A study of more than 260,000 adults finds that waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio predict cardiovascular disease risk better than body mass index alone. The research, published in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology, followed participants for an average of about 20 years. Nearly one in five people with a normal BMI but a high waist-to-hip ratio had up to 50 percent higher risk for several heart conditions, and BMI alone would have missed them. Inflammation explained part of the link between belly fat and heart failure. The authors say waist measurements should be part of routine heart risk checks, since BMI cannot show where fat is stored and fat around the organs is more dangerous than fat under the skin.
A study in PLOS Digital Health finds that nearly all FDA-cleared AI medical devices lack evidence they improve patient health. Of 1,357 AI-enabled devices cleared for patient care, only 34 were linked to registered clinical trials and just three evaluated patient-centered outcomes such as mortality, hospital readmissions or quality of life. Radiology accounts for 1,059 of the cleared devices, and most evidence comes from retrospective accuracy studies rather than clinical benefit trials. Researchers said regulatory clearance shows a device resembles something already on the market, not that it helps anyone, and called for stronger clinical validation requirements.
Mayo Clinic researchers have validated an AI model that can spot signs of pancreatic cancer up to three years before a formal diagnosis. The tool analyzes electronic health records and flags at-risk patients with high accuracy. Pancreatic cancer is often found too late for surgery, and early detection could improve survival odds. The next step is a clinical trial to test the model in routine care.
A new analysis found that only three of 1,357 AI-enabled medical devices cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have been tested for their effect on patient outcomes. Hundreds of AI tools are entering clinical care, but the study traced how quickly the evidence thins when focus shifts from regulatory approval to trials that measure what actually happens to patients. Researchers said most devices are cleared based on technical performance rather than proof they improve health. The findings raise questions about how AI is adopted in hospitals. Experts called for stronger evidence requirements before AI tools reach patients.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Pasatru (garetosmab) to treat fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), an ultra-rare genetic disorder in which muscles and soft tissue slowly turn to bone. The drug, made by Regeneron, is the second approved treatment for the disease, following palovarotene (Sohonos) in 2023. Pasatru is a monoclonal antibody that blocks activin A, a protein that drives the abnormal bone growth. In the phase 3 OPTIMA trial, patients receiving monthly infusions showed up to a 94 percent reduction in new bone lesions compared with placebo. The drug is given intravenously once a month. Regeneron says it plans to test the treatment in children and adolescents in a new trial.
A phase 3 trial shows that glofitamab, a bispecific antibody, extends survival in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who cannot receive a stem cell transplant. Patients who received glofitamab plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx) lived longer and went longer without their disease progressing than those given rituximab plus GemOx. The 274-patient STARGLO trial randomized patients two to one between the two regimens. Serious side effects were more common with glofitamab, but those patients also received substantially more treatment. Researchers say the results support glofitamab-GemOx as a standard option for this group.
A 20-year study has linked nitrites in processed meats to a higher risk of colon cancer in men, researchers reported this week. Nitrites are used to preserve bacon, ham, sausage and deli meats, and can form cancer-linked compounds when cooked at high temperatures. The study followed a large group of participants for two decades and found the strongest link among men with the highest nitrite intake; the same pattern did not appear in women. The findings add to existing guidance from the World Health Organization, which classifies processed meat as a probable cause of cancer. Experts say people do not need to eliminate processed meat but should treat it as an occasional food and consider replacing it with poultry, fish or plant proteins.
A new wearable ultrasound patch has boosted REM sleep in a clinical study, offering a drug-free way to improve sleep quality. The device is worn on the forehead and sends low-intensity ultrasound pulses into the brain, which appear to activate sleep-related circuits. Participants who wore the patch during a full night of sleep spent measurably more time in REM sleep, the stage linked to dreaming and memory, and reported waking up feeling more rested. The patch is small, light and powered by a slim battery, and no side effects were reported. The study is small and needs confirmation in larger trials, but the research team plans to test the device in patients with insomnia and other sleep conditions. Sleep disorders affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
A massive egg recall is expanding across the southern and southwestern United States after a salmonella outbreak linked to a major producer, officials said Monday. The recall covers millions of eggs distributed to grocery stores and food service companies in multiple states. Health officials urged consumers to check cartons for the affected brand and lot numbers and to throw away or return any eggs on the recall list. State health departments have reported dozens of illnesses, and officials expect the count to rise as the investigation continues. Salmonella infections typically cause fever, stomach cramps and diarrhea, and can be severe for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The FDA is working with the producer to trace the source of the contamination.
A drug already used to treat osteoporosis blocked spinal disc damage in a new study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh. The team found that a bisphosphonate prevented minerals from accumulating in the spine, interrupting the chain reaction that causes spinal discs to harden and deteriorate. Zebrafish with a faulty collagen-related gene developed mineral buildup and spinal fusion similar to human disc disease. Spinal fusion was also reduced when the fish ate less or were treated with drugs that suppressed fat metabolism. Because bisphosphonates are already approved and widely used, they could move into clinical testing for spinal conditions more quickly than new drugs. The findings, reported in early August, suggest several possible paths for future back pain treatments.