Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Cancer; ALS; Dementia; Childhood Obesity
ScienceDaily: 3D Model Of Living Brain Cancer Points To Possible Future For Drug Screening
Researchers fabricated a 3D artificial cancer tissue that overcomes one of the biggest challenges in tissue engineering: replicating the body's smallest blood vessels. The breakthrough offers a possible alternative to animal drug testing. (KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, 2/22)
ScienceDaily: Patients With Rare Skin Cancer Face 40% Recurrence Rate
Patients treated for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) face a five-year recurrence rate of 40% -- markedly higher than the recurrence rates for melanoma and other skin cancers. Additionally, in the study cohort of more than 600 patients, 95% of MCC recurrences happened in the first three years, suggesting that surveillance efforts should be focused on that span. (University of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine, 2/23)
ScienceDaily: Discovery Of A New ALS And Dementia Disease Mechanism Raises Treatment Hopes
A pioneering new study has revealed, for the first time, why a common genetic variant worsens disease outcomes for people with the devastating adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). (University College of London, 2/23)
ScienceDaily: Food For Thought: A High-Fiber Diet May Reduce Risk Of Dementia
Researchers found that higher levels of dietary fiber are associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia. In a large-scale study, over 3500 Japanese adults completed a dietary survey and were then followed up for two decades. Adults who consumed more fiber, particularly soluble fiber, were less likely to go on to develop dementia. These findings may relate to interactions between the gut and the brain. (University of Tsukuba, 2/22)
ScienceDaily: Having A Poor Score On A Simple Memory Test May Be Linked To Alzheimer’s Biomarkers
Among people with no memory or thinking problems, having a poor score on a simple memory test may be linked to biomarkers in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease as well as very early signs of memory impairment that precede dementia by several years, according to a new study. (American Academy of Neurology, 2/23)
ScienceDaily: Positive Parenting Can Reduce The Risk That Children Develop Obesity
New research found that children with positive, early interactions with their care givers -- characterized by warmth, responsiveness, and a stimulating home environment -- were at reduced risk of childhood obesity. (Penn State, 2/22)
ScienceDaily: Extreme Heat Linked To Increase In Mental Health Emergency Care
During periods of extreme heat, clinicians should expect to see an increase in patients requiring mental health services, according to a new study. The study found that days with higher-than-normal temperatures during the summer season in the United States were associated with increased rates of emergency department (ED) visits for any mental health-related condition, particularly substance use, anxiety and stress disorders, and mood disorders. This nationwide study is the largest and most comprehensive analysis of daily ambient temperature and mental health-related ED visits among US adults of all ages. (Boston University School of Medicine, 2/23)
