A new drug could significantly cut bad LDL cholesterol levels down to size. This new potent drug may be soon available as it goes under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This new brand of cholesterol medication is known as PCSK9 inhibitors. Recently, and FDA advisory panel suggested that both new drugs alirocumab (Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha) be approved. And while the FDA usually adheres to the suggestion(s) of its advisory panels, it will determine whether to give the green light to both new drugs sometime this summer. Continue reading →

Around 70,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer on an annual basis, in Germany alone. And regardless of the previous breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating the disease, there still exists far more aggressive sub-types of breast cancer that remain a medical mystery and are therefore practically incurable. However, a newly developed model can help bring in a new wave, practices, theories, and ultimately cures to breast cancer; as the experimental model delves into mammary gland biology and standard breast cancer research. In a collaborative effort with their colleagues at the LMU Munich, researchers at the Helmholtz Center in Munich now have the ability to produce a fully realized three-dimensional organoid-structure that resembles regular breast cancer development and function from single patient-derived cells. Continue reading →

Since their introduction, smartphones have rapidly taken over the world, as millions and millions of people own one of their own. Yet these devices aren’t just means of placing a phone call or accessing the Internet; their use extends far beyond those two basic functions. Indeed as studies have shown the use of a smartphone such as an iPhone and its apps can even stretch into the world of medicine. Continue reading →

Breast cancer is a disease that can plague a woman throughout her life. It is a cancer that develops from breast tissue and can become vicious if not diagnosed early. Several initial signs of breast cancer may include a change in the shape of the breast, wrinkling/dimpling of the skin, lumps found within the breast, red scaly patches of skin, etc. For those whose cancer has further developed may experience bone pain, shortness of breath, yellow skin, or swollen lymph nodes. Furthermore, risk factors that can lead to the development of breast cancer include large sums of alcohol consumption, brief to little physical activity and/or exercise, obesity, hormone replacement therapy during menopause, bearing children at a later stage or not at all, ionizing radiation, etc. Around 5 to 10 percent of women with breast cancer coincide with genetics and family history of the disease. Continue reading →

Based on the findings of a recent study, taking on aspirin per day may just prevent the development of breast cancer. The study, published in the journal Laboratory Investigation, was carried out by  research director of the Cancer Research Unit at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Kansas City, MO, Dr. Sushanta Banerjee, and her research team. The study demonstrated how low doses of aspirin obstructed breast cancer cells’ ability to renew. The researchers state that their findings recommend a daily dose of aspirin, which is a drug most commonly used to alleviate pain and avoid blood clots, to help prevent breast cancer development and recurrence in women. Continue reading →

Researchers from UCLA have recently developed a lens-free microscope, designed to uncover the existence of cancer or other cellular level irregularities with the same precision and accuracy as its larger and more expensive optical microscope counterparts. The advent of such a device can help deliver a cost-effective portable technology for performing routine tests of tissue, blood, and other medical endeavors. The new technology may also be quite useful in inaccessible regions of the body and in cases where large samples must be quickly evaluated. Continue reading →

Scientists at The University of Manchester and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have made a tremendous breakthrough in combatting Membranous Nephropathy (MN), which is a highly rare kidney disease that often leads to kidney failure. The scientist’s research was largely funded by the Kidney Research UK, which is the United Kingdom’s biggest funder in matters relating to kidney research and kidney disorders/diseases in the UK. Continue reading →

Waiting for a doctor’s appointment is not only time-consuming, but it can be costly. Fortunately, with the dawn of the Internet there are now numerous resources for free medical information available to everyone who has access to the World Wide Web.

Evaluating Medical Information on the Internet
As virtually anyone can post information on the web, it’s imperative that individuals who are in search for valid and helpful free medical information check their sources appropriately. Some key factors to look for in a health information website include: Continue reading →

Everyone is going mobile – including our most trusted health care professionals. While the majority of health-related apps are geared towards patients, 15% of these apps (often called “mHealth”) have been designed specifically for doctors. The unfortunate part: only 28% of smartphone users and 18% of tablet users describe themselves as “very satisfied” with these apps that are supposed to make their already challenging job easier. If you’re a physician and are looking for helpful apps that won’t simply add more clutter to your mobile device, below are top ranked and rated apps for doctors:

1. Epocrates
Topping most doctors’ list is the free-to-download medical app, Epocrates. This useful app allows doctors to quickly and easily look up information about any drug including:

• Drug interactions
• Search for drug providers for consults and/or referrals

The app also delivers other features, such as calculating a patient’s measurements (i.e. BMI).

Additional information is available through the app, such as alternative medications, lab guides and disease information. However, these services, which are part of the Epocrates Essentials package comes with an annual fee of $159.99 per year.

2. MedScape
A part of the renowned website WebMD, Medscape provides doctors which quick information about drugs and drug safety, procedure videos, medical calculators, access to continuing medical education materials and more. This app prides itself on being the leading resource for healthcare professionals, being able to deliver accurate clinical answers at the tap of a screen.

3. UpToDate
UpToDate is a more costly app for physicians to invest in, starting at just under $500 per year for each physician. However, thousands of physicians have chosen to pay the fee in order to receive up to date medical information and to answer critical clinical questions at point of care. This app has been curated and been subjected to over 30 research studies to ensure that the app is relevant, effective and is able to improve both the care of a patient and hospital performance.

4. Omnio
Physicians can take advantage of this app which has been named by Medical Practice Insider as “one of the Top 10 Technologies on the Rise” for free. It contains a number of key elements including:

• Information about clinical trials
• References guides
• Drug interaction analyzers

• Medical calculators

While the app does currently still have some bugs which need to be ironed out, physicians should take advantage of the 21-day free trial that is now being offered so they can explore the app and its functions.