Enjoy a helping of news
AUGUST 26, 2025
Ocean air may add years to your life, research shows | ScienceDaily
Living near the ocean may actually help you live longer. A new nationwide study found that people in coastal regions enjoy life expectancies a year or more above the U.S. average, while city dwellers near inland rivers and lakes may face shorter lifespans. Researchers suggest the difference comes from environmental and social factors—cleaner air, cooler summers, recreation opportunities, and higher incomes near the coasts versus pollution, poverty, and flood risks inland. The findings reveal that not all “blue spaces” are equal, challenging assumptions that any water view brings health benefits.
Honeybees are renowned for their skills in building intricate and adaptive combs that display notable variation in cell size. However, the extent of their adaptability in constructing honeycombs with varied cell sizes has not been thoroughly investigated. We use 3D-printing and X-ray microscopy to quantify honeybees’ capacity in adjusting the comb to different initial conditions.
HeartBeam’s Credit-Card-Sized ECG Device| MDDI
The portable device collects signals in three dimensions for arrhythmia detection that is similar to hospital-type ECGs.
The common cold’s unexpected superpower against COVID | ScienceDaily
A nationwide study found that recent colds caused by rhinoviruses can give short-term protection against COVID-19. Children benefit most, as their immune systems react strongly with antiviral defenses, helping explain their lower rates of severe illness.
Autism is on the rise: what’s really behind the increase? | Nature
RFK Jr has vowed to find out what’s responsible, but scientists say he is ignoring answers from decades of research.
Is There a Norovirus Vaccine on the Horizon? | Infectious Diseases | JAMA | JAMA Network
This past winter, cases of norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea, surged in the US. Nicknamed the “Ferrari of viruses” for how fast it spreads, it’s also known for racing through cruise ships, long-term care facilities, and school cafeterias. But, according to those who study it, the virus hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.
Evaluating the Complexities of the Digital Operating Room - MedCity News As operating environments become more complex, every element and system must be reliable, safe, and compliant with the web of regulations. Testing is the antidote to address these issues, however, this presents a significant testing burden.
Esketamine Monotherapy Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression | Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology | JAMA | JAMA Network About 35% of patients with major depressive disorder do not respond to treatment with 2 or more antidepressants. In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration authorized an esketamine nasal spray (SPRAVATO) in combination with an oral antidepressant as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression. And this January, the FDA expanded the drug’s approval to include stand-alone use.
US Measles Cases Hit 25-Year High | Pediatrics | JAMA | JAMA Network
Measles cases in the US have surpassed those from any year since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. As of mid-July, 1309 measles cases, including 3 deaths, have been confirmed throughout 39 US states, a substantial increase from the 285 reported in all of 2024. Current case numbers are slightly greater than in 2019, the last time an outbreak threatened measles elimination status in the US.
The surprising reason x-rays can push arthritis patients toward surgery | ScienceDaily Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and disability, but routine X-rays often do more harm than good. New research shows that being shown an X-ray can increase anxiety, make people fear exercise, and lead them to believe surgery is the only option, even when less invasive treatments could help. By focusing on clinical diagnosis instead, patients may avoid unnecessary scans, reduce health costs, and make better choices about their care.
Rats walk again after breakthrough spinal cord repair with 3D printing | ScienceDaily
University of Minnesota researchers developed a 3D-printed scaffold that directs stem cells to grow into functioning nerve cells, successfully restoring movement in rats with severed spinal cords. This promising technique could transform future treatment for spinal cord injuries.
Pediatric Influenza-Associated Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy—Gaps Need to Be Addressed | Critical Care Medicine | JAMA | JAMA Network Influenza is associated with a wide spectrum of respiratory and nonrespiratory complications, including neurologic manifestations, of variable disease severity.1 Influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE) encompasses several clinical syndromes in which impaired consciousness and/or altered mental status and brain dysfunction may range from brief, mild, and self-limited to rapid progression to coma and death.
Biocompatibility Brief - What Medical Device Companies Need to Know | Greenlight Guru This episode offers a "biocompatibility brief" with guest Marina Daineko, a MedTech expert and chemist specializing in biological evaluations. Marina shares her perspective on the critical role of chemistry and critical thinking in assessing the safety of medical devices. The discussion highlights the need to look beyond simple pass/fail tests and delve into the nuances of raw data analysis, material composition, and manufacturing processes to uncover potential risks.
A Top 100 Medtech Company Is Making a Large Acquisition | MDDI
Terumo, one of the Top 100 Medical Device Companies, has inked a deal to acquire OrganOx, a firm that develops technology for organ transplants.
The common cold’s unexpected superpower against COVID | ScienceDaily
A nationwide study found that recent colds caused by rhinoviruses can give short-term protection against COVID-19. Children benefit most, as their immune systems react strongly with antiviral defenses, helping explain their lower rates of severe illness.
Study links AI medical device recalls to gaps in FDA regulatory process |Medical Device Outsourcing
Artificial intelligence-enabled medical devices cleared by the FDA are more likely to be recalled if they come from publicly traded companies, according to a new study. Artificial intelligence-enabled medical devices cleared by the FDA are more likely to be recalled if they come from publicly traded companies, according to a new study.