Author: Healthcare Propulsion Staff

Archaeologists excavating a medieval settlement in northwestern Russia have unearthed an unusual 11th-century pendant that combines Christian and pagan imagery. It is the oldest amulet of its kind discovered in the region.The double-sided copper-alloy pendant was found during a summer excavation in Staraya Russa, a historic town between Moscow and St. Petersburg, according to a translated statement from Novgorod State University. One side depicts a Christian saint, while the other side has a Medusa-like figure.The artifact is known in Russian as a “snake amulet” or “serpentine pendant.” Four other examples of this jewelry type are known from Christian sites in…

There are neuroimaging studies to back up that finding, she continues. “When you read fiction, particularly stories that are rich in social content, it activates areas in the brain that we know are involved in social cognition, areas that always come up when you’re doing studies of theory of mind or understanding things from other people’s point of view,” she says. Surveys indicate a link to stress reduction as well. “With reducing stress, it seems to happen really quickly,” Sahakian says. “If you get engrossed in a book, then your mind and your attention are really focused on reading and the…

AUSTIN, Texas — As Austin leaders continue weighing how to improve public safety, a local digital rights group is urging the city to focus on expanding mental health services and job opportunities rather than bringing back automated license plate reader cameras.Groups like the Austin Police Association vouch for some type of automated license plate reader system, arguing the technology can help solve crimes even after the city of Austin canceled its contract with Flock more than a year ago.Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, said weeks ago that the debate should distinguish between a specific vendor and the…

Understanding gene regulation may be the key to interpreting human disease genetics. Genes are regulated in part by stretches of DNA called enhancers, which define when, where, and how strongly each gene is turned on. Mapping enhancers and how they function in specific cell types is necessary for understanding gene regulation and disease-related genetic variants. But the location and activity of enhancers are highly cell-type-specific, which makes it difficult to accurately predict enhancer-gene interactions. In recent years, researchers have developed several computational models to predict enhancer–gene regulatory interactions using measurements of chromatin state and three-dimensional contacts. These models have produced…

Blue Shield of California announced Thursday that it plans to expand its Virtual Blue program, doubling program enrollment for members. Beginning in January 2027, the benefit will be included in fully insured preferred provider organization (PPO) plans for employers with 101 to 3,000 employees, as well as for certain individual and family plans, the insurer said. The expansion will allow an additional 200,000 mid-size employer PPO members and 60,000 individual and family plan members to utilize the program, increasing its total enrollment to more than 410,000 participants, executives say. The virtual-first program, first launched in 2023 in collaboration with Accolade and…

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterial pathogen that causes life-threatening infections, including pneumonia and meningitis. These infections are commonly treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics are becoming less effective against S. pneumoniae over time due to changes in the pathogen that cause drug resistance. This phenomenon, called antimicrobial resistance, is resulting in significant healthcare costs and deaths around the world. In a new study, published by Wiley in Advanced Science, researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify approved drugs that may be effective against S. pneumoniae. Drug repurposing, or the use of drugs with known safety profiles for different purposes, saves time and…

Humana researchers found that cancer patients who received specialty pharmacy care coordination services had fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits, along with lower medical costs. The study, conducted by Humana Pharmacy Analytics and Consulting, analyzed health outcomes for people with cancer who are Humana Medicare Advantage members with Part D prescription plan coverage and who received medication adherence care coordination guidance, as compared to those who opted out of coordination.  Humana’s CenterWell Specialty Pharmacy Oncology Center of Excellence (COE) provided the care coordination services over the course of one year. That COE program provides specialized, personalized clinical care and mail-order…

Oura and Counsel Health are teaming up to participate in CMS’ 10-year chronic condition management program, betting that continuous health data from Oura’s smart ring paired with medical AI can help move the needle on conditions like hypertension. Counsel Health, an AI-native primary care company, plans to participate in CMS’ Advancing Chronic Care with Effective Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model under the early cardio-kidney-metabolic (eCKM) track, with smart ring maker Oura serving as the preferred wearable partner. It is an early example of how the CMS chronic care initiative could become a proving ground for AI-powered, wearable-enabled care delivery. Counsel Health…

A commonly used drug has been linked to a higher risk of death in a new study. The antibiotic, cefepime, which is used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia, UTIs and skin infections, is typically administered via injection by healthcare providers in a clinical setting. Severe side effects may include confusion, decreased consciousness or seizures, especially in older patients and those with kidney problems, among many other common symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic. OLDER ADULTS TAKING 5 OR MORE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FACE HIGHER RISK OF DEATH, STUDY FINDS New research suggests the medication may be associated with a higher risk…

About 40 million Americans are on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro. There are plenty of opinions about the new class of drugs, some of which are backed up by facts or misconceptions. Here’s what most people get wrong about GLP-1s. What most people get wrong about GLP-1s – Ozempic, Wegovy & Mounjaro explained by CBS TEXAS on YouTube What are GLP-1s?GLP-1 stands for Glucagon-like peptide-1, “which is a hormone that is made in our own body, particularly when we eat. The medications are engineered little molecules which are mimic a natural hormone,” said Dr. Mihal Zilbermint, an…