Author: Healthcare Propulsion Staff

Over the last decade, scientists at Northwestern University have identified a key insight about how vaccines work. The ingredients matter, but the way those ingredients are physically arranged can dramatically influence performance. After validating this concept in multiple studies, the researchers applied it to therapeutic cancer vaccines aimed at HPV-driven tumors. In their latest work, they found that simply adjusting the orientation and position of a single cancer targeting peptide significantly strengthened the immune system’s ability to attack tumors. The study was published Feb. 11 in Science Advances. Testing a Spherical Nucleic Acid Vaccine To explore this idea, the team…

Williamson Health, an independent regional system in Tennessee, is planning a nine-figure sale to Ascension to secure its long-term capital needs, its board of trustees announced Monday.  The board made its decision in a unanimous vote that same day, and will be working over the next few weeks with Ascension to draft a non-binding letter of intent that would need to be approved by the Williamson County Commission before proceeding, Board of Trustees Chairman James (Bo) Butler wrote in an open letter and told community members at a Monday evening meeting. A close in 2027 or 2028 is expected, pending…

For decades, scientists have chased the idea of a universal vaccine capable of protecting against virtually any infectious threat. That goal has often seemed almost mythical. Now, researchers at Stanford Medicine and their collaborators report a major step toward that vision. In a new mouse study, they developed an experimental universal vaccine that shields against a broad range of respiratory viruses, bacteria, and even allergens. The vaccine is given intranasally — such as through a nasal spray — and provides wide ranging protection in the lungs that lasts for months. The findings, published Feb. 19 in Science, show that vaccinated…

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Heritage Valley Health System (HVHS)  announced Wednesday a finalized affiliation agreement between the two organizations, officially bringing HVHS into the Beaver, Pennsylvania-based health system. Through the acquisition, two HVHS hospitals will be rebranded—bringing AHN’s reach to 16 full-service, acute-care inpatient facilities, according to the July 1 announcement. The system will also add 36 Heritage Valley physician offices and seven multi-specialty outpatient facilities.  Moreover, Heritage Valley’s approximate 3,000 employees will become AHN staff members—with AHN now employing 27,000 individuals through the acquisition.  Heritage Valley President and CEO Norm Mitry said in a statement excitement “was palpable” among…

A new study published in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggests that the type of foods people choose on a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet may be more important than simply cutting carbs or fat. Researchers found that when these diets focused on nutrient-dense, wholesome foods, they were linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In contrast, versions built around refined carbohydrates and animal products were associated with higher CHD risk and less favorable metabolic health markers. Low-carbohydrate and low-fat eating plans are common in the United States. However, scientists have not fully…

Viruses are highly effective at entering human cells, largely because of specialized proteins that cover their outer surfaces. These proteins are key targets in vaccine development. To study them, scientists typically create lab versions to see how the immune system might respond. However, these simplified versions often leave out important sections that normally sit within the virus’s outer membrane. As a result, they do not always behave the same way they would in a real infection, making it harder to understand how antibodies truly recognize and stop viruses. Researchers at Scripps Research, working with IAVI and other collaborators, have now…

Available for over a yearExtreme heat is becoming more common around the world. From Europe to India, record-breaking heatwaves are affecting millions of people – but what is all that heat actually doing to our bodies? Brain fog, poor sleep, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are just some of the ways extreme heat can affect our health. So when does hot weather become dangerous, and how can you stay safe during a heatwave? BBC Health Editor and doctor Michelle Roberts explains how the body keeps itself cool, why extreme heat can become life-threatening, and who is most at risk. We also…

Heart disease in women is projected to rise sharply over the next 25 years. By 2050, nearly 60% of women in the United States could have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. That is up from about half of women in 2020, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Young adult women are increasingly at risk. Almost one in three women ages 22 to 44 are expected to have some form of cardiovascular disease, compared with fewer than one in four today. Diabetes and obesity are adding fuel to the problem. Growing…

Will Monaghan, group chief digital information officer at University Hospitals of Leicester and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (Credit: NTT DATA) University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) has upgraded its Nervecentre electronic patient record (EPR) system and begun the phased deployment of AI-powered ambient voice technology (AVT) to support clinical documentation. The developments support the trust’s wider programme to become a fully digitally enabled organisation, with new capabilities intended to improve access to clinical information, streamline workflows and reduce administrative pressures on frontline staff. The latest Nervecentre upgrade introduces digital clinical documentation for inpatients, alongside extending electronic prescribing and fully…

Available for over a yearAn experimental treatment to “reset” the immune systems of people with autoimmune disease is showing transformative results in early trials. James visits the NIHR Clinical Research Facility in Manchester to meet Kathy. She was diagnosed with lupus just after the birth of her baby and in 2024 became the first person in the UK to try CAR-T therapy as part of a clinical trial. How is she feeling now? We’ll also hear from Kathy’s rheumatologist Professor Ben Parker, who led the trial Kathy took part in and explains how the therapy works, the astonishing early results…