Lori A Carr

University to study how health, climate change are linked: The University of Arizona’s school of public health is using $3.8 million in NIH funding to study the intersection between public health and the response to climate change. Researchers will examine the health implications of extreme weather, forecasting, early warning models and the built environment. Professor Kacey Ernst noted that Arizona is an appropriate location for the research as its population is growing rapidly, and it can serve as a model for other regions with dry climates.

AI shows promise for diagnosing autism: Researchers at Duke University have developed an app for smartphones or tablet computers that uses computer vision analysis to evaluate children’s responses to brief videos designed to elicit autism-related behaviors. Meanwhile, researchers in Korea reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Network Open that they have developed a deep learning algorithm that screens for autism spectrum disorder based on retinal images.

Food plant inspections reveals high lead contamination: An FDA inspection of a food production plant in Ecuador uncovered lead levels more than 2,000 times above proposed standards. Contaminated cinnamon in applesauce products that were made there and sold under three (3) US labels have been linked to at least 65 cases of illness in children younger than 6 years.

Stemming from an apparent mishandling of the Philips Respironics recall, two (2) prominent Senators suggest that it is time for a new probe examining Agency oversight

Using smartwatches for heart issue detection in children shows promise: A study published in the journal Communications Medicine found that using smartwatches to detect arrhythmias in children is feasible, and medical records show the tools were able to detect heart issues that were not spotted using traditional monitoring approaches. Researchers wrote that it may be useful for children to have smartwatch technology with heart-tracking algorithms designed for their age group.

Unlocking squirrels’ hibernation secrets for brain health: Arctic ground squirrels’ ability to hibernate in freezing conditions for long periods has prompted researchers to develop drugs that mimic hibernation and slow the metabolic rate in humans, which may be effective in treating brain injuries or neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers are working on a drug that stimulates A-1 receptors, which have been found to slow metabolism in squirrels, with promising results in studies with rats and pigs.

Heartburn, chronic cough relief linked to CPAP device use: A study in the journal ERJ Open Research found that patients with sleep apnea who used a continuous positive airway pressure device regularly had 42% lower odds of experiencing nighttime heartburn at a follow-up period of two (2) years compared with patients who used the machine a little or those who did not use one at all. The acid reflux reduction was associated with an almost fourfold reduction in chronic bronchitis risk and at least a fourfold decrease in morning cough with mucus.

Gamma ray-sanitized tampon cleared as medical device: The FDA has cleared the Nude Tampon from Daye, allowing the tampon to be marketed as a medical device. The organic tampon has been sanitized via gamma ray to reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome and other vaginal infections.

Belgian firms develop model to study heart in space: Under the AstroCardia project, Belgian companies Antleron, QbD Group, Space Applications Services, BIO INX and SCK CEN developed a “heart-on-a-chip” that will be launched to the International Space Station in 2025 to study heart health in the space environment. “A healthy heart is important [not] only for those currently suffering from cardiovascular disease, but also for healthy astronauts exploring space,” said QbD Chief Information Officer Martijn Reniers.

Mouse sleep deprivation study offers insights into depression: Sleep deprivation had an antidepressant effect in studies with mice, characterized by heightened aggressiveness and hypersexuality, which was linked to increased dopamine signaling in the prefrontal cortex, according to a study in Neuron. The findings suggest that “the prefrontal cortex is a clinically relevant area when searching for therapeutic targets … [and] reinforces the idea that … dopamine neurons play very important but very different roles in the brain,” said senior author Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy.