NPR Health
These Medicare beneficiaries thought their drug plan was free. Then they lost it
Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries have been dropped from their drug plans after failing to pay premium increases they didn't know existed — in some cases losing coverage over as little as $8. Many enrollees assumed their zero-dollar plans remained free, unaware that insurers had quietly raised their rates. Those now without coverage face a wait until 2027 to re-enroll, leaving them exposed to full prescription drug costs in the interim.
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Preparing for Andes virus outbreaks to prevent transmission in health care settings
Andes virus, the type of hantavirus responsible for the outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship earlier this year, has a fatality rate of up to 36%. Precautions such as isolation of infected individuals and use of personal protective equipment by health care personnel can prevent transmission if implemented at the earliest stages of infection. But because human-to-human transmission of Andes virus was detected for the first time only in 1996, and because outbreaks occur infrequently, clinicians w
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AI test predicts breast cancer recurrence in hours, not weeks, across 3,500 patients
A new AI-powered test can predict the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence in hours rather than the weeks traditional methods require, validated across a dataset of 3,500 patients. The speed and scale of the tool represent a significant leap forward for oncologists racing to make timely treatment decisions. For the thousands of patients facing uncertainty after initial treatment, faster recurrence prediction could mean earlier intervention and better outcomes.
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Fast walkers in their 80s cut their risk of cognitive decline by half, study finds
Older adults who maintain a brisk walking pace into their 80s are significantly protecting their minds, not just their bodies. A new study found that fast walkers aged 80 and older face roughly half the risk of cognitive decline compared to slower peers. The findings reinforce the growing body of evidence linking physical fitness directly to long-term brain health.
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Brain tumor vaccine links mutation targeting to eight-year survival gains
A personalized brain tumor vaccine targeting a specific genetic mutation has shown remarkable long-term results, with patients in a clinical trial achieving survival gains stretching beyond eight years. The vaccine works by training the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells carrying the mutation, representing a shift toward precision immunotherapy for one of oncology's hardest-to-treat cancers. The findings, from a consortium of leading German research institutions, could reshape the standard of care for patients with this class of malignant brain tumors.
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