Your dose of health news

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.

Norovirus, often known as the "stomach flu", is spreading in the Northeast, with over 13% of tests coming back positive since late January, the highest rates since April last year, according to CDC data. While norovirus is seasonal and peaks in colder months, nationally, positivity rates have been between 10% and 12.5% since early January, lower than last year's peak rates of over 16% in mid-March. The virus spreads easily through contaminated food, water, and surfaces, causing gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, with no specific treatment available.

New research published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research suggests that menthol cigarette bans are effective at prompting smokers to quit, with about a quarter of menthol smokers stopping within a year or two after bans are implemented. The study, which analyzed data from over 170 US localities, two states, several countries, and the European Union, found that national bans were particularly successful in reducing menthol cigarette smoking rates.

New research published in Nature Medicine suggests that high levels of niacin, a type of vitamin B3 found in various foods, including meat and nuts, may elevate the risk of heart disease by triggering inflammation and damaging blood vessels. Dr. Stanley Hazen and his team discovered a substance in blood samples indicating excess niacin levels, correlating with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in over 3,000 adults studied. The findings could potentially lead to the development of medications to reduce blood vessel inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.

A new evidence review published in JAMA Psychiatry reveals that maternal mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancyrelated deaths in the US, with nearly 1 in 4 maternal deaths attributed to mental illness. Despite the alarming statistics, national initiatives often fail to prioritize mental health, and access to comprehensive maternity care remains limited, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups.

A survey conducted by the RAND Corporation reveals that approximately 42% of adults in the United States personally know someone who has died from a drug overdose. The study underscores the profound impact of the nation's overdose crisis, with respondents reporting an average of two individuals known to them who have succumbed to overdose, highlighting the extensive reach of this issue.

The recent decision by the Alabama Supreme Court regarding the legal status of embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) has sent shockwaves through the state's fertility care landscape, leading several clinics to suspend IVF services as they grapple with the legal ramifications. The ruling, which classified frozen embryos as children and deemed their destruction punishable under the state's Wrongful Death Act, has left providers and patients uncertain about the future of fertility treatments in Alabama.

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In a groundbreaking move, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has recently approved Xolair injections for the treatment of severe allergic reactions to certain foods, notably peanuts and eggs. This approval marks a significant milestone in the field of allergy treatment, offering hope and relief to millions of individuals who suffer from life-threatening food allergies.

The measles outbreak in Florida has intensified with the confirmation of a seventh case, marking the youngest individual infected so far and raising concerns about the virus's spread beyond school settings. The outbreak, centered around Manatee Bay Elementary School, underscores the highly contagious nature of measles and the challenges of containment, particularly in communities with lower vaccination rates.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

Boosting your gut microbiome could offer an alternative approach to weight loss, especially for those who find injectable weight loss drugs inconvenient or costly. However, the modern American diet, dominated by ultra-processed foods, deprives these microbes of the energy they need to thrive, leading to imbalances associated with numerous health issues. Research suggests that diets rich in fiber, phenols (antioxidants found in colorful fruits and vegetables), fermented foods, and healthy fats can support a diverse and healthy gut microbiome.

Cells, enveloped by a delicate membrane only 5 nanometers thick, face damage from routine physiological activities, leading to repair mechanisms or death. Surprisingly, a study led by Professor Keiko Kono revealed a third outcome: cellular senescence, triggered by moderate membrane damage and calcium ion influx. This discovery challenges previous notions and sheds light on how cell fate is determined, potentially influencing strategies for promoting healthy longevity.

Researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ) have delineated the proteins involved in the early stages of motor neurone disease (MND), offering insights into potential therapeutic avenues. Led by Dr Rebecca San Gil from Associate Professor Adam Walker's lab at UQ's Queensland Brain Institute, the team created a longitudinal protein map of MND, shedding light on disease progression. They identified DNAJB5, a protein-folding factor, as particularly abundant early in the disease, suggesting a protective response that could inform future treatments.

New research from Cornell University challenges the notion of newborns having immature immune systems, revealing that newborn T cells outperform adult T cells in fighting infections. Unlike adult T cells, newborn T cells excel in innate immunity, providing rapid and nonspecific protection against pathogens. This discovery sheds light on why infants and adults respond differently to infections and highlights the distinct functions of neonatal T cells, emphasizing their role in early infection defense.

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 A) "Ankle brachial index"

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