(2023-04-04). WHO says that XBB.1.16 "Arcturus" is the next Omicron variant "to watch" wsws.org A new, more infectious and potentially virulent version of Omicron, XBB.1.16 has spread across 24 countries. In India where the variant has become dominant, cases are accelerating.
(2023-04-05). Mayo Clinic Minute: What can you eat to avoid kidney stones? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org March is National Kidney Month, a time to raise awareness about your kidney health and generate support for those affected by conditions, including kidney stones, kidney infections and kidney disease. It's estimated that 1 in 10 people will get a kidney stone in his or her lifetime. Kidney stones are not only painful, but they can lead to serious complications that may require hospitalization and even surgery. The good news is kidney stones are preventable,…
(2023-04-05). Know the signs of strep throat in children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Image courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an increase in invasive group A Streptococcus infections in children. "Group A streptococcal disease is a group of conditions caused by a bacteria called 'group A strep,'" says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. "The one that people are probably most familiar with is strep throat. Strep throat is a relatively common infection,…
(2023-04-04). WHO says that XBB.1.16 "Arcturus" is the next Omicron variant "to watch" wsws.org A new, more infectious and potentially virulent version of Omicron, XBB.1.16 has spread across 24 countries. In India where the variant has become dominant, cases are accelerating.
(2023-04-05). Mayo Clinic Minute: What can you eat to avoid kidney stones? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org March is National Kidney Month, a time to raise awareness about your kidney health and generate support for those affected by conditions, including kidney stones, kidney infections and kidney disease. It's estimated that 1 in 10 people will get a kidney stone in his or her lifetime. Kidney stones are not only painful, but they can lead to serious complications that may require hospitalization and even surgery. The good news is kidney stones are preventable,…
(2023-04-05). Know the signs of strep throat in children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Image courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an increase in invasive group A Streptococcus infections in children. "Group A streptococcal disease is a group of conditions caused by a bacteria called 'group A strep,'" says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. "The one that people are probably most familiar with is strep throat. Strep throat is a relatively common infection,…
(2023-04-05). Managing your health during Ramadan fasting. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — Fasting during Ramadan involves abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset. Depending on geography and the time of year when Ramadan occurs, daily fasting can range from as little as 10 hours in the winter months to more than 17 hours during the summer. This daily fast should not have a negative effect on health for most individuals. However, even if you have a chronic condition, including coronary artery disease,…
(2023-04-05). $41 million federal grant to help Mayo Clinic, collaborators advance multiethnic Alzheimer's research. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Alzheimer's disease affects people of all ethnic groups. Armed with $41 million in new federal funding, Mayo Clinic researchers and colleagues from 13 other institutions around the country are pursuing three multiethnic projects to identify targets for treatment. Alzheimer's disease robs victims of their memories and families of quality time with their loved ones. Deaths from Alzheimer's more than doubled from 2000 to 2019, and the number of people living with the…
(2023-04-05). Babesiosis and what you need to know about the 2023 tick season. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org An infected black-legged tick can transmit babesiosis and other infections Tick season is underway in much of the U.S. This season, another tick-borne disease is on the list of concerns. That's because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found a significant increase in reported cases of babesiosis(bah-beez-E-oh-sis) infection in eastern parts of the U.S. "Babesiosis is another tick-borne disease that we hear about, in addition to Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and others," says Dr. Bobbi…
(2023-04-05). Mayo Clinic Minute: Is Himalayan sea salt a healthy alternative? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Consuming too much salt can lead to serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Many consumers are turning to Himalayan sea salt, which can now be found in almost any grocery store. Claims are Himalayan salt and other sea salts are a healthier alternative than regular table salt. Are the claims true? Dr. Regis Fernandes, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, says, before you stock up on Himalayan sea salt, there are some…
(2023-04-04). Human Flu Cases in Cambodia Not Due to Bird Flu Outbreak Viruses. jamanetwork.com Two people in Cambodia who were infected by avian influenza A(H5N1) in February, including a child who died, were the first human cases the country has seen in about 9 years. Genetic sequencing revealed that the viruses belonged to H5 clade 2.3.2.1c and are not the same as the H5 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses currently infecting birds worldwide, according to a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement.
(2023-04-04). Early Respiratory Infections Tied to Premature Death Later in Life. jamanetwork.com After adjusting for certain baseline factors, people who had lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia before age 2 years were almost twice as likely to die from a respiratory disease by age 73 years compared with those who were not infected as children.
(2023-04-04). Patient Information: Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease. jamanetwork.com This JAMA Patient Page describes autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, its signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
(2023-04-05). California Department of Public Health's Criminal Negligence—April 2023. indybay.org California Department of Public Health deliberately sacrifices the lives of the elderly, sick, and disabled by removing all restrictions on the transmission of the Covid-19 virus in high risk locations.
(2023-04-05). Consumer Health: Colorectal cancer — risk factors and prevention. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn about the risk factors for colorectal cancer and what you can do to prevent it. Cancer in the colon and cancer in the rectum often are referred to together as colorectal cancer. Approximately 106,970 new cases of colon cancer and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2023, according to the American Cancer Society. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the…
(2023-04-05). Consumer Health: Treating spinal stenosis. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the neck, called cervical spinal stenosis, and in the lower back, called lumbar spinal stenosis. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to arthritis. Most people with spinal stenosis are over 50. Younger people…
(2023-04-05). Consumer Health: What do you know about cornea transplantation? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A cornea transplant, or keratoplasty, is an operation to replace part of the cornea with corneal tissue from a donor. The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface of the eye. Light enters the eye through the cornea. Nearly 80,000 corneal transplants were performed worldwide in 2021, according to the Eye Bank Association of America. More than 2 million people have recovered their sight through corneal transplants since 1961. Why it's done A cornea transplant most…
(2023-04-05). Colorectal cancer myths and facts. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org It can be easy to feel confused by screening recommendations for common types of cancer. Your health care team is a trusted resource for keeping you up to date on screenings, including screening for colorectal cancer. Test your knowledge of why, when and how you can be screened with these myths and facts: Colorectal cancer is rare. Myth. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women combined. Roughly 1 in 25 women will…
(2023-04-05). Ready to Run: Mayo Clinic Health System gives tips on choosing the right running shoes. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org MANKATO, Minn. — Congratulations on setting a goal to run a long-distance race. You've just joined a group of more than 60 million people in the U.S. who participate in organized runs and races. Running doesn't require much gear, but well-fitting, running-specific shoes are a must. "Someone training for a long-distance run such as a marathon can log 800 or more miles before a race," says Stephanie Kvas, D.P.M., a Mayo Clinic Health System podiatrist….
(2023-04-05). Tips to remain healthy while fasting during Ramadan. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Muslims worldwide are observing Ramadan, the holiest month on the Islamic calendar. It's a time of spiritual reflection, increased devotion, charity work and fasting. Fasting during Ramadan is believed to be a way to purify the soul and develop self-discipline. Muslims abstain from all food or drink, including water and chewing gum, from dawn to sunset. Depending on your location, the fast lasts 12 to 18 hours. "In Minnesota, as we start Ramadan, that's going…
(2023-04-05). 15 million in the US to be kicked off of public health benefits. peoplesdispatch.org As US-based news is inundated with coverage surrounding the spectacle of former president Donald Trump's arraignment, 15 million people are being quietly phased out of receiving Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) benefits, beginning April 1 and going through May and July. | As the Joe Biden administration will end the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration on May 11, starting this past weekend states have already begun to kick people off of Medicaid and CHIP. These states are all Republican Party-controlled: Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire, and South Dakota. | Medicaid and CHIP…
(2023-04-04). Experts: Public mask wearing can be eased. ecns.cn Chinese health experts suggest relaxing mandatory mask wearing in public except for elderly care centers and other high-risk facilities as the global COVID-19 pandemic is nearing an end and domestic flu infections are declining.
(2023-04-04). States Try to Obscure Execution Details as Drugmakers Hinder Lethal Injection. scheerpost.com 
By Renuka Rayasam/ Kaiser Health News In 2011, Jeffrey Motts was executed in South Carolina. More than a decade later, the state hasn't carried out another execution because officials have struggled to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injection. Now, to resume executions, lawmakers are debating a bill that would further shroud the state's lethal injection …
(2023-04-04). Illuminating Report On Veterans Administration's Staffing Shortages. popularresistance.org Today, the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute, in association with the American Federation of Government Employees, released a comprehensive report on the urgent struggles of thousands of VA employees, and how they threaten to impede the future of America's best healthcare and benefits systems. | Entitled "Disadvantaging the VA: How VA Staff View Agency Privatization and Other Detrimental Policies," the 74-page report leans on dozens of interviews, hundreds of written comments, and thousands of survey responses, as well as Congressional testimony, federal watchdog reports, and other previous investigations. It…
(2023-04-04). Montana Repeals State Energy Policy As Climate Trial Nears. popularresistance.org Montana has repealed its 30-year-old energy policy — including a 2011 amendment that prioritized fossil-fuel development. The move comes as a June trial date approaches for a youth-led climate lawsuit against the state. | In the lawsuit, Held v. State of Montana, sixteen Montana children and teenagers say that by actively promoting a fossil-fuel based energy system that is dangerous to the climate, state officials are violating the "right to a clean and healthful environment" for present and future generations under the state Constitution. It is the first constitutional climate case to go to trial in the Un…
(2023-04-04). Addressing the Long-term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Families. jamanetwork.com This Viewpoint discusses a consensus report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) that reviews the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of children and families and what needs to be done to attenuate longer-term negative effects.
(2023-04-04). Menstrual Hygiene With Less Environmental Impact. jamanetwork.com This JAMA Insights in the Women's Health series aims to expand clinician knowledge about the safety and best practices of menstrual cup use to support patients who choose this product by discussing the advantages, insertion and removal process, and potential risks of menstrual cup use.
(2023-04-04). Do Patient Satisfaction Instruments Harm Patients and Physicians?—Reply. jamanetwork.com In Reply In his Letter about our recent Viewpoint, Dr Lee shares our concerns over the linkage of financial incentives for individual physicians to patient satisfaction measures such as the use of the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems survey (CG-CAHPS) in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.
(2023-04-04). Medicare Advantage vs Traditional Medicare and 30-Day Mortality in Patients With AMI—Reply. jamanetwork.com In Reply As noted by Dr Roehm, Medicare Advantage health plans principally are paid via capitation payments that are adjusted for the health status of the enrolled population. A large body of research suggests that this payment system has created strong incentives for Medicare Advantage health plans to improve their coding of diagnoses in order to increase their payments. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) estimated that Medicare Advantage risk scores in 2021 were more than 10% higher than scores for similar beneficiaries in traditional Medicare . To achieve these scores, Medicare Advantage plans r…
(2023-04-04). Mindfulness Training and Exercise and Cognitive Function in Older Adults. jamanetwork.com To the Editor A recent study reported that, compared with health education, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and exercise (alone or in combination) did not improve cognitive function in older adults with self-reported cognitive concerns. These findings, in our opinion, can be explained by a number of methodological limitations.
(2023-04-04). Author Affiliations Omitted. jamanetwork.com In the Original Investigation titled "Effect of Direct Transportation to Thrombectomy-Capable Center vs Local Stroke Center on Neurological Outcomes in Patients With Suspected Large-Vessel Occlusion Stroke in Nonurban Areas: The RACECAT Randomized Clinical Trial," published in the May 10, 2022, issue of JAMA, 2 authors, Sà≤nia Abilleira, PhD, and Mercè Salvat-Plana, RN, were missing affiliations. Both of these authors were listed as affiliated with the Stroke Programme, Catalan Health Department, Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain, but should have additionally been listed a…
(2023-04-04). UN Human Rights Council condemns impact of unilateral sanctions. peoplesdispatch.org 
The resolution presented by Azerbaijan on behalf of Non-Aligned countries noted the impact of sanctions on key rights related to life, health, and freedom from hunger. It was predictably rejected by the US and its allies…
(2023-04-04). Medicare Advantage vs Traditional Medicare and 30-Day Mortality in Patients With AMI. jamanetwork.com To the Editor A recent study compared outcomes of 30-day mortality following myocardial infarction in patients with Medicare Advantage vs traditional Medicare. However, greater coding intensity occurs in Medicare Advantage plans, which makes reliable interpretation of outcome data difficult when comparing Medicare Advantage plans with traditional Medicare.
(2023-04-05). Vaccine Shedding & Graphene Oxide: Secret Pfizer Documents & Studies prove Graphene is in the COVID Vaccines & Shedding is sadly occurring with Deadly Consequences. expose-news.com For over two years, concerned citizens around the world have been voicing their concerns about the safety of the novel Covid-19 mRNA vaccines. Yet, time and time again, they have been dismissed …
(2023-04-04). Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Whistleblower Case Dismissed by Judge. globalresearch.ca
(2023-04-04). FIFA Footballers who 'Died Suddenly' in the year following COVID Vaccine roll-out was 300% higher than the previous 12-Year Average. expose-news.com Extensive research has revealed that deaths of professional football/soccer players due to cardiovascular issues doubled every three months in 2021, with the number of footballers who 'died suddenly' in December 2021 equalling …
(2023-04-05). A social and medical examination of Long COVID as a "mass disabling event": Part 2. wsws.org This review will document what is known about the science and impacts of Long COVID, the lessons that should have been drawn from previous post-viral illnesses and the refusal of world capitalism to address this massive and ongoing social catastrophe.
(2023-04-05). Second "Summit for Democracy" journal-neo.org 
The Summit for Democracy had its second forum on March 28-30 this year. The current US administration established the event in the second part of 2021, and it was held for the first time in December of that year. Because the Covid-19 pandemic was still active at the time, this event was held online a […] | –°–æ–æ–±—â–µ–Ω–∏–µ
(2023-04-05). Notes on Mutual Aid: A Local History of Survival and Struggle. itsgoingdown.org The first in a series looking critically at mutual aid programs that exploded following the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd rebellion. Originally posted to Notes on Mutual Aid. Zine PDF For Printing HERE In Spring of 2022 we were rejected by our anonymous friends at PugetSoundAnarchists.org. The site admins declined to…
(2023-04-04). Bolivia mantiene reducción de casos de Covid-19 por 12 ∞ semana. telesurtv.net En la última semana se detectaron 343 nuevos casos, lo que representa una reducción del 25 por ciento.
(2023-04-04). A social and medical examination of Long COVID as a "mass disabling event": Part 1. wsws.org This review will document what is known about the science and impacts of Long COVID, the lessons that should have been drawn from previous post-viral illnesses, and the refusal of world capitalism to address this massive and ongoing social catastrophe.
(2023-04-04). Heterogeneous Treatment Effects of Therapeutic-Dose Heparin in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19. jamanetwork.com This exploratory study of a multiplatform randomized trial investigating the effects of therapeutic-dose heparin in early-pandemic hospitalized COVID-19 patients describes findings from 3 statistical approaches to detecting differences of treatment effect in clinically relevant patient subgroups.