Poverty associated with worse survival, fewer lung transplants in lung disease patients

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a rare lung disease that causes shortness of breath and low oxygen levels because of lung scarring, have worse outcomes if they live in poor neighborhoods, according to research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference.

Removal of 'race correction' in pulmonary function tests highlights health disparity

By removing "race correction" from the interpretation of pulmonary function test (PFT) results, Black individuals were shown to have a significantly higher prevalence and severity of lung disease, according to research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference.

Weighted "lottery" provides greater access to scarce COVID-19 medications

A weighted "lottery" designed to increase access to the antiviral drug remdesivir during the May-July 2020 COVID-19 surge for those most affected by the coronavirus, including members of the Black, Latinx and indigenous communities, led to more equitable distribution of the badly needed medication, according to research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference.

Novel rehab program improves outcome for older heart-failure patients, study finds

Heart failure (HF) - when the heart can't pump enough blood and oxygen through the body—affects approximately 6.2 million adults in the United States and is the primary cause of hospitalization in the elderly. Unfortunately, older adults with heart failure often have poor outcomes resulting in reduced quality of life, high mortality and frequent rehospitalizations.

Zapping nerves with ultrasound lowers drug-resistant blood pressure

Brief pulses of ultrasound delivered to nerves near the kidney produced a clinically meaningful drop in blood pressure in people whose hypertension did not respond to a triple cocktail of medications, reports a new study led by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and NewYork-Presbyterian.

Multimodal therapy may hold key to treating aggressive childhood cancer

Research led by scientists at Children's Cancer Institute and published this week in the international journal, Clinical Cancer Research, has found a combination of therapies that appears to be highly effective against high-risk neuroblastoma and other forms of aggressive childhood cancer.

Tailored, earlier heart failure rehab has physical, emotional benefits for patients

An innovative cardiac rehabilitation intervention started earlier and more custom-tailored to the individual improved physical function, frailty, quality-of-life, and depression in hospitalized heart failure patients, compared to traditional rehabilitation programs. Supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National institutes of Health, these new study results were published May 16 in the New England Journal of Medicine and also presented at the American College of Cardiology's 70th Annual Scientific Session.

Novel monoclonal antibody can substantially lower triglycerides in patients with acute pancreatitis

The investigational drug evinacumab reduced triglycerides in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) and a history of hospitalizations for acute pancreatitis in a phase 2 global study led by Mount Sinai. The fully human monoclonal antibody produced sustained reductions in triglyceride levels of up to 82 percent, depending on the patient's genotype, while also lowering the risk of recurrent acute pancreatitis. The results of the study will be presented as a late-breaking clinical trial at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Session, on May 16.

Is your family 'CO safe' when big storms hit?

(HealthDay)—If you live in the path of hurricanes , the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging you to be prepared.

Boom times for organic cocoa in Ivory Coast

Cocoa farmers across Ivory Coast, the world's biggest producer of the key ingredient for chocolate, are down in the dumps after prices for their commodity have fallen for the second year running.

Rocket Lab's satellite launch from New Zealand site fails

California-based Rocket Lab said a launch of satellites from its facility in New Zealand failed Saturday.

Heart study: Low- and regular-dose aspirin safe, effective

An unusual study that had thousands of heart disease patients enroll themselves and track their health online as they took low- or regular-strength aspirin concludes that both doses seem equally safe and effective for preventing additional heart problems and strokes.

Success story Taiwan faces its worst outbreak in pandemic

The island of Taiwan, which has had enviable success in containing COVID-19, imposed new restrictions in its capital city on Saturday as it battled its worst outbreak since the pandemic began.

France closing in on 20 million target in Covid vaccination drive

France is on track to reach its goal Saturday of 20 million initial doses of coronavirus vaccines, officials said days ahead of a hugely anticipated reopening of restaurant terraces as the government begins lifting a nationwide lockdown.

Flared natural gas latest prize in bitcoin miners' energy quest

As the value of bitcoin soars and concerns rise about the energy-intensive process needed to obtain it, cryptocurrency entrepreneurs in the United States believe they have found a solution in flared natural gas.

UK races to test, vaccinate as virus variant threatens plans

British health workers, aided by the army, distributed coronavirus tests door-to-door Saturday in two towns in northern England, seeking to contain a fast-spreading variant that threatens plans to lift all lockdown restrictions next month.

Indian state orders lockdown after 'super-spreader' election

An Indian state stricken by coronavirus after mass rallies were held for a key election ordered a two-week lockdown on Saturday in a bid to halt the spread.

Simple surgery prevents strokes in heart patients

A simple surgery saves patients with heart arrhythmia from often-lethal strokes, says a large international study led by McMaster University.