By Maya Goldman Data: KFF analysis of CMS data; Note: Data includes parent companies that received more than 5 million claims; Chart: Axios VisualsAffordable Care Act marketplace insurance plans denied an average of 1 in 5 claims in 2023, with two carriers denying as many as 1 in 3, according to a KFF analysis.Why it matters: Claim denials are...
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Complex engineering of human cell lines reveals genome’s unexpected resilience to structural changes
by Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The most complex engineering of human cell lines ever has been achieved by scientists, revealing that our genomes are more resilient to significant structural changes than was previously thought. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Imperial College London, Harvard University in the US and their collaborators used...
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Next-generation gene-editing tool offers enhanced capabilities for cancer and medical research
by La Trobe University Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Australian cancer researchers are the first to establish a next-generation gene-editing tool for modeling and interrogating human disease. A novel pre-clinical model expressing an enhanced version of a new genome-engineering enzyme called Cas12a was generated by researchers at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI), WEHI and Genentech,...
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RSV Vaccines Will Carry Warning for Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Heidi Splete January 22, 2025 461363 The prescribing information for two respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines will now include a warning for the increased risk for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within 42 days of vaccination based on data from postmarketing research, according to a safety communication from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Concerns about GBS arose...
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Dark proteins’ hiding in our cells could hold clues to cancer and other diseases
The human genome encodes potentially thousands of tiny proteins that were previously overlooked. The search is on to find out what they do. Illustration: Fabio Buonocore In 2009, Jonathan Weissman was hunting for a new way to spy on what happens inside a cell. In particular, the molecular cell biologist wanted to know what proteins are...
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New study explains why you shouldn’t scratch an itchy rash
by University of Pittsburgh Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New research published in the journal Science uncovers how scratching aggravates inflammation and swelling in a mouse model of a type of eczema called allergic contact dermatitis. “At first, these findings seemed to introduce a paradox: If scratching an itch is bad for us, why does it feel so good?” said senior...
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Weight-loss breakthrough as new appetite-curbing hormone is found
By Bronwyn Thompson January 29, 2025 This is the first time the hormone known as raptin has been linked to sleep and obesity Depositphotos View 1 Images A brand new candidate for weight-loss treatment is on the table, with scientists uncovering for the first time how a hormone produced by the hypothalamus during sleep has a...
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1-minute video game distinguishes autistic from neurotypical kids
By Paul McClure January 29, 2025 An innovative diagnostic tool distinguishes between kids with autism and ADHD Original image via Depositphotos View 1 Images A low-cost tool accurately distinguishes neurotypical children from children with autism just by watching them copy the dance moves of an on-screen avatar for a minute. It can even tell autism from ADHD,...
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Popular exercise supplement may cut depression & enhance psychotherapy
By Rich Haridy January 29, 2025 A placebo-controlled study found creatine supplements enhanced the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy Depositphotos View 1 Images A compelling new study is building on a growing body of evidence showing a common exercise supplement used to build muscle may also confer beneficial mental health outcomes. The small trial demonstrated how...
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Study confirms link between mental health and psychological resilience in older women post-hip fracture
by Hebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research Credit: Kindel Media from Pexels New research to identify factors associated with improved outcomes for older adults recovering from hip fractures found a connection with mental health and psychological resilience. Published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, the “Better mental health and fewer depressive symptoms are...