Trump administration cancels $766 million Moderna contract to fight pandemic flu
The Trump administration has canceled $766 million awarded to drugmaker Moderna Inc. to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic influenza viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu.
The company said it was notified Wednesday that the Health and Human Services Department had withdrawn funds awarded in July 2024 and in January to pay for development and purchase of its investigational vaccine.
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Health Line
13 minutes ago
- Health Line
Hypervolemia (Fluid Overload) Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Hypervolemia occurs if your body retains too much fluid. You can experience swelling, discomfort, and other symptoms. Untreated, hypervolemia can cause severe complications, including heart failure. Hypervolemia, or fluid overload, occurs when your body holds onto more fluid than it needs, leading to swelling and other complications. Fluids in the body include: water blood lymphatic fluid If the amount of fluid gets too high, it can impact how it's moved through your body and negatively affect your organ function. Keep reading to learn the signs and causes of hypervolemia and how doctors diagnose and treat the condition. What are the signs and symptoms of hypervolemia? The symptoms of hypervolemia can include: swelling, also called edema, most often in the feet, ankles, wrists, and face discomfort in the body, causing cramping, headache, and abdominal bloating high blood pressure caused by excess fluid in the bloodstream shortness of breath caused by extra fluid entering your lungs and reducing your ability to breathe normally heart problems, because excess fluid can speed up or slow your heart rate, harm your heart muscles, and increase the size of your heart increased weight, caused by excess fluid Medical emergency If you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, severe pain, or irregular heart rhythm, call 911 or your local emergency services, or visit a local emergency department. What causes hypervolemia? Often, problems with your kidneys cause hypervolemia. This is because the kidneys normally balance the salts and fluids in your body. But when they retain salt, they increase the body's total sodium content, which increases your fluid content. The most common causes of hypervolemia can include: heart failure, specifically of the right ventricle cirrhosis, often caused by excess alcohol consumption or hepatitis kidney failure, often caused by diabetes and other metabolic disorders nephrotic syndrome, a disorder that causes excess excretion of protein in the urine premenstrual edema, or swelling that occurs prior to your menstrual cycle pregnancy, which changes your hormonal balance and can result in fluid retention You can also experience hypervolemia from being on an IV, which can cause your sodium levels to be unbalanced. It can also occur if you consume too much sodium. How is hypervolemia diagnosed? If you believe you're experiencing hypervolemia, speak with a doctor. They can determine if you're experiencing this condition. First, a doctor typically conducts a physical exam. The key signs of hypervolemia include weight gain and swelling. One or more parts of your body may appear swollen, depending on whether you have been sitting, lying, or standing before your visit. The doctor is also likely to perform a blood test to check your sodium levels. While your body's total sodium levels will appear elevated if you have hypervolemia, your sodium levels in the blood work may be high, normal, or low. Performing a sodium test on your urine can help determine if your kidneys are causing your hypervolemia or if there is another cause. For renal failure, urinary sodium content is typically greater than 20 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L), while in cases of heart failure, cirrhosis, and nephrotic syndrome, it is typically less than 10 mEq/L. If you are hospitalized, your care team may measure your fluid intake and output and your weight to check for hypervolemia. Can hypervolemia lead to other conditions? Untreated hypervolemia can cause several complications, some of which can be life threatening. These can include: pericarditis, or swelling of the heart tissues heart failure delayed wound healing tissue breakdown decreased bowel function How is hypervolemia treated? Treatment of hypervolemia differs from person to person, depending on the cause of the condition. Generally, people with hypervolemia may receive a round of diuretics. These medications remove excess fluid. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend dialysis (fluid removal through the kidneys) and paracentesis (fluid removal through the abdomen). A doctor may also require you to restrict your dietary sodium intake. What is the outlook for hypervolemia? While you recover from hypervolemia, a doctor may request that you weigh yourself daily to ensure you're expelling the excess fluid from your body. Many people who stick to a doctor's treatment plans fully recover. This can be important for preventing severe complications. If an underlying condition is causing your hypervolemia, treating the underlying condition may help your recovery. Besides monitoring your weight, you can prevent a recurrence of fluid overload by: tracking your fluid intake following the fluid intake guidelines from a doctor managing your thirst with sugar-free candies, ice chips, frozen grapes, and other low-fluid, thirst-quenching foods ensuring you do not consume too much sodium
Health Line
14 minutes ago
- Health Line
What You Need to Know About IV Therapy for Weight Loss
IV therapy for weight loss involves administering vitamins, minerals, or medications directly into your vein. There are no official guidelines for its use in weight loss, and very limited research supports its use. Intravenous (IV) fluid administration involves administering fluids directly into your bloodstream. These fluids usually contain nutrients or medications. In IV therapy, a liquid solution hangs in a bag around head height. A thin IV tube is connected to it and leads down into a vein, usually in your hand or arm. This allows the solution to go directly into your bloodstream. Some people claim that IV therapy can help support weight loss. This may include the administration of certain micronutrients or medications. However, it's important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't approved any IV therapies for weight loss, and very limited research has examined or supports these claims. Keep reading to learn more about how vitamin and medication IV therapy can possibly help with weight loss. A note on IV therapy for weight management There are several claims that IV therapy can help manage weight loss, but very limited research supports them. Weight loss is a journey that may include a combination of several factors, including: staying in a calorie deficit eating a balanced diet being physically active getting enough high quality sleep managing stress managing health conditions, such as diabetes and obesity taking certain medications, such as GLP-1 medications If a doctor has recommended you lose weight but you're not sure how to get started, consider speaking with a healthcare professional, a certified personal trainer, or a registered dietitian. They can help you develop a safe, effective, and sustainable weight loss program to help you reach your goals. Learn more about safe and effective weight loss. Can vitamin IV therapy help with weight loss? Some people claim that vitamin IV therapy, sometimes called a ' Myer's cocktail,' may provide micronutrients that might possibly help manage weight, reduce stress, and boost energy and immunity. Some common vitamins and minerals that are part of IV therapies for weight loss include: B Complex vitamins: These vitamins help maintain metabolic function by metabolizing proteins, fats, and carbs and using them for energy. Vitamin C: Some research suggests that vitamin C supplementation may help reduce body mass index (BMI), but not body weight, fat mass, and cholesterol levels, among other markers. Zinc: A 2019 study found that zinc supplementation and a low calorie diet helped reduce body weight, BMI, and waist circumference. However, these effects may be largely attributed to being in a calorie deficit. Magnesium: A 2020 study found that magnesium supplementation helped reduce body weight and waist circumference in people with diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, but the results weren't significant. Despite these positive findings, it's important to note that these vitamins and minerals were administered orally, rather than intravenously. Can medication IV therapy support weight loss? Some weight loss medications are available to help manage obesity and overweight by managing blood sugar levels and reducing appetite. These are known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists. Although they're becoming more popular, it's important to note that GLP-1 medications are only administered by subcutaneous injection or orally (by mouth). No GLP-1 medication is approved by the FDA to be administered intravenously. That said, some research and clinical trials have found that some IV medications may help support weight loss. PYY agonists Peptide YY (PYY) is a hormone secreted by your gut after eating and helps manage blood sugar levels and regulate appetite. Some research suggests that PYY agonists administered intravenously may help support weight loss by reducing food intake and increasing feelings of fullness. This is because people with obesity or overweight may have less PYY circulating in their system, increasing their appetite and leading to increased food intake. That said, more research is needed to understand the role of PYY in appetite regulation and weight management. Bimagrumab Bimagrumab is a type of monoclonal antibody. It works by blocking the activin type II receptor (ActRII), which is a pathway that plays a role in skeletal muscle mass and muscle growth. A 2021 study in 75 participants with diabetes and obesity examined the effects of administering bimagrumab once every 4 weeks intravenously compared to a placebo. After 48 weeks, the participants who received bimagrumab lost an average of 20.5% of total body fat mass compared to a slight increase of 0.5% in the placebo group. Similarly, a small 2017 study in 16 participants found that administering bimagrumab intravenously helped reduce fat mass by 7.9% after 10 weeks. Despite these positive findings, more research is needed to understand the role of bimagrumab IV therapy in weight loss. Some possible side effects of bimagrumab may include falls, muscle spasms, and diarrhea. When is IV therapy used? Micronutrient IV therapies should only be used in clinical settings under the supervision of a healthcare professional to treat underlying conditions and nutritional imbalances. These may be caused by: What are the side effects of weight loss drip? In some cases, intravenous fluid regulation may lead to some complications, including: hypervolemia (fluid overload) edema (fluid retention) hyponatremia (low blood sodium) hypernatremia (high sodium) hyperkalemia (high potassium) compartment syndrome metabolic acidosis Is IV therapy for weight loss covered by insurance? It's unlikely that IV therapy for weight loss will be covered by insurance. There are currently no FDA-approved IV therapies for weight loss, nor are there any official guidelines about this type of treatment. Consider speaking with a healthcare professional to see if you might qualify for other medical weight management treatments that could be covered by some insurance providers, such as GLP-1 medications. If you have an insurance provider, you can also connect with them before speaking with a doctor to see whether any weight loss medications are covered. If any options are available, you can bring these to a doctor to see if any might be suitable for you. What doctor can prescribe IV therapy for weight loss? It's unlikely that a healthcare professional will prescribe IV therapy for weight loss unless you have a serious health condition that causes malnutrition or requires frequent fluid monitoring. Although many private clinics, companies, and online websites advertise different kinds of IV therapies for weight loss, it's important to remember that no vitamin or medication IV therapies are approved by the FDA for weight loss. If you think you may need to lose weight, consider speaking with a general practitioner first. They can examine your physical and mental health and, if necessary, refer you to specialists who can develop a treatment plan, including: obesity specialist endocrinologist exercise personal trainer registered dietitian
Fast Company
17 minutes ago
- Fast Company
High-performing teams all have this one thing in common
As a manager, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of fixing processes, eliminating bottlenecks, and streamlining workflows. We focus on reducing friction—the things that get in the way of people doing their best work. And sure, that's important. But here's the thing: Reducing fear is just as, if not more, important. A comprehensive two-year study by Google identified psychological safety as the most important factor in high-performing teams. This environment allows team members to take risks and be vulnerable without fear of negative consequences. Harvard Business School professor Amy C. Edmondson emphasizes that psychological safety enables employees to speak up, make mistakes, and learn from them, which is essential for innovation and growth. Let's face it. The best processes in the world won't help much if your team is afraid to speak up, take risks, or challenge the status quo. Fear can stunt creativity, shut down communication, and make people avoid the very risks that lead to growth. So, as leaders, we need to think beyond just fixing processes. We need to also focus on creating an environment where people feel safe and confident enough to act—even if it means making a mistake along the way. Why Fear Matters More Than You Think Fear is a powerful force. It can make people double-check their work, avoid taking risks, and be extra cautious. But when fear becomes the driving force behind decisions, it also leads to silence. When people are afraid to speak up, they hold back good ideas, overlook problems, and avoid making necessary changes. Neuroscience backs this up. When we experience fear, our brains go into 'fight or flight' mode, which limits our ability to think clearly and make rational decisions. When we're scared, we become reactive instead of proactive. This is why a culture of fear isn't just uncomfortable—it's downright unproductive. As a leader, it's your job to create a culture where people feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and challenge the status quo. That's why reducing fear should go hand in hand with reducing friction. Fixing Processes Doesn't Fix Everything Let's look at a real-world example: the United States Postal Service. In the early 2000s, the USPS faced a significant drop in productivity, rising operational costs, and declining employee morale. To address these issues, management introduced new technology, upgraded processes, and streamlined workflows to improve efficiency and reduce errors. They invested in automated sorting systems and revamped scheduling to make operations run more smoothly. However, despite these process improvements, the results weren't as dramatic as expected. Productivity wasn't increasing, and employees still seemed disengaged. The reason? Fear was still very much present in the workplace. Employees were afraid to speak up or share concerns about the new processes. If workers noticed something wrong with the new systems or had ideas to improve efficiency, they didn't feel comfortable offering suggestions or challenging the way things were done. This is a perfect example of how reducing friction—by fixing processes—didn't have the full impact it could have had because fear was still holding back the team. How could USPS have tackled both issues at once? They could have started by actively working to reduce fear within the organization. Management needed to create an environment where employees felt safe to make mistakes, raise issues, and offer constructive feedback. Employees who feel safe and supported are more likely to speak up when something's not working and more likely to suggest creative solutions. They become partners in progress rather than passive participants. Balancing Both: Reducing Friction and Fear SEB, a Nordic financial services group, implemented a five-month training program focusing on psychological safety and perspective-taking for its investment banking leadership team. This initiative aimed to overcome transformation challenges and foster open communication. As a result, the team achieved revenues 25% above their annual targets in a strategically important market segment. A multi-industry case study followed businesses whose team members were hesitant to voice concerns. All participants implemented psychological safety workshops emphasizing active listening and constructive feedback. This initiative led to improved conflict resolution, enhanced communication, and increased productivity, positively impacting the company's bottom line. To be an effective leader, you can't just focus on fixing processes. That's a quick fix, but it doesn't address the deeper issues that impact team dynamics. Reducing friction is important, yes. But reducing fear is essential if you want to create a truly high-performing, innovative, and engaged team. Simon Brown, global learning and development leader at EY, has spent years building critical skills and behaviors in high-performing teams. He shares: 'You can't automate courage. While systems help things run smoothly, it's the culture that inspires people to run toward challenges instead of away from them.' Real-world application So, what does this balance look like in practice? • Reduce friction: Simplify workflows, cut out unnecessary steps, and ensure your team has the tools and resources they need to do their jobs efficiently. • Reduce fear: Foster a culture of psychological safety, where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, where feedback is welcomed (not feared), and where team members feel confident enough to take risks and innovate. • You/me/we: Adopt a decision-making framework that defines what decisions employees can make on their own without fear or reprisal. This cuts down on back-and-forth decision-making bottlenecks and helps people feel more empowered in their roles. • Model a hands-off approach: Is your leadership decreasing the number of mandatory meetings but still attending themselves? Making outdated rules 'optional' instead of obsolete? Without buy-in from the top, team members will be too afraid to take action on simplification initiatives that can free up time and decrease unnecessary mental distress. Leadership isn't just about improving processes—it's about improving people's ability to act within those processes. If you want your team to truly thrive, you've got to focus on both reducing friction and reducing fear. When you do, you'll create an environment where people feel empowered to make decisions, try new things, and speak up when something's not working. That's when the real magic happens.
