Health
Tanning Beds Linked to Increased Melanoma Risk and Widespread DNA Mutations
A recent study led by Northwestern Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco, has found that tanning bed use is associated with a 2.85-fold increase in melanoma risk. The study, published in Science Advances, used genomic technologies to perform single-cell DNA sequencing on melanocytes from skin donor groups. The results showed that tanning beds induce melanoma-linked mutations across nearly the entire skin surface, including areas not typically exposed to sunlight. The study compared the medical records of roughly 3,000 tanning bed users with 3,000 age-matched controls and found that melanoma was diagnosed in 5.1% of tanning bed users compared with 2.1% of non-users. The team also found that tanning bed users were more likely to develop melanoma on sun-shielded body sites, such as the lower back and buttocks. The study's findings support the classification of tanning beds as a class 1 carcinogen, similar to smoking and asbestos. The researchers suggest that anyone who frequently tanned earlier in life should have a total-body skin exam by a dermatologist and be evaluated for whether they need routine skin checks. They also recommend that tanning beds should carry warnings similar to those on cigarettes and that indoor tanning should be illegal for minors. The study's lead author, Dr. Pedram Gerami, emphasizes the need for policy change, stating that the industry has "wronged" young people by not providing adequate warnings about the risks of tanning bed use. The study's findings have significant implications for public health and highlight the importance of educating people about the dangers of tanning bed use.
New Research Suggests Chronic Inflammation May Be Key to Understanding Long Covid
Researchers have made a significant discovery in understanding long Covid, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. A new study published in Nature Immunology found that individuals with long Covid had activated immune defenses and heightened inflammatory responses for over six months after initial infection. This chronic inflammation may be a key factor in the development of long Covid symptoms, which can include brain fog, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. The study's lead author, Dan Barouch, suggests that targeting inflammation could lead to new treatments for the condition. Currently, there are no approved drugs for treating long Covid, and doctors often address individual symptoms with various therapies. The research analyzed protein levels, gene expression, and immune responses in 180 participants, including those who fully recovered from Covid-19 and those with long Covid. The results showed that multiple inflammatory pathways were triggered and remained active in people with long Covid. While the study's findings are promising, Barouch notes that more research is needed, particularly with larger and more diverse populations. A clinical trial is currently underway to test an anti-inflammatory drug that targets one of the identified pathways. Experts hope that this new understanding of long Covid will lead to the development of effective treatments and therapeutic strategies.
Bird Flu Detected in Dairy Herd in Dodge County, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has confirmed the presence of bird flu in a dairy herd in Dodge County. This marks the first detection of bird flu in dairy cattle in Wisconsin. Samples from the affected farm were tested by the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories. The DATCP is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners to respond to the situation. The affected farm has been quarantined, and any cattle showing signs of illness will be separated for further treatment. The USDA has stated that there is no concern about the safety of the processed milk supply or consumer health, as products are pasteurized before entering the market. The CDC considers the human health risk for this virus to be low. The DATCP encourages cattle and poultry owners to register their premises, as state law requires all livestock owners to do so. Registration helps animal health officials communicate with owners during disease outbreaks. Livestock and poultry owners are advised to monitor their herd and flock health and practice good biosecurity. Signs of bird flu in cattle include reduced food intake, drop in milk production, and changes in manure.
Thousands of US Farmers Blame Paraquat Pesticide for Parkinson's Disease
Paraquat, a heavily regulated weed killer, has been linked to Parkinson's disease in thousands of lawsuits filed by US farmers. Despite being banned in over 70 countries, paraquat remains legal in the United States, with between 11 million and 17 million pounds sprayed annually on American farms. Farmers like Paul Friday, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017, claim that decades of exposure to paraquat may have contributed to their condition. The pesticide's manufacturer, Syngenta, and seller, Chevron USA, have denied the allegations, stating that there is no scientific evidence to support a causal link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease. However, research has shown that paraquat can be toxic to human nerve cells and has been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has restricted the use of paraquat, requiring it to be used by licensed individuals and with safety precautions, but has not banned it. The issue has sparked a growing debate, with some lawmakers and advocacy groups calling for a ban on paraquat, while others argue that it is a necessary tool for farmers. As the number of lawsuits continues to mount, the fate of paraquat in the United States remains uncertain.
AI in Oncology: Quiet Progress Toward Precision Medicine
As 2025 comes to a close, the application of artificial intelligence in oncology is undergoing significant changes. According to Sai Jasti, senior vice president and head of data science and AI at Bayer, the increasing incidence of cancer among younger people is driving the need for more precise and sustainable treatments. Jasti emphasizes that patients may have to stay on therapies for longer periods, making toxicity and long-term side effects central considerations. To address this, Bayer is focusing on precision drug development, using large, multimodal datasets to understand disease biology in finer detail. AI systems are used to detect patterns across these datasets, which would be difficult for humans to identify unaided. However, the adoption of AI in medicine is slower than in other fields due to the need for validation through long, expensive trials to ensure safety. Ofer Sharon, MD, CEO of OncoHost, notes that regulatory pathways were built for static products, not evolving models, which slows down progress. Despite this, machine learning systems are being integrated into existing clinical frameworks, leading to tangible advances in identifying patterns in complex biological data. The use of biomarkers is emerging as a practical bridge between AI insights and routine clinical decision-making. While significant progress is being made, executives caution that fully personalized drugs produced on demand are still far off due to the complexity of human biology. The current focus is on improving data, models, and integration between diagnostics, drug development, and clinical decision-making. As cancer increasingly affects younger populations, the pressure to create sustainable treatments will intensify, driving the field forward.
Michigan Health Systems Defy Federal Panel's Advice on Hepatitis B Vaccine
Five major health systems in Michigan have announced they will continue to provide a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns, despite a recent recommendation from a federal vaccine advisory panel to delay the vaccine until the child is two months old. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 8-3 to change the longstanding immunization guidelines, citing a low risk of contraction for newborns whose mothers test negative for the virus. However, medical associations and health experts strongly disagree, emphasizing the highly contagious nature of the hepatitis B virus and the importance of prevention. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has also issued a statement "strongly" disagreeing with the committee's decision, urging healthcare providers to continue offering the birth dose of the vaccine. The health systems, including Corewell Health, Henry Ford Health, McLaren Health Care, Munson Healthcare, and the University of Michigan Health, will continue to provide the vaccine as part of their standard care, citing the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. The decision has sparked controversy, with some experts expressing concern that the change in recommendations will add to vaccine hesitancy and potentially lead to an increase in hepatitis B infections among young children. The CDC's director has not yet signed off on the recommended changes, and the policy is not yet official.
Tanning Bed Use Linked to Higher Risk of Skin Cancer
Heidi Tarr, a 49-year-old market researcher, was diagnosed with melanoma in her 30s after regularly using a tanning bed as a teenager. Her experience is not unique, as a new study published in the journal Science Advances found that people who use tanning beds are nearly three times more at risk of getting skin cancer. The study, which compared the medical records of 3,000 people who used tanning beds to those of similarly aged people who had not, found that melanoma was diagnosed in five percent of the tanning bed users, compared to two percent of the other group. The researchers also found that tanning bed users had nearly twice as many mutations in their skin cells, which can build up into cancer. Dermatologist Pedram Gerami, who led the study, emphasized that tanning beds should be banned for minors, and that people who have used them regularly should inspect their skin and consider seeing a dermatologist for a proper check. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies tanning beds in its highest level of cancer risk, alongside smoking and asbestos. More than 80 percent of the most common melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which is created naturally by the Sun or artificially by tanning beds. Tarr is now warning others about the dangers of tanning beds, particularly young people who may be influenced by social media trends.
US Experiences Mild Flu Season So Far, But Experts Warn of Potential Surge
The current flu season in the US is still considered mild, with flu activity being high in only four states: Colorado, Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), severity indicators are increasing but remain within the boundaries of a mild season. However, experts are concerned about the potential for a surge in cases, particularly with the dominance of the A H3N2 flu virus, which has historically caused the most hospitalizations and deaths in older people. This season's flu shots may not provide optimal protection against this strain, as 89% of H3N2 infections analyzed were a new version that differs from the strain in this year's flu shots. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are also being monitored, with the CDC reporting relatively low cases so far, but expecting an increase in the coming weeks. New RSV vaccines for pregnant women and older people, as well as injections of laboratory-made antibodies for infants, may be helping to mitigate the impact of the virus. COVID-19 activity is currently relatively low, with the CDC publishing research showing that the COVID-19 vaccine can keep kids from developing severe illness. Despite this, few people are getting the shot this year, with only 7% of children and 15% of adults having received the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Measles Outbreak in Upstate South Carolina Continues to Rise with 126 Cases Reported
The measles outbreak in the Upstate region of South Carolina has seen a significant increase in cases, with 15 new cases reported since Tuesday. This brings the total number of cases in the outbreak to 126 and the total number reported this year to 129, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH). Of the new cases, 13 are from known household exposures, one from a neighborhood contact, and another from an unknown source still being investigated. Currently, 303 people are in quarantine and 13 are in isolation. Two more schools have been identified with public exposures, bringing the total number of impacted schools to 11. These schools include Fairforest Elementary, Hendrix Elementary, and Boiling Springs Elementary, among others, with a total of 303 students in quarantine across these institutions. The age breakdown of the 126 cases shows that 24 are under 5 years old, 86 are between 5-17 years old, 10 are 18 or older, and 6 are minors under 18 with undisclosed ages. Regarding vaccination status, 119 cases are unvaccinated, 3 are partially vaccinated, 1 is fully vaccinated, and 3 are unknown. The DPH continues to monitor the situation and provide updates on the outbreak.