FOCUS: THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Lawyers circle as yet another study links rugby to brain abnormalities
July 28th, 2021 A UK biomarker study shows that 23% of elite adult rugby players had abnormalities in brain structure, and half showed an unexpected change in brain volume, writes MedicalBrief. Although a small study, it adds pressure on world sports bodies to act...
Omega-3 link to improved life expectancy and cardiovascular outcomes — Two studies
July 28th, 2021 Higher levels of omega-3 in the blood predicted improved all-cause mortality in people over 65, reports an international study drawing on data over 11-years from the Framingham Offspring Cohort, published in The American Journal of Clinical...
CORONAVIRUS WATCH
Longer gap between COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine significantly boosts immunity
One of the most in-depth studies into COVID-19 immune response to vaccines to date shows a short... July 28th, 2021New indicator estimates that COVID cut lifespan by up to 9 years in parts of US
A new metric, the “Mean Unfulfilled Lifespan” (MUL), that estimates the impact on lifespan of... July 28th, 2021Isolating of highest-risk people during the first wave not as effective as hoped
Shielding, or self-isolating, those at highest risk from COVID-19 during the first wave of the... July 28th, 2021Sputnik V vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants — Small Argentina study
Serum samples from 12 individuals in Argentina who received two doses of the Gamaleya Sputnik V... July 28th, 2021NEWS RELEASE
Warning from CCSSA and SASA on vaccinations and Ivermectin
The Critical Care Society of Southern Africa (CCSSA) and the South African Society of... July 28th, 2021Netcare: Handover of Lesotho's Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital and primary care clinics
Netcare has updated a statement issued earlier this month regarding the start of the handover... July 28th, 2021DA: New superintendent-general is qualified but Eastern Cape Health is a sinking ship
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has issued a news release noting the appointment of Dr Rolene Wagner... July 28th, 2021Sisonke: Only 2% of breakthrough infections in J&J vaccinated health workers are severe
Following treatment with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, only 2% of breakthrough infections are... July 14th, 2021CARDIOVASCULAR
Single-shot abelacimab cuts venous thromboembolism risk in knee surgery
A single abelacimab injection prevents blood clots for up to a month after surgery, reducing risk...
July 28th, 2021
DERMATOLOGY
Simple dietary changes may have significant effect on psoriasis
A Western diet rich in sugar and fat leads to an imbalance in the gut's microbial culture and may...
July 28th, 2021
GUIDELINES
AHA guideline on elevated BP and cholesterol: 10 jumping jacks and call me in the morning
The optimal first step to address mild to moderately elevated blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol in otherwise healthy adults is a “prescription” to sit less and move more, the American Heart Association (AHA) said in a statement. "The... July 28th, 2021HEPATOLOGY
Increase in liver injury linked to herbal and dietary supplements — Australian study
The number of patients being admitted to hospital with severe liver injuries caused by herbal and dietary supplements claiming to promote muscle growth or weight loss is increasing, with some people harmed so severely they required a liver...
July 28th, 2021
HIV/AIDS
Fear of side-effects the greatest barrier to long-acting injectable PrEP
Fear of potential severe side effects may be the greatest barrier to long-acting injectable HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM), followed by out-of-pocket costs, found a US study. When examining relative importance of perceived... July 28th, 2021An affordable, optimal second-line HIV treatment now available for low- and middle-income countries
Global health agency Unitaid and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) have announced in a statement a groundbreaking pricing agreement with pharmaceutical company Hetero Labs to make darunavir, boosted with ritonavir (DRV/r), available as a... July 28th, 2021NEUROLOGY
Cognitively active lifestyle may delay onset of Alzheimer's dementia by five years
A cognitively active lifestyle — reading, writing letters and playing card games or puzzles — in old age (80+) may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s dementia by as much as five years, according to a study in Neurology.
Keeping your brain...
July 28th, 2021
ONCOLOGY
Cancer Research UK: Progress at detecting glioma through urine
Cancer Research UK scientists report “very promising results” at detecting for the first time signs of glioma through urine, according to a study in EMBO Molecular Medicine. If future trials are successful, these tests could be used by GPs to... July 28th, 2021SURGERY
Bariatric surgery linked to markedly decreased stroke risk
Obese people who had bariatric surgery to reduce their weight appeared to get an added benefit of a markedly reduced risk of stroke, a difference that can be measured as early as a year after undergoing the procedure, a Canadian study... July 28th, 2021
