A meta-analysis of 32 studies and 43,618 adults presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey (12-15 May) shows that use of new classes of obesity drugs for weight loss is associated with a clinically relevant drop in blood pressure (BP): a 0.34 mmHg reduction in systolic BP per 1% weight loss. The study is by Dr Marcel Muskiet at the Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands and Professor David Cherney and colleagues from the University Health Network / University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

UCLA Health will lead a $9 million, multi-institution research project to further elucidate the link between exposure to pollutants including certain pesticides, air pollution and the increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Alternative therapies that aid the body’s immune system to fight bacteria have shown promise in addressing the global threat of antibiotic resistance.

In response to physician shortages in certain specialties of medicine, as well as changes in federal student loan borrowing limits, the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine is joining the ranks of medical schools nationwide that offer an accelerated three-year MD degree.

“There are about 35 medical schools around the country that are doing this right now,” says Jennifer Adams, MD, professor of internal medicine, associate dean of medical education, clerkship phase, and director of accelerated pathway programs. “We're joining a small but mighty group that is trying to address two important factors. One is rising concerns around student debt and the cost of medical education, and the second thing is physician workforce shortages.”