Health
→ NewsMeasles exposure reported at Philadelphia International Airport and 30th Street Station
City health officials reported a person potentially infected with measles passed through Terminal A East at Philadelphia International Airport and 30th Street Station on Jan. 7, and rode a southbound Northeast Regional Amtrak train; Maryland health officials also issued a related alert near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Ohio couple found dead as ex-husband is arrested on murder charges
Monique and Spencer Tepe were found dead in their Columbus home on Dec. 30, and their two young children were located in the house unharmed. Authorities arrested Monique’s former husband, Michael David McKee, in Rockford, Illinois, on Jan. 10 on two counts of murder, and he is in custody with a court appearance scheduled Monday.
Rejuvenating eggs for IVF may reduce age-related chromosome errors
Researchers report that microinjections of the protein Shugoshin 1 into donated human eggs lowered the share with chromosomal defects from about 53% to 29% overall and from 65% to 44% in eggs from women over 35.
Anthropic brings Claude into healthcare with HIPAA-focused tools
Anthropic unveiled Claude for Healthcare at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, presenting HIPAA-aligned features and integrations with medical data; the announcement follows OpenAI's recent ChatGPT Health launch.
At-home STD tests offer new options for screening and treatment
The FDA approved the first at-home test that detects gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis in women, and regulators also approved a first home kit for the virus linked to cervical cancer and two new gonorrhea drugs; companies are offering rapid home tests that connect with telehealth for follow-up.
TV CPR portrayals often misrepresent current guidance
A University of Pittsburgh study published in Circulation: Population and Outcomes found that fewer than 30% of TV scenes showed hands-only CPR correctly, while many still depict older practices such as mouth-to-mouth and pulse checks.
NYC nurses begin strike as 15,000 walk out from Manhattan and Bronx hospitals
About 15,000 nurses at Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore began a strike amid a severe flu season; city and state officials say they are coordinating to maintain patient care.
New blood test could diagnose prostate cancer more accurately
Researchers at the University of Cambridge are developing a blood test that detects DNA methylation markers to indicate whether prostate cancer is present and how aggressive it is, and clinical trials in UK patients are planned within 18–24 months.
Blind mother's eyesight restored after cutting-edge eye procedure
A 47-year-old British mother who lost vision from hypotony regained sight after treatment with an injected water-based gel (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and seven of eight patients treated there responded positively.
Drugstore moisturizers that actually work are reviewed.
An editor tested many creams and reports that ingredients and formulation matter more than price, and that modern drugstore moisturizers can provide effective hydration.
Alcohol affects the body more as you age, even with the same amount
Experts say that with age the same amount of alcohol can lead to higher blood alcohol levels and stronger effects because of shifts in body composition and slower liver processing.
GLP-3s: A new generation of weight-loss drugs with three key ingredients
GLP-3s are triple-agonist drugs that target GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors; early trials of retatrutide reported substantial average weight losses. Reported side effects are mainly gastrointestinal, with some cardiovascular and rarer risks noted.
Filler treatment brings hope for people with rare eye condition
A low-cost surgical gel (HPMC) injected into eyes restored shape and improved vision for seven of eight patients with hypotony in a small study led by Moorfields Eye Hospital, and researchers are seeking funding for a larger trial.
Ecuador: Five heads found on beach amid gang clashes
Authorities reported five human heads were found on a beach in Puerto López, Manabí province, and the government has declared a 60-day state of emergency in seven provinces.
Recall of Pecorino Romano cheese upgraded after Listeria found
The FDA upgraded a November recall of several grated Pecorino Romano products to Class I after tests detected Listeria monocytogenes; the items were distributed nationwide between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20.
MindWalk reports advance in influenza program after identifying a preserved functional constraint
MindWalk announced an advance in its universal influenza program and said it identified a functional constraint that persists across influenza viruses despite ongoing evolution. The article mentions that the constraint refers to preserved biophysical requirements for infection rather than conserved genetic sequences.
Howard County protests demand justice after ICE shooting
People gathered in Columbia, Howard County, to protest immigration enforcement after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis; the FBI has opened an investigation and DHS officials said officers acted in self-defense.
Ex-husband charged after Ohio couple found dead
Authorities say a 39-year-old man, Michael David McKee, was arrested in Illinois and charged with two counts of murder after a Columbus couple were found dead in their home on Dec. 30; investigators say the inquiry is ongoing and a court date is scheduled for Monday.
Vaccine guideline changes reshape U.S. childhood schedule
The CDC announced an overhaul that reduces the number of routine childhood immunizations and sorts vaccines into three categories. State vaccine mandates remain controlled by states and insurance coverage for vaccines is not removed; next procedural steps are undetermined at this time.
Measles case traveled through Maryland, health officials say
Maryland health officials announced that a person with measles traveled on the Amtrak NE Regional and was at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport between Jan. 7 and Jan. 9; anyone in those locations at those times may have been exposed.
Anthropic expands into health care with new Claude tools
Anthropic announced a suite of health care and life sciences features for its Claude AI, now available to Pro and Max subscribers in the U.S. The launch follows OpenAI's recent ChatGPT Health rollout and the companies emphasized privacy protections for shared health data.
4-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Pulled Unconscious from Pool
A 4-year-old boy was pulled from a pool unresponsive in Bobs Farm on Jan. 9 and later died at John Hunter Hospital; police say inquiries are ongoing and a coroner's report will be prepared.
RFK Jr. changes which childhood vaccines are routinely recommended.
The Health and Human Services secretary moved hepatitis A, influenza, meningococcal (MenACWY) and rotavirus from routine pediatric recommendations to a "shared clinical decision-making" category, and the department says the vaccines remain available and covered by insurance; the change was made without a vote from the usual outside expert panel.
Cook County warns homeowners about radon risks
The Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon during Radon Action Month and is offering free test kits to suburban Cook County residents.
ICE deported man who returned in a vegetative state
A man from Costa Rica who was detained by ICE was hospitalized in June with an altered mental status and was later deported to Costa Rica in a reported vegetative state; DHS says he was diagnosed with unspecified psychosis and hospitalized while in custody.
University Hospitals study reports reversal of Alzheimer's features in mice
Researchers at University Hospitals treated mice carrying human Alzheimer's genes with a compound that restored NAD enzyme function and reversed multiple brain pathology features and cognitive deficits; the team says human studies are still years away.
Neighbor of accused ex-husband says Ohio dentist couple's deaths are 'shocking'
A man has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder after a Columbus couple were found dead; their two young children were later found physically unharmed.
U.S. vaccine guidance follows Denmark but omits social safety net
The Department of Health and Human Services revised the U.S. childhood vaccine recommendations to mirror Denmark's schedule, narrowing routine recommendations and reclassifying meningococcal, hepatitis B and hepatitis A vaccines to shared clinical decision-making; experts warned the countries differ in health systems and social safety nets.
Missing sleep may shorten life and affect the brain.
An OHSU study published in Sleep Advances found inadequate sleep was linked to higher mortality risk across U.S. counties and ranked as a leading behavioral factor after smoking.
Jill Martin undergoing emergency surgery after breast cancer treatment
Jill Martin will have emergency surgery to address a skin complication linked to prior breast cancer treatment; she and doctors say her cancer has not returned.
