FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved two milestone gene therapies for sickle cell disease, including the first treatment ever approved that uses gene-editing technology. Casgevy, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals of Boston and CRISPR Therapeutics of Switzerland, is the first medicineContinue Reading
MONDAY, Nov. 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Lab-grown blood vessels are providing new insight into how damage to the tiny vessels in the brain can cause them to leak, contributing to dementia and stroke. Even better, this research has identified a drug target that could plug these leaks and potentiallyContinue Reading
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 1, 2023 (HealthDay News) — A new gene therapy for sickle cell disease was deemed safe by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Tuesday, paving the way for full approval by early December. The FDA had already decided that the therapy, known as exa-cel, was effective.Continue Reading
MONDAY, Oct. 30, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Patients with sickle cell disease may soon have two new treatments to try. On Tuesday, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee will weigh the merits of a new gene therapy for the painful, inherited condition, which typically strikes Black people. The agencyContinue Reading
TUESDAY, Sept. 12, 2023 (HealthDay News) — It’s possible that the cause of spontaneous, recurring brain hemorrhages can be passed through blood transfusion, researchers say. The likelihood of this happening is very slim, however. Still, “blood transfusions are relatively common, which makes possible negative effects an important public health issue,”Continue Reading
FRIDAY, Sept. 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) — It’s well known that certain forms of birth control carry a small risk of blood clots. Now a large new study suggests that some common painkillers can magnify that risk. The study, of 2 million Danish women, found what numerous others have before:Continue Reading
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2023 (HealthDay News) — A type of gene therapy that precisely “edits” a key bit of DNA might offer a new way to treat sickle cell disease — a painful inherited condition that largely strikes Black children and adults. That’s according to a new study in theContinue Reading
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2023 (HealthDay News) — When astronauts travel to space, the experience depletes their red blood cells and bone, according to a new study. Fortunately, it appears their bodies can eventually replenish them after they’ve returned to Earth, thanks to fat stored in the bone marrow. “We foundContinue Reading
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2023 (HealthDay News) – The 15th century prince who inspired the literary vampire Dracula may have had medical issues that caused him to cry tears of blood, according to researchers unearthing this ancient mystery. The prince, who was also a military leader, was known as Vlad III,Continue Reading
FRIDAY, June 30, 2023 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a costly single-dose gene therapy for patients with severe hemophilia A, a life-threatening hereditary bleeding disorder. The treatment is not cheap: Roctavian will cost $2.9 million for a single infusion, the Associated Press reported.Continue Reading
THURSDAY, June 29, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Pairing exercise with a 10% weight loss can make a major health improvement in people living with obesity and prediabetes, a new study says. Building in regular exercise more than doubled sensitivity to insulin compared to just weight loss alone. This has theContinue Reading
WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Nearly 4 out of 10 girls and young women aren’t getting enough iron and they may have their periods to blame, a new U.S. study shows. Menstrual bleeding, especially when heavy, is a major risk factor for iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, theContinue Reading
TUESDAY, June 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Taking daily low-dose aspirin increases the risk of anemia in the elderly, a new clinical trial suggests. Not only does it raise anemia risk by more than 20% in people 70 or older, it is also associated with a decline in blood ironContinue Reading
THURSDAY, June 15, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Intermittent fasting is all the rage due to the lengthy list of health benefits associated with this style of eating. Now, a new, small study suggests that one type of intermittent fasting — early time-restricted eating — may be key for preventing typeContinue Reading