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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.

The Campaign for Accountability, a progressive watchdog group, has urged attorneys general in five states to investigate the privacy practices of crisis pregnancy centers, alleging potential misleading practices regarding the protection of sensitive medical data. These centers, which offer counseling to dissuade women from seeking abortions, are accused of collecting and retaining private medical information, potentially for anti-abortion purposes. While the centers claim compliance with federal health privacy laws like HIPAA, they are not legally bound by these regulations due to providing free services, raising concerns about data privacy exploitation amid efforts to criminalize abortion.

President Biden is stepping up his efforts to combat abortion restrictions, particularly focusing on Florida's upcoming six-week abortion ban. With a campaign visit to Tampa, Biden aims to leverage the nationwide momentum against such restrictions to bolster his reelection prospects, both in battleground states he previously won and in areas where Republicans have traditionally held sway. While abortion access is a contentious issue, advocates stress its nonpartisan nature, hoping to garner broad support for initiatives like the one on Florida's ballot. Despite opposition, Biden's push reflects the growing significance of reproductive rights in shaping political landscapes and voter sentiments across the country.

Federal officials announced a new HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy, ensuring patients' privacy rights even when seeking reproductive health care across state lines. This rule prohibits the disclosure of patient health information related to reproductive health care, strengthening privacy protections for patients, their families, and their doctors. The initiative aims to prevent medical records from being used against individuals seeking or providing lawful reproductive health care, including abortion, regardless of the state where the care is received.

Cases of adverse reactions to fake Botox injections from unlicensed providers are on the rise, prompting investigations by health authorities. At least 22 people across 11 states have experienced severe side effects, including hospitalization, after receiving counterfeit versions of the treatment. The incidents underscore the dangers of obtaining cosmetic procedures from untrained individuals or non-healthcare settings.

The chief scientist of the World Health Organization has expressed concern over the spread of highly pathogenic bird flu, particularly among cattle in the United States, emphasizing the need for increased monitoring and preparation. While the H5N1 flu virus primarily affects birds, recent cases in mammals raise the possibility of it evolving to infect humans. Although there's currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission, experts stress the importance of vigilance and readiness to respond promptly with vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics in case of such a development.

The search for the origins of COVID-19 has become ensnared in political turmoil, particularly in China, where efforts to trace the virus have been hindered by bureaucratic hurdles and governmental secrecy.

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In today’s rapidly aging society, the threat of cognitive decline and dementia looms large. However, promising research suggests that mentally stimulating occupations may play a critical role in preserving cognitive functions and potentially delaying the onset of dementia. This article delves into the intricate relationship between mental stimulation and cognitive health, providing valuable insights for both individuals and policymakers.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has been investing in the development of non-opioid pain relief medications for the past two decades, drawing inspiration from unusual cases such as individuals who are insensitive to pain, like fire walkers. Dr. David Altshuler, Vertex's chief scientist, sheds light on their innovative approach, which targets specific pain-signaling proteins in the peripheral nervous system rather than acting on the brain, where addictive opioids exert their effects. By focusing on this peripheral mechanism, Vertex aims to mitigate the risk of addiction and side effects associated with traditional opioids.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 19-year-old woman is referred to the office by her counselor for evaluation of possible depression. The counselor describes the patient as polite, conscientious, cooperative, open to therapy, and always present and on time for her weekly sessions. The patient's relationship with her high school boyfriend ended 6 months ago. She had dated him through high school, and he had "looked out for her as a friend" since the 6th grade. She says, "I feel helpless and don't know what to do without him." She admits that she often cannot make decisions, such as whether to go to college. She says, "I always mess things up." She is still sad and often tearful about her ex-boyfriend, but she has not had alterations in her sleep habits, appetite, weight, or energy level. She has not had any thoughts about death. Medical history is unremarkable, and she takes no medications. BMI is 24 kg/m2. Vital signs are normal and physical examination discloses no abnormalities.

Which of the following is the most appropriate initial response to this patient's self-deprecating description?

A recent study led by Stanford Medicine sheds light on the brain systems implicated in psychosis, revealing dysfunction in a "filter" responsible for directing attention and a "predictor" associated with anticipating rewards. Utilizing brain scan data from individuals with psychosis, including those with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, the findings align with existing theories of psychosis development. The study underscores the role of cognitive control networks in distinguishing reality and suggests potential avenues for treatment and prevention. By targeting these brain centers early on with interventions like transcranial magnetic stimulation, researchers aim to mitigate the onset or severity of psychosis symptoms.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that AI-generated messages are more effective at making recipients feel "heard" and detecting emotions compared to messages from untrained humans. However, recipients reported feeling less heard when they knew the message came from AI, indicating a bias against AI despite its potential. As AI becomes more prevalent, understanding its ability to meet human psychological needs and addressing biases against it are crucial for its effective integration into social contexts.

A study from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health suggests that pregnancy may accelerate biological aging in women, as evidenced by women who reported pregnancies appearing biologically older compared to those who hadn't. The research, conducted among 1735 young people in the Philippines, found that women with more pregnancies looked biologically older, while the number of pregnancies fathered did not affect the biological aging of men. These findings underscore the potential long-term impacts of pregnancy on women's health and emphasize the importance of supporting new parents, particularly young mothers, in maintaining their well-being.

Scientists at The University of Manchester have developed a groundbreaking molecular device that controls the release of multiple small molecules using force, potentially revolutionizing medical and material engineering. Published in Nature, the study introduces a force-controlled release system based on rotaxane molecules, which trigger the targeted release of functional molecules like medicines or healing agents in response to mechanical force, such as at an injured site or damaged material. This innovation, capable of releasing up to five molecules simultaneously, overcomes previous limitations and holds immense potential for applications in healthcare and technology, including self-healing materials. With ongoing research, the scientists aim to further expand the capabilities of this transformative technology.

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 B) "Everyone makes mistakes. In your case, though, that doesn't mean you always mess things up."

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