Technology is changing the way we think about health. It is not just about fixing problems when they happen. It is about stopping problems before they start. This is where consumer health informatics comes in. It uses data and tech to help people stay healthy. It can change how we deal with long-term health issues. These issues are a big problem worldwide. They are o...
Before some surgeries, doctors often order extra heart tests. This is to check if a patient is at risk of heart problems after the surgery. These tests can cause delays and add to medical costs. But are these tests always needed? For many people, the answer is no. Most patients who have low or no risk factors can safely have non-heart surgeries without extra heart te...
The 15th European Immunogenicity Platform Open Symposium took place in Lisbon from February 22-24, 2024. This event brought together professionals from various fields, including industry, regulatory bodies, and academia. They gathered to discuss the challenges posed by the immune response to biopharmaceuticals. In simple terms, these are medicines made from living...
There is a growing interest in using rainwater for various purposes, including washing cars. However, this practice might not be as safe as it seems. Researchers have looked into the potential dangers of using roof-collected rainwater for high-pressure vehicle washing. They focused on the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Giard...
The Mediterranean region is no stranger to intense weather events. In September 2023, Storm Daniel, a tropical-like cyclone, swept through Libya, leaving a trail of destruction. The storm's heavy rainfall was the final straw for two dams in Derna, leading to their collapse and a devastating flood. Over 5, 000 people lost their lives in what became one of the deadlies...
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the limits of healthcare systems worldwide. It has also accelerated the adoption of new technologies in the medical field. One such innovation is the use of generative large language models (LLMs) in conversational AI for personalized risk assessment. These models are changing the game in healthcare, especially when it comes to evalua...
In the world of cancer treatment, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a big deal. They help the immune system fight cancer. But they might also cause some trouble. One such issue is uveitis, an inflammation of the eye. The question is: do ICIs really increase the risk of uveitis? This is what researchers wanted to find out. They compared ICIs with chemot...
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is a tragic reminder that some bridges in the U. S. might be at a higher risk of collapsing than we think. This bridge, which fell apart after a cargo ship hit it, was found to be 30 times more likely to collapse than it should have been. This shocking fact was revealed by the top U. S. transportation safety agency. This inc...
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was not given a risk assessment before it crumbled after a ship hit it. This was revealed by the National Transportation Safety Board. They said that if Maryland had done this check, they would have seen the bridge was in danger of falling apart if a big ship hit it. This incident was tragic. Six workers died while fixing th...
In the Netherlands, cows that roam freely in the floodplains face a significant challenge. They ingest harmful chemicals called dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. These chemicals enter the cows' systems through the grass and soil they consume, leading to increased levels in their meat fat. Understanding how these chemicals behave in cattle is crucial for addressing this i...