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.

The advent of new weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic is transforming the dieting industry, challenging traditional approaches of eating less and exercising more. These drugs offer a quicker and easier path to weight loss, reshaping the landscape of health and fitness businesses, including established diet companies and food manufacturers. While they provide hope for many struggling with obesity, concerns linger regarding the expertise of clinics dispensing the drugs and the sustainability of their effects, especially given the potential side effects and high costs associated with these medications.

The proposed ban on menthol cigarettes in the US, which garnered historic attention, is facing delays, according to US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The decision, originally slated for action in March, has sparked controversy and legal action from civil rights and medical organizations. While proponents argue that a menthol ban could save hundreds of thousands of lives, concerns over its impact on Black communities and potential political ramifications have contributed to the delay.

In a groundbreaking procedure, a terminally ill patient has received a gene-edited pig kidney transplant and a mechanical heart pump in a first-of-its-kind operation at NYU Langone Health. Lisa Pisano, facing heart and kidney failure, underwent the innovative surgery due to her ineligibility for conventional transplants. The procedure, involving the use of a genetically modified pig kidney to circumvent rejection issues, marks a significant advancement in xenotransplantation, potentially offering hope to thousands awaiting organ donations.

Zyn, a nicotine-based oral pouch marketed by Philip Morris International, has stirred controversy over concerns about its appeal to underage users despite being intended for adults. While it doesn't contain tobacco, it's regulated as a tobacco product due to its nicotine content. The product's popularity has raised questions about its health risks compared to traditional tobacco products, and its potential as a cessation aid for adult smokers is still under scrutiny by the FDA.

New York City is set to implement a new rule requiring chain restaurants and coffee shops to display warning labels next to menu items with high added sugar content. The labels, featuring a black and white spoon loaded with sugar, will alert consumers to items containing at least 50 grams of added sugar, accompanied by a written warning about the health risks of consuming excessive sugar. Mayor Eric Adams, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in addressing health issues, supports the initiative, which follows in the footsteps of previous public health policies implemented by city officials.

Over the past 15 years, at least 94 people have died after being given sedatives and restrained by police, accounting for nearly 10% of more than 1,000 deaths identified in police subduing incidents. Sedatives are often given to individuals experiencing drug-related behavioral emergencies or psychotic episodes, with the aim of enabling rapid treatment and protecting responders from violence. However, critics argue that forced sedation, particularly without consent, poses significant risks and should be strictly limited or banned during police encounters.

Read More

The interconnection between the gut microbiome and the brain has emerged as a pivotal area of research in understanding complex neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have propelled our ability to explore these links more deeply, potentially paving the way for revolutionary treatments. This article delves into how AI tools are being leveraged to dissect the gut-brain interactions and their implications in Alzheimer’s disease, proposing new pathways for therapeutic intervention.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that traces of the bird flu virus have been detected in 1 in 5 samples of pasteurized milk, shedding light on the extent of contamination in the milk supply. These findings are based on a nationally representative sample, with a higher prevalence of positive results observed in areas where dairy cow herds are infected with bird flu. The exact number of samples tested was not disclosed by the FDA.

Read More

Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 35-year-old man comes to the office because of 1-week history of mid low back pain that radiates down his right leg. The pain began after the patient lifted a heavy box onto his truck. He rates his current pain as an 8 on a 10-point scale. He has been unable to find a comfortable position and has been sleeping in a recliner. Medical history is unremarkable and he takes no medications. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for the past 25 years, and he drinks a six-pack of beer on Friday and Saturday nights. BMI is 27 kg/m2 . He appears uncomfortable and stands during the physical examination. Vital signs are normal. Straight-leg raise test is positive on the right, with loss of right ankle reflex. The remainder of the physical examination discloses no abnormalities.

Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient’s symptoms?

Cedars-Sinai researchers discovered how specific brain cells coordinate intentional focus and short-term storage in working memory, shedding light on fundamental cognitive processes. By identifying a novel group of neurons called "phase-amplitude coupling" (PAC) neurons, the study elucidates how these cells synchronize their activity with brain waves to enhance memory retention. This groundbreaking research, conducted in collaboration with epilepsy patients, unveils the role of the hippocampus in controlling working memory and offers insights into potential treatments for neurological conditions affecting memory.

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Chemistry, UNC-Chapel Hill researcher Ronit Freeman and her team engineered cells using manipulated DNA and proteins, replicating the functionality and appearance of cells found in the body. By utilizing a novel programmable peptide-DNA technology, the Freeman Lab successfully constructed cells with functional cytoskeletons capable of shape-shifting and responding to their environment, a feat previously unseen in synthetic biology. These synthetic cells, stable even at extreme temperatures, offer unprecedented possibilities for manufacturing cells with extraordinary capabilities, potentially revolutionizing fields like biotechnology and medicine.

New research in Nature reveals the profound impact of dietary choices on brain health, with a balanced diet linked to superior cognitive function and mental wellbeing. Analyzing data from nearly 182,000 participants, the study underscores the importance of gradual dietary modifications and early adoption of healthy eating habits for optimal brain health. Urgent government action is needed to promote nutritional awareness and ensure access to affordable, nutritious food options for all, addressing socioeconomic disparities that may hinder healthy dietary choices.

A team of researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has uncovered a mechanism responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's patients, leading to decreased energy supply to the brain. Professor Kristina Friedland and Professor Mark Helm, along with collaborators, identified an RNA modification not previously reported, shedding light on the disease's pathophysiology. The enzyme TRMT10C induces methylation of mRNA, inhibiting the synthesis of a crucial protein subunit, ND5, essential for mitochondrial function, highlighting a potential new target for therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's disease.

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) "Displacement of the nucleus pulposus"

New Jersey, 66023, US