A phase 3 analysis shows that estetrol with drospirenone significantly reduces menstrual pain, mood swings, and other menstrual symptoms, offering clear benefits for both new and switching contraceptive users.

Now a new NIH-funded study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has identified the mechanism behind this phenomenon, showing that the gut’s motility is altered by exercise, pressure, and inflammation.

The study results, based on experiments in mice and published March 24 in Cell, reveal that a pressure-sensing protein called PIEZO1 — named after the Greek word for pressure and the discovery of which won the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine — plays a key role both in coordinating intestinal movements and keeping inflammation in this organ at bay.

To better understand PIEZO1’s exact role, the team tested mouse intestinal tissue under varying pressure conditions. In normal mice, the intestines contracted when pressure increased. However, in mice genetically altered to lack Piezo1, the tissue failed to contract under pressure, confirming that PIEZO1 acts as a pressure sensor, helping regulate gut movement.

The new market report titled ‘Blockbuster drugs Market,’ published by Roots Analysis is one of the most sought-after solutions for businesses operating in the Blockbuster drugs Market.

The blockbuster drugs market was worth around $75 billion in 2020. Less than half a century ago, the pharmaceutical market was dominated by small molecule drugs. The report will help readers stay updated with the latest market trends and maintain their competitive outlooks in the modern-day fast-paced business environment. The report comes with a concise summary of the details regarding the historical market data, current market trends, future growth prospects, product landscape, key marketing strategies, technological progress, as well as the emerging market trends and opportunities. The Blockbuster drugs Market is anticipated to expand significantly. However, the latest report is mainly intended for readers interested in this

Cross-posted from "Cancer Patients With Food Insecurity May Benefit From Unconditional Cash Transfer" by @[email protected] in [email protected]

An unconditional cash transfer of $100 monthly may enhance health outcomes for cancer survivors experiencing food insecurity, according to research in JNCI Cancer Spectrum. The study involved 17 patients with breast or gynecologic cancer at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. Those receiving the cash transfer reported better physical health and diet quality, with fewer food insecurity indicators. At 3 months, none in the cash transfer group reported severe food insecurity, compared to the usual care group. Additionally, 80% of the cash transfer group consumed at least 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily, versus 22% in the usual care group.

Cost, wait times, transportation problems, and negative interactions with healthcare professionals are causing U.S. women to delay or skip medical care, according to a Deloitte survey. Half of the surveyed women reported forgoing care in the past year, compared to 37% of men. Women require nearly 10% more health services than men but are 35% more likely to skip or delay care. Financial issues, access gaps, and poor provider experiences are key factors. Deloitte suggests increased investment in women's health products and a multi-pronged strategy involving providers, insurers, and policymakers to improve women's healthcare.

New research from the University of Southern California indicates cannabis may help individuals reduce or quit opioid use. Lead author Sid Ganesh, a PhD student at USC's medical school, interviewed 30 opioid and cannabis users in Los Angeles. Participants, receiving services from a methadone clinic and syringe exchange, found cannabis useful for managing opioid use due to easier access. The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, highlights cannabis's role in easing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Children who live in cities with excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages tend to have lower body mass index (BMI) than those who live in cities that do not have such taxes, according to new data from California.

With both childhood obesity and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages linked to CVD risk, several US cities have enacted taxes on these drinks over the past decade that have decreased how much people not only buy but also consume them.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/15147089

A new study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference links wildfire smoke to a higher risk of new dementia diagnoses. Conducted over ten years in California, the study analyzed health records of more than 1.2 million socioeconomically diverse Kaiser Permanente members aged 60 and older. Holly Elser, M.D., Ph.D., an author of the study, stated, "Previous research has found that exposure to PM2.5 is associated with dementia, but in light of our large, long-term study, it's apparent the risk from exposure due to wildfire smoke is an even bigger concern." The study found that wildfire smoke poses a stronger dementia risk than other sources of PM2.5 air pollution.

I'm not saying this doctor's suggestion is the only or best solution, but it is nice to see the issue get noticed. Excerpts from the Op/Ed:

This 30-year-old patient told me that she had struggled with her weight for years. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she had finally lost weight by eating more proteins and vegetables. Her food budget was supplemented by federal food programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as well as the stimulus money she received during the pandemic.

In recent years, however, as her career grew, so did her income, making her ineligible to qualify for federal assistance programs, such as SNAP. At the same time, the pandemic stimulus money disappeared. As a result of both factors, her supplementary incomes and support for food withered.

While screening for food insecurity is now a routine part of what we do in primary care, fixing the problem is impossible without also addressing the upstream causes. This patient’s food insecur

New research into the 'exomes' of over 44,000 people uncovered many with cancer-causing genes that were otherwise not detected

The mutations were linked to heightened risks for colon, breast and ovarian cancers

People from minority groups may be especially prone to missing out on quality genetic screening

TL;DR: No, it's a confounding variable, because more affluent people are more likely to be screened, despite the Post's wanna-be eugenics-justifying title.

"A new, large study out of Finland suggests that people with good jobs have a greater genetic risk for cancer, especially breast and prostate cancers," but Dr. Jiyoung Ahn "believes screening behavior is key to this research," saying, "It is well-established that if you have higher socioeconomic status, you are more likely to get screened."

HIV-related programs in Maryland are facing significant funding cuts after a surplus fund operated by the Maryland Department of Health ran out of money last fiscal year. The Baltimore City Health Department's letter announced a 76% reduction in state funding for HIV programs, dropping expected funds from $22 million to $5.3 million. Kim Holmes, a volunteer with Project PLASE, said, "It's sad. It's really sad. You got something that's working. Why, if it's working, why try to break it?"

(Use readability to see full text)

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/14378121

Adolescents who experienced housing insecurity beginning in infancy reported worse overall health outcomes, including anxiety and depressive symptoms, according to study results published in Pediatrics.

It is known that housing insecurity adversely affects child growth and abstract development, but less is known about the cumulative long-term effects, they wrote in the study.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/14342600

A study published in JAMA Network Open by Included Health and Harvard Medical School found that patients in high deductible health plans are less likely to seek virtual behavioral healthcare when costs are reintroduced. The study analyzed 15,000 patients and revealed that those required to pay out-of-pocket attended 1.5 fewer telemental health visits per month, with 11.7% stopping visits altogether.

Eight weeks of acupuncture was found to reduce the dose of methadone needed to control opioid cravings, which could make patients likelier to stick with their treatment.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/14305293

Large nonprofit health systems like Geisinger, Ascension, and Henry Ford are forming joint ventures with investor-owned psychiatric hospital operators such as Acadia and Universal Health Services. While these hospitals often carry the names of the nonprofits, for-profit companies with questionable track records manage day-to-day operations.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/14297883

Between the ages of 8 and 12, MRI scans of children with ADHD show significantly lower cerebral blood flow in regions of the brain known to be related to attention, motor skills, executive function and impulsivity.

(Conclusively demonstrating that it's not just "in someone's head")

Millions of Americans likely to develop and die from heart disease live in cardiology deserts — areas of the country without a single heart specialist to care for them.

New research published Monday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology finds that nearly half of all counties in the U.S. lack a practicing cardiologist.

Most of those counties are rural, with residents who tend to be sicker in general with complex medical problems.

“The counties that do not have cardiologists probably need this type of specialty care even more,” said the study’s senior author, Dr. Haider Warraich, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.