CDC Halts COVID Publication; FDA’s Pain Product Warning; Marriage and Cancer Risk

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The CDC delayed publishing a report showing COVID vaccine benefits, citing concerns about the study’s methodology, according to two scientists familiar with the decision. (Washington Post)

The FDA warned against purchasing certain hyaluronic acid products for pain relief, citing potentially dangerous undeclared ingredients.

The agency also threatened action against medical device maker Medline after inspections revealed defects in syringes used for heart procedures.

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots thought bixonimania was a real disease, but scientists made it up. (Nature)

People who never married had a higher incidence of cancer across nearly all major sites compared with ever-married adults. (Cancer Research Communications)

A federal judge sentenced a woman to 15 years in prison for selling the ketamine that led to Matthew Perry’s 2023 death. Two doctors previously pleaded guilty over their involvement in providing the “Friends” star with the drug. (AP)

Experimental smart contact lenses detected changes in intraocular pressure and delivered glaucoma drugs in a preclinical study. (Science Translational Medicine)

The FDA cleared an at-home cervical cancer screening ‌kit for use with an approved human papillomavirus (HPV) test, expanding access to preventive care.

Patients are turning to AI chatbots as a free way to navigate medical bills and insurance disputes. (New York Times)

Top drug lobbyist Stephen Ubl announced he will step down at year-end amidst a major overhaul of drug pricing policies by the Trump administration. (Washington Post)

Two hair growth products sold on Amazon — a spray and a serum — were recalled because their packaging poses a child poisoning risk.

Wegmans recalled Lundberg’s organic jasmine rice due to the potential presence of foreign materials.

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets with the “forever chemicals” were more effective at malaria control than environmentally friendly, PFAS-free alternatives. (Science Advances)

Menopausal hormone drugs have made a multi-billion dollar comeback after the FDA dropped boxed safety warnings from several products. (Bloomberg)

A group of New York nuns operating a nursing facility sued the state over a mandate requiring them to provide specific care for transgender patients. (USA Today)

Researchers discovered that psychedelics boost communication between normally isolated brain regions, creating a unique state of neural relaxation. (Nature Medicine)

Gardening may be more than a hobby; it can challenge your brain and reduce stress levels, which may stave off cognitive decline. (Washington Post)

New guidelines were released about using anticoagulants to prevent venous thromboembolism in children. (Blood Advances)

While banned in Washington, healthcare sharing ministries continue to operate in Oregon with minimal regulation despite rising consumer complaints. (Willamette Week)

A digital detox may restore sustained attention, reducing symptoms of cognitive decline. (Washington Post)

Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the top of Mount Everest in 1963, died at age 97. (ABC News)

Sara Cohen, MD, revealed that she is the author of popular psychological thrillers including “The Housemaid,” writing under the pseudonym Freida McFadden. (People)