U.S. FDA approves first alopecia drug that restores hair growth in many patients
It is the first approved treatment for alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that affects about 7 million people in the United States.
Public health & disease
Korean scientists develop “nanomachines” that can penetrate and kill cancer cells
This new method directly kills cancer cells via mechanical movements without anticancer medication, in contrast to the capsule-type nanocarriers that deliver therapeutic drugs.
Rectal cancer immunotherapy trials deliver ‘unheard of’ remission in all 14 patients
In every case, the rectal cancer disappeared after immunotherapy and the cancer has not returned in any of the patients, who have been cancer-free for up to two years.
British Columbia becomes first Canadian province to remove criminal penalties for possession of some hard drugs
“By decriminalizing people who use drugs, we will break down the stigma that stops people from accessing life-saving support and services.”
First-of-a-kind blood test paves way for early Parkinson’s diagnosis
With no way of completely curing the condition, earlier diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can have profound impacts on treatment options and a patient’s quality of life.
Marijuana legalization linked to fall in alcohol, tobacco, and pain medication consumption in new study
“Implementation of legalized non-medical cannabis coincided with decreases in alcohol and cigarette use and pain reliever misuse,” the University of Washington researchers reported.
Switzerland votes for default organ donations to save more lives in the country
Under this new ‘presumed consent’ model, people who do not wish to become organ donors after death must explicitly say so.
Starbucks will now pay for employees who need to travel for abortions
Starbucks says it will pay travel expenses for U.S. employees to access abortion or gender-confirmation procedures if those services aren’t available within 100 miles of a worker’s home.
North Texas city to become first in the U.S. to offer free healthcare
Ferris, Texas, about 20 miles south of Dallas, will use money from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide free physical and mental healthcare to all residents.
Canadian government announces funding to expand access to abortion services
The Liberal government has announced more than $3.5 million in funding for two initiatives it says will improve access to abortion services and reproductive health information in Canada.