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The law targets fraud and abuse, such as bribery, in federal healthcare programs including Medicare, which provides coverage for the elderly and disabled. Pfizer contends the government's interpretation of the law was blocking access to critical medical care. New York-based Pfizer's medication, also known as tafamidis, treats a rare heart condition known as transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy that can lead to progressive heart failure. Given the drug's high price, patients would need to bear yearly co-payments of roughly $13,000, with Medicare covering the rest. Pfizer's proposal sought to assist "middle-income" patients who do not qualify for low-income co-pay support but might still be deterred by its cost.

☆ A US federal agency is considering a ban on gas stoves
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —A federal agency is considering a ban on gas stoves as concerns about indoor pollution linked to childhood asthma rise, Bloomberg first reported. A US Consumer Product Safety commissioner told Bloomberg gas stove usage is a “hidden hazard.”“Any option is on the table. The CPSC has been considering action on gas stoves for months.Trumka recommended in October that the CPSC seek public comment on the hazards associated with gas stoves. The study found that almost 13% of current childhood asthma in the US is attributable to gas stove use. Trumka told Bloomberg the agency plans to open public comment on gas stove hazards.

☆ AstraZeneca’s new deal is smarter than it looks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters Breakingviews) - On the face of it, Pascal Soriot’s new deal ought to raise his shareholders’ blood pressure. The boss of $221 billion pharma giant AstraZeneca (AZN.L) has agreed to buy CinCor Pharma (CINC.O) for up to $1.8 billion. Yet paying $26 in cash per CinCor share and an extra $10 per share if a key drug is submitted for regulatory approval represents a 206% bump to CinCor’s closing share price on Friday. The pharma industry has a war chest of over half a trillion dollars to splurge on knock-down biotech stocks this year. If the next trial goes better, Astra’s deal may not look so toppy.

☆ 'Healthy embarrassment' can help you reach your goals next year—here's how, from a Zen teacher
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Aditi Shrikant | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But when they sleep in instead of going to the gym, or impulsively purchase a pricey coat, they can feel defeated and disappointed. Instead of feeling paralyzed by shame, we should strive to experience a sort of "healthy embarrassment" Koshin Paley Ellison, a Zen teacher and the co-founder of New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, said on the podcast Ten Percent Happier this year. "It's really important to have a humble, healthy embarrassment to realizing how while most of us know what we value and care about, we very rarely actually are behaving in those ways," he says. Having healthy embarrassment can help us reach our goals in a way that shame can't. Shame feels 'so personal'Ellison had this revelation about embarrassment while practicing Buddhism's Noble Eightfold Path.

[1/2] A Hershey's chocolate bar is shown in this photo illustration in Encinitas, California January 29, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File PhotoCompanies Hershey Co FollowNEW YORK, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Hershey Co (HSY.N) has been sued by a consumer who accused the company of selling dark chocolate that contains harmful levels of lead and cadmium. In a proposed class action filed on Wednesday, Christopher Lazazzaro said he would not have bought or would have paid less for Hershey's Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate, Lily's Extra Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa and Lily's Extreme Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa had Hershey disclosed their metals content. Some studies suggest that the antioxidants and relatively low levels of sugar in dark chocolate could help prevent cardiovascular disease. Hershey's Special Dark bar and Lily's 70% bar were high in lead, and Lily's 85% bar was high in lead and cadmium, the magazine said.

☆ What it's like to climb up and ski down Makalu, the world's 5th-highest mountain
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Almost 28,000 feet, Makalu is just 12 miles away from Mount Everest — a mountain Ballinger has climbed several times, along with K2, the world's second-tallest mountain. But at Makalu, Ballinger wasn't there only to climb — he was making his third attempt to be the first person to ski down from the summit of the world's fifth-tallest mountain. Ballinger spent a year preparing to ski Makalu"Once I decided I wanted to try, I spent a year at home of focus, dedicated training, working towards being ready to try to ski Makalu," Ballinger said. From left, Dorji Sonam Sherpa, Sherpa Sirdar (lead sherpa), Ballinger, Phu Rita Sherpa. At base camp, Ballinger and his fellow climbers are fed by a Nepali chef who prepares fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit.

☆ Health-care stocks are looking good for 2023 and not just because the sector is a 'safe haven'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Investors looking for cover this year would have done well if they sought a safe haven in large-cap pharmaceutical stocks, a trend that is likely to continue into 2023. The Inflation Reduction Act provided some clarity around drug pricing that should help health-care stocks. The average price target, according to FactSet, is $62, or nearly 40% above the stock's closing price on Tuesday. Gene therapies in focus Investors will be closely watching the progress of several gene therapies, according to Phipps. "Yes, these are expensive therapies," Phipps said.

☆ BMO upgrades this gene-editing play, sees shares returning 65% next year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BMO Capital Markets sees a big year ahead for biotech company Beam Therapeutics . Analyst Kostas Biliouris upgraded shares to outperform from market perform, saying he expects updates next year on a key partnership will drive upside for the gene-editing technology company. Beam has a partnership with biotech company Verve Therapeutics , which is using Beam's base editing technology for its VERVE-101 program. "We believe these catalysts will have a direct readthrough on BEAM, each driving a ~10%+ upside (stock moves here)." Shares of Beam Therapeutics are down more than 49% in 2022, while Verve Therapeutics is off by about 51%.

☆ How a gene-editing breakthrough from a Harvard lab saved the life of a girl with leukemia
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Andrew Dunn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A 13-year-old girl was the world's first patient to get a cell therapy called base editing in May. Base editing is a new gene-editing technology that could lead to cures for many diseases. Alyssa, 13, was the first-ever patient to receive a base-edited cell therapy after enrolling in a clinical trial in May. Base editing allows scientists to make ultraprecise changes to single letters of DNA in cells. Alyssa, a teenager in Leicester, England, received a base-edited cell therapy to treat her leukemia.

☆ Deutsche Bank says to buy this 'compelling' medical tech stock it sees surging nearly 40%
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Cardiovascular device company Shockwave Medical presents a solid growth story over the next few years, according to Deutsche Bank. Analyst Imron Zafar initiated coverage of the medical tech company with a buy rating and a $285 price target. "We regard Shockwave Medical as among the most compelling growth stories across medtech over the next few years," Zafar wrote in a Dec. 16 note. Recession proof Deutsche also sees Shockwave as well-positioned to weather any tough macroeconomic backdrop that may arise in the U.S. in 2023. Deutsche sees these concerns as largely misplaced and forecasts strong top-line momentum for Shockwave even amid prevailing macro headwinds.

☆ A Harvard brain expert shares 6 things he never does in order to stay 'sharp, energized and healthy'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Christopher Palmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

As a psychiatrist and neuroscience researcher, I've spent 27 years studying the surprising connections between our mental health, physical health and brain health. To continue staying sharp, energized and healthy, here are six things I never do:1. Diet plays a role in obesity, diabetes and heart health, but most people don't realize that it also has profound effects on the brain. In a study of over 36,000 people, consuming even one to two drinks a day was associated with brain atrophy or shrinkage. Psychotherapy that focuses on empathy, relationships, social skills or improving cognitive abilities can strengthen brain circuits that have been underdeveloped.

☆ Why Heart Attacks Rise During the Holiday Season
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Sumathi Reddy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

People often put off going to the doctor during the holidays, but they shouldn’t ignore signs of heart problems that can arise during the festive season. Winter and especially the holidays are the time when heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems spike, doctors say. More cardiac deaths happen on Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 than on any other days of the year, research has shown. Heart disease, which includes heart attacks, is the leading cause of death in the U.S. year-round.

☆ POTS, a debilitating heart condition, is linked to Covid and, to a lesser degree, vaccines
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Berkeley-Lovelace-Jr.Jpg | Berkeley Lovelace Jr. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Research published Monday has confirmed a link between a Covid infection and a debilitating heart condition called POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, that has been diagnosed in some patients with long Covid. POTS was also linked, to a lesser degree, to Covid vaccination with an mRNA vaccine, according to the new study. He also said that the link between POTS and Covid vaccination needs to be confirmed with further studies. Other vaccines have also been linked to POTS in early accounts, but further research did not establish a causal link. The link between an infection — including Covid — and POTS, however, is more well-established.

☆ Making the case for anchovies
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Casey Barber | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Bagna cauda, the Italian dipping sauce made from anchovies, garlic, butter and olive oil, is traditionally served with crudités as an appetizer. Bagna cauda is an Italian dipping sauce for vegetables made from anchovies, garlic, butter and olive oil. Anchovies in pastaFinally, the same strategy of dissolving the umami flavors of anchovies in a sauce comes into play when making a rich and comforting pasta. When buying anchoviesWhen choosing a tin or jar of anchovies, Roman said to make sure the anchovies are oil-packed, salt-cured anchovy fillets, not brined, pickled or whole anchovies. Though the ingredients in each container should be the same — anchovies, salt and olive oil — the fillets will vary in saltiness, taste and texture.

☆ China COVID infection fears fuel medical stock bets
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China's healthcare index (.CSIHC) gained almost 1% on Monday morning, despite a 0.8% drop in the benchmark CSI300 Index (.CSI300). Hu Qiang, fund manager at Yunchuang Investment, said demand for antigen testing had just taken off. Listed medical firms are also busy fielding investors' queries about how they are preparing for a potential worsening COVID situation. Lepu Medical Technology (300003.SZ), which produces cardiovascular and diagnosis devices, told investors it would adjust production plans to meet market demand for COVID testing. Easy Diagnosis said on an investor relations platform that it was able to ramp up production quickly, as cancellation of nucleic acid testing in many places would boost demand for antigen testing at home.

☆ A new wave of companies is making testosterone easily available online. The authors of a recent study say there could be risks to patients.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Sarah Braner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A recent study reviewed seven companies that prescribe testosterone therapy online. These companies say that they make treatment more accessible for people who already suspect they have low testosterone. A new study shows that DTC companies do not all follow medical guidelinesThe new study encourages patients looking to get testosterone therapy online to educate themselves before taking the leap. The study found that six out of seven of the companies tested offered testosterone therapy to the shopper. The study was not meant to evaluate companies prescribing testosterone for gender affirming hormone therapy, which is a different process than testosterone replacement therapy.

☆ Factbox: China COVID policy: Major changes in further easing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rules covering quarantine, people movement, lockdowns and testing were loosened, and other aspects of policy were also adjusted. The main changes are listed below: - High-risk areas must be accurately designated by buildings, units, floors, and households, and cannot be arbitrarily expanded to residential compounds and communities. - Mass COVID testing cannot be carried out by administrative regions. - High-risk areas without new infections for five consecutive days should be released from lockdowns in a timely manner. Those with COVID cases should precisely mark designated risk areas and ensure normal order of teaching and living outside these areas.

☆ What to watch for as J&J gets ready to split into two separate companies next year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

During Monday's "Morning Meeting" for members, Jim Cramer said that J & J has the "best balance sheet in America." According to projections from J & J and rival Medtronic (MDT), the robotics market captures a low 2% to 3% of global procedures. In an economic slowdown, J & J is a solid name to own that can outperform the broader market. We also like that J & J has consistently raised its dividend. We rate J & J a 1 for the Club , meaning we would buy the stock at current levels given it aligns with our strategy.

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☆ Amgen says experimental obesity drug has promising durability
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Deena Beasley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LOS ANGELES, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Amgen Inc's (AMGN.O) experimental obesity drug demonstrated promising durability trends in an early trial, paving the way for a larger mid-stage study early next year, company officials said ahead of a data presentation on Saturday. The small Phase I trial found that patients maintained their weight loss for 70 days after receiving the highest tested dose of the injected drug, currently known as AMG133. Amgen shares have gained about 5% since the company said on Nov. 7 that 12 weeks of trial treatment at the highest monthly dose of AMG133 resulted in mean weight loss of 14.5%. Patients treated with AMG133 did have side effects including nausea and vomiting, but most cases were mild and resolved within a couple of days after the first dose, Amgen said. The drug was developed from work at Amgen to identify genetic signals associated with lower fat mass and body weight, and also healthy metabolic profiles, explained Saptarsi Haldar, head of cardiovascular metabolic discovery at Amgen.

☆ Goldman Sachs says this little-known biotech stock can double on potentially ‘blockbuster’ revenue
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investors should buy biopharma stock Altimmune as it can double from here depending on the success of a new obesity drug, according to Goldman Sachs. However, the analyst expects that the growing obesity market is not a "zero-sum game" and has niches for new players. "We believe that cardiovascular and lipid benefits conferred by pemvidutide will allow ALT to earn meaningful market share and blockbuster revenues," Jenkins wrote. The analyst expects further studies on the pemvidutide's treatment on other diseases could also help differentiate the drug. Shares of Altimmune are up 8% this year, but the analyst expects they'll advance further.

☆ Early research suggests promising use of AI to predict risk of heart attack or stroke using a single chest X-ray
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Early research suggests a promising use of artificial intelligence to predict the 10-year risk of death from a heart attack or stroke from a single chest X-ray. The AI model uses the same risk thresholds as the established risk calculator, and early findings suggest that it works just as well. Sometimes, the AI findings align with a traditional radiology reading, but other times, it picks up on things that may have been missed, he said. He was not involved in the new AI research but says it’s important to keep the field moving forward. “The risk calculator is one part of risk assessment, but it’s not the only part.

☆ Improve memory as you age by eating more flavonols, study says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Eating more flavonols, antioxidants found in many vegetables, fruits, tea and wine, may slow your rate of memory loss, a new study finds. The cognitive score of people in the study who ate the most flavonols declined 0.4 units per decade more slowly than those who ate the fewest flavonols. One of the most common flavonols, quercetin, has shown promise in reducing the onset of colorectal cancer and other cancers, according to studies. (For comparison, the average flavonol intake in US adults is about 16 to 20 milligrams per day, according to the study.) The study looked at the impact of the four major flavonols — kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin and isorhamnetin — on the rate of cognitive decline over the seven years.

☆ Analysis: Vietnam's anti-graft crackdown chills supply chains, investment
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Francesco Guarascio | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"If you don't do anything, you cannot do a mistake," Walde said of the current licensing paralysis caused by the bureaucratic anxiety. Germany is the second-largest exporter of drugs to Vietnam after France, according to 2020 data. SUPPLY SHOCKSThe negative economic consequences of the crackdown come on top of other challenges that Vietnam and other countries in Asia face, namely a weakening local currency, global supply constraints and declining world demand. "The crackdown won't be able to root out the widespread corruption if implemented without complete transparency and rule of law," said Hop. Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Additional reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by Sam HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Daylight Saving Time debate sheds light on growing racial inequities in sleep health
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Sleep Research Society and other medical groups have advocated for ending the practice, calling for the adoption of a permanent standard time that would not involve shifting forward each spring and falling back each autumn. She authored a paper, published in September in the journal Sleep, detailing the potential health benefits of adopting a permanent standard time. Now, some sleep researchers worry about the potential effects that continuing to change standard time twice each year may have on sleep health inequities. “Fortunately, sleep health is largely modifiable.”As for the inequities seen in sleep health, it’s not that White adults don’t also experience a lack of sleep and its health consequences – but people of color appear to disproportionately experience them more, and that’s believed to be largely due to social systems in the United States. Improving sleep health has been a national objective in the federal government’s past two Healthy People programs, noted Caraballo-Cordovez, who is not involved in the programs.

☆ 'Every breath you take': Air pollution stifles Europe's health targets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Juliette Portala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Air pollution is still the largest environmental health risk in Europe," the EEA said. "While emissions of key air pollutants and their concentrations in ambient air have fallen significantly over the past two decades in Europe, air quality remains poor in many areas." Air pollution aggravates respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, with heart disease and stroke cited as the most common causes of related early deaths. "Further efforts will be needed to meet the zero pollution vision for 2050 of reducing air pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health," the EEA said. The European Commission proposed in October to set stricter thresholds for air pollution but also to enhance the right of citizens to clean air.

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