Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01966-6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-024-01966-6 Scientists at deCODE genetics/Amgen, and their collaborators have discovered six novel genes with rare germline variants that associate with cancer risk. The findings are published today in Nature Genetics under the title “Gene-based burden tests of rare germline variants identify six cancer susceptibility genes.”...
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Developing kidneys from scratch: Researchers tackle the tremendous burden of kidney disease
by Ian Scheffler, University of Pennsylvania Kidneys form as their tubules branch, a variable process that leads to some people’s kidneys having nine times as many nephrons as others — and potentially many more times the filtration power and lifespan. Credit: Bella Ciervo To Alex Hughes, Assistant Professor in Bioengineering within Penn Engineering and in Cell...
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Montelukast doesn’t cut time to COVID symptom relief, clinical trial finds
by Mary Van Beusekom, University of Minnesota Credit: JESHOOTS.com from Pexels A 14-day course of the oral anti-inflammatory drug montelukast didn’t shorten symptom duration in nonhospitalized US adults with mild or moderate COVID-19, finds a randomized controlled clinical trial published today in JAMA Network Open. The Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines-6 (ACTIV-6) Study Group and Investigators randomly assigned...
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Amazon One Medical launches new AI tools one day after Cleveland Clinic announcement
Just one day after announcing an alliance with Cleveland Clinic, One Medical is launching new AI tools within its EHR to reduce administrative tasks for doctors. By Jessica Hagen October 22, 2024 03:31 pm Share 3668 Photo: John Fedele/Getty Images Amazon’s hybrid primary care provider One Medical announced the launch of new AI tools to help ease its providers’...
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Controlling Six Risk Factors Can Combat CKD in Obesity
TOPLINE: Optimal management of blood pressure, A1c levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), albuminuria, smoking, and physical activity may reduce the excess risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) typically linked to obesity. The protective effect is more pronounced in men, in those with lower healthy food scores, and in users of diabetes medication. METHODOLOGY: TAKEAWAY: IN...
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New Oral Weight Loss Drugs: Where Are We and What’s Next?
Now that semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide (Zepbound), and other injectables have created an insatiable market for weight loss drugs, biotech and pharmaceutical companies are roaring ahead with oral formulations, which promise a greater level of convenience, in line with patient preference. One particularly intriguing entry is ARD-101, in development by Aardvark Therapeutics in San Diego, California. Aardvark...