A 57-year-old man, Costa Fantis, was diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer. His only symptom was intermittently smelling sweet caramel, a phenomenon known as phantosmia. Initially dismissing the smell, the family sought medical attention due to Fantis's history of epilepsy. Despite his...
A South Carolina child died from a brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, contracted at Lake Murray. While rare, with fewer than 10 US cases annually, the infection is usually fatal. The amoeba thrives in warm freshwater; prevention includes avoiding water entering the nose during water activities, using nose...
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain aging, even in individuals who didn't contract the virus. Researchers analyzed brain scans from the UK Biobank and found a 5.5-month acceleration in aging, more pronounced in men and those from deprived backgrounds. While...
Nassau County, NY, is facing a rabies outbreak, its worst in a decade, with 25 positive cases since July 2022. The majority of cases involve raccoons and feral cats. Health officials urge residents to avoid contact with wild animals, ensure pet vaccinations are current, and seek immediate medical attention...
Billy Joel, diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare brain condition, reports feeling "good" two months later. While his balance is still an issue and treatment continues, the 76-year-old singer-songwriter says his condition is less severe than it sounds. Joel previously canceled several concerts due to NPH...
An FDA panel's discussion on antidepressants during pregnancy sparked controversy, with psychiatrists criticizing the panel's emphasis on unsubstantiated risks and lack of balanced viewpoints. The panel, featuring several non-US experts, largely contradicted medical consensus on SSRI safety, downplaying their effectiveness and highlighting potential risks like autism and birth defects,...
A summer surge in COVID-19 cases is impacting at least 26 states and Washington, D.C., according to the CDC. Emergency room visits for young children are at their highest since March. While new variants Nimbus and Stratus are not considered more deadly than previous strains, the CDC...
Prominent US anti-vaccine activist Brian Hooker reportedly contracted measles after traveling to west Texas, where he filmed an interview promoting anti-vaccine views. He allegedly failed to alert authorities, potentially spreading the highly contagious virus. Hooker claims he treated his symptoms with alternative remedies rather than seeking medical confirmation....
The FDA announced that George Tidmarsh, a former biotech executive and Stanford adjunct professor, will lead the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). CDER, FDA's largest division with 5,700 employees, reviews most new drug applications. Tidmarsh replaces acting director Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, who recently departed. This appointment is...
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified two cancer drugs, letrozole and irinotecan, as potential Alzheimer's treatments. These drugs, already FDA-approved for cancer, showed promise in reversing Alzheimer's symptoms in mice by impacting gene expression. The study, published in Cell, suggests a potential for repurposing existing medications to...
