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PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM
Study Looks at Antidepressants and Breast Milk
What: A study looked at the breast milk of mothers who took antidepressants in the 14 days before the sample was collected, mothers who had similar diagnoses but did not take medication, and healthy mothers. Researchers found lower concentrations of fat and protein in the breastmilk of women taking medications.
Key line: “We conclude that as the mean macronutrient levels were within normal range in all exposure groups, these results should not affect the breastfeeding recommendations for mothers treated with antidepressants and anti-inflammatory medications, and the growth of their breastfed infants should be monitored as per clinical routine.”
Source: JAMA Network Open
ABORTION ACCESS
Restricting Speech Is the Next Frontier of Curtailing Abortion Access
What: The Guardian’s Carter Sherman had a good round-up during the holiday break of the next frontier in restricting abortion access: states trying to limit the information clinicians and advocates (or sometimes anyone in the state) can share about getting an abortion in another state or via telehealth providers.
Key line: “In an effort to cut off the avenues remaining to people in states with bans, the anti-abortion movement is looking at ways to control information about how and where to obtain abortions. State lawmakers have filed at least two bills for the 2025 legislative session that target abortion-related speech.”
Source: The Guardian
NEUROLOGY
Study: Women Have Two Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s, Men Have One
What: A small study found two biomarkers in blood that are associated with worsening Alzheimer’s disease – in women. In men, only one of the biomarkers applied. But for women, gradually decreasing levels of a protein (acetyl-L-carnitine) and an amino acid (free carnitine) were correlated with worsening symptoms and more severe disease.
Key line: “If further studies confirm their latest findings, Nasca says the team’s research could be used to develop a blood test for dementia and for tracking the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in an easier and noninvasive way.”
Source: NYU Langone Health
ONCOLOGY
Large Study Finds AI Breast Cancer Screens Better than Radiologists
What: In what they call the “world’s largest prospective AI study”, researchers in Germany found that an AI screen of mammograms identified breast cancer in one additional person per every 1,000 cases, compared to human reviewers. The study looked at 460,000 women between 2021 and 2023, with half getting the AI analysis and half getting the traditional review from radiologists.
Key line: “’Our initial aim was to demonstrate that AI-based evaluations are equivalent to human assessments,’ explained Prof. Dr. Alexander Katalinic, principal investigator and Director of the Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Luebeck and UKSH, Campus Luebeck. ‘However, the findings exceeded our expectations: AI significantly improves breast cancer detection rates.’”
Source: University of Lubeck
CBS Reporter Finds Breast Cancer After Olivia Munn Story Inspired Risk Score
What: Allison Hall, a correspondent on Inside Edition, said she was inspired by Olivia Munn’s story of getting diagnosed with breast cancer after receiving additional screening due to a high lifetime risk score, to seek her own risk score. It turned out to be 36%, which prompted her first mammogram and additional screening – which then found evidence of breast cancer. Hall is getting a double mastectomy next week.
Key line: “Hall was preparing to report on Munn’s battle with breast cancer when she received her diagnosis. Hall described it as ‘surreal’ to become part of the news. oI was prepared to do the test in order to promote awareness for breast cancer, especially with it being a subject so close to my heart,’ she said. ‘I didn’t expect it to happen so soon, especially.’”
Source: CBS News
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