Health

A recent phase III trial revealed disappointing results regarding the use of mirtazapine, an inexpensive antidepressant, in alleviating severe, persistent breathlessness in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or interstitial lung disease (ILD). The study, led by Irene Higginson, BMBS, PhD, from Kings College London, found that after 56 days of treatment, patients

The current organ transplant system in the United States is plagued with numerous problems that were brought into the limelight during a recent House Energy & Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing. Testimonies shared during the hearing painted a grim picture of the organ procurement and transplantation process, highlighting issues such as supposedly deceased organ

CAR T-cell therapy, a promising immunotherapy approach for cancer treatment, has recently come under scrutiny regarding the risk of developing second primary malignancies (SPM). A systematic literature review and meta-analysis conducted by Kai Rejeski, MD, and colleagues shed light on this issue. The analysis included 5,517 patients with a median follow-up of 21.7 months, revealing

Childhood obesity is a growing concern worldwide, with significant implications for both the physical and psychological well-being of affected individuals. In a recent phase IIIa trial known as SCALE Kids, researchers evaluated the efficacy of liraglutide (Saxenda) in combination with lifestyle intervention for reducing body mass index (BMI) in young children with obesity. The results

The use of perioperative nivolumab in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has shown promising results in reducing the risk of disease recurrence and death in post-surgical patients. An analysis of two phase III trials has revealed significant benefits in combining perioperative nivolumab with chemotherapy compared to neoadjuvant nivolumab and chemotherapy alone. The

The link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma patients who smoke and their willingness to quit smoking is a crucial aspect of their overall health. A recent multicenter trial conducted in Turkey has shed light on the impact of immediate smoking cessation assistance on quit rates among these patient populations. The results of

Health officials in Missouri recently reported a case of bird flu in a hospitalized patient who had no known contact with dairy cows or any other animals associated with the ongoing outbreak. This incident marks the 14th case of bird flu in the United States since March, with one additional case reported in 2022. The

Doping is a concept that has plagued the world of sports for decades, tarnishing the reputations of athletes and casting doubt on the integrity of competitions. The recent case of No. 1-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that come with unintentional doping. Sinner’s ordeal began with the innocent

The news of Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei being set on fire by her boyfriend is absolutely horrifying. This kind of violence against women is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any society. It is heartbreaking to hear about such a talented and hardworking athlete meeting such a tragic end. The shooting

A recent test-negative, case-control study led by Diya Surie, MD, from the CDC in Atlanta, investigated the effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination among older adults aged 60 and over during the first season of use. The study revealed a promising finding – a substantial reduction in the risk of hospitalization due to RSV