NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

The Pain Management Collaboratory Coordinating Center, a Yale-based research center supporting 16 large-scale pragmatic clinical trials of non-drug pain management approaches, has received a six-year funding extension. Established in 2017, the PMC aims to bridge the gap between evidence and clinical practice, focusing on veteran and military health systems. The trials investigate nonpharmacological approaches like chiropractic care and mindfulness, with over 11,000 veterans and military members engaged in studies. Early findings suggest feasibility and effectiveness, encouraging broader adoption.

GPT-4 achieved 73% accuracy in identifying gene set functions, refusing to name random sets 87% of the time, showcasing its potential in functional genomics with minimal hallucination. The study, led by Trey Ideker et al., highlights the need for continued LLM development in genomics and precision medicine, supported by a new web portal for researchers.

A study finds that moderate drinkers taking obesity drugs like Mounjaro report reduced alcohol consumption, with about 50% cutting back. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, involved 14,000 Weight Watchers members, with those losing more weight more likely to decrease drinking. Researchers suggest the drugs' impact on the brain's reward system may explain the reduction in alcohol use.

Dr. Lei Zhu, Chief Operating Officer of MIGRA Therapeutics LLC and Assistant Professor at Emory University, has been included in Marquis Who's Who for his significant contributions to cancer research and innovative drug delivery approaches.

HepB-CpG vaccine (2 or 3 doses) achieved superior HBV seroprotection in HIV-positive individuals with prior nonresponse to hepatitis B vaccine, compared to conventional HepB-alum vaccine (3 doses).

A. Cornelius Baker, a prominent advocate for H.I.V. and AIDS patients, died at 63. He championed testing, secured federal funding, and worked for a vaccine. Baker established National H.I.V. Testing Day and collaborated with health organizations to fund research for Black gay men with H.I.V. and AIDS.

A study by UC San Francisco found increased water intake linked to weight loss, migraine prevention, urinary tract infections, and diabetes control. Pre-meal water intake of 500 mL showed greater weight loss, while daily urine output of 2000 mL reduced kidney stone events. Single studies suggested benefits for migraines, UTIs, and diabetes. The authors call for more research due to the low cost and adverse-effect profile of water.

A journalist tries a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) marketed as a wellness tool, finding it influences food choices and diet, unintentionally adopting a keto approach. Experts warn CGMs should be used correctly, as they are life-changing for insulin-dependent diabetics. Dexcom and Abbott now offer CGMs without prescriptions, aiming to provide health insights. The journalist's experience shows the CGM can affect eating habits and behavior, but scientific consensus on their value for non-diabetics is lacking.

Eisai launched Leqembi in South Korea for mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or mild AD dementia. Leqembi selectively binds to amyloid-beta aggregates, reducing disease progression and cognitive decline. Developed by BioArctic and Eisai, it is approved in multiple countries and under review in others. BioArctic and Eisai are preparing for joint commercialization in the Nordic region.