The hottest Medical Research Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health Politics Topics

A New Mission Statement for NIH--Misguided Semantic Changes?

The Good Science Project • 55 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Medical Research Advocacy
  1. The NIH is proposing changes to its mission statement that could impact research investments.
  2. The proposed changes include shifting focus to optimizing health and removing the goal to lengthen life.
  3. The discussion around language and semantics in the mission statement may not have a significant impact on actual medical research outcomes.

Do vaccines cause autism?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Medical Research Autism Health Education
  1. Vaccines and autism have been debated often, but many experts say there is no link between them. It's important to look at good data and research.
  2. A recent survey found that many families have children with autism, raising questions about what could be causing it. Understanding this issue is really important for families.
  3. The author wants to collect personal stories from families about when their child started showing signs of autism. He believes it's crucial to gather more information in this area.

129 | The Mysterious Case of Bacon Brain | Chocolate Crisis |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Food Safety Nutrition Medical Research Allergies Diseases
  1. Downloadable back issues are available for readers to catch up on past content.
  2. Improper handwashing and contaminated food led to a man in the US developing tapeworm larvae in his brain, highlighting the importance of food safety practices.
  3. The chocolate supply chain is facing a crisis due to rising cocoa prices caused by global supply pressures from climate change, impacting chocolate production and potentially leading to product frauds.

States Recently Threw Out Millions of Dollars of Unused Masks and Other Pandemic Gear. But the Story is Not What You Think.

Silent Lunch, The David Zweig Newsletter • 23 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health CDC Medical Research
  1. States threw away millions of dollars worth of PPE that could have still been effective.
  2. Expiration dates on masks and gowns may not accurately reflect their actual effectiveness.
  3. Authority decisions on PPE disposal lack evidence-based analysis and contribute to public health policy concerns.

Long COVID – a dystopian game of pinball

Independent SAGE continues • 1 HN point • 01 Aug 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Chronic Illness COVID-19 Medical Research Healthcare policy
  1. Long COVID can make people very sick for months or even years after they initially recover from COVID-19. Symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and breathing problems can really affect daily life.
  2. There isn't a simple test to diagnose Long COVID, which can lead to people doubting its seriousness. However, it's a complex condition that can affect many different parts of the body.
  3. To help prevent Long COVID, it's important to get vaccinated, avoid crowded places, and take care of yourself if you do get COVID-19. Rest and anti-viral medications can help with recovery.
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From Maple to Mind Expansion: Unveiling Canada's Psychedelic History with Erika Dyck 🍁

Tripsitter • 19 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Mental health Medical Research Addiction Treatment Healthcare system
  1. Psychedelics have a long and complex history in Canada, ranging from being viewed as panaceas in the 1950s to being labeled dangerous drugs until recently, but now are being integrated into healthcare for various treatments.
  2. Early Canadian psychedelic research focused on themes of intrigue, sympathy, and addiction, which contributed to a deeper understanding of psychosis, schizophrenia, and treatment for conditions like alcoholism.
  3. Factors like the Thalidomide scandal, countercultural movement, public sensationalism, and loss of scientific naivete contributed to the decline in public support for psychedelics in Canada, leading to prohibitive measures and shifting perceptions of medicine and healthcare providers.

All you need to know about health care this week.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 79 implied HN points • 24 Jun 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Issues Patient Care Medical Research Racial Disparities
  1. 41% of Americans have health care debt, showing a huge problem with medical costs in the country.
  2. People with high-deductible health plans often delay necessary treatments due to costs, which can worsen their health outcomes.
  3. Even those with insurance can struggle financially, leading many to seek help from friends or crowdfunding for medical expenses.

NIH and March-In Rights under Bayh-Dole

The Good Science Project • 18 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Government funding Medical Research
  1. The debate around NIH's march-in rights intersects with concerns over potentially overpriced pharmaceuticals developed with NIH funding.
  2. Empirical evidence suggests that very few drugs could be subject to NIH's march-in rights due to limited NIH funding directly impacting drug development.
  3. The application of march-in rights under Bayh-Dole is complex legally and practically, with challenges such as potential lawsuits over arbitrary interpretation and limited impact on drug pricing.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 164 - White Clot Roundtable!

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Research Vaccination Health Freedom Bioethics
  1. There's a live event about a serious topic involving white fibrous clots in bodies. Many embalmers have reported seeing these clots more often, which is concerning.
  2. Experts will discuss a possible blood test that could help people find out if they're affected by these dangerous clots. It's important for everyone to stay informed about their health.
  3. The event will feature professionals from different fields sharing their insights. This could shed light on the science behind these clots and what it means for our health.

Looking for a New NIH Director

The Good Science Project • 29 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🔬 Science Biology Medical Research Innovation Reform
  1. NIH Directors historically have had similar backgrounds, typically with PhDs or MDs and extensive academic experience.
  2. Consider expanding the pool of potential NIH Director nominees beyond traditional criteria to include those with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
  3. Look for a potential NIH Director who excels at identifying talent, has broad interests, is open to new ideas, and is willing to push for meaningful reforms.

New Thailand randomized clinical trial shows early treatment with just 2 drugs was 100% effective in eliminating risk of hospitalization from COVID

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Treatment Prevention Medical Research
  1. A recent Thailand clinical trial showed 100% effectiveness in preventing COVID hospitalizations with a 2-drug combination, in contrast to the 37.5% hospitalization rate with standard care.
  2. The early treatment combination of fluvoxamine and another drug displayed clear benefits in preventing hospitalizations and reducing serious adverse events, unlike the COVID vaccines.
  3. Despite strong evidence and successful outcomes of multi-drug treatments since early 2020, health authorities and organizations like CDC, FDA, and WHO continue to overlook and ignore these effective treatment options.

Acute kidney injury after vaccination: New Zealand government scientists changed their data without explanation

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Medical Research Government Transparency
  1. The data showed COVID vaccines causing kidney injury, then it mysteriously changed.
  2. Scientists in New Zealand altered their research data without clarifying why.
  3. There was a significant risk of myocarditis after vaccination, which was not openly acknowledged by health authorities.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 157 - DNA Contamination Confirmed!

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 19 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Bioethics Health Policy Medical Research
  1. There is a concern about DNA contamination in COVID vaccines, which could affect people's health. This issue is important for everyone, whether vaccinated or not.
  2. Dr. Christina Parks is an expert who will explain the risks associated with DNA contamination in vaccines. She will also discuss vaccine shedding and its potential dangers.
  3. Public support and donations are needed to sustain the VSRF Live show and continue discussing these vital health topics. Every contribution helps maintain health freedom for the future.

That time when a bunch of people all agreed to preserve each other's brains

Neurobiology Notes • 1 HN point • 13 Feb 23
🔬 Science Neurobiology Cryonics Brain preservation Medical Research
  1. Mutual autopsy societies in the late 1800s preserved and studied members' brains to advance science.
  2. Brain preservation methods involved using different fixatives like alcohol and formaldehyde as the science evolved.
  3. Members of these societies faced challenges like family resistance and scandal, which offer lessons for today.

A more equitable AI model for breast cancer risk assessment

philsiarri • 1 HN point • 29 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness AI Diversity Medical Research
  1. Researchers presented a groundbreaking AI model for breast cancer risk assessment that can accurately predict across diverse racial backgrounds.
  2. Traditional risk assessment models showed biases, particularly in non-white populations, due to data derived from predominantly European Caucasian populations.
  3. The AI model outperformed traditional models, achieving consistent accuracy in predicting breast cancer risk across different racial groups.

Vitamin D Does Not Explain the Race/Ethnicity-COVID-19 Relationship

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 26 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vitamin D COVID-19 Medical Research Infection Risk
  1. Vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL increase infection risk, but this association disappears when adjusted for various factors like ethnicity and health conditions.
  2. Race and ethnicity are strongly linked to COVID-19 risk, even when accounting for vitamin D levels. Genetic factors are likely more influential in this relationship.
  3. Maintaining vitamin D levels between 30-35 ng/mL seems to be the optimal range for minimizing severity, mortality, and infection risk, based on current research findings.

Small Blood Clots May Be at The Root of the COVID-19 Hypoxemia

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 22 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Medical Research Treatment Nutrition Public Health
  1. COVID-19 patients may experience severe lack of oxygen due to small blood clots in the lungs
  2. Mechanical ventilation may not always be necessary for COVID-19 patients as their lung function can be preserved but still experience low oxygen levels
  3. Inflammatory reactions in the lungs of COVID-19 patients might lead to increased blood clot formation, impacting oxygen delivery

Is Insulin Resistance Really Making Us Fat?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 18 Nov 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Metabolism Obesity Hormones Medical Research
  1. Insulin resistance is not the sole cause of obesity; leptin resistance plays a critical role in the development of obesity.
  2. Leptin is a hormone that influences appetite and energy expenditure; obese individuals often have high levels of leptin, indicating leptin resistance.
  3. Insulin resistance and leptin resistance can coexist, but genetic animal models suggest that leptin resistance may be a more significant factor in causing obesity.

Weighing in on the Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO) Controversy

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 29 Aug 15
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Healthy living Medical Research Wellness Practices
  1. The analysis of the Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO) controversy covered various aspects like potential conflicts of interest and the history of cod liver oil usage, revealing details about the quality and composition of the oil.
  2. The report highlighted concerns about the FCLO's potential rancidity, biogenic amines, presence of trans fats, and the type of fish used in the oil, raising questions about transparency and quality standards in its production.
  3. Differences in lab results, such as high TBARS levels in butter oil, have led to discussions regarding the testing methods and accuracy, calling for further examination and verification of the data shared.

Day One Biopharmaceuticals in the spotlight

Boutique Biotech • 0 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Pharmaceuticals Drug Development Medical Research Patient Care
  1. Late-stage biotech companies have seen increasing value, while earlier stage companies have seen declines.
  2. Day One Pharma is developing a drug for pediatric low-grade gliomas, showing promising results.
  3. Important updates to look for include duration of response, safety profile, and NDA submission for Day One Pharma.

To pay or be paid?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 16 Dec 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccine distribution Public Health Medical Research
  1. Economists suggest using prices to address vaccine distribution issues. This includes charging for doses to signal demand and potentially paying individuals to take the vaccine.
  2. There is a proposal to pay individuals to receive the vaccine in order to address low demand. By offering subsidies, it can help close the gap in vaccination rates.
  3. Balancing the approach between paying for priority in vaccine distribution and paying individuals to get vaccinated presents challenges. Complexity arises when trying to incorporate financial incentives into the vaccination process.

(Try To) Make Sense of Long COVID

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 16 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Long Covid Symptoms Mainstream Media Prevention Medical Research
  1. Long COVID symptoms are wide-ranging and may not solely be caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. They can overlap with other conditions like stress, anxiety, and hormonal imbalances, making it challenging to diagnose long COVID accurately.
  2. The media often sensationalizes long COVID, leading to misconceptions about its prevalence. Studies suggest that post-COVID symptoms are not exclusive to COVID and can be influenced by various factors such as stress, underlying health conditions, and life disruptions.
  3. Preventing long COVID includes vaccination, avoiding high-risk environments, and managing underlying health conditions. Research on antiviral medications and alternative vaccine delivery methods could potentially reduce the risk of long COVID in the future.

The One Amino Acid That Could Cure COVID

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 01 Oct 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Medical Research COVID-19
  1. Amino acid L-arginine can hasten the improvement in respiratory function in COVID patients with confirmed pneumonia and hypoxemic respiratory distress, possibly saving lives.
  2. L-arginine works even when administered at a later stage in illness when things have gotten very bad, unlike some other nutritional treatments.
  3. The Italian clinical trial showed that L-arginine supplementation led to faster recovery of respiratory function and may have completely eliminated the risk of death in severe COVID patients.