New drug combo 'promising candidate' for on-demand contraceptive pill

A new combination of drugs has emerged as a "promising candidate" for an on-demand contraceptive pill, suggests preliminary research published online in the journal BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health.

Calcium supplements linked to earlier death in older people with heart valve disease

Calcium supplements, frequently given to older people to lessen the risk of brittle bones (osteoporosis) and fractures, are linked to a heightened risk of death among those with aortic valve stenosis, a progressive and potentially fatal condition, finds research published online in the journal Heart.

A combination of three simple treatments may reduce invasive cancer risk by 61% among adults aged 70+

A new study published in Frontiers in Aging found that a combination of high-dose vitamin D, omega-3s, and a simple home strength exercise program (SHEP) showed a cumulative reduction by 61% in cancer risk in healthy adults aged 70 or older. It is the first study to test the combined benefit of three affordable public health interventions for the prevention of invasive cancers. Following future studies, the results may impact the future of cancer prevention in older adults.

Study in patients hospitalized with COVID underscores need for improvement in therapeutic approaches for critically ill

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are experiencing shorter lengths of stay in hospital and the portion needing intensive care has declined since the early days of the pandemic. However, overall mortality rates have remained unchanged and the all-cause mortality rate has increased in those who are critically ill and in need of invasive mechanical ventilation or ECMO, according to a large nationwide study of 853,219 COVID-19 patients (aged 18 years or older) hospitalized between May 2020 and December 2021.