Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
In A First, Scientists Capture Electrical Signals From A Dying Brain
Press Association: First Ever Recording Of Dying Brain May Shed Light On Our Final Moments
Scientists may be closer to answering an age-old question about what happens to the human brain as we die. Neuroscientists accidentally recorded a dying brain while they were using electroencephalography (EEG) to detect and treat seizures in an 87-year-old man and the patient suffered a heart attack. It was the first time ever that scientists had recorded the activity of a dying human brain. The rhythmic brain wave patterns which were recorded during the man's time of death were observed to be similar to those occurring during dreaming, memory recall and meditation. (2/23)
ScienceDaily: Obesity: What Does Immunity Have To Do With It? New Findings May Represent A Promising Approach For Obesity Treatment And Its Complications
As organisms grow, older cells can undergo a phenomenon called senescence. This process defines a cell state where cells permanently stop dividing but do not die. Senescent cells secrete toxic pro-inflammatory factors contributing to the development of many diseases. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that obesity in experimental models led to senescence of macrophages, an immune cell subtype within fat or adipose tissue. (Boston University School of Medicine, 2/22)
ScienceDaily: A Study Uncovers The 'Grammar' Behind Human Gene Regulation: The Logic That Controls Gene Regulation In Human Cells
A research group has discovered the logic that controls gene regulation in human cells. In the future, this new knowledge can be applied to, for example, investigating cancers and other genetic diseases. (University of Helsinki, 2/22)
Reuters: Moderna Begins Late-Stage Study Of RSV Vaccine Using MRNA Technology
Moderna Inc said on Tuesday it had begun a late-stage study of its vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) based on the same technology used to develop its COVID-19 shots. The only approved product using messenger RNA (mRNA)is COVID-19 vaccine, but Moderna and rival Pfizer are rushing to tap the potential of the technology to target diseases such as shingles and cancer. Moderna is developing a vaccine for flu using mRNA technology and said on Friday it would develop three more shots, including one for viral infection shingles. (2/23)
CIDRAP: VA Study Finds Most Dental Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prescriptions Improper
Another study of antibiotic prescribing by Veterans' Affairs (VA) dentists found that five of every six prescriptions for antibiotic prophylaxis were inconsistent with guidelines, researchers reported today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. The cross-sectional study of visits to VA dentists from 2015 through 2019 examined all antibiotics prescribed within 7 days of a visit in the absence of an oral infection. In the primary analysis, antibiotic prophylaxis was considered appropriate only if it was associated with a visit that involved manipulation of gingival tissue and if the patient had a cardiac condition at the highest risk of an adverse outcome from infective endocarditis according to guidelines. (2/22)
