Health

As Hurricane Milton approaches, healthcare facilities on Florida's west coast are implementing emergency measures, including closing and evacuating hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in anticipation of the storm's expected severe impact. The region, scarred by previous hurricanes, doesn't want to take any chances with Milton, which is expected to be more destructive than previous storms. In preparation, medical facilities are hardening themselves against potential harm. Notably, Tampa General Hospital has installed a temporary flood barricade, a critical measure to protect against expected storm surges. In Pinellas County, home to cities such as Clearwater and St. Petersburg, mandatory evacuation orders were…

In response to the destructive aftermath of Hurricane Helene, U.S. authorities initiated emergency airlifts of intravenous (IV) fluids from international manufacturers to mitigate a critical shortage that led hospitals to postpone surgeries and prioritize critical patients. The crisis was exacerbated by extensive flooding in western North Carolina, which severely impacted a key Baxter plant responsible for producing approximately 60 percent of the IV fluids distributed across the country. These fluids are essential for a wide range of medical applications, including home dialysis, neonatal intensive care, and adults requiring nutritional support through tube feeding. The damage to the Baxter facility required…

A recent CDC survey provides the first national data on transgender students and high school students in the United States, shedding light on the prevalence of gender identity diversity among young people and the significant mental health challenges they face. The findings reveal that approximately 3.3% of students identify as transgender, with an additional 2.2% questioning their gender identity. These data highlight the need for greater support, understanding and inclusive policies for these young people. The survey, conducted in 2023, highlights alarming disparities in mental health outcomes between transgender and cisgender students. Transgender adolescents reported substantially higher rates of bullying,…

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to researchers Victor Ambros of Chan Medical School at the University of Massachusetts and Gary Ruvkun of Harvard Medical School. Their pioneering research on microRNA, a fundamental component in cellular development and regulation, has earned them this prestigious recognition. The announcement made by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet highlighted the importance of their work, which uses the tiny nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to uncover fundamental gene regulatory mechanisms that affect all multicellular organisms, including humans. Both Ambros and Ruvkun expressed surprise and gratitude upon receiving the news, underlining the unique…