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Alabama woman receives pig kidney transplant: Towana Looney, a 53-year-old from Alabama, became the first living person to receive a kidney transplant from a new type of genetically modified pig in an operation at New York University Langone Health. The FDA has previously allowed transplants of genetically modified pig kidneys and hearts into critically ill patients, who only survived for a short period; however, doctors are more optimistic about Looney’s prognosis due to her healthier condition.

Health and Human Services (HHS) layoffs more employees, shutters offices: HHS has started sending layoff notices that could affect up to 10,000 employees in addition to those who have already left as part of a major reorganization. The workforce reduction and reorganization plan includes consolidating certain Agencies and creating the Administration for a Healthy America. Key leaders at the NIH and FDA have been dismissed or placed on leave, while the CDC is expected to face a significant reduction in staff, particularly in areas not directly related to infectious diseases.

Paul Simon finds hope in animal research for hearing recovery: Musician Paul Simon is seeking scientific remedies for his hearing loss by engaging with researchers at the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss, exploring how animals such as zebrafish and mice can regenerate ear hair cells. Researchers are working on gene therapy and drug solutions that could potentially reverse hearing damage.

Researchers develop new antibiotics to tackle superbugs: Researchers have developed 30 new antibiotics to combat superbugs, after extensive research on over 700 variations. This development is crucial for conditions like diabetic foot infections, which often lead to amputations, and the researchers are now seeking funding to ensure these drugs’ safety and efficacy.

Injection offers hope for asthma and COPD patients: A study in Lancet Respiratory Medicine showcased a promising new treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using benralizumab injections, demonstrating that a single injection during flare-ups is more effective than conventional steroid tablets, marking the first major advancement in 50 years. Benralizumab injections reduced the need for additional interventions by 30% and showed fewer symptoms and treatment failures, suggesting that the antibody injection could be a safer alternative to steroids, which have serious side effects.

New schizophrenia drug shows promise for other brain disorders: KarXT, a new schizophrenia drug with a novel mechanism targeting muscarinic receptors, has sparked interest in its potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder and addiction, though real-world effectiveness and side effects are concerns. Xanomeline, one of KarXT’s components, primarily affects the M1 and M4 muscarinic receptors, with research showing M4 linked to antipsychotic effects and M1 linked to cognition, prompting researchers to explore targeted therapies that could offer greater benefits with fewer side effects.

Screening urged for iron deficiency to prevent anemia: Screening for iron deficiency in patients with risk factors can prevent progression to conditions such as microcytic anemia, according to a presentation at a family medicine meeting. Nonanemic iron deficiency is common, affecting 38.3% of women of reproductive age, and is linked to hospitalizations and reduced quality of life, according to a study.

Experts urge caution when interpreting incidental findings on mammograms: Some radiology practices are offering to analyze mammograms for breast arterial calcification, a potential indicator of heart disease risk, using AI (Artificial Intelligence). Some studies have found an association between calcification and cardiovascular risk; however, experts urge caution, noting that the correlation is not as strong as with coronary artery calcification and the absence of breast arterial calcification does not necessarily equate to an absence of heart disease.

Mortician turned scientist unlocks secrets of ancient brains: Former wedding planner, dishwasher and mortician Alexandra Morton-Hayward, now a 35-year-old molecular paleontologist at Oxford University, spends a lot of time in medieval graveyards, mass graves and even crime scenes collecting brains from old skulls buried there. In the mid-1990s, archaeologist Sonia O’Connor discovered that some brains remain intact for decades — even centuries — after death, and Morton-Hayward, whose own brain subjects her to severe cluster headaches every night, uses mass spectrometry, particle accelerators and other advanced technologies to determine how, potentially reshaping our understanding of neurodegenerative conditions.

Parents advocate for newborn genetic screening initiative: Jessica and Pete Williams enrolled their newborn son in the Generations Study at The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, England to screen his DNA for 200 rare but treatable genetic conditions, and they are advocating for other parents to participate. Led by Genomics England, the study may involve up to 100,000 newborns across England, enabling early disease detection while deepening our understanding of the genetic links to various conditions.