Endocarditis in patients with cocaine or opioid use disorder increased markedly from 2011 to 2022

The incidence rate of infective endocarditis—a rare but often fatal inflammation of the heart valves—among patients with cocaine use disorder or opioid use disorder increased from 2011 to 2022, with the steepest increase occurring from 2021 to 2022, a new study reports. Study findings contribute to expanding evidence of endocarditis as a significant and growing health concern for people who inject drugs, and further demonstrate that this risk has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ask the Pediatrician: Especially this time of year, all my kids want to eat is sweets. What should I do?

"Can I have a treat?"

To stop spread of cancer, researchers target two signaling switches that trigger new blood vessel growth

Hitting two targets at the same time may be the key to stopping the spread of aggressive cancers, according to new research from the University of East Anglia and the Quadram Institute.

Effective prevention: Absolute risk reduction supports more equitable vaccine distribution policies

In a new study, New Mexico researchers using an alternative analysis based on evidence-based medicine have found that the effectiveness of COVID vaccines is much greater in areas of the world with higher prevalence of infection—an approach that could lead to more equitable distribution of vaccines.

Chemotherapy before surgery can improve survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients

Treating pancreatic cancer patients with chemotherapy before surgery significantly improved 1-year survival rates compared to immediate surgery, a randomized clinical trial has found.

Blood clotting research holds hope for sepsis

Researchers from the University of Birmingham, UK, who identified a novel mechanism for platelet activation in pathogenic blood clotting (thrombosis) are now turning their attention to sepsis.

Researchers infect a 'brain in a dish' in search for Zika antivirals

A University of Queensland-led project has used a "brain in a dish" to study the effects of the Zika virus, taking research a step closer towards developing drugs to combat the infection.

China faces soaring Covid cases as hardline policy eases

COVID cases are surging in the Chinese capital, officials said Monday, as the country navigates a rapid turn away from its zero-tolerance coronavirus strategy.

Washington state quinoa can make a better cookie

The "super grain" quinoa has the potential to make a super cookie, according to research by Washington State University.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/washington-state-quinoa-can-make-a-better-cookie

Novel drug shows early promise in treating multiple myeloma

A first-of-its-kind drug known as modakafusp alfa has shown early potential in combating multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer, in a study presented by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center at the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.

Alcohol-involved injuries linked to increased risk of dying in the next year

When people are injured severely enough to require treatment at the hospital and they are either intoxicated or have an alcohol use disorder, they have a fivefold increased risk of dying in the next year, according to a new study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.