❤️ Health Tech
Health Tech, or digital health, helps us understand and take control of our own health. But we also cover more traditional health news like medicines, vaccines and medical procedures.
💔 Decreased mortality from heart diseases and stroke in the USA
Mortality from cardiovascular diseases has decreased by 4.7 percent from 2010 to 2020. The number of people in the USA dying from heart attacks each year has decreased from 1 in 2 to now 1 in 8. Stroke has also decreased. It was the third leading cause of death in 1938 but is now in fifth place.
🔎 Focused ultrasound – a new method to combat Alzheimer's
The non-invasive ultrasound technology targets specific brain areas, enhancing drug delivery. Focused ultrasound, combined with monoclonal antibody therapy, shows promise in reducing Alzheimer's disease plaques.
💉 New skin cancer vaccine works better than expected
Moderna's mRNA cancer vaccine shows a 49 percent reduction in melanoma recurrence or death.
💊 AI aids in discovering new antibiotic candidates
The urgent need for new structural classes of antibiotics is critical in combating the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance. Deep learning methods have significantly contributed to the exploration of chemical structures in this field.
🧬 Advancements in CRISPR technology – moving towards 2.0
The FDA recently approved a pioneering CRISPR–Cas9 therapy for sickle cell disease, marking a historic moment in genetic treatment. But that it is just the tip of the iceberg.
🏎️ Hospital cuts waiting lists with Formula 1 pitstop method
While one patient is being operated on, the next one is prepared and is immediately rolled in as soon as the first one is finished.
💊 The FDA approves first CRISPR-based gene therapy drug for sickle cell disease
The approvals include the first-ever CRISPR-Cas9 based drug, Casgevy, and a gene therapy drug, Lyfgenia, marking a milestone in medical biotechnology.
🏆 Science Breakthrough of the Year: Obesity drugs (+ runners-up)
Obesity, a major health problem affecting about 70% of adults in the U.S. and over half in Europe, is linked to several serious diseases. Recently, a new class of drugs, GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally for diabetes, has shown significant promise in treating obesity with manageable side effects.
🤧 First steps towards a universal flu vaccine
Are we finally on the path to get ríd of the flu?