Aggressive brain cancer may respond to high-dose vitamin therapy, study suggests

High-dose vitamin B3 (niacin) may enhance immune activity and improve short-term disease control in glioblastoma when added to standard therapy, according to early preclinical studies.

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive, fast-growing brain cancer that develops from cells in the brain and spinal cord.

In previous laboratory experiments in mice, niacin was shown to extend survival. Researchers at the University of Calgary aimed to determine whether that same benefit extended to humans.

COMMON BLOOD PRESSURE PILL COULD MAKE CERTAIN CANCER TREATMENTS MORE POWERFUL

The trials included 24 patients with glioblastoma, which has a median survival of roughly 12 to 18 months. 

Six months after receiving niacin in addition to standard treatments (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy), 82% of the patients showed no disease progression, compared to the typical 54%, according to the study's press release.

Niacin was also found to restore function in weakened immune cells, improving their ability to target and destroy tumor cells.

The findings, including the 28% improvement in disease progression, were published in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology.

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"Normally, the immune system will try to counter and prevent tumor growth; however, this brain cancer suppresses the immune system," said study author Dr. Wee Yong, PhD, a neuroscientist who studies immune responses in the brain, in the release. "Niacin treatment rejuvenates immune cells so they can do what they are supposed to do: attack and kill the cancer cells. I see it as an ongoing ‘battle for the brain.’"

Looking ahead, the team plans to enroll an additional 24 patients by the end of 2026 or early 2027 for the next phase of the trial, which will assess niacin’s safety and immune system activation.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, noted that previous research has shown that vitamin B3 decreases inflammation and bolsters immune function.

"Vitamins, including vitamin B vitamins (especially niacin), are underrecognized as immune boosters," the doctor, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

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Despite the promising early results, the researchers urged caution.

"Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain cancer in adults. Survival of patients with this condition hasn’t changed significantly for 20 years," said lead study author Roldan Urgoiti, a clinical associate professor at the CSM, in the release. "Anything that may help should be explored, but it requires strict protocols and safety monitoring."

The study’s small sample size, short follow-up and lack of a randomized control group also posed limitations, the researchers acknowledged.

Larger, controlled trials are needed to confirm the findings, they said.

The researchers also cautioned that high doses of vitamins can pose health risks, and that usage should be monitored by doctors.

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Siegel agreed that niacin does have some side effects, including skin blushing.

"There probably will end up being a small impact here, so this is useful information, though clearly not a cure," he added.

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Heart attack damage reversed with injectable RNA therapy, study finds

Scientists have developed a new therapy designed to repair cardiac damage after a heart attack.

The study, led by researchers at Columbia University and published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, explored a two-step strategy that uses skeletal muscle to produce a healing molecule that activates when it reaches an injured heart.

Unlike many organs, the adult human heart has a limited ability to repair itself after a heart attack, the researchers noted.

DIABETES BREAKTHROUGH APPROACH COULD PROTECT CELLS AND PREVENT DISEASE

"The heart is one of the organs with the least ability to regenerate," said Ke Cheng, a professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia and the study’s lead author, in a press release.

Dead muscle is typically replaced by stiff scar tissue, often leading to heart failure. However, newborns' hearts can spontaneously regenerate during a brief window of time.

"The neonatal heart spontaneously produces more of this molecule after a heart attack," Cheng said. "The adult can’t produce a sufficient amount, so we found a way to supplement this to the heart."

"The whole idea is that we learn from nature."

The secret to this treatment is a protein called ANP, which acts as a repair mechanism for the heart, according to the researchers. Normally, this protein is impossible to use as a drug because it dissolves in the blood within minutes, long before it can reach the heart.

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To solve this, researchers turned the body’s own skeletal muscles into a sort of factory to produce ANP, using a specialized RNA injection to give the arm or leg muscles a set of instructions.

These instructions tell the muscle to produce a "sleeping" version of the repair protein. This inactive version safely travels through the bloodstream until it hits the heart, according to the release.

Once there, it meets a specific enzyme that acts like a key, "waking up" the protein so it can begin repairing exactly where it’s needed.

In preclinical trials involving both small and large animals, a single injection into the limb reduced scarring and significantly improved heart function.

Because the researchers used self-amplifying RNA, which replicates once it's inside the body, the treatment continued to produce the healing protein for at least four weeks.

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The therapy remained effective even when administered a week after the initial injury, providing hope for patients who do not receive immediate treatment, the researchers also found.

"The patient doesn't have to go to the hospital today and tomorrow," Cheng said, noting that the method avoids the risks associated with injecting treatments directly into the heart muscle.

So far, the treatment has only been tested in animals, which poses a significant limitation to the study. Human hearts are much more complex, and clinical trials are needed to determine whether they react in the same way.

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Additionally, because the RNA remains active for several weeks, scientists need to ensure that producing this repair protein for an extended time doesn't cause any unintended side effects in other parts of the body.

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Common blood pressure pill could make certain cancer treatments more powerful

An inexpensive blood pressure drug could improve the health of cancer patients, according to a recent preclinical study.

The drug, telmisartan, is FDA-approved to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and to reduce heart attack and stroke risk in certain patients.

But the medication has also been found to improve the effectiveness of a cancer treatment called olaparib, which could help more types of patients benefit from it. 

HIDDEN FACTOR IN CANCER TREATMENT TIMING MAY AFFECT SURVIVAL, RESEARCHERS SAY

In laboratory and animal models, researchers at Dartmouth Health in New Hampshire found that the telmisartan causes more damage to cancer cells’ DNA, thus helping the immune system recognize and attack certain types of tumors.

"This study shows that a common, safe, tolerable, convenient and inexpensive drug may significantly improve how well an important class of cancer therapies works," said lead study author Tyler J. Curiel, MD, a clinical researcher at Dartmouth, in the release.

The pair of medications increased the production of type I interferons, which are molecules that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer, according to the study’s press release.

"This immune activation appears to be a key reason the combination works so well," Curiel said.

CANCER DRUG COMBO SHOWS PROMISE FOR PATIENTS RESISTANT TO STANDARD TREATMENTS

Telmisartan was also linked to reduced levels of PD-L1, a protein in tumor cells that helps to escape immune attack.

Other types of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) – which is the class of medications in which telmisartan is grouped – did not have the same anti-cancer properties.

"Telmisartan has several distinct anti-cancer effects that, together with targeted therapy, could make tumors more responsive to distinct types of treatments," Curiel said.

"We showed the improved efficacy with PARP inhibitors in this study, but we also have good data showing that telmisartan improves efficacy of distinct chemotherapy classes and immunotherapies in many other cancer types through related mechanisms."

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The findings were published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.

Joshua G. Cohen, MD., the medical director of the Gynecologic Cancer Program at City of Hope Orange County in Irvine, California, was not involved in the study but shared his reaction to the outcome.

"While there were past concerns that ARBs might increase cancer risk, large studies have shown they do not, and are considered safe for patients who need them," he told Fox News Digital.

The main limitation of the study is that it relied on laboratory models and did not include any human patients.

"At this stage, the idea is still very early in development, and the evidence comes primarily from laboratory studies, not studies in people," Cohen told Fox News Digital.

While telmisartan was shown to be effective against tumors with damaged DNA, they may not work as well for cancers that don’t have these defects, the researchers found. Most cancers may also develop a resistance to olaparib over time, leading it to become less effective.

No long-term outcomes or survival data are available yet.

"Much more research – including clinical trials – is needed to determine whether combining telmisartan with PARP inhibitors is safe or effective for treating ovarian cancer," Cohen said.

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"Patients considering these medications together should speak with their cancer care team, who can help them understand what is known, what remains uncertain and what is safest for their individual situation."

The researchers at Dartmouth are currently testing telmisartan’s effect on patients in two clinical trials.

One of the studies is testing the drug combination in men with advanced prostate cancer that has stopped responding to hormone therapy. A second study, focused on ovarian cancer that no longer responds to platinum-based chemotherapy, has just begun enrolling patients, the researchers shared.

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"We are encouraged by what we are seeing so far," Curiel said. "Our goal is to determine whether this combination approach can help more patients benefit from greater effectiveness of PARP inhibitors and other cancer treatment classes and potentially overcome resistance to these drugs."

Telmisartan is described as generally safe and well-tolerated based on prior clinical use, the researchers noted.

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Selena Gomez says she was 'misdiagnosed' before receiving bipolar diagnosis

Actress and singer Selena Gomez continues to be outspoken about mental health following her diagnosis with bipolar disorder.

The former Disney star announced her diagnosis in 2020 during an Instagram Live video call with fellow Disney Channel standout Miley Cyrus. Gomez has since described this discovery as a relief, although not an easy path.

In a recent episode of the "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast, Gomez – the co-founder of mental health publication Wondermind – shared details about her journey to diagnosis.

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Fellow musician and husband Benny Blanco asked his wife if she knew she was bipolar before being officially diagnosed.

"I knew something was wrong, but I think I was misdiagnosed," she responded. "I think people were just assuming – and I would try multiple therapists."

"It’s actually really hard when we’re talking about these things, and for me to go, ‘Go get a therapist.’ All of it is so … complicated."

Gomez detailed how her diagnosis required talking to "multiple different people," stressing the importance of not giving up.

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"I’m so grateful I went to four different rehabs because it all helped me understand it," she said.

Blanco revealed that Gomez sometimes experiences a manic episode without recognizing it.

"She’ll start to realize she’s having it after it’s happening, and sometimes she doesn’t even remember when it’s happening," he said.

"It’s such a delicate thing because … you’re not supposed to, technically, talk to the person about it while they’re deep in it."

Blanco added that Gomez is "so hyper aware" of when she’s experiencing mania.

"I’m equally proud to say that I do have moments of mania," she said. "I’m not ashamed at all, because I can catch them a bit quicker."

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND OTHER DISORDERS MAY HAVE THE SAME GENETIC CAUSE, STUDY FINDS

"It is helpful to have a partner who will understand … and meet you where you are," the singer added.

Since her diagnosis, Gomez said she lives life more "freely."

"The whole hypocrisy of shaming people for therapy, or people not understanding it, is that it’s just not for you," she said. "But for me, it finally allowed me to go, ‘Oh, that’s why I handled things the way I [did]. That’s why all the other people were able to get over things quickly, and I wasn’t.'"

Gomez added, "I’d act out of fear, I’d act out of love, I’d act out of passion, it was all inconsistent. It was crazy."

CANNABIS MAY BACKFIRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, MAJOR STUDY FINDS

The actress encouraged others that no matter the diagnosis, "you are not defined by a term."

"It’s just informative to seek and talk and listen to podcasts or listen to certain things that will help you get information," she said. "I do believe there is a lot of hope."

About 2.8% of adults in the U.S. have experienced bipolar in the last year, while 4.4% experience it during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Formerly called manic depression or "manic-depressive disorder," bipolar disorder is characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy and activity levels, affecting the ability to carry out daily tasks.

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This can include emotional highs, referred to as mania or hypomania, and lows, known as depression, per Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms can differ depending on bipolar type.

Manic and hypomanic episodes typically include three or more of the following symptoms:

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Major depressive episodes typically include five or more of the following symptoms.

Mayo Clinic encourages anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek help from a professional.

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Diagnosis can be made through a physical exam and lab testing, as well as mental health assessments and tracking of moods, sleep patterns and other factors.

After diagnosis, Mayo Clinic recommends paying attention to warning signs to prevent episodes. Getting enough sleep, taking medications as directed, and abstaining from drugs and alcohol can also help.

Fox News Digital reached out to Gomez's representation and Wondermind for comment.

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Happier and healthier people do these 6 things every day, says wellness expert

The goal for most people is to live a long and happy life.

There are several habits that happy and healthy people observe as they age, according to behavioral scientist and happiness expert Arthur Brooks, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School in Boston.

In a recent appearance on Dr. Rhonda Patrick’s FoundMyFitness podcast, Brooks referenced data from the Harvard Study of Adult Development – an 85-year longitudinal study of adult life – which identified six typical habits of people who are happier and healthier.

HAPPINESS EXPERT SHARES 6-STEP MORNING ROUTINE THAT BOOSTS MOOD AND PRODUCTIVITY

While the first three habits are "obvious," Brooks said, the other three are often overlooked.

Research shows that a nutritious, balanced diet supports both physical health and mental well-being over time.

For exercise, Brooks noted that doing too much can backfire. Those who are "exercise maniacs" could run the risk of doing "mechanical ill" to the body, he warned.

CREATIVE HOBBIES KEEP THE BRAIN YOUNG, STUDY FINDS — HERE ARE THE BEST ONES TO PURSUE

"They’re very moderate on substances, none of them were addicts," Brooks said. "Or if they had trouble with it, they quit."

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"Lifelong smokers have a seven in 10 chance of dying of a smoking-related illness – and that’s an unhappy way to go."

"And actually, you’re probably not happy and there’s a lot of compensation that’s going on," he continued. "That’s how a lot of former alcoholics re-sample: They become addicted."

People who are lifelong learners tend to be healthier and happier, according to the expert.

"That’s usually a lot of reading, but it’s just curiosity is how that comes about, which is really, really important," he said on the podcast.

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Brooks described this concept as "your technique for dealing with life’s problems."

"You’ve got to get good at it," he said. "You need skill at dealing with life’s problems. If you don’t get good at it, you’re going to be bad when things actually crop up."

"All the happy and well people have their way [of dealing] with it, and they’re highly skilled in doing it."

Some healthy ways to cope include therapy, meditation, prayer and journaling, according to Brooks.

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"People who have the best lives, who are happy and well when they’re older, have a strong marriage and/or close friendships," Brooks said.

"That’s it. There’s no substitute for love. Happiness is love – full stop."

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Happier and healthier people do these 7 things every day, says wellness expert

The goal for most people is to live a long and happy life.

There are several habits that happy and healthy people observe as they age, according to behavioral scientist and happiness expert Arthur Brooks, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School in Boston.

In a recent appearance on Dr. Rhonda Patrick’s FoundMyFitness podcast, Brooks referenced data from the Harvard Study of Adult Development – an 85-year longitudinal study of adult life – which identified seven typical habits of people who are happier and healthier.

HAPPINESS EXPERT SHARES 6-STEP MORNING ROUTINE THAT BOOSTS MOOD AND PRODUCTIVITY

While the first four habits are "obvious," Brooks said, the other four are often overlooked.

Research shows that a nutritious, balanced diet supports both physical health and mental well-being over time.

For exercise, Brooks noted that doing too much can backfire. Those who are "exercise maniacs" could run the risk of doing "mechanical ill" to the body, he warned.

CREATIVE HOBBIES KEEP THE BRAIN YOUNG, STUDY FINDS — HERE ARE THE BEST ONES TO PURSUE

"They’re very moderate on substances, none of them were addicts," Brooks said. "Or if they had trouble with it, they quit."

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"Lifelong smokers have a seven in 10 chance of dying of a smoking-related illness – and that’s an unhappy way to go."

"And actually, you’re probably not happy and there’s a lot of compensation that’s going on," he continued. "That’s how a lot of former alcoholics re-sample: They become addicted."

People who are lifelong learners tend to be healthier and happier, according to the expert.

"That’s usually a lot of reading, but it’s just curiosity is how that comes about, which is really, really important," he said on the podcast.

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Brooks described this concept as "your technique for dealing with life’s problems."

"You’ve got to get good at it," he said. "You need skill at dealing with life’s problems. If you don’t get good at it, you’re going to be bad when things actually crop up."

"All the happy and well people have their way [of dealing] with it, and they’re highly skilled in doing it."

Some healthy ways to cope include therapy, meditation, prayer and journaling, according to Brooks.

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"People who have the best lives, who are happy and well when they’re older, have a strong marriage and/or close friendships," Brooks said.

"That’s it. There’s no substitute for love. Happiness is love – full stop."

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Doctor reveals secrets to lasting weight loss without counting calories

Weight loss is complex – and goes beyond counting calories, according to experts.

Dr. Jason Fung, a kidney specialist and author of the recent book "The Hunger Code," said lasting weight loss requires a shift in how people understand and respond to hunger.

"Most of the time, we focus on eating less or what we're eating, but that's not always a very good approach because it doesn't get to the root of the problem," he told Fox News Digital.

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"We eat because we're hungry, and we stop eating when we're full," Fung went on. "So if you think about the problem of overeating, it's really a problem of over-hunger."

If hunger didn’t exist, he said, it would be easier to eat the right foods or even participate in fasting – the key reason that GLP-1 medications, which suppress hunger, are so effective.

"Until you understand what hunger is – what causes it, how to deal with it – then you can't just eat less, because if you simply eat less, your hunger will increase," Fung said. "And then you're always fighting with yourself."

There are three different types of hunger: homeostatic, hedonic and conditioned hunger, Fung shared.

Homeostatic hunger, or physical hunger, is driven by hormones – the body’s natural indication that it requires food.

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"It’s important to understand the hormonal determinants of hunger and why you eat," he said. "And that includes things like insulin and cortisol."

For some people, lack of sleep can increase hunger in some people, as elevated cortisol levels from stress and fatigue drive the body to eat more, the expert noted.

Hedonic hunger is related to pleasure – eating when you want to, not because you’re physically hungry.

"That’s the idea of dessert," Fung said. "It's a rewarding experience. It sets off the pleasure centers in the brain, releases dopamine … and it can go too far."

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Ultraprocessed foods, including products with artificial chemicals and sweeteners, can create more hunger, making it harder to stop eating them.

Conditioned hunger is "social" hunger triggered by the environment.

"You go to the movies; you have to eat. You watch a sporting event; you have to eat," Fung said. "You watch TV; you have to eat," he said. "Everything is creating this conditioned hunger, and that’s the food noise a lot of people talk about."

"You have to start thinking about the broader implications of why you're actually eating what you're eating," he advised. "Why are you so hungry? That's the really important question." 

Fung offered three "golden rules" for long-term weight loss.

Because of the way they’re formulated, ultraprocessed foods can trigger multiple types of hunger at once, Fung said. They tend to be less filling while also increasing the body’s drive to eat, making it easier to overconsume.

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Feeling full has "nothing to do" with calories, he noted.

"For example, you could eat a three-egg vegetable omelet, which might be 700 or 800 calories, and be quite full after breakfast," he said. "Or you could drink a sugary coffee plus a donut and still have the same 800 calories, but be hungry 30 minutes later."

Fasting is an eating pattern that alternates between periods of eating and not eating, and has been shown to support weight loss, improve metabolic health and help regulate hunger signals.

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Fasting can be done at any time during the day. Fung recommends setting a rule that you won’t eat during a specific period of time, such as while watching TV or after 7 p.m.

"Rules like that allow your body to digest," he said. "You digest the calories that you ate … and use those calories and release the body fat."

Equipping yourself with the proper habits and mindset starts with shifting your social and physical surroundings, according to Fung.

"Everywhere we go, we have all this conditioned hunger – but it's also very easy to eat all the time," he said. "You go to the coffee shop, but there are donuts and sandwiches."

Recognizing these temptations and finding a workaround – such as ordering coffee ahead, so there’s no extra time spent in front of the donut case – helps to prevent overeating, he suggested.

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Another example is employees feeling inclined to grab free bagels or cookies that are provided during an office meeting, which cues hedonic and conditioned hunger.

"Now you have to figure out how to redesign that physical and social environment, so that you have the proper mindsets and the proper habits to make you successful in the long term," Fung said.

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Sleeping 11 minutes longer each night shows surprising health benefit, study finds

The secret to a healthier heart may not be a major lifestyle overhaul, but rather a series of small, sustainable daily habits.

New research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that combining modest shifts in daily habits is associated with a significantly reduced risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.

The study, which followed more than 53,000 adults over an eight-year period, highlighted how even the smallest increase in rest can yield clinically meaningful benefits.

SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF NIGHTLY SLEEP MAY LOWER DIABETES RISK, RESEARCHERS FIND

Researchers found that sleeping for just 11 minutes more per night was a key component of a lifestyle shift associated with a 10% lower risk of major cardiovascular events.

This modest increase in sleep was most effective when paired with an additional 4.5 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and eating an extra quarter-cup of vegetables every day.

"We show that combining small changes in a few areas of our lives can have a surprisingly large positive impact on our cardiovascular health," said lead author Nicholas Koemel, a research fellow at the University of Sydney.

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While every extra minute counts, the study identified an ideal range for maximum heart protection that could slash the risk of heart disease by 57% compared to those with the least healthy habits.

The primary pillar of that profile was achieving eight to nine hours of sleep per night, the study noted.

This optimal routine also included completing 42 minutes or more of moderate physical activity per day and maintaining a diet high in fish, whole grains, and dairy while remaining low in processed meats and sugary drinks.

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"Making even modest shifts in our daily routines is likely to have cardiovascular benefits as well as create opportunities for further changes in the long run," Koemel added. "I would encourage people not to overlook the importance of making a small change or two to your daily routine, no matter how small they may seem."

Researchers utilized wearable devices to track the sleep and movement of participants, providing more accurate data than previous self-reported studies.

Several limitations were noted for the research.

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The study was observational, meaning it showed a strong link between these small habits and heart health but could not prove that one directly caused the other.

The findings were also based on participants reporting their own dietary habits, which may not always be perfectly accurate.

The researchers emphasized that studying these behaviors together is more meaningful than looking at them in isolation because sleep, diet and movement are constantly influencing one another in a daily cycle.

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Cases of 'white plague' rising in US as doctors warn of 'rebound effect'

A potentially deadly disease known as "the white plague" has been rising in the U.S. since the pandemic, health officials have warned.

Tuberculosis (TB) gets its nickname from the pale appearance of those affected with the disease.

After a dip in 2020 with the onset of COVID – likely due to underdiagnosis and reduced screenings, according to health experts – cases of TB have increased every year since.

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More than 10,600 cases were confirmed in 2024, which is around three people for every 100,000, per the latest available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This marks the third consecutive annual increase, and the total 2024 case count is the highest annual number since 2013.

Despite the recent increase, TB rates in the U.S. remain relatively low compared to many parts of the world, as the global average is about 131 cases per 100,000, per the World Health Organization. That’s approximately 40 times higher globally compared to the U.S.

TB is a curable bacterial infection that targets the lungs, but can also infect other organs, according to Johns Hopkins. It is spread through airborne particles released when an infected person coughs, speaks or sneezes.

URGENT WARNING ISSUED BY CDC AS CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS OUTBREAK HITS VACATION DESTINATION

Renuga Vivekanandan, MD, professor at Creighton University School of Medicine and VP and CMO of CHI Health Physician Enterprise Midwest, said the rise in tuberculosis cases in the U.S. is concerning, but noted that it was foreseeable.

"The COVID-19 pandemic effectively disrupted TB surveillance and treatment programs across the country," the doctor, who is board-certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases, told Fox News Digital. 

"What we're seeing now is largely a rebound effect – latent TB infections that went undetected or untreated during the pandemic are now activating."

Another factor is a return to international travel and increased migration from countries where TB is more prevalent, according to Vivekanandan.

The uptick has also strained healthcare systems. "Local and state public health TB programs became understaffed during the pandemic, and that capacity hasn't fully recovered," the doctor said.

While around 25% of people have likely been infected with the TB bacteria, about 5% to 10% will go on to develop active disease, according to health agencies.

MEASLES OUTBREAK POSES RISK OF 'IRREVERSIBLE' BRAIN DAMAGE, HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN

A person with a latent infection has been infected with the tuberculosis bacteria, but the bacteria are inactive in the body. While latent-stage TB is not contagious, it can develop into active disease in 5% to 10% of people. 

Only people with active TB disease in the lungs or throat can spread the infection.

Those who get sick with TB may experience mild symptoms, including coughing, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, weakness, fever and night sweats, per the CDC. In some cases, however, the disease can also affect the kidneys, spine, skin and brain.

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"TB can affect any organ of the body, but it causes disease in the lung in over 80% of cases," Masae Kawamura, M.D., a former TB control director in San Francisco and a tuberculosis clinician, previously told Fox News Digital. "This is dangerous because it causes cough, the mechanism of airborne spread."

In more severe cases, patients may cough up blood, noted Kawamura, who serves on the board of directors of Vital Strategies, a global public health organization.

"Often, there are minimal symptoms for a long time, and people mistake their occasional cough with allergies, smoking or a cold they can't shake off," she added.

"The good news is that TB is both preventable and treatable," Vivekanandan said.

"People who are at higher risk – including those born in or traveling frequently to high TB-burden countries, individuals living in crowded conditions, or those who are immunocompromised – should speak with their doctor about TB testing."

Other high-risk groups include people who have diabetes, are malnourished, use tobacco and/or drink excess amounts of alcohol. Babies and children are also more vulnerable to the disease.

Doctors typically use a skin or blood test to detect TB infection, followed by imaging or sputum (mucus) testing to confirm active disease, per the CDC.

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The disease is treated with antibiotics that are taken every day for four to six months, the CDC states. Some of the most common include isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol.

Failure to take the complete course of medications can cause the bacteria to become drug-resistant, which means it does not respond to standard antibiotics. Drug-resistant TB is more difficult and costly to treat and requires longer, more complex medication regimens, according to experts.

If TB goes untreated, it is fatal in about half of its victims.

"Latent TB, which causes no symptoms and is not contagious, can be treated and cured before it ever progresses to active TB, which is infectious," Vivekanandan said.

"Identifying and treating latent infection is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting both individual patients and the broader community."

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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening only for populations at increased risk rather than for the general population.

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Hormone therapy boosts weight loss drug results by 35% in women, study finds

For women struggling with weight gain after menopause, a new study suggests that adding hormone therapy to a popular obesity drug may lead to greater weight loss.

Postmenopausal women lost about 35% more weight when using menopausal hormone therapy alongside tirzepatide — a GLP-1-based, Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for overweight and obesity — compared to those taking the drug alone, according to a Mayo Clinic study.

The findings, published in February in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health, highlight a possible new strategy for addressing weight gain after menopause, when hormonal shifts can increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

STOPPING OZEMPIC? NEW STUDY REVEALS SURPRISING WEIGHT REGAIN RESULTS AFTER GLP-1S

"This study provides important insights for developing more effective and personalized strategies for managing cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women," Dr. Regina Castaneda, the study’s first author, said in a statement. 

Researchers analyzed 120 postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity who took tirzepatide for at least 12 months, including 40 who also used hormone therapy and 80 who did not.

Hormone therapy is commonly used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, while tirzepatide helps regulate appetite and blood sugar.

WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS COULD IMPACT SEXUAL HEALTH IN UNEXPECTED WAYS

Women in the hormone therapy group lost an average of 19.2% of their body weight, compared to 14.0% in the non-hormone group — about 35% greater relative weight loss — with more women reaching significant weight-loss thresholds, according to the study.

Despite the results, researchers emphasized that the study was observational and cannot prove cause and effect.

"Because this was not a randomized trial, we cannot say hormone therapy caused additional weight loss," said Dr. Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study.

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Outside experts agree that the findings must be interpreted cautiously.

"As with all observational studies, we need to interpret this study with a grain of salt," Dr. Gillian Goddard, a board-certified endocrinologist, told Fox News Digital. 

Goddard, who is also an adjunct assistant professor of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted that the findings show a link, but do not prove that hormone therapy, which usually includes estrogen, directly caused the additional weight loss.

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"There may be important differences between the two groups," she added. "For one thing, the group taking estrogen may be healthier than the groups that didn't take estrogen … Healthier people are more likely to eat a healthy diet and exercise in addition to taking tirzepatide. That could lead to more weight loss." 

Symptom relief from the therapy may have also improved sleep and well-being, making it easier for the group to maintain diet and exercise routines, Hurtado Andrade noted.

Researchers also pointed to a possible biological explanation. Preclinical data suggest estrogen may enhance the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1-based medications like tirzepatide, according to the study.

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Goddard said that theory is plausible but unproven.

"The other possibility is that estrogen interacts with tirzepatide in some way that makes it more potent," she said, adding, "We will need randomized studies to get a better handle on that."

As for safety, experts say using the two together appears safe for most women. However, hormone therapy is not recommended for all patients, especially those with a history of certain cancers, blood clots or other underlying health risks, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Researchers say future randomized trials will aim to confirm the findings and explore whether the combination also improves broader cardiometabolic health outcomes, according to the study.

"If confirmed, this work could speed the development and adoption of new, evidence-based strategies to reduce this risk for millions of postmenopausal women navigating this life stage," said Hurtado Andrade.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.

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Most Americans are doing one nightly activity that's wrecking their sleep, expert says

If you’re not sleeping well, there could be a variety of reasons — but one habit stands out as the biggest culprit.

Dr. Wendy Troxel, a licensed clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND based in Utah, revealed that phone use at night is the activity that is most likely to have a negative effect on slumber.

"Most people are aware of this, but probably the No. 1 habit that's contributing to interrupted sleep, and poor-quality sleep, in Americans is the use of phones at night, particularly in bed," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"About 90% of Americans are using their phones in bed, and as much as I would like to tell everybody to remove the phone entirely from the bedroom, I realize that ship has probably sailed by now."

This disruption is driven by both blue light exposure and the stimulating content on phones, according to Troxel.

"There is blue light emitted from our devices, and blue light can suppress the hormone melatonin, which is the hormone of darkness."

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"But it's not just the blue light that is causing sleep disruptions from our phones. It's really the stimulating content that we're consuming … social media, which is designed to be addictive, so that you can't put that phone down," she added.

This content is also "very emotionally activating," Troxel noted, which is "antithetical to the state we want to be in as we approach sleep."

To counteract attachment to phones, the sleep expert recommends setting a boundary with one simple rule.

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"I recommend that you try to keep your phone more than arms' distance away from you while in bed," she advised. "And set a rule for yourself — if you're going to use the phone, don't do it in bed. In fact, make your feet be on the floor if you're going to use that phone."

Setting this boundary creates "behavioral friction," according to Troxel.

"As a clinical psychologist, I work with people to help them … break habits that aren't serving them," she said. "Having that little bit of behavioral friction makes the habit of immediately grabbing for the phone and scrolling while in bed a little more difficult."

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"And when that automatic behavior is a little more difficult, it's less likely to occur."

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Giant golden spiders could spread this summer; experts downplay health risk

Large, palm-sized spiders are spinning massive golden webs across porches and power lines, and, according to experts, they’re here to stay.

The Joro spider, which has a leg span up to 4 inches and markings of neon yellow, blue-black and red, was first recorded in Georgia in 2013.

Since its arrival — likely as a hitchhiker on a shipping container or an airplane from Asia, experts say — the arachnid has been steadily marching north. 

DOZENS SICKENED AS POTENTIALLY DEADLY FUNGUS SPREADS IN SOUTHERN STATE

The spiders have so far been spotted in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. 

They are expected to spread throughout eastern North America, at least as far north as Pennsylvania and possibly further in warmer, coastal areas, according to Penn State.

To travel, the spider uses a technique called "ballooning," in which hatchlings release fine silk threads that catch air currents and carry them over long distances.

Ian Williams, an entomologist with Orkin, said he counted 200 adult spiders by September of last year on his one-acre property near Atlanta.

POPULAR HONEYMOON DESTINATION FACES AVIAN MALARIA THREAT, SPREAD BY MOSQUITOES

"They're quite intimidating looking spiders, and they make very large webs," he told Fox News Digital. "The webbing itself, if it catches the sunlight, has a golden hue to it. And it's very strong."

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Despite the arachnid's striking appearance, experts agree that people shouldn't panic. Research shows the Joro is among the "shyest" spiders ever documented. When disturbed, they often sits motionless for over an hour rather than attacking.

"While they're large spiders, they don't have large fangs. And, so, it's difficult for them to bite humans," Williams noted.

Even in the rare event of a nip, the expert said the venom is weak, comparable to a localized bee sting, and carries "no medical importance."

As an invasive species, the Joro’s impact is still being weighed by scientists.

"One of the big concerns is that they potentially out-compete native species of spiders," Williams said. 

A prolific hunter, the Joro spider catches everything from mosquitoes to large, meaty insects like cicadas. It is unclear whether it steals food from native garden spiders.

To prevent Joro spiders from nesting on your porch or property, experts recommend using a broom or long pole to knock the web down.

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"Spiders may get the message, 'Hey, I'm not going to keep remaking my same web in the same area,'" Williams said.

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Physical removal is more effective than pesticides, which often miss the spiders in their high, open-air webs.

For those who spot a Joro spider in a new area, experts suggest logging the sighting on apps like iNaturalist to help researchers track their northern migration.

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Another state bans 'gas station heroin' as officials warn of deadly risks

→ 'Gas station heroin' banned in another state amid nationwide crackdowns

→ New COVID variant spreads across US as CDC raises concerns

→ The real reasons you’re still exhausted after 8 hours of sleep

→ March Madness sparks surprising surge in men's sexual procedure

→ Cannabis benefits called into question in major study

→ 'Call a Boomer' payphones help cure loneliness across generations

→ Eating meat tied to lower dementia risk, study suggests

→ Stomach issues might have nothing to do with eating habits

→ Why your sugar cravings won't go away, even after cutting sweets

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Common medical condition seen years before dementia develops, study reveals

New research has identified an association between late-onset dementia and certain infections.

The study, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, investigated the link between the two, exploring whether the connection could stem from other health issues stemming from severe infections.

Researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland, considered 170 common hospital-treated diseases that occurred one to 21 years before diagnosis in more than 65,000 patients with dementia aged 65 and older.

LOWER DEMENTIA RISK LINKED TO ROUTINE VACCINATION IN MAJOR NEW ANALYSIS

After narrowing the list down to 29 diseases showing the strongest link to dementia, two were infections – cystitis (a bacterial/urinary tract infection) and general bacterial infection.

The other diseases were non-infectious, including mental disorders as well as digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, as well as injuries.

Nearly half (47%) of dementia cases came after one of the 29 identified diseases. 

Even after adjusting for these diseases, the link between dementia and infection remained intact, the researchers found. These infections typically occurred about five to 6-½ years before dementia diagnosis.

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Those with hospital-treated cystitis and bacterial infection, for example, had about a 19% higher rate of late-onset dementia.

Overall, the findings "support the possibility that severe infections increase dementia risk," the researchers concluded.

As the development of dementia often takes "years or even decades," the findings suggest that severe infections "might accelerate underlying cognitive decline," the study authors commented in a press release.

The lack of baseline cognitive assessment and clinical examination data before dementia diagnoses posed some limitations to the study. Infection treatment data was also not available.

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Study co-author Pyry N. Sipila, MD, PhD, a public health lecturer at the University of Helsinki, pointed out that the study was observational.

"Thus, we cannot prove whether there really is cause and effect between severe infections and dementia," he told Fox News Digital. "Ideally, there would be intervention trials in the future that would test whether the prevention of infections will help reduce or delay the onset of dementia."

Sipila recommends that adults stay up to date on vaccinations.

"Although our study does not prove that vaccinations would help prevent dementia, I think it certainly doesn’t hurt to have that one extra benefit of potentially reducing the risk," he said.

Dr. Joel Salinas, a Harvard-trained behavioral neurologist and chief medical officer at Isaac Health, said the study's size suggests it could be applied to other populations.

"We often assume infections are just a marker of someone being generally at risk of illness, but here, severe infections specifically appear to play an independent role," the New York-based expert, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. 

"That suggests there may be something biologically meaningful happening, like inflammation or immune responses that affect the brain."

Salinas added that it's important to keep this increased risk "in perspective," as having an infection doesn't guarantee the development of dementia, but should be considered "one piece of a much larger puzzle."

Some of the strongest risk factors for dementia, according to Salinas, include fundamentals like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, depression and head injuries.

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"What this study adds is a reminder that severe infections, especially those requiring hospitalization, may also be part of that risk profile, particularly in older adults," he told Fox News Digital.

"We’re moving away from thinking about dementia as a single disease with a single cause, and toward understanding it as the result of multiple interacting factors over time."

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Popular diet tied to lower dementia risk for some groups, study reveals

Eating more meat may help your memory, a new study suggests.

While some experts suggest adopting plant-focused diets for better health, recent research indicates that a higher intake of unprocessed meat may protect against dementia in older people who have a variant of the APOE gene, which is linked to increasing Alzheimer's risk.

Researchers tracked over 2,100 older participants – all of whom were dementia-free at the start of the study – for up to 15 years as part of the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care.

DEMENTIA RISK SIGNALS COULD LIE IN SIMPLE BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS, RESEARCHERS SAY

Participants self-reported their diets, while researchers periodically evaluated their cognitive performance through extensive testing and a structured dementia diagnostic process.

The study then compared the cognitive health of participants who had a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease (those with the variant genotypes APOE 3/4 and 4/4) with those who did not have the genotypes.

Previous studies have shown that individuals with the APOE 3/4 genotype face a three- to four-time higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to the general population, while those with the 4/4 genotype have an eight- to 12-time higher risk, according to Mayo Clinic.

Everyone has the APOE gene — one copy from each parent — but about one in four Americans carries a version (like APOE 3/4) that can raise their risk of Alzheimer’s, according to the National Institutes of Health.

'DEMENTIA VILLAGE' COULD PUSH AMERICANS TO RETHINK HOW WE TREAT MEMORY LOSS

The participants with a higher genetic risk who consumed less meat had more than twice the risk of dementia than those without the gene variants, the researchers found.

Those with the gene variants who ate the largest amount of meat had significantly slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia.

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The study also found that eating less processed meat was associated with a lower risk of dementia, regardless of APOE genotype.

"When standardized to a 2,000 calorie-per-day diet, median weekly consumption ranged from approximately 250 grams in the lowest quintile to 870 grams in the highest," first author Jakob Norgren, a researcher at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society at the Karolinska Institutet, told Fox News Digital.

The researchers did not investigate a "carnivore diet," as the participants who consumed the most meat still ate moderate amounts of cereal and dairy, Norgren added.

The study findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Su-Nui Escobar, a registered dietitian based in Miami, urged caution when interpreting the results, as the study reports grams of meat, not grams of protein.

"When you translate that, it comes out to about 30 grams of protein per day from meat, something many people already eat," Escobar, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines recommend including lean meats and poultry as part of a healthy protein intake, limiting red meat, and minimizing processed meats.

As the study is observational, it doesn’t prove that eating more meat directly leads to a decrease in Alzheimer’s disease and slower cognitive decline – only that there’s an association between the two, the researchers noted.

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"While this study suggests a specific benefit for certain genotypes, a larger body of evidence points to the MIND diet for long-term brain health," Jamie Mok, registered dietitian nutritionist and national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Fox News Digital.

The Los Angeles-based expert recommends a diet consisting of nutrient-dense foods as one of the most promising and practical strategies for delaying cognitive decline and supporting overall healthy aging.

"By emphasizing leafy greens, berries, nuts, legumes and lean proteins, this eating pattern has been shown to reduce Alzheimer's risk by half and slow brain aging by several years," Mok added.

Approximately one in 10 Americans over 65 is living with dementia, while another 22% have cognitive impairment, according to a recent national study.

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The number of new Alzheimer's cases is expected to double in the coming decades as the population ages – from about 514,000 in 2020 to over one million by 2060.

Last year, dementia cost the U.S. an estimated $781 billion and led to more than 100,000 deaths, per the NIH.

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Dementia risk signals could lie in simple blood pressure readings, researchers say

Simple measurements taken during routine blood pressure checks could predict dementia risk years before symptoms appear.

That's according to new research presented this week at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in Louisiana.

The findings draw on two studies led by researchers at Georgetown University, which suggest that monitoring how blood vessels age and stiffen over time can provide a window into future cognitive health.

LURKING DEMENTIA RISK EXPOSED BY BREAKTHROUGH TEST 25 YEARS BEFORE SYMPTOMS

Data shows rates of dementia and aging-related cognitive decline are expected to increase as populations age, and half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure (hypertension).

Scientists believe that efforts to better address hypertension, a key contributor to heart disease and a risk factor for dementia, could affect both cardiac and brain health.

"Blood pressure management isn’t just about preventing heart attacks and strokes; it may also be one of the most actionable strategies for preserving cognitive health," Dr. Newton Nyirenda, the study's lead author and an epidemiologist at Georgetown University in Washington, said in a press release.

The research focused on two metrics, the pulse pressure-heart rate index and estimated pulse wave velocity. Both were calculated using data collected during standard doctor visits, such as heart rate, age and blood pressure.

Researchers examined five years of data patterns for more than 8,500 people in the SPRINT trial, a large study of adults 50 years and older with hypertension. In the follow-up, 323 of the participants developed probable dementia.

HIDDEN BRAIN CONDITION MAY QUADRUPLE DEMENTIA RISK IN OLDER ADULTS, STUDY SUGGESTS

In one study, the team found the pulse pressure-heart rate index was a strong independent predictor of dementia risk in adults over 50. For participants under 65, every one-unit increase was associated with a 76% higher risk of developing dementia.

The second study found that adults with consistently elevated or rapidly increasing pulse wave velocity were more likely to develop dementia than those with stable velocity, even after accounting for factors like smoking, gender and cardiovascular history.

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"Our findings suggest that vascular aging patterns may provide meaningful insight into future dementia risk," said Nyirenda. "This reinforces the idea that managing vascular health earlier in life may influence long-term brain health."

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The team emphasized that clinicians should tailor risk assessments and treatment strategies to the individual.

"You don’t want to wait until a patient starts manifesting cognitive decline before you act," said senior study author Sula Mazimba, an associate professor at the University of Virginia.

Researchers noted the study could not establish causation. Other limitations included the fact that participants already had hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risk, meaning the findings may not apply to people without those conditions.

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Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine whether improving blood vessel health over time could reduce dementia risk.

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'Gas station heroin' banned in another state amid nationwide crackdowns

A dangerous substance dubbed "gas station heroin" continues to alarm medical professionals, with more states making moves to restrict or ban tianeptine.

Fourteen states have officially classified the tricyclic antidepressant as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Connecticut is the latest state to crack down, officially banning the sale and use of the substance starting on Wednesday.

HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AVAILABLE IN STORES ACROSS THE NATION

Tianeptine, which can produce euphoria in higher doses, can be more potent than morphine and addictive opioids, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Some countries have taken steps to restrict how tianeptine is prescribed or dispensed, and have even revised the labels to warn people of its potential addictive qualities.

Misuse of tianeptine can cause severe adverse health effects, including respiratory depression, severe sedation and death, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Some companies market the drug as an aid for pain, anxiety and depression, or as a means of improving mental alertness in a pill, powder, salt or liquid form.

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The products are typically sold at convenience stores, gas stations, vape shops and online retailers, and go by names like Tianaa, ZaZa, Neptune’s Fix, Pegasus and TD Red.

Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said in a press release that the schedule change is a necessary step to combat addiction.

"With false marketing that led consumers to believe these are safe products, and with candy-like flavor options, these substances posed a clear threat to those battling substance-use disorder and our youngest residents," she added.

The Nutmeg State also added Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), 7-hydroxymitragynine, Bromazolam, Flubromazolam, Nitazenes and Phenibut to the schedule classification.

Earlier this month, FDA Commissioner Martin Makary penned a letter sounding the alarm on what he called a "dangerous and growing health trend."

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"I am very concerned," Makary wrote. "I want the public to be especially aware of this dangerous product and the serious and continuing risk it poses to America’s youth."

New York-based Robert Schwaner, M.D., vice chair of system clinical affairs at Stony Brook Emergency Medicine, told Fox News Digital that the FDA has never approved tianeptine as a dietary supplement.

"The euphoria at low doses is primarily due to increased serotonergic activity from its serotonin reuptake effects. With increasing doses, the mu-opioid receptor stimulation may become lethal," said Schwaner. "As with heroin and other opioids, significant mu-opioid receptor stimulation ultimately results in a loss of respiratory drive and subsequent cardiac arrest."

Schwaner said he believes the substance requires national regulation due to its addictive qualities. 

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"Acting at the same receptor as opioids, tianeptine has the potential for an individual to develop tolerance, subsequent dependence and withdrawal from its use," he cautioned.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA for comment. 

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.

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Health alert issued for dengue outbreaks spreading in travel hotspots

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about dengue fever in over 15 countries.

The "Level 1: Practice Usual Precautions" alert was published on Monday.

"Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every two to five years," the agency stated. "Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease."

CDC WARNS OF POLIO RISK IN OVER 30 COUNTRIES AS SPRING BREAK TRAVEL RAMPS UP

The announcement comes as Americans continue their spring break travels. Countries such as the Maldives and Cooks Island in New Zealand are among those listed in the warning.

Dengue fever is a virus spread through bites from an infected mosquito, which typically causes aches, pains, nausea, vomiting and rashes, according to the CDC.

The fever is common in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. It is typically found in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Islands, as well as many Caribbean destinations.

Typical symptoms of dengue include aches and pains (in the eyes, muscles, joints or bones), nausea, vomiting and rash — usually experienced within two weeks of being bitten, per the CDC.

Most people experience symptoms for two to seven days before recovering.

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"It’s typically a more mild illness, but can be severe, causing headaches, joint pain, fever, abdominal pain and even death," Dr. Mark Fischer, regional medical director of International SOS, a leading medical and security services company, previously told Fox News Digital. 

Severe cases of dengue can lead to bleeding from the nose or gums and vomiting of blood. One in 20 people who contract the fever develop severe dengue, according to the CDC.

There is not currently any medication to treat dengue. Infected people are advised to rest, take acetaminophen for pain and fever, stay hydrated and see a doctor.

There is a vaccine available for U.S. children between 9 and 16 years of age who have previously tested positive for dengue and are living in areas where the infection is common.

Travelers returning from dengue-endemic areas are urged to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks. If dengue symptoms develop within two weeks of return, travelers are advised to seek medical evaluation.

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Experts also recommend eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed. Some examples include buckets, water-catching plants (such as bromeliads), small containers, planters, rain barrels and even cups left outside.

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Fischer added, "It’s important to wear insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or lemon and eucalyptus oil, as these ingredients are the most effective at repelling mosquitoes and other insects."

"Those who live in areas with mosquito populations should try to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially at dusk and in the evening, when mosquitoes are most active, to avoid getting bitten on exposed skin."

Keeping screens on windows and doors is also a good way to prevent insects from entering and potentially causing the spread of disease, he said. 

"If you live in an area that has a high level of mosquito-borne diseases, you should use mosquito nets when sleeping and eliminate any standing water in and around the home, since still bodies of water are breeding grounds for the insects," Fischer added.

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Chronic back pain may have met its match with hormone treatment, scientists say

A hormone traditionally used to treat bone loss may hold the key to stopping chronic back pain at its source, according to a new study.

Chronic back pain is often linked to the deterioration of spinal discs and vertebral end plates, which are the thin layers of tissue separating the discs from the vertebrae, according to medical sources.

When these break down, they become porous, allowing nerves that aren’t usually impacted to enter the spinal center, leading to frequent discomfort.

GREATER WEIGHT LOSS PROMISED BY HIGHER-DOSE WEGOVY SHOT, NOW APPROVED BY FDA

Research led by Dr. Janet L. Crane at Johns Hopkins University found the parathyroid hormone (PTH) could prevent and even reverse the growth of pain-sensing nerves into damaged areas of the spine.

Parathyroid glands naturally produce PTH, which experts say plays a key role in regulating calcium levels and bone remodeling.

These findings could shift the focus of back pain treatment from managing symptoms to modifying the underlying issue, according to scientists.

"During spinal degeneration, pain-sensing nerves grow into regions where they normally do not exist. Our findings show that parathyroid hormone can reverse this process by activating natural signals that push these nerves away," Crane said in a press release.

HIDDEN SIGNS YOUR BONES MAY BE WEAKER THAN YOU THINK, ACCORDING TO DOCTOR

Synthetic versions of PTH are already used to treat osteoporosis. Earlier research hinted that these treatments might also reduce bone-related pain, but the underlying biological mechanism was not well understood.

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Using animal models, the Johns Hopkins researchers found that one to two months of PTH treatment led to denser, more stable vertebral endplates. 

More significantly, the treatment triggered bone-building cells, known as osteoblasts, to produce a protein called Slit3, the study detailed.

The study found that this protein repels growing nerve fibers, preventing them from infiltrating sensitive regions of the spine.

When the researchers removed Slit3 from mice, the hormone's pain-relieving effects disappeared, confirming the protein's critical role in the process.

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PTH is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat osteoporosis. Some patients receiving the hormone for bone density have reported unexpected relief from back pain, a phenomenon this study could help explain.

"Our study suggests that PTH treatment of [lower back pain] during spinal degeneration may reduce aberrant innervation (abnormal nerve growth)," Crane concluded.

The doctor said this research lays the foundation for future clinical trials that will explore PTH's effectiveness as a disease-modifying and pain-relieving treatment for spinal degeneration.

Researchers noted several limitations, including the possibility that PTH treatment could affect the central nervous system in ways not fully explored in this study.

Because the study focused specifically on the Slit3 protein, further research is needed to determine how other genetic factors and bone-forming processes might influence spinal nerve growth and pain relief.

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The study was published in the journal Bone Research.

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New stronger weight-loss drug gets green light from FDA: 'Major jump'

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Thursday its approval of a new, higher-dose Wegovy (semaglutide) injection.

The 7.2 mg dosage, called Wegovy HD, is intended for weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance for adult patients. It is triple the previous maximum dose of 2.4 mg.

This marks the fourth approval in the FDA's National Priority Voucher pilot program, which "seeks to expedite approval of applications that address critical national health priorities," according to FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary.

NEW WEGOVY PILL OFFERS NEEDLE-FREE WEIGHT LOSS – BUT MAY NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE

"The new FDA is moving with unprecedented efficiency on products that advance national priorities," he said in a press release. "Today’s approval is another demonstration of what the FDA can accomplish when we try bold new things."

The higher-dose GLP-1 is indicated to "reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long-term in adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related condition," per the FDA's statement.

STOPPING GLP-1 DRUGS LIKE OZEMPIC ERODES HEART HEALTH BENEFITS QUICKLY, NEW STUDY FINDS

"The approval of a new higher dose will provide adult patients with an additional therapeutic option, offering the potential for greater weight loss," the agency stated.

The FDA’s approval, granted to drugmaker Novo Nordisk, was supported by clinical data that found higher doses resulted in additional average weight reduction compared to previous dosing. 

Higher-dose patients with both obesity and type 2 diabetes saw similar lowering of blood sugar compared to the lower dose, the agency noted.

The safety profile is consistent with the known side effects of semaglutide, which commonly include gastrointestinal reactions like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain.

Skin sensitivity, pain or burning occurred more frequently with higher doses of Wegovy, but generally resolved on their own or with dose reduction, the FDA reported. The agency is investigating these adverse effects.

The FDA warned that Wegovy should not be used by patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) or who have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a rare inherited genetic disorder that causes tumors to develop in certain hormone-producing glands). All patients should see a doctor for guidance on proper use.

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Jamey Millar, executive vice president of U.S. operations for Novo Nordisk, commented on this approval in a press release.

"We are excited to bring Wegovy HD injection to adults with obesity who are looking for powerful weight loss, as no other weight-loss medicine has been studied to show superiority to Wegovy HD," he said. 

Millar also noted that Wegovy has been shown to reduce the risk of events such as stroke, heart attack or cardiovascular death in those who also have known heart disease.

Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight-loss specialist practicing in New York and New Jersey, reflected on results of the STEP UP clinical trial, on which the drug's approval was based.

Patients taking the higher dose experienced an average weight loss of 20.7% compared to about 16% on the standard dose, the doctor noted. About one-third lost 25% or more of their body weight.

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"For patients who start on 2.4 mg and then hit a frustrating plateau, or for those with a very high baseline BMI who may need a stronger metabolic push, this creates a legitimate, evidence-based escalation path rather than forcing an early switch to another drug class," Balazs, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

"That said, I think this is an interesting approval, but I do not expect it to dramatically reshape the GLP-1 landscape," he went on. "It gives Novo Nordisk an opportunity to remain competitive on efficacy while it continues developing next-generation therapies."

"Other drugs have already shown greater efficacy in prior studies, and the broader GLP-1 space is likely to see much more significant change as new molecules enter the market."

Balazs called the higher dosage a "major jump," noting that the incidences of stomach- and skin-related side effects at this higher dose are "meaningful."

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"This approval is for obesity management, not diabetes treatment," the expert emphasized. "For patients with type 2 diabetes, currently approved semaglutide dosing remains lower unless the primary treatment goal is weight loss under the obesity indication."

Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA for comment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/mtscaWC

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