Public health & disease

Person receiving shot in the arm

Cancer vaccine with minimal side effects nearing Phase 3 clinical trials

| By | -, Change Milestones

The vaccine- developed by Dr. Thomas Wagner of U.S.-based Orbis Health Solutions – has already been tested in hundreds of patients with advanced forms of melanoma in Phase 2 clinical trials. The most recent data showed nearly 95% of people given only the vaccine were still alive three years after starting treatment and 64% were still disease-free. Among the most advanced forms of melanoma, disease-free survival after three years for people with stage III disease was 60% in the vaccine-only group, compared to about 39% in the placebo group.

Cancer vaccine with minimal side effects nearing Phase 3 clinical trials Read more

Person happily holding a trans pride flag

Maryland to cover unprecedented number of gender-affirming procedures in “groundbreaking” win

| By | -, Change Milestones

A new law in Maryland requires Medicaid to cover “medically necessary” gender-affirming care for residents — including care well beyond hormones or surgery. The law went into effect on January 1. It requires coverage for “gender-affirming treatment in a nondiscriminatory manner.” Gender-affirming care is considered safe and essential to the well-being of trans people by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and other major U.S. and world health organizations.

Maryland to cover unprecedented number of gender-affirming procedures in “groundbreaking” win Read more

Person receiving nasal spray

Novel nasal COVID-19 vaccine offers longer, better immunity than jabs

| By | -, Change Milestones

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have developed an intranasal COVID-19 vaccine that enhances the immune system’s response to the virus, providing longer-lasting, greater protection than vaccine injections, even against new and emerging variants. The novel vaccine candidate could mean fewer boosters in future.

Novel nasal COVID-19 vaccine offers longer, better immunity than jabs Read more

Cancer cells

New protein test can detect 18 early stage cancers, scientists say

| By | -, Change Milestones

The team from U.S. biotech firm Novelna wrote: “At stage I (the earliest cancer stage) and at the specificity of 99%, our panels were able to identify 93% of cancers among males and 84% of cancers among females.” It believes its cheaper, less invasive multi-cancer screening test could be a ‘gamechanger.’

New protein test can detect 18 early stage cancers, scientists say Read more

Tourists on Main Market Square in Krakow, Poland.

Poland’s Clean Household Energy Initiative projected to prevent 20,000 deaths annually by 2030

| By | -, Change Milestones

A new Polish national program plans to replace half the country’s 2.7 million wood and coal-fired furnaces with natural gas furnaces or even more efficient heat pumps by 2030. The policy is projected to save more than 21,000 lives a year in Poland, increase the number of people breathing clean air 15-fold, and help Poland reach new E.U. air quality standards.

Poland’s Clean Household Energy Initiative projected to prevent 20,000 deaths annually by 2030 Read more

Molecule of the human hormone glucagon

Australian scientists regenerate diabetics’ damaged cells to produce insulin

| By | -, Change Milestones

For many years, research has focused on identifying novel therapies that stimulate beta-cell growth and function to restore insulin production in type 1 diabetics. Now, researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne have brought us a step closer to making this a reality, regenerating damaged pancreatic cells so they can produce insulin and functionally respond to blood glucose levels. The novel therapeutic approach has the potential to become the first disease-modifying treatment for type 1 diabetes.

Australian scientists regenerate diabetics’ damaged cells to produce insulin Read more

Doctor dermatologist examines skin of patient

mRNA skin cancer therapy halves risk of death in clinical trial

| By | -, Change Milestones

Following promising results from this recent trail, the combination of Moderna’s new mRNA-4157 and KEYTRUDA has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA in the U.S., and accepted into the Priority Medicines scheme by the European Medicines Agency, for the treatment of high-risk melanoma.

mRNA skin cancer therapy halves risk of death in clinical trial Read more

Person sitting on a bench overlooking sunset

Mindfulness program proves a secret weapon against post-traumatic stress, according to new study

| By | -, Change Milestones

A new study from Australia’s Murdoch University evaluating the effectiveness of an eight-week program focusing on self-compassion and mindfulness found that it reduced symptoms of post-traumatic stress and improved quality of life and connectivity in parts of the brain that regulate emotions.

Mindfulness program proves a secret weapon against post-traumatic stress, according to new study Read more

Start typing and press enter to search