Category: 8. Health

  • Australia’s cancer control saves 230,000 lives since 1980s: study-Xinhua

    SYDNEY, July 9 (Xinhua) — More than 230,000 cancer deaths have been prevented in Australia since the mid-1980s thanks to decades of investment in cancer prevention, screening and treatment, a new study revealed.

    The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health on Tuesday, found that anti-smoking campaigns have driven a sharp decline in lung cancer deaths, while improved screening and treatments have reduced mortality from breast, cervical, and stomach cancers, said the study’s lead researcher Brigid Lynch, deputy dead of Cancer Epidemiology at Cancer Council Victoria.

    “What we’re seeing is a snowball effect, we’re now seeing the result of investments made in cancer control over the many decades,” Lynch said.

    Since the 1980s, the risk of dying from cancer has dropped by 20 percent for men and 11 percent for women, said the study.

    However, the study warns that deaths from liver and brain cancers are still rising, largely due to lifestyle factors and chronic infections.

    Experts call for continued investment in prevention and early detection, especially as cancer incidence is expected to rise by 50 percent by 2044 due to Australia’s ageing population.

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  • Researchers develop blood test panel for early Alzheimer’s detection

    Researchers develop blood test panel for early Alzheimer’s detection

    Researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, are developing a panel of biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and for distinguishing it from other types of dementia using blood tests. The research project is supported by FAPESP and is based on the genotype analysis of 500 volunteers with and without the disease.

    One of the most recent findings by the research group, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, was the identification of a rare genetic alteration related to Alzheimer’s disease that is also associated with high levels of the ADAM10 protein. The study examined 85 individuals with cognitive impairment and the genetic condition, all of whom had high levels of the protein in their blood.

    The protein is known among scientists for its role in cleaving, or breaking down, the beta-amyloid precursor protein. This prevents the formation of plaques in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

    ADAM10 is an old candidate biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease that in recent years has gained prominence due to advances in ultrasensitive equipment that allows these molecules to be detected at very low concentrations in the blood plasma.”


    Márcia Regina Cominetti, from the Biology of Ageing Laboratory (LABEN-UFSCar) and one of the project’s coordinators

    The study found that the genetic condition involving alterations in the E4 allele of the APOE gene could result in an increase in inactive ADAM10 molecules in the blood. Consequently, the amount of active molecules would decrease, reducing their ability to inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.

    Complex disease

    Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, affecting over 35.6 million people. Not only is there no cure, but diagnosis remains a major challenge for medicine. The earlier it is identified, the greater the chance of delaying the onset of symptoms. This is because, until now, reversing the neurodegenerative process has only been possible in the early stage of the disease, known as mild neurocognitive impairment. This stage is characterized by cognitive decline without significantly affecting the individual’s functionality.

    In this context, UFSCar researchers are developing prognostic blood tests based on ADAM10 that can identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment who are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

    “Our studies indicate that not only in the case of this rare condition but also in other causes of Alzheimer’s disease ADAM10 acts in a pathway prior to the formation of beta-amyloid plaques. With this, it’s possible, if everything goes as our hypothesis predicts, that it could be a prognostic marker, indicating, before the formation of these pathological milestones, whether or not the person has a chance of developing the disease,” says the researcher.

    Cominetti points out that, currently, the detection of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain and hyperphosphorylated tau protein (another hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease) is highly accurate for diagnosis. “However, differentiating one dementia from another is still a major challenge. In this sense, a combination of biomarkers could, for example, make broader population screening possible through blood tests,” he says.

    In partnership with the Chemistry and Gerontology departments at UFSCar, the researchers have developed a sensor that uses ADAM10 levels in the blood to distinguish between healthy older adults and those with Alzheimer’s disease. The test is currently being validated through studies with 500 volunteers.

    “We’re moving towards finding prognostic markers for the disease. Many people wonder why they’re looking for a diagnosis if there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s yet. The fact is that we’re working in the long term. At some point, a cure may appear and then it’ll be extremely important to have a diagnostic method like the one we’re proposing to develop,” he says.

    Another important aspect of the project, Cominetti notes, is the construction of a genetically diverse database that also considers risk factors for Alzheimer’s, such as education level, income, and quality of life. “We’ve completed the genetic sequencing of the 500 volunteers, creating a database without equal in the world. As well as reflecting Brazil’s genetic variability, the database is the result of a population that has distinct characteristics from the Global North, where most research is conducted. This is important because it’s known that the relevance of risk factors for Alzheimer’s can vary between rich and poor regions,” explains Cominetti.

    Source:

    São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

    Journal reference:

    de Carvalho Pelegrini, L. N., et  al. (2025). Higher soluble ADAM10 plasma levels are associated with decreased cognitive performance in older adults carrying APOEε4. Neurobiology of Aging. doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2025.04.003.

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  • ECDC warns of ongoing diphtheria spread among vulnerable populations

    ECDC warns of ongoing diphtheria spread among vulnerable populations

    Despite a steady decline in reported cases following a large outbreak in 2022, diphtheria is still being reported in Europe, with the number of cases higher than before 2020. An ECDC Rapid Risk Assessment issued today highlights how ongoing circulation of diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) may affect some populations who are more vulnerable to infection and recommends tailored public health response measures to protect those most at risk.

    A total of 234 cases of diphtheria have been reported across the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) since January 2023. A significant proportion of these cases has been among people more vulnerable to diphtheria, such as people experiencing homelessness, people residing, working or volunteering in transitional housing centres, migrants, and people who use and inject drugs.

    The fact that we see diphtheria infections acquired by vulnerable populations in the EU/EEA indicates ongoing unnoticed transmission in the community. This is a cause for concern, and calls for more intense efforts to address barriers to vaccination among these vulnerable groups. Effective vaccination programmes have helped to almost eliminate diphtheria, but this also means that healthcare workers may be less likely to recognise the symptoms. Increasing awareness of symptoms, quick diagnosis and prompt public health action are essential.”


    Bruno Ciancio, Head of ECDC’s Unit for Directly-Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

    Before 2020, the EU/EEA averaged 21 cases of diphtheria each year. In 2022, 320 cases were reported, many among recently arrived migrants who had been exposed to diphtheria on their journey. Most cases were associated with three sequence types: ST377, ST384 and ST574.

    Since the end of 2022, six European countries (Austria, Czechia, Germany, Norway, Poland and Switzerland) have diagnosed 82 diphtheria cases caused by one of the diphtheria sequence types identified during the 2022 outbreak. At least 25 of these cases affected people experiencing homelessness, people who use or inject drugs, people who had not been vaccinated against diphtheria and older adults.

    Although ECDC assesses the risk to the general population as very low, thanks to high vaccination coverage against diphtheria in most EU/EEA countries, this risk increases to moderate for groups who are more vulnerable to infection.

    If infected, people who have not been vaccinated against diphtheria may present with skin infections or respiratory diphtheria. Respiratory diphtheria can be fatal in 5−10% of cases. In highly-vaccinated populations, most infections are asymptomatic or mild. It is very rare for diphtheria to occur in fully vaccinated individuals and vaccination against diphtheria is part of routine national immunisation programmes in Europe.

    The rarity of diphtheria infection and the many ways in which it can manifest mean that clinicians may struggle to identify and diagnose infections. It is essential to increase awareness of diphtheria among clinicians and those working with vulnerable populations to ensure that diphtheria is properly diagnosed and treated, and that cases are notified to public health authorities.

    ECDC is issuing the following recommendations to reduce the risk of severe infection in the most vulnerable individuals and to stop the circulation of C. diphtheriae in the community:

    • Increase awareness among healthcare workers and people working with vulnerable populations of the various clinical presentations of the illness.
    • Apply health promotion activities tailored to populations more likely to be exposed to diphtheria and promote engagement with these groups.
    • Ensure equitable access to vaccination including by offering vaccinations to members of groups more vulnerable to infection.
    • Regularly assess the availability of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) for treatment locally/nationally.
    • Improve surveillance to promptly detect cases and understand transmission patterns.

    Source:

    European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

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  • Mindfulness meditation boosts attention across all age groups

    Mindfulness meditation boosts attention across all age groups

    A new study from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology reveals that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation can significantly enhance key aspects of attentional control – especially how quickly and accurately people direct their focus – regardless of age.

    The study is among the first to use eye tracking, a powerful and objective measure of attention, to test the effects of mindfulness training on young, middle-aged, and older adults. The findings demonstrate that even short-term meditation can lead to measurable cognitive improvements, said USC Leonard Davis School postdoctoral researcher Andy Jeesu Kim, the study’s first author.

    This study shows that mindfulness isn’t just about feeling more relaxed-it can literally change the way your brain handles attention. And that’s incredibly important for maintaining cognitive health as we age.”


    Andy Jeesu Kim, study’s first author

    Why attention matters in aging

    As people age, they often experience slower reaction times and increased difficulty tuning out distractions. These changes are tied to a brain system called the locus coeruleus–noradrenaline (LC-NA) system, which plays a critical role in attention, arousal, and memory. Prior research, including work led by USC Leonard Davis Professor and study senior author Mara Mather, links age-related decline in this system to early Alzheimer’s disease changes.

    Previous investigation has also shown that mindfulness meditation can enhance brain areas involved in attention and may increase activity in the LC-NA system. However, this is the first study to examine how mindfulness training affects attention using precise eye-tracking methods and whether the benefits differ across age groups, Kim explained.

    The study: Mindfulness vs. audiobook

    The USC study enrolled 69 adults split into three age groups: young (18–30), middle-aged (50–65), and older adults (65–80). Participants were randomly assigned to practice one of two options:

    • Mindfulness meditation using the Headspace app, 10–15 minutes per day for 30 days
    • An audiobook control, listening to chapters from a novel for the same duration

    All participants completed three in-person lab visits and performed two eye-tracking visual search tasks that measured their speed and accuracy in focusing attention and ignoring distractions.

    Key findings: Faster focus, stronger control

    After the mindfulness training, participants showed improvements in several core aspects of attention:

    • Faster reaction times: Participants were quicker to move their eyes toward target shapes, showing more efficient visual processing.
    • Improved goal-directed focus: They made more direct saccades (eye movements) toward relevant targets and were better able to resist being pulled off course by distracting objects.
    • Reduced distractibility: In some tasks, participants were less likely to fixate on irrelevant but visually “loud” items.

    Interestingly, the benefits were not limited to one age group.

    “We expected older adults to benefit the most, but we found that mindfulness improved attention similarly across young, middle-aged, and older adults,” Kim said. “This suggests mindfulness can be a useful tool at any stage of life.”

    However, these improvements were not reflected in self-reported mindfulness scores from questionnaires, underscoring the value of objective eye-tracking measures.

    A powerful tool for everyday attention

    Although mindfulness has been widely embraced for stress relief and emotional wellness, this study provides compelling evidence for its cognitive benefits, too. The improvement was particularly apparent in attention control, a mental ability that is crucial for everything from driving to reading to social interactions.

    Importantly, the study also compared the effects of the mindfulness intervention to an audiobook control. While both groups showed some improvement in attention, mindfulness participants improved more quickly and more significantly in certain areas, particularly reaction speed.

    What’s next

    The researchers note that while the study demonstrates promising short-term benefits, future studies should explore whether longer or more intensive mindfulness training could produce even greater effects, especially for older adults facing age-related cognitive decline.

    “We’re excited about the potential of digital mindfulness interventions to help people support their brain health,” Kim said. “It’s simple, low-cost, and widely accessible. The key is consistency.”-

    “The effects of mindfulness meditation on mechanisms of attentional control in young and older adults: A preregistered eye tracking study,” appeared in eNeuro on July 7, 2025. The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging (F32-AG076288) and the USC Center for Mindfulness Science. Along with Kim and Mather, coauthors included Keran Chen and Ying Tian of the USC Leonard Davis School.

    Source:

    University of Southern California

    Journal reference:

    Kim, A. J., et al. (2025). The effects of mindfulness meditation on mechanisms of attentional control in young and older adults: a preregistered eye tracking study. eNeuro. doi.org/10.1523/eneuro.0356-23.2025.

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  • Vaccine ‘misunderstanding’ behind Liverpool measles spike, medic says

    Vaccine ‘misunderstanding’ behind Liverpool measles spike, medic says

    Sarah Spina-Matthews & Anna Jameson

    BBC News, Liverpool

    BBC A man sits speaking wearing a navy nurse's uniform in a hospital building. BBC

    Alder Hey chief nurse Nathan Askew said the MMR vaccine is “very safe”

    A spike in measles cases among children on Merseyside has been caused by misunderstanding around the safety of vaccines, a hospital head nurse has said.

    Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has seen a surge in children being taken to hospital after becoming “seriously unwell” with highly contagious virus.

    The rise has been blamed on a fall in the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

    Chief nurse Nathan Askew said serious cases of the virus had “basically all went away” early in his career, but had now started to come back as “vaccine levels are dropping”.

    The number of children in the north west of England to receive both doses of the MMR vaccine fell to 84.5% in 2023-24 from 87.1% in 2021-22, according to figures from the NHS.

    Mr Askew said the virus had been “eradicated in the UK and now it is back as a really contagious and dangerous childhood illness”.

    He said there was “a lot of misunderstanding” around the MMR vaccine, particularly after a study which falsely linked it to autism.

    Mr Askew said many studies have shown the claim “is not true” and there is no link.

    “This vaccine’s been in use for well over 50 years. It’s very safe, tried and tested,” he said.

    A man with a shirt beard and a woman with red hair stand speaking in front of a brick building.

    Tony Murphy and Claire Kelly said vaccinating their son against meningitis may have saved his life

    Measles infections usually start with cold-like symptoms like a runny nose, followed by a blotchy rash on the body days later.

    Children are usually given the MMR jab before their first birthday, with the second administered after they turn three.

    People of any age can be given the vaccine via the NHS for free.

    Liverpool mother Claire Kelly said she made sure her children were vaccinated, including her son .

    She said his vaccination against meningitis “probably helped save” his life when he contracted the infection.

    “They do need to get vaccinated…all the kids should have it,” she said.

    She said she was hoping to get the second dose of the MMR vaccine for her daughter as soon as possible.

    ‘Really nasty’

    Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council Matt Ashton said measles was “incredibly easy to transmit” among unvaccinated people.

    “One infected person can infect up to 15 other people, so it can spread really rapidly,” he said.

    Mr Ashton warned the “worrying” increase in cases could result in “large outbreaks” in the community.

    He said: “That becomes very difficult to manage, and also can have potentially serious consequences for people who catch measles.

    “We all have responsibility here to look after our children and young people, and the reality is diseases like measles are really nasty and it’s not something you’d want your loved ones to catch or be exposed to.”

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  • South Western Ambulance Service ‘ready for busy summer’

    South Western Ambulance Service ‘ready for busy summer’

    The South Western Ambulance Service says it is ready for a significant rise in demand during the school summer holidays.

    Every year, the region welcomes about 23 million visitors according to the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) – that is on top of the 5.5 million people it already serves.

    In the region more than one million emergency 999 calls are made each year.

    Dr John Martin, chief executive of SWASFT, said: “We know the summer will be a busy period for us, so we want to make sure that we’re there for everyone that needs us in a medical emergency.”

    SWASFT is encouraging residents and tourists to plan ahead to ensure a safe and healthy summer by:

    • Knowing how to describe your exact location in a remote or rural area by using What3Words – a free app which converts your location into a unique three-word address, so the emergency services can find you.
    • Making use of community pharmacies, which can advise on minor illnesses and provide medications.
    • Being considerate when parking to make sure there is enough room for emergency service vehicles to pass through.

    Dr Martin said: “We need your support to help us, help you, by asking you to choose the right care so we have crews available for patients with the most life-threatening conditions.

    “999 is for when someone is seriously injured or ill and their life may be at risk. For example, if someone is unconscious, not breathing or is bleeding heavily.”

    The trust said it was leading the country in treating patients at home, which avoided unnecessary hospital visits.

    Nearly a third (30.5%) of all patients in May were assessed and treated by paramedics at the scene without needing to be taken to hospital, it said.

    The Trust’s Emergency Operations Centres in Bristol and Exeter use a triage system to assess and prioritise calls.

    Bosses said, in many cases, patients could be helped over the phone through the service’s Hear and Treat initiative.

    In May, 13,309 patients – about 14.5% of all callers – were treated remotely or directed to more appropriate NHS services without needing an ambulance on scene, the trust said.

    Megan Barker, deputy head of clinical operations and safety, said: “If we can send our ambulances to patients who need them most, that’s our ultimate goal.”

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  • Nanohydrogel formulation of 5-fluorouracil shows promise for skin cancer therapy

    Nanohydrogel formulation of 5-fluorouracil shows promise for skin cancer therapy

    Announcing a new article publication for BIO Integration journal. The pyrimidine analog 5-flurouracil (5-FU) is effective against solid tumors. However, the half-life of intravenously administered 5-FU is less than 20 minutes, and the compound is quickly eliminated and shows systemic toxicity.

    This study was aimed at developing a nanohydrogel of 5-FU to improve anticancer drug delivery for skin cancer treatment. 5-FU Chitin nanoparticles (5-FCHNPs) were prepared through the ionic gelation technique, and 32-factorial design approach was used to optimize the 5-FCHNPs and nanohydrogel formulations. Subsequently, 5-FCHNP particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency were evaluated.

    The optimized nanohydrogel formulation was assessed for pH, spreadability, consistency, morphology, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and in vitro cytotoxicity analyses were conducted. The developed nanohydrogel formulation (5-FNH9) showed 68.40% entrapment efficiency, 72.88% drug release, and 1.418% skin penetration. The IC50 value of 5-FU was greater than that of 5-FNH9. The developed 5-FNH exhibited enhanced skin penetration and pH-responsive controlled drug release and therefore has potential in skin cancer treatment.

    Source:

    Journal reference:

    Dange, Y. D., et al. (2025). Anticancer Efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil-Loaded Chitin Nanohydrogel in Enhanced Skin Cancer Therapy. BIO Integration. doi.org/10.15212/bioi-2025-0090.

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  • Almost everyone has been infected with this common virus. It raises cancer risks 5-fold

    Almost everyone has been infected with this common virus. It raises cancer risks 5-fold

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    One of the world’s most common viruses appears to significantly raise the risk of cancer, according to a new study from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer research agency.

    Most people around the world have been infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) at some point in their lives. It spreads easily through saliva and other bodily fluids and does not usually cause symptoms, but it can lead to mononucleosis, also known as “mono” or “the kissing disease”.

    Scientists already knew that EBV, which stays in the body forever, can cause certain cancers, such as lymphomas and a rare form of throat cancer. But until now, there has been little data on the broader health risks.

    The new study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, found that the virus puts people at higher risk for additional cancers, years before they are diagnosed.

    Researchers tracked nearly 74,000 people in southern China for eight to 10 years, identifying 1,990 cancer cases. They also tested whether people had EBV antibodies, which are proteins that fight off infections and are stored in the body, serving as a sign that someone has had the virus.

    People with EBV antibodies were about five times as likely to develop cancer compared with people who did not have them, according to the study from the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and research centres in China.

    The higher the level of antibodies, the higher the cancer risk.

    The findings will help scientists “understand the link between [EBV infection] and the risk of various cancer types,” said Dr Zisis Kozlakidis, one of the study’s co-authors and head of IARC’s laboratory support, biobanking, and services unit.

    The risks were highest for nasopharyngeal cancer, which is a rare cancer that affects the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth. People who had EBV were 26 times as likely to develop this form of cancer than those who were not infected.

    Meanwhile, EBV antibodies were also tied to an elevated risk of developing lung cancer, liver cancer, and lymphomas, which are a group of blood cancers.

    The study had some limitations. The results may not translate directly to different demographic groups, for example, and other risk factors, such as smoking rates, could have affected the findings.

    Even so, researchers said the findings shed new light on cancer-causing viruses such as EBV. They called for more investigation into how exactly the virus causes cancer.

    Most people who have had mono will not develop cancer because of EBV, but the virus can cause genetic changes in cells that make them more likely to become cancerous.

    Health experts say that if people know their risks, they can watch out for signs of cancers that may be linked to the virus.

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  • When to suspect hearing loss

    When to suspect hearing loss

    Contributed by Emily Ostrowski, content manager, Healthy Hearing
    2025-07-09T00:00:00-05:00

    Key points:

    • Eggcorns are words or phrases that are mistakenly used for similar sounding and related terms. Think “eggcorn” instead of “acorn” and “duck tape” instead of “duct tape.”

    • While eggcorns may arise from mishearing, they don’t necessarily indicate a hearing problem.

    • However, frequent misunderstandings and trouble following conversations may indicate hearing loss.

     

    Have you ever said “for all intensive purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes”? What about “biting your time” or calling someone an “escape goat”? If so, you’re not alone. These commonly misunderstood phrases are called eggcorns.

    What is an eggcorn?

    Merriam-Webster defines an eggcorn as “a word or phrase that sounds like and is mistakenly used in a seemingly logical or plausible way for another word or phrase either on its own or as part of a set expression.”

    The term was coined in 2004 after a University of Pennsylvania linguistics professor saw the term “eggcorn”  instead of “acorn” in a letter from 1844.

    Want to learn more? Check out NPR’s “Here Are 100 ‘Eggcorns’ That We Say Pass Mustard”

    Are eggcorns caused by hearing loss?

    Not necessarily. Hearing specialists regularly hear patients using incorrect words during a hearing exam, and not just those with hearing difficulties.

    “It’s not uncommon for patients to misinterpret or closely approximate words during a hearing exam, particularly with words that sound similar or have similar syllable structures,” said Dr. Jason Wigand, AuD, CCC-A, chief audiologist at Beach Audiology Hearing & Balance Center. “This phenomenon can occur in people with both normal hearing and those with hearing loss.”  

    Dr. Wigand explains that even in people with normal hearing, these errors can happen for several reasons—including reduced attention, cognitive difficulties, or simply because the test uses words that sound very similar.

    For those with hearing loss, these mix-ups may happen more often, but for both groups it’s important to consider the context and how familiar a person is with the words being tested when evaluating results.

    When mishearing words can be a sign of hearing loss

    Hearing loss comes on gradually and symptoms are subtle at first. When it comes to misunderstandings, the more frequent they are the more likely it is that something hearing-related is going on.

    “Occasional misunderstandings are typical, especially in noisy environments,” said Dr. Wigand. “However, consistent difficulty understanding speech—particularly when it happens frequently in quiet settings, during group conversations, or over the phone may indicate a hearing problem.”

    He goes on to mention that other signs of hearing loss may include:

    • needing others to repeat themselves often,
    • turning up the TV louder than others prefer
    • or withdrawing from conversations due to frustration.  

    How hearing loss impacts speech sounds

    The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). This is the type that happens with aging or exposure to loud noise, among other causes. Because this type of loss affects higher frequencies first, one of the earliest signs of SNHL is struggling to hear speech sounds, particularly consonants.

    “This type of loss can damage the hair cells in the cochlea responsible for processing subtle sound details, making it difficult to distinguish similar consonants like “s,” “f,” “sh,” “th,” or “b” and “d,” said Dr. Wigand. “As a result, even when speech is loud enough, it may still sound like someone is mumbling or unclear.” 

    These difficulties can make everything from following along in work meetings to dinner out with family and friends more frustrating and less enjoyable. 

    When to get your hearing tested

    If you are experiencing frequent miscommunications or other signs of hearing loss listed above, make an appointment for a hearing test. 

    When you visit a hearing care professional, you’ll likely start with a pure tone audiometry test—the one with the familiar series of beeps. This test is a standard way to measure how softly you can hear sounds at different pitches.

    But when it comes to understanding how well you can follow speech, especially in real-world settings, other tests may provide even more useful insights.

    Why speech-in-noise testing matters

    “Word recognition testing (sometimes called speech discrimination testing) is essential for evaluating how well someone can understand speech at a comfortable loudness level,” explained Dr. Wigand.

    “However, more importantly, speech-in-noise testing—like the QuickSIN or the HINT test—can reveal how well a person understands speech in challenging listening environments. These tests help audiologists determine the degree of hearing loss and how well the brain processes speech. It’s not just about the beeps!”

    Hearing aids help speech sound clearer

    Though sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, treatments such as hearing aids can make a meaningful difference in your ability to understand what’s being said. 

    Today’s hearing aids are designed to help you hear speech more clearly, especially in environments where background noise can make conversations difficult. They can:

    • Amplify the speech frequencies you have trouble hearing
    • Reduce background noise to make voices clearer
    • Use directional microphones to focus on the person speaking
    • Stream calls, TV, or other audio directly to your ears

    Concerned your loved one has trouble hearing?

    Have you noticed a parent or your spouse missing more words or asking you to repeat yourself? Not only can this be frustrating for both parties, but it’s also a sign that it may be time to have a conversation with them about getting their hearing checked.

    Dr. Wigand urged empathy and concern, rather than frustration when broaching this topic. He suggested something along the lines of:

    “I’ve noticed it’s getting harder for us to understand each other, especially when we’re out or watching TV. And you’re not engaging as much during conversations. I’m worried it might be your hearing. I want you to check it—it could help both of us.”

    Read more: How to support someone with hearing loss

    Find a hearing provider near you

    Whether you or someone you care about is showing signs of hearing loss, seeing a hearing care specialist can make a big difference. It’s a simple step that can improve communication and strengthen your connection.

    Not sure where to start? Use our hearing directory to find a provider near you.

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  • Genetically modified herpes virus shows promise against advanced melanoma

    Genetically modified herpes virus shows promise against advanced melanoma

    The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which affects almost two-thirds of the world’s population and is generally associated with oral herpes, may cause painful cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth. 

    Yet, when genetically engineered to fight cancer, the virus may also play an important role in treating advanced melanoma, skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, according to phase 1-2 clinical trial results published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology and recently presented by Keck Medicine of USC at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting. 

    The study involved 140 patients from the IGNYTE clinical trial, which included Keck Medicine and other sites worldwide. These patients had advanced melanoma that did not respond or stopped responding to immunotherapy, which uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. 

    Patients were treated with a genetically modified HSV-1 in combination with an immunotherapy (nivolumab). By the end of the clinical trial, one-third of the participants had their tumors shrink by at least 30%, and nearly one out of six patients had tumors completely disappear. 

    These findings are very encouraging because melanoma is the fifth most common cancer for adults, and about half of all advanced melanoma cases cannot be managed with currently available immunotherapy treatments.”


    Gino Kim In, MD, medical oncologist with Keck Medicine and principal investigator at the Keck Medicine clinical trial site

    Dr. In is also a member of the IGNYTE trial steering committee and one of the lead investigators on the trial. “The survival rate of untreatable advanced melanoma is only a few years, so this new therapy offers hope to patients who may have run out of options to fight the cancer.” 

    A novel class of drugs to fight cancer 

    The genetically modified HSV-1 evaluated in the study, RP1, is one of a relatively new, innovative class of cancer immunotherapy drugs known as oncolytic viruses that are designed to target and destroy cancer tumors while generating an anti-tumor immune response throughout the entire body. RP1 does not cause herpes. 

    In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted priority review to RP1 with nivolumab for patients with advanced melanoma whose cancer had not responded to prior immunotherapy. 

    When injected into a tumor, RP1 replicates, killing off the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Additionally, RP1 stimulates the body’s white blood cells to seek out and destroy any other cancer cells in the body. 

    The second cancer drug used in the study, nivolumab, is a standard immunotherapy treatment in fighting advanced melanoma and other cancers that have spread through the body. Researchers theorized that nivolumab, which works by using the body’s own immune system to fight and destroy cancer cells, would enhance the potential effect of RP1. 

    How the treatment was administered 

    Patients admitted into the study had already been treated with minimal success by one or more immunotherapy therapies and had to have more than one tumor that could be injected with RP1. Some tumors were considered “superficial” – meaning visible on the skin, or just below the skin’s surface – and some were located deeper in the body, such as in the liver or lungs. Researchers injected both superficial and deep tumors with RP1. 

    Encouraging findings 

    During the clinical trial, patients were given a combined therapy of RP1 and nivolumab every two weeks for up to eight cycles. If patients responded to the treatment, they continued on nivolumab alone every four weeks for up to 30 cycles (or two years). 

    Researchers measured both treated tumors and untreated tumors. They discovered that not only did injected tumor size shrink in one third of the patients by 30%, but that patients’ uninjected tumors also shrank or even disappeared, just as frequently and as deeply. 

    “This result suggests that RPI is effective in targeting cancer throughout the entire body and not just the injected tumor, which expands the potential effectiveness of the drug because some tumors may be more difficult or impossible to reach,” said Dr. In, who is also a member of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of Keck Medicine of USC. 

    The study also found that RP1 was well-tolerated and had a favorable safety outcome. 

    While it is too soon to tell if the positive outcomes remain permanent, Dr. In is optimistic about the future of RP1 therapy. “I believe that oncolytic viruses will open up an important new approach to fighting cancer in some patients in the near future,” he said. 

    Other clinical trial researchers include Phillip M. Cheng, MD and Ali Rastegarpour, MD, diagnostic radiologists with Keck Medicine. 

    Phase 3 clinical trial now open 

    Phase 1-2 of the IGNYTE clinical trial examined the safety, side effects, best dosing and effectiveness of administering RP1 along with nivolumab on a limited patient population. Dr. In and his fellow researchers have launched the phase 3 trial, known as IGNYTE-3, to confirm their findings in a global population of more than 400 participants. 

    Keck Medicine will again be one of the sites of the clinical trial, with Dr. In heading up the site. Patients interested in participating can contact Sandy Tran at [email protected]. 

    Replimune, a manufacturer of RP1 and other oncolytic immunotherapies, is the sponsor of the IGNYTE clinical trial. 

    Source:

    University of Southern California – Health Sciences

    Journal reference:

    Wong, M. K., et al. (2025) RP1 Combined With Nivolumab in Advanced Anti–PD-1–Failed Melanoma (IGNYTE). Journal of Clinical Oncology. doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-01346.

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