The largest-ever study of the psychedelic drug psilocybin revealed Tuesday that the drug is effective in treating serious depression, Stat News reports.
Why it matters: The Compass Pathways study, which is the "largest randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of psilocybin," found that patients who were given the highest dose of the drug had a significant decrease in depressive symptoms as compared to the placebo group, per Stat.
A mostly serious new study analyzes James Bond's exposure to infectious diseases through his 27 films and finds that 007 is a walking occupational health catastrophe.
Why it matters: James Bond's license to kill is more like a license to ill.
Rapid at-home COVID-19 tests that can automatically verify and report positive cases could be especially useful in the next phase of the pandemic.
Why it matters: As breakthrough cases rise with the inevitable waning of vaccination-induced immunity, cheap, plentiful screening tests that automatically send results back to health authorities could keep infections down while allowing full reopening.
California, Colorado and New Mexico this week have expanded COVID-19 booster access to all adults.
Why it matters: Federal officials have recommended largely limiting the doses to people who are 65 and older, have underlying health conditions or work in high-risk environments.
A Biden administration rule requiring large companies to mandate COVID vaccines for employees or impose weekly testing is "staggeringly overbroad" and "grossly exceeds [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's] statutory authority," a federal appeals court said Friday in an order to keep the rule on hold.
Why it matters: Under the rule, companies with 100 or more workers must mandate vaccination or regular testing by Jan. 4.
While MRIs are often used as a less invasive way to diagnose prostate cancer after abnormal screening test results, Black, Hispanic and Asian men are far less likely than their white counterparts to get one, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open.
Why it matters: Men of color, particularly Black men, are at elevated risk for prostate cancer. But the data indicate that when they need additional testing, they may be getting more invasive biopsies, or not getting the follow-up care they need at all.
Johnson & Johnson announced Friday it will split off its $15-billion-a-year consumer health division to form two independent companies in 2022.
Why it matters: The move will create a slower-growing health care vendor that sells consumer brands like Band-Aid bandages, Tylenol medicines and Johnson’s Baby Powder and a high-margin but riskier advanced research pharmaceutical and medical device company.
Doctors should incorporate air pollution to their list of risk factors for heart disease when treating patients, a study out Thursday from the New England Journal of Medicine urges.
The big picture: Air pollution is still overlooked as a cause of heart disease, as outdoor air quality worsens in some parts of the globe.
