Health

More news - Recent news In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton's devastating passage through Florida, significant relief comes from Daytona Beach, where a critical IV fluid manufacturing plant reported no damage. This facility, operated by B Braun Medical, is responsible for producing nearly a quarter of all IV fluids in the United States, a vital medical supply that was already dwindling due to recent storms in North Carolina. Before Milton made landfall, the facility had been identified as a crucial alternative source for these essential medical supplies. The importance of the Daytona Beach site increased following Hurricane Helene, which previously flooded a major IV fluid manufacturing plant in North Carolina, severely disrupting supply chains and depleting supplies ...

Related media - Breaking news As Hurricane Milton approaches, healthcare facilities on Florida's west coast are implementing emergency measures, including closing and evacuating hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in anticipation of the storm's expected severe impact. The region, scarred by previous hurricanes, doesn't want to take any chances with Milton, which is expected to be more destructive than previous storms. In preparation, medical facilities are hardening themselves against potential harm. Notably, Tampa General Hospital installed a temporary flood barricade, a critical measure to protect against expected storm surges. In Pinellas County, home to cities such as Clearwater and St. Petersburg, mandatory evacuation orders were issued, affecting about 6,600 patients ...

More news - Recent news The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to researchers Victor Ambros of Chan Medical School at the University of Massachusetts and Gary Ruvkun of Harvard Medical School. Their pioneering research on microRNA, a fundamental component in cellular development and regulation, has earned them this prestigious recognition. The announcement made by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet highlighted the importance of their work, which uses the tiny nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to uncover fundamental gene regulatory mechanisms that affect all multicellular organisms, including humans. Both Ambros and Ruvkun expressed surprise and gratitude upon receiving the news, underlining the unique prestige of the Nobel Prize among the var...

More news - Breaking news Rwanda has reported an outbreak of Marburg virus, a severe hemorrhagic fever known for its high mortality rate, with 11 fatalities this year. This marks the first appearance of the virus in Rwanda, located in east-central Africa, despite its presence in several other African nations in recent decades. Rwanda's Health Ministry has identified 36 cases since the virus was first detected in late September. In a related development, German health authorities have confirmed that two people suspected of having the Marburg virus have tested negative. The scare led to temporary restrictions at a major Hamburg train station, following symptoms the couple showed after one of them had contact with an infected individual in Rwanda. The authorities have rea...

More news - Latest news Each year, colorectal cancer claims the lives of approximately 53,000 Americans. Medical professionals recommend that screening begin at age 45, but a significant number of eligible individuals defer or avoid the procedure altogether, often due to the invasive nature of colonoscopy. Colonoscopies are widely known for their effectiveness, detecting cancer in 95% of cases. However, they can be quite cumbersome and inconvenient, dissuading many from completing this essential health check. Fortunately, less invasive screening methods that involve the analysis of fecal samples are available. While these alternatives may not match the accuracy of colonoscopies, they provide a viable option for those who are reluctant to undergo the traditional method....

More news - Latest news A recent incident in western Minnesota resulted in a rabies-related death, marking the fifth such case in the state since 1975, according to health officials. The individual, exposed to a bat earlier this year, died from the disease this week, prompting further investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health. While the exact cause is still under investigation, officials confirmed the patient's exposure to a bat in July. This case was officially diagnosed as rabies by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month. Health authorities have reassured the public that this incident does not pose a threat to wider public health. Deaths due to rabies in the United States are rare, with fewer than 10 cases reported each year. Bats ar...

More news - Latest news Recent concerns have prompted an official call for an investigation into potential conflicts of interest involving a top FDA official in the medical device industry, Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, and his wife's legal activities. Dr. Shuren, who will retire from the Food and Drug Administration later this year, has faced scrutiny over his professional actions, which may have coincided with his wife Allison's legal representation of medical device companies Shuren. Christina Jewett reports that Representatives Anna Eshoo of California and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut have officially called on the inspector general to look into these potential ethical conflicts. Both lawmakers, influential members of the key health and appropriations subcommittees, acted afte...

More news - Breaking news “Life After Love” explores the poignant journey of finding companionship after a significant loss. This narrative reveals the transformative experience of dating as an elderly widow. Four months after losing her spouse after three decades of marriage, Kathryn Shephard Cowan ventured back into the dating scene with a visit to the symphony orchestra with a seemingly agreeable gentleman. Despite her initial determination, Kathryn found herself unexpectedly overwhelmed by the music of Beethoven, her late husband's favorite composer, leaving her unable to connect with her date. This story, written by Catherine Pearson, a journalist renowned for her insights into family and relationships, delves into the emotional layers and complexities that define...

Related media - Recent news Michel Siffre, recognized as a pioneer of chronobiology, which delves into the response of our biological clocks to time, has died at the age of 85. He is celebrated for his groundbreaking self-experiments in isolated caves that have greatly improved our understanding of human circadian rhythms. In the cold autumn of 1962, a crowd of onlookers surrounded a small opening in the Maritime Alps, marking the border between France and Italy. Michel Siffre, a compact and resilient geologist, emerged from the depths of this opening after spending 63 days isolated in a cave to study the effects of such confinement on his perception of time. Armed only with a dim four-volt flashlight and wearing dark glasses to mitigate the harsh sunlight, Siffre had to be ...

Related media - Breaking news Starting on September 23, 2024, the past few summer months have seen what seems like a relentless surge in infectious diseases, from avian influenza and mpox to dengue and eastern equine encephalitis, sparking widespread media attention and public concern. Apoorva Mandavilli, a senior journalist specializing in science and global health, explores whether this perceived increase in outbreaks is as significant as it seems, or whether increased public awareness is playing a role. Throughout the United States, vectors such as mosquitoes have transmitted diseases such as dengue, malaria, and West Nile virus. While dengue has shown notable incidences, other diseases such as malaria and Eastern equine encephalitis have not seen large outbreaks, s...