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MorningMed is the best way to keep up with the world of health and medicine through curated round-ups, useful insights and other practical resources.

San Mateo County in California has become the first in the U.S. to declare loneliness a public health emergency, recognizing its detrimental effects on mental and physical well-being. Backed by studies linking loneliness to various health risks, the county aims to address social isolation through community initiatives, though the exact solutions remain under exploration, reflecting a broader recognition of social connections as vital to public health alongside physical activity, diet, and sleep.

Washington State has reported its first known outbreak of Candida auris, a potentially deadly fungus, with four patients testing positive in the past month, according to Public Health - Seattle & King County. The outbreak traced to Kindred Hospital Seattle, has prompted investigations into the infection source, with health officials working to contain the spread by isolating affected patients and advising screening in other facilities that received Kindred patients.

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the weight-loss medication Wegovy, is expanding its availability in the United States after facing supply shortages. The company plans to double the supply of lower-dose strengths and increase overall production throughout 2024. Despite high demand, limited access to obesity medications persists due to cost and insurance coverage issues.

Dozens of psychedelic startups are racing to bring mind-expanding drugs to market for mental health conditions, attracting significant investment despite legal hurdles. The sudden interest from Wall Street has shifted the landscape, with some fearing that the drugs may become expensive pharmaceuticals rather than widely accessible treatments. Challenges include patent battles, clinical trial costs, and questions about the long-term effects and administration of psychedelics, raising concerns among advocates and researchers about the future of psychedelic medicine.

The U.S. is facing its highest syphilis numbers since 1950, with cases rising by 9% in 2022, according to the CDC. While syphilis disproportionately impacts gay and bisexual men, it is also spreading among heterosexual individuals and newborns. In contrast, gonorrhea rates have dropped for the first time in a decade, though experts are uncertain about the cause and whether it signifies a new trend. Chlamydia cases remained stable, while disruptions in STD testing during the pandemic may have influenced the data.

Elon Musk's Neuralink project has ignited excitement and curiosity in the scientific community, although details about the brain chip and its implications remain limited. Neuralink's recent announcement of implanting its device in a human is seen as a significant milestone in the field of neuroscience and bioengineering.

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Music has been an integral part of human culture for centuries. From soothing melodies to heart-pounding rhythms, music has the power to evoke emotions, trigger memories, and even improve cognitive health. Recent studies have shown that playing a musical instrument or singing can have a profound impact on cognitive abilities, especially in individuals aged 40 and above. In this article, we will explore the fascinating connection between music and cognitive health, delving into how musical activities can contribute to maintaining a sharper mind.

As pickleball gains popularity, so do the associated injuries, with estimates suggesting that these injuries cost the US medical system $377 million in 2023 alone. However, healthcare organizations are turning these statistics into opportunities by forming partnerships with the pickleball community to focus on injury prevention, care provision, and long-term patient relationships.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 35-year-old woman comes to the office for follow-up of chronic pelvic pain. The patient has had deep pelvic pain since undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy and radiation therapy for treatment of cervical cancer 5 years ago. She reports constant, severe aching pain; she rates the pain at its maximum as a 10 on a 10-point scale. The pain worsens during intercourse. All subsequent cancer follow-up has been negative. Medical history otherwise is unremarkable. The patient has taken oxycodone for her pain for 3 years, but she now reports that the oxycodone only partially relieves her pain. She requests either an increased dose of oxycodone or a change in her prescription to controlled-release morphine, which was recently given to her by a friend. She has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for the past 15 years. She does not drink alcoholic beverages. BMI is 18 kg/m2. She appears lethargic. She is oriented to person, place, and time but speaks slowly with slurred speech. Vital signs are normal. Examination of the skin shows no abnormalities. Pupils are pinpoint and react sluggishly.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Scientists at Duke Human Vaccine Institute have discovered rapid movements on the surface of the HIV virus, particularly a structure called the envelope glycoprotein, which is pivotal for the virus's ability to dock onto T-cell receptors. Understanding these swift movements could aid in developing broadly neutralizing antibodies for an AIDS vaccine by targeting the structure to prevent it from initiating infection.

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that global cancer cases will surge by 77% by 2050, reaching 35 million diagnoses, with lung cancer being the most prevalent form worldwide. Inequities in cancer burden and access to treatment persist across the globe, emphasizing the need for urgent investments to address global disparities, according to WHO officials and cancer researchers.

Cosmetic leg lengthening surgeries are gaining popularity among men seeking to increase their height, with procedures promising to add up to six inches. While some patients, like Hugo Ramirez, consider the surgery a worthwhile pursuit, experts warn of the high costs, potential dangers, and societal pressures associated with the desire for increased height. Despite the risks, patients like Ramirez are willing to undergo the procedure, driven by the belief that being taller will improve their social acceptance and quality of life.

A Swedish study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that improving cardiorespiratory fitness by at least 3% annually over five years could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 35%, regardless of initial fitness levels. This finding underscores the potential of regular cardio exercises like jogging, hiking, or swimming to mitigate prostate cancer risk, although the exact mechanisms linking exercise and cancer prevention require further exploration.

Thank you for reading! More next week,

My best wishes for a productive and idea-filled week ahead. Thanks for your ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the patients we all serve. Please send any news, comments, suggestions and ideas to hello@morningmed.email.

Quiz answer: The correct answer is C) "Order a urine toxicology screening"

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