BROWN UNIVERSITY

U.S. overdose deaths declined for the second year in a row, dropping from 113,000 to 97,000 in the 12 months ending June 30, 2024, according to CDC provisional data. Experts attribute the decrease to increased availability of naloxone and addiction treatments, and a possible post-pandemic effect.

Obesity-linked heart disease deaths nearly tripled in the U.S. from 1999 to 2020, with significant increases among middle-aged men, Black adults, Midwesterners, and rural residents.

Blood tests for Alzheimer’s could provide easier, faster diagnosis, paving the way for earlier intervention and treatment. Several tests are under development, with some showing accuracy similar to cerebrospinal fluid tests. FDA approval for such tests is expected within the next 12 months, potentially leading to earlier detection and more effective treatments.

Cothera Bioscience's PC-002, a first-in-class DUB inhibitor, received FDA Fast Track designation for treating relapsed or refractory Burkitt Lymphoma. The designation aims to expedite development and review of drugs addressing unmet medical needs, enabling more frequent interactions with the FDA. Cothera plans to present updated Phase 2 results at the 2024 ASH annual meeting.

New research shows a dementia diagnosis often leads to relocation, with 22% moving to a different U.S. county within four years, a 40% increase compared to other conditions. This challenges traditional aging in place concepts and highlights the need for policy adjustments to address the unique migration patterns of dementia patients.

Dr. Ravi V. Bellamkonda, a renowned biomedical engineer and higher education leader, will join Ohio State as executive VP and provost, pending Board of Trustees approval, starting January 14, 2025. He comes from Emory University, where he led initiatives in arts, AI, and student flourishing. Dr. Bellamkonda is also a distinguished researcher in biomedical engineering and a recipient of the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award. His family, including spouse Dr. Lalita Kaligotla and dog CJ, will join him at Ohio State.

New research highlights the potential of a point-of-care HCV RNA assay (Xpert HCV) to expedite diagnosis and treatment in high-risk settings, particularly among individuals under community supervision. Study results showed that 30 individuals, including 2 with acute HCV infection, could have received immediate diagnosis using this assay. The FDA granted marketing authorization for the Xpert HCV test in June 2024, simplifying the HCV testing process. The test demonstrated high sensitivity (96.8%) and specificity (99.4%) for detecting HCV RNA, but its use in community supervision settings remains unexplored.

Haaretz.com provides breaking news, analyses, and opinions on Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish World.

Kimberlyn Ellis, a graduate student in Human Genetics, has been selected as the 2024 Vanderbilt Prize Student Scholar, receiving a $1,000 cash prize and mentorship from Sarah Tishkoff, PhD. Ellis aims to bridge genomics, bioethics, and health policy for equitable precision medicine, focusing on chronic disease in populations with significant African ancestry.

Sammy Basso, a progeria patient and biologist, passed away at 28, known for his humor and advocacy. Despite his rare disease, he lived with optimism, contributing to progeria research and connecting with others through his unique perspective.