Summary Biomedicine Direct-to-consumer medical testing: an industry built on fear. This industry is growing rapidly and will reach $9 billion by 2033. Genetic tests, biochemical tests and monitoring systems are the most common offerings. A recent Australian study analyses several hundred tests offered directly to consumers and shows that the vast majority have little […]
Summary Biomedicine Prostate cancer incidence in Europe: beware of overdiagnosis. The conclusion of an article published in the BMJ is that the incidence of prostate cancer varies very significantly in the different countries of Europe (rates of 46 in Ukraine to 336 in France, per 100,000 inhabitants). The incidence began to decline in some […]
Summary Biomedicine AI to predict dementia. Scientists are using AI to analyse 1.6 million brain scans to develop predictive tools for dementia. The aim is to create digital tools that radiologists can use to determine their risk of dementia and diagnose the disease earlier. The obesity drug Wegovy prevents deaths from Covid. People who […]
Summary Biomedicine Brain implants to reduce Parkinson’s symptoms. Implants reduce Parkinson’s symptoms by reading brain activity. Parkinson’s is known to affect about 10 million patients globally. This approach, called deep brain stimulation (DBS), reduces Parkinson’s motor symptoms by half. Global Health The need for international coordination on Mpox. Editorial from The Lancet. 15 months […]
Summary Biomedicine The Lancet provides a clinical update on persistent covid. Defined as symptoms that persist for more than three months. Although the approach is based on symptoms, work is being done on identifying the molecular profile and biomarkers. There is no benefit for adults who drink alcohol in moderation. A long study shows […]
Summary Biomedicine How to reduce the risk of dementia. A healthy lifestyle can prevent or delay at least half of cases. The Lancet article adds two risk factors to the 12 already identified in 2020: untreated vision loss and high cholesterol levels. Modifiable factors include tobacco, obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, diabetes and […]
Summary Biomedicine 14 critical risk factors for developing dementia identified. High cholesterol and hearing problems are associated with the development of dementia, according to a large study, which also identifies 14 critical risk factors that, if reduced, can prevent or delay half of the cases. The FDA approves a test for the detection of colon […]
Summary Biomedicine Keys to a possible cure for AIDS. The 25th International AIDS Conference opened on July 22. Nearly 40 million people are now infected, there were 1.3 million new infections in 2023 and 630,000 AIDS-related deaths, compared with 2.1 million and 1.3 million in 2010, the reference year. Although there is no treatment, […]
Summary Biomedicine The benefits of GLP-1 medications, beyond obesity. These medications may be useful in a wide variety of chronic conditions. There are multiple clinical trials underway. The next decade is likely to allow for greater potential for GLP-1 drugs. The fertility industry. Economic factors are delaying couples’ willingness to have children, which produces […]
Summary Biomedicine Four decades of orphan drugs. The Orphan Drug Act (ODA) was approved in the USA in 1983, due to the lack of commercial interest in the development of these drugs. The law that developed incentives for production, the duration of patents and research was a success and more than 800 indications have already […]
