ESTEEM After Stroke Program Launches Phase III Trial to Enhance Stroke Recovery
The ESTEEM After Stroke program, a Phase III trial funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, is testing a community-based approach combining exercise, socialization, and cognitive activities to improve recovery and quality of life for stroke survivors. This innovative program, led by researchers from Hunter New England Local Health District, HMRI, and the University of Newcastle, aims to validate the effectiveness of environmental enrichment in stroke rehabilitation.
NSW Pharmacy Trials Expand Access to Care for UTIs, Contraceptives, and Skin Conditions
• Pharmacy-led trials in NSW, Australia, have successfully expanded healthcare access for uncomplicated UTIs, allowing trained pharmacists to manage and treat the condition.
• A trial resupplying oral contraceptives through pharmacies has shown positive feedback, leading to an expansion of patient age eligibility from 18-35 to 18-49 years.
• Dermatology trials have commenced, enabling pharmacists to provide consultations and treatments for skin conditions like impetigo, herpes zoster, mild atopic dermatitis, and mild plaque psoriasis.
• These trials aim to improve healthcare accessibility and inform policy decisions, emphasizing collaboration between pharmacists and general practitioners for optimized patient care.
Study Links Common Plastic Chemical BPA to Female Fertility Risks
• A new study indicates that Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical found in many plastics, poses significant risks to human egg health and female fertility, even at levels considered 'safe'.
• Researchers found that BPA alternatives like Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF), often used in 'BPA-free' products, also exhibit harmful effects, highlighting a broader concern with plastic production chemicals.
• Exposure to BPA primarily occurs through food and drink packaging, with leaching intensified by heating or contact with acidic or fatty contents, leading to potential long-term health risks including reduced fertility.
• The study advocates for enhanced consumer education regarding the health risks associated with BPA and its alternatives, pushing for a complete phase-out of these chemicals in food and drink packaging.
AI Chatbots vs. Human Practitioners: Study Assesses AI's Role in Mental Health Support
• Researchers are conducting a blinded study to compare AI chatbot and human mental health practitioner responses to mental health and substance use questions.
• The study aims to evaluate AI's ability to provide empathetic and appropriate responses in sensitive support scenarios, such as drug and alcohol or mental health issues.
• The AI model was trained using online treatment programs to generate responses similar to those received on the 'Breathing Space' social networking site.
• The ultimate goal is to explore how AI can augment human efforts to extend the reach and impact of mental health support, not to replace human interaction.
Deferiprone Fails to Improve Cognition in Early Alzheimer's Trial, Raises Concerns
• A clinical trial investigating deferiprone, an iron chelator, in patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's, showed reduced iron levels in the hippocampus but accelerated cognitive decline.
• The 12-month study randomized 81 participants to either deferiprone (15 mg/kg twice daily) or placebo and assessed cognitive function, including memory and executive function.
• While deferiprone effectively lowered iron levels in the hippocampus, patients receiving the drug experienced a worsening of executive function compared to the placebo group.
• Researchers suggest that lowering iron levels with deferiprone may be detrimental for individuals with early Alzheimer's disease, warranting caution in its potential therapeutic use.
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