Latest news with #WashingtonUniversity
CNN
21 hours ago
- Health
- CNN
Former US surgeon general: Opioid fight demands better overdose reversal strategies, stronger policy support
Editor's note: Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as US surgeon general in the first Trump administration, is a distinguished professor in pharmacy practice and public health at Purdue University. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which experts predict will reduce Medicaid coverage for millions of Americans, combined with the proposed elimination of a $56 million grant for overdose reversal training and distribution, threatens to undermine progress in reducing opioid overdose deaths. Medicaid, particularly through its expansion, supports treatment for about 1 million people with opioid use disorder. If federal funding falters, many people could lose access to care, reversing hard-earned gains against overdose deaths that were driven by expanded health care and lifesaving tools. As synthetic opioids like fentanyl fuel a continuing overdose crisis, sustaining progress will demand both robust policy and advancements in overdose reversal strategies. Although drug overdose deaths made a significant drop in 2024 to the lowest level in five years, according to federal estimates, there were still more than 80,000 deaths last year. Synthetic opioids were involved in more than half of those cases. High-potency synthetic opioids (HPSOs) like fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, have reshaped the overdose landscape. Fentanyl can cause rapid respiratory arrest within minutes and often outlasts standard reversal agents. First responders frequently report now having to administer multiple doses of naloxone (best known by the brand name Narcan) to reverse a fentanyl overdose. A recent analysis by Dr. Mark Gold, of the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University, and colleagues explores the challenges of reversing HPSO overdoses, drawing on observational studies, lab data and clinical experience. They emphasize that effective reversal requires matching the agent to the opioid's potency and duration, a complex task given the increasingly unpredictable nature of illicit drugs today. Among the options, nasal nalmefene has emerged as a notable tool due to its rapid onset and longer duration compared with naloxone, the standard reversal drug. Administered via a simple spray, it acts quickly to restore breathing and helps reduce the risk of 'renarcotization,' in which overdose symptoms return after initial reversal. However, the American College of Medical Toxicology and the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology advise caution in adopting nalmefene as a primary agent, citing potential risks like prolonged withdrawal symptoms or the return of respiratory depression as the drug's effects wane. These concerns are not unique to nalmefene, however, as all opioid antagonists carry similar risks. Further, these risks are readily managed with proper medical oversight and monitoring, a standard practice post-reversal. To put it plainly, I'd rather risk having to treat such side effects in a resuscitated and living person than to keep wondering 'what if' about the tens of thousands each year who sadly are not saved with our current efforts. The development of new reversal agents like nalmefene underscores the critical need for sustained research funding to address the evolving opioid crisis. Recent budget proposals, however, include significant cuts to the US National Institutes of Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the NIH facing a proposed 40% reduction to $27.5 billion and the CDC a 44% cut to $4 billion in 2026, threatening research into new treatments and public health responses. These cuts could stall progress on innovative solutions like Compound 368, which enhances naloxone's potency 7.6-fold and extends its effect tenfold, and covalent naloxone nanoparticles (cNLX-NP), which could sustain therapeutic levels for 48 hours to prevent renarcotization. While promising, cNLX-NP's slower onset requires pairing with fast-acting naloxone for immediate effect. Such potentially life-saving advancements will depend on consistent funding to move from lab to real-world use. Policy has and will continue to play a critical role in stemming the tide. The World Health Organization recommends restricting access to precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production and strengthening international controls on its analogs. I'm glad to see this is one of the few areas in which WHO and the Trump administration agree. Enhanced border security and surveillance can further limit the supply of illicit HPSOs. Equally important is education, with updated training for first responders and bystanders emphasizing the interplay between reversal agents and immediate CPR, as HPSOs rapidly induce hypoxia. Public awareness campaigns should highlight the potency of HPSOs and the need for rapid intervention, newer agents like nalmefene and/ or multiple doses or Narcan, and post-reversal monitoring. Thankfully, the CDC reports a recent decline in national overdose deaths. Yet vulnerabilities persist, particularly in communities facing geographic, racial or demographic disparities. The rise of fentanyl-laced stimulants – which drove a 50-fold increase in related overdose deaths from 2010 to 2021, accounting for 32.3% of fatal overdoses – complicates the crisis. These contaminated drugs turn non-opioid use into a lethal risk, as users often lack opioid tolerance. Comprehensive strategies combining policy, education, and innovative reversal tools are essential to address this polysubstance threat. Protecting Medicaid and overdose prevention funding is critical to sustaining progress in the fight against opioid overdose deaths. By pairing these efforts with evidence-based training and advancements in reversal strategies, we can better equip communities to confront the evolving opioid crisis and save lives.
National Post
2 days ago
- Health
- National Post
Hyperfine Swoop® AI-Powered Portable MRI System Demonstrates 100% Sensitivity for ARIA-E Detection in New Data Presented at the 2025 Alzheimer's Association International Conference
Article content Interim results from the CARE PMR study support the use of ultra-low-field MRI as a triage tool for monitoring patients on amyloid-targeting therapies. Article content TORONTO — Hyperfine, Inc. (Nasdaq: HYPR), the groundbreaking health technology company that has redefined brain imaging with the first FDA-cleared AI-powered portable MRI system for the brain—the Swoop ® system—announced promising early results from the CARE PMR (Capturing ARIA Risk Equitably with Portable MR) study presented at the 2025 Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto, Canada. Article content Researchers from the Benzinger Lab at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reported interim results from 31 Alzheimer's patients undergoing Lecanemab therapy. Participants were scanned using the Swoop ® system within one week of their clinical high-field MRI scans, as part of the safety monitoring protocol required by the FDA when it approved Lecanemab. Article content The Swoop ® system achieved 100% sensitivity in detecting mild to moderate ARIA-E, a condition marked by cerebral edema. Researchers note that while ultra-low-field MRI is promising as a triage tool to screen for ARIA-E, high-field MRI may remain necessary for comprehensive evaluation in some cases. Article content Appropriate use guidelines for amyloid-targeting therapies, including Lecanemab and Donanemab, require MRI safety monitoring at multiple, specific intervals throughout the course of therapy. However, regular screening with conventional MRI systems is often hindered by high costs, scheduling delays, and logistical challenges for both patients and caregivers. The Swoop ® system addresses these barriers by offering an affordable, portable imaging solution that is readily available to patients at the point of care, such as neurology offices and infusion clinics. Dr. Tammie Benzinger, principal investigator of the study, noted, 'This research could help alleviate the burden on families and facilities and improve overall access to care. We are hoping to expand the project to Washington University's Medical Campus to include community sites offering infusion therapy for early Alzheimer's disease.' Article content These findings from the CARE PMR study underscore the potential of portable MRI to transform ARIA-E monitoring and expand access to care. The Swoop ® system enables clinicians to confidently detect ARIA-E, while offering patients and caregivers the convenience of point-of-care screening, eliminating the need for separate imaging appointments. 'We are proud to collaborate with leading clinicians and researchers who share our vision of advancing Alzheimer's care through accessible innovation,' said Edmond Knopp, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Hyperfine. Article content The CARE PMR study is a collection of data from multiple sites assessing the clinical utility and workflow benefits of using Swoop ® system images to detect amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) in Alzheimer's patients receiving amyloid-targeting therapy. It is funded by the Alzheimer's Association and the American Society of Neuroradiology. Article content The Swoop ® Portable MR Imaging ® Systems are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared for brain imaging of patients of all ages. They are portable, ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging devices for producing images that display the internal structure of the head where full diagnostic examination is not clinically practical. When interpreted by a trained physician, these images provide information that can be useful in determining a diagnosis. Article content About Hyperfine, Inc. Article content Hyperfine, Inc. (Nasdaq: HYPR) is the groundbreaking health technology company that has redefined brain imaging with the Swoop ® system—the first FDA-cleared, portable, ultra-low-field, magnetic resonance brain imaging system capable of providing imaging at multiple points of professional care. The mission of Hyperfine, Inc. is to revolutionize patient care globally through transformational, accessible, clinically relevant diagnostic imaging. Founded by Dr. Jonathan Rothberg in a technology-based incubator called 4Catalyzer, Hyperfine, Inc. scientists, engineers, and physicists developed the Swoop ® system out of a passion for redefining brain imaging methodology and how clinicians can apply accessible diagnostic imaging to patient care. For more information, visit Article content The Hyperfine logo, Swoop, and Portable MR Imaging are registered trademarks of Hyperfine, Inc. The Swoop logo, Optive AI logo, and Optive AI are trademarks of Hyperfine, Inc. Article content Forward-Looking Statements Article content This press release includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results of Hyperfine, Inc. (the 'Company') may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'project,' 'budget,' 'forecast,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'may,' 'will,' 'could,' 'should,' 'believes,' 'predicts,' 'potential,' 'continue,' and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's goals and commercial plans, the benefits of the Company's products and services, and the Company's future performance and its ability to implement its strategy. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the success, cost and timing of the Company's product development and commercialization activities, including the degree that the Swoop ® system is accepted and used by healthcare professionals; the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business; the inability to maintain the listing of the Company's Class A common stock on the Nasdaq; the Company's inability to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the inability of the Company to raise financing in the future; the inability of the Company to obtain and maintain regulatory clearance or approval for its products, and any related restrictions and limitations of any cleared or approved product; the inability of the Company to identify, in-license or acquire additional technology; the inability of the Company to maintain its existing or future license, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements and to obtain adequate supply of its products; the inability of the Company to compete with other companies currently marketing or engaged in the development of products and services that the Company is currently marketing or developing; the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company's products and services, and its ability to serve those markets, either alone or in partnership with others; the pricing of the Company's products and services and reimbursement for medical procedures conducted using the Company's products and services; the Company's estimates regarding expenses, revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; the Company's financial performance; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those under 'Risk Factors' therein. The Company cautions readers that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and that readers should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Article content Article content Article content Article content Media Contact Article content Article content Devin Zell Article content Article content Hyperfine Article content Article content dzell@ Article content Investor Contact Article content Article content Webb Campbell Article content Article content
Miami Herald
17-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Most Miamians live paycheck to paycheck. This researcher has some ideas to help
For all the change constantly happening in and around the Magic City, many Miamians feel stuck. More than half of Miami-Dade's population lives paycheck to paycheck. They're spinning their wheels, moving from one day to the next, hoping they avoid the health emergency, job loss, car accident or hurricane that would push them over the financial cliff. They're surviving, but not thriving. Milestones like homeownership that once felt attainable are out of reach. Now, it's a matter of making rent. That dynamic is playing out across the country. It's amplified in South Florida. Post-pandemic, the region saw a flood of outside money drive up local income inequality and, with it, prices — especially for housing. Meanwhile, locals' paychecks haven't kept pace. They're struggling to save, struggling to invest — in stocks or businesses or themselves — and struggling to get ahead. Heather Cameron is the Michael B. Kaufman professor of practice in social entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis. She just received nearly $1 million in grant money to figure out how to improve economic mobility in American cities. The Miami Herald sat down with her recently to find out more. Below is an edited version of a 40-minute interview with Cameron. It touches on why it's harder to get ahead today than it was decades ago, the value of money, a different way to think about housing, and what can be done to make life healthier and more affordable for everyone. The Herald encourages readers to listen to the full interview here: How do you define economic mobility? Economic mobility is basically just the changing of your economic status over time. It's a key part of the American Dream; the idea that kids can do better than their parents, that we're all improving as a society, and also that if you're born a child into poverty, you don't necessarily have to stay there. How mobile do you think the United States is today? The Federal Reserve System has noticed that, for the last 30 or 40 years, economic mobility is stagnating in the United States. Why is this happening? It's because of the way our economy has changed dramatically since the 1970s. What are some of those changes? After World War II, there were huge investments and growth in the American economy, and most of the money flowing in the economy was actually being used for what we would call productive things. It was industrial capitalism. People made investments into factories. The factories grew bigger. They made more stuff. They got profits from that. Then, the economy moved more into what we call financial services. The banking system, the insurance system and real estate took over more and more of the economy, and people could make money just by basically owning stuff, not by making stuff, and by charging other people to use it. Over the last 30 years, people who own assets, whether that be stocks and bonds or real estate, they've been getting a much better return on owning that stuff than people who work. And that leads to income concentrations at the top and at the bottom, and it makes it very hard for the people at the bottom to jump up, because the ladder is expanding. So your research will examine community wealth building. What is that? Community wealth building is the idea that, if a community controls more of its assets, and more of the money that's generated in the community stays there, then it will do better. What are some examples of community wealth building strategies you think could be successful or have been successful? Community banks. That's a publicly owned or community-driven bank, and its goal isn't just maximizing profits. They're covering their costs, but they're focusing on investing in local businesses and the needs of residents. So, for example, standing up kindergartens or grocery stores in neighborhoods that need them. Another strategy is making workers 'worker-owners.' How does that work? Right now, there's this huge transfer of wealth happening because so many baby boomers who built up businesses are retiring and realizing that there aren't necessarily people who want to buy their business. And so [some of my research is] going to be looking in Kansas City for different businesses where owners are wanting to retire. They don't want to see their businesses sold for scrap, but rather to be sold to their workers. Then the workers will have the opportunity to build assets through owning part of the business. We'll also focus on so-called 'anchor institutions' — universities, health centers, large employers in the area, organizations that are committed to that city — and come up with strategies for them to be able to buy more of the goods and services they need locally and keep that money flowing in the local community. Housing is a big issue here in Miami. Most people here are 'rent-burdened' and struggle to make ends meet. Some of your research will focus on strategies to make housing more affordable and attainable. Tell me about them. Normally when you buy a house, you're not just buying the house. You're buying the land underneath it. Because of that, the price is obviously a heck of a lot more than if you were only buying the use of the building. Shared equity models are basically a way for low-income people — who don't have the assets available to put down a big down payment but who do have the money to make monthly rent payments — to have stable housing. Community groups, like nonprofits, would do something called a 'community land trust,' which is basically a way to avoid gentrification. Locals who want to stay where they are but who can't afford to buy the houses, or who are having the houses bought out from under them, can come together and say, 'Hey, we should protect our neighborhood by turning it into a community land trust.' People are able to buy into [the housing on that land], but the amount of upside that they get on their investment in a house on that land is capped. The advantage is that they can get a house and have all the nice things about being in a house and having a nice neighborhood. But, because it's not floating on the free market, the amount of upside they get is capped, because they would sell [the house] back to the group they bought it from. The goal is to make it easier for people to get access to housing. And so the way they do that is to keep it permanently affordable and off the private market. So, if I understand correctly: nonprofits and/or individuals in a community form a land trust. That trust buys a plot of land. Let's say the trust, which is governed by a community board, decides to construct a building on that land. People buy units in that building, or a house on that land, but there's a limit to how much they can resell them for, and that keeps the housing affordable? Right. There'll be rules about what your income has to be in order to buy in. We can get more people into high quality, stable housing, if the goal is not just capital appreciation on the house. Especially in Miami, housing is often purchased explicitly for its appreciative value. People want the value of their homes to go up as much as possible, which goes against the concept you just outlined. So how have people received this idea? To make our economy work better for people requires people to think differently about what money is for and what the economy is for and what housing is for. There's a lot of people who are currently renting in a very insecure way, spending more than a third of their income on rent, which causes problems for their families, for their kids, which causes extra stress. If you told those people, who are hard-working and who have access to money to pay rent, 'you could buy this studio apartment that you're living in. You'll be part of a housing community where there are rules, but you'll help shape those rules. You'll have stability — what you pay isn't going to change in an unexpected way just because the landlord said so,' they would jump at that. And if they have extra money, then great, put it in the stock market. That's where we should be investing money. In the American economy. That would be my argument as an entrepreneur. Let's go build stuff to make more profit. Let's go create more innovations. Not just, I buy a house, you buy a house, we trade and we 'make' money. Housing can be seen not just as a speculative investment, but as something we need to have safe and healthy neighborhoods. We don't want people changing homes three times in one school year. We don't want neighborhoods that are broken down because the neighbors don't trust or know each other. We want places that are clean and healthy and walkable and good for families. Where people can build up as they go, rather than needing to have a whole bunch of money just to jump in and then be afraid that if they miss one payment, it'll be taken by a bank — which doesn't work to help them keep their home but is interested in selling it to the next guy. Practically speaking, how do these cooperative projects get off the ground? Who makes them happen? Lots of different people. There are banks and investment funds that do mission-driven finance. But even the big hedge funds are talking about the value of shared ownership and employee ownership as a way to unlock value for American companies, to get more people in the owner's box, getting them committed to improving companies because they're owners. In terms of the housing stuff: Generally, neighborhood organizations work with city governments or philanthropic organizations to stabilize neighborhoods and create opportunities for people to get into homes while avoiding gentrification. They come together to get a loan against the value of the land, and then they put houses or multi-family units on [the land]. Then, they're able to service that loan in perpetuity by the payments of the people who live there. Lots of banks have worked to help create these community land trusts because they see the value in stable neighborhoods for the greater community. And people are starting to do this in commercial real estate, too. There's a project in Portland where a community development fund bought a mall in a low-income area and turned it into a place where local small businesses could have their stores. People in the neighborhood and surrounding zip codes had the opportunity to buy into the community fund, and now they get a share of those rents. It's a question of how you get the money together. Their model was a whole bunch of people paying a small amount, plus initial startup money. It's just smarter ways of putting money to work. These things don't really require a huge amount of money. It's more technical know-how and willingness to learn from these examples, which are all over the United States, but not yet enough. We can do even more. That's a great place to wrap up. Dr. Cameron, thank you so much for joining us. My pleasure. I wish you and your readers prosperity in 2025. This story was produced with financial support from supporters including The Green Family Foundation Trust and Ken O'Keefe, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
5 best study techniques to help kids retain more in less time
Many children today are drowning in homework, tuition, and endless revision sessions. There's a common belief that studying more means learning more. But science says otherwise. In fact, research from educational psychology and cognitive science shows that learning can be made faster, more enjoyable, and longer-lasting with a few smart tweaks. It's not always about the number of hours put in, it's about how those hours are used. Here are 5 study techniques that are not only rooted in real research but also proven to help children remember more in less time. Retrieval practice Studies from cognitive scientists like Dr. Henry Roediger at Washington University show that retrieval practice, the act of recalling information without looking, significantly boosts memory. This means after learning something new, a child should try to recall it without peeking into the textbook. Flashcards, mini quizzes, or even explaining what was just studied to a toy or a sibling can do wonders. It forces the brain to retrieve information, strengthening the memory trace. Spaced repetition A technique known as spaced repetition fights this forgetfulness. Backed by research from Hermann Ebbinghaus , this method spreads revision over several days, allowing the brain to re-encounter the information just before it is about to be forgotten. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo A quick five-minute review on Day 1, followed by the same on Day 3 and Day 6, cements the concept deeply. Interleaving Interleaving is a technique where different types of problems or subjects are mixed during study sessions. For instance, a 30-minute study slot can be divided into 10 minutes of science, 10 of history, and 10 of maths, all rotated in a cycle. This forces the brain to adapt, switch context, and build better connections between ideas. Research shows that interleaving strengthens problem-solving skills and long-term understanding, especially useful in subjects like maths and science. Dual coding According to cognitive psychologist Allan Paivio , dual coding, using both text and visuals together, engages more areas of the brain. For example, when a child learns about the solar system, pairing the definitions with hand-drawn diagrams or videos helps the brain store the data in multiple formats. Even doodling a flowchart or sketching a comic strip from a history lesson can lead to deeper learning. The trick is to see what's being read. The protégé effect This is known as the protégé effect. When children teach what they learn, they pay more attention, organize information more clearly, and retain it longer. Whether it's teaching a younger sibling how multiplication works, or pretending to be a teacher and using a toy classroom setup, the act of teaching transforms passive knowledge into active understanding.
Business Journals
14-07-2025
- Science
- Business Journals
St. Louis misses out on $160M NSF grant for neuroscience hub, but Neuro360 coalition persists
BioSTL President and CEO Donn Rubin and St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer at a Neuro360 event at Washington University's Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center on April 23.
