EurekAlert! News by Subject: Medicine & Health - News by Subject: Medicine & Health

Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Jul-2025 02:11 ET (23-Jul-2025 06:11 GMT/UTC)

Breakthrough Dravet syndrome gene therapy in mice brings new hope to families

Allen Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In a groundbreaking advancement for families grappling with the challenges of Dravet syndrome, a rare and life-altering form of epilepsy, scientists have developed a new gene replacement therapy in mice that could lead to more effective treatments in humans. The findings were published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The new therapy, a collaboration between researchers at the Allen Institute and Seattle Children’s Research Institute, alleviated symptoms and led to long-term recovery without toxicity, side effects, and death.

Journal: Science Translational Medicine
Funder: National Institutes of Health

New study challenges assumptions about SEP-1 bundle compliance and sepsis outcomes

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study led by the Center for Sepsis Epidemiology and Prevention Studies (SEPSIS) at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) sepsis quality measure, known as the Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1).

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Prescription stimulant use, misuse, and use disorder among US adults ages 18 to 64

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: Although access to prescription stimulants is essential to addressing important clinical needs of patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this study found that among U.S. adults ages 18 to 64 using prescription stimulants, one-fourth reported misuse, and nearly one-tenth had prescription stimulant use disorder. The findings may suggest potential progress in addressing the mental health care gap for middle-aged women and the need for evidence-based clinical guidance and training on benefits and risks of prescription stimulants for adults.

Journal: JAMA Psychiatry

Suicide and self-harm events with GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with diabetes or obesity

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: There is unlikely to be an increase in the very low incidence of suicide-related adverse events among individuals receiving glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) within the context of randomized clinical trials. While these findings may further ease concerns about these adverse effects, continued monitoring is warranted to identify particular patients who may be at risk as extended use of GLP-1 RAs expands.

Journal: JAMA Psychiatry

Rainfall and drought linked to childhood growth outcomes in Uganda

Penn State
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Rainfall and long-term water availability in a region before a woman becomes pregnant and during pregnancy predicted future growth outcomes of children in Uganda, according to new research led by a team from the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the Penn State College of Medicine. Environmental factors influence the availability of food, which, in turn, can affect a woman’s nutritional status before and during pregnancy. If a mother doesn’t eat enough or is under-nourished, the effect can be passed on to her child — the child may be born at a low birth weight or experience growth faltering.

Journal: JAMA Network Open
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health

Rethinking how we study the impact of heat on heart health

University of Ottawa
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Summary:

A new study reveals that encapsulated heating methods, an often-used heat simulation method, significantly increase heart rates and cardiac strain compared to natural heat exposure like those experienced during hot weathers.

Understanding how extreme heat impacts heart function is crucial for developing effective strategies to protect vulnerable groups, especially as global temperatures continue to rise.

Journal: Nature Communications

Hyperuricemia: Current state and prospects

Xia & He Publishing Inc.
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Hyperuricemia (HU) is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated uric acid (UA) levels in the bloodstream, commonly diagnosed when UA levels exceed 420 µmol/L (7 mg/dL) in men and 350 µmol/L (6 mg/dL) in women. Unlike other mammals, humans lack uricase, an enzyme that breaks down UA into a more soluble form, making them more susceptible to HU. The condition is influenced by genetic, dietary, and environmental factors, with contributors including purine-rich foods, metabolic dysfunctions, obesity, and impaired kidney function. HU is a significant health concern due to its strong association with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hypertension, gout, renal dysfunction, and metabolic disorders. Despite its prevalence, treatment guidelines vary, with some organizations advocating for pharmacological intervention, while others focus on lifestyle modifications. As research advances, new insights into the genetic and environmental determinants of HU are emerging, emphasizing the need for refined diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Journal: Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine