Health

AI designs antibiotics for gonorrhoea and MRSA superbugs (5-minute read)

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A team at MIT has used generative AI to design antibiotics that could kill drug-resistant gonorrhoea and MRSA. The leading designs were tested on bacteria in the lab and on infected mice. They still need to go through a process of refinement before human studies can begin.

The work demonstrates a novel approach with enormous potential for identifying new antibiotics. While AI promises to dramatically improve drug discovery and development, safety and efficacy testing processes are still required.

Read the article on bbc.com.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, August 15). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=81967550-79b1-11f0-ae77-9139b37c7b13&pt=campaign&t=1755255481&s=93521216100ed1993a93dd0695c560142c4251bee6e14eb0d59ab0f73db00a1a
•  Gallagher, J. (2025, August 14). AI designs new superbug-killing antibiotics for gonorrhoea and MRSA. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr94xxye2lo

The Next Parenting Trend Starts Before Conception (32-minute read)

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Orchid is a company that lets parents genetically test embryos before pregnancy. Parents can choose their future baby for as little as $2,500.

This article features a transcript of an interview with the company’s founder, where they debate the scientific, moral, and ethical implications of designing a ‘healthy’ child and what we lose in separating reproduction from sex.

With Orchid’s technology, parents in the future will not have to roll the dice with their child’s health.

Read the article on The New York Times.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, August 8). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=1b4e088c-743c-11f0-9e65-d99e8b99940d&pt=campaign&t=1754650745&s=d0b01ae16af233e938426cbe83f939094b3074b1cb098dbfd465732dfcff98a9
•  The next parenting trend starts before conception. (2025, August 7). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/opinion/genetics-children-noor-siddiqui.html

Ozempic Shows Anti-Aging Effects in First Clinical Trial, Reversing Biological Age by 3.1 Years (3-minute read)

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Ozempic demonstrated remarkable anti-aging effects in a randomized controlled trial involving 108 people with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, a condition characterized by excess fat accumulation and accelerated cellular aging.

The researchers used epigenetic clocks to assess biological aging and found that those on semaglutide became 3.1 years biologically younger on average by the end of the study.

The anti-aging effects weren’t uniform across all body systems – the most dramatic improvements occurred in the inflammatory system and brain. The researchers believe that the anti-aging properties of semaglutide stem from its effects on fat distribution and metabolic health.

Read the article on MedPath.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, August 6). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=f92ec73c-7297-11f0-b62f-25ab05113243&pt=campaign&t=1754477890&s=280ecaa4ef82310a651c4e04fb32d74945d83da746d498bd9268486092e8973c
•  MedPath – Medical Intelligence Platform. (2025, August 1). MedPath. https://trial.medpath.com/news/5c43f09ebb6d0f8e/ozempic-shows-anti-aging-effects-in-first-clinical-trial-reversing-biological-age-by-3-1-years

Blood pressure and heart rate stats for July 2025

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I have white coat hypertension (a.k.a. white coat syndrome), so I keep a record of my daily blood pressure readings to take to the doctor’s office whenever I go. I record my heart rate, too, but only because the machine takes it along with my blood pressure.

White coat hypertension aside, knowing your numbers is just plain smart, since high blood pressure is known as “the silent killer.” Do you know yours?

Note: I was on a Danube riverboat cruise at the beginning of July, hence the several days with no readings.

A Pill for Sleep Apnea Could Be on the Horizon (6-minute read)

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Apnimed achieved positive results for its first oral pill for treating sleep apnea in a Phase 3 clinical trial. The pill is taken just before bedtime to help keep a person’s airway open.

It could be a game-changer for those with sleep apnea – the current treatment involves putting on a face mask connected to a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which keeps airways open by forcing air into them. The machines are effective, but they are noisy and can be uncomfortable, so many end up abandoning them, leaving them feeling exhausted, irritable, and unfocused during the day.

Read The New York Times article.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, July 30). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=54cdb09e-6d20-11f0-9655-8f67710f0c83&pt=campaign&t=1753873069&s=4f69e8b3c2f01f0fac9092a03cbbb87e01ad896cb1c4887f0a66736d75e7a290
•  Hopkins Legaspi, C. (2025, July 23). A pill for sleep apnea could be on the horizon. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/well/apnimed-sleep-apnea-clinical-trial-ad109.html

The first 100% effective HIV prevention drug is approved and going global (4-minute read)

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The US Food and Drug Administration has approved lenacapavir, a drug that offers 100% protection against HIV with twice-yearly injections. Sold under the brand name Yeztugo, lenacapavir is a capsid inhibitor. It stops the virus from entering cells and copying itself.

Gilead has made moves to ensure the drug is affordable — eligible uninsured individuals will likely be able to access the drug free of cost through its Advancing Access medication assistance program.

Read the article on New Atlas.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, July 28). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=0c8d1bfa-6b7a-11f0-b570-1bc256a52ca6&pt=campaign&t=1753700258&s=5186faf8c30198787abbfe20d57e76d057fd2225c63ef5c50360b501b72650da
•  Thompson, B. (2025, July 26). The first 100% effective HIV prevention drug is approved and going global. New Atlas. https://newatlas.com/infectious-diseases/hiv-prevention-fda-lenacapavir/

Planet Fitness exercise check-in

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In general, we work out 6 days per week, taking Sundays off.

Every once in a while, like today, I feel like working out on Sunday, and when I do, I think of it as earning a “Get-out-of-jail-free card” to use on a subsequent weekday, when I’m just not feeling it!

The fact that I call it that tells you everything you need to know about how I feel about working out in general.

That was close! I almost left the grocery store without buying a bag of lettuce to put in the garbage in 2 weeks.
 
#PlanetFitness #40Minutes #Cardio #30MinsElliptical #10MinsTreadmill

Robotic neck incision replaces heart valve with no chest opening in world first (5-minute read)

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Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic replaced heart valves through a small neck incision using robotic assistance, avoiding the need to open the chest.

Four patients have so far undergone the procedure, called transcervical robotic access for aortic valve replacement, and were discharged within days, with one even resuming gym workouts just a week after surgery.

The procedure is being performed exclusively at the Cleveland Clinic for now, but the team hopes to standardize it for use at other highly specialized centers. It could redefine what is possible for heart surgery.

Read the article on Interesting Engineering.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, July 25). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=2e7b5d28-692a-11f0-b835-3db36ffea3ac&pt=campaign&t=1753441048&s=a14bf86d633d4be953fe2c165deb3428d686e017277d7ca7edd7315783c14d77
•  Walter, N. (2025, July 24). Robotic neck incision replaces heart valve with no chest opening in world first. Interesting Engineering. https://interestingengineering.com/health/robotic-heart-surgery-neck-valve-replacement

It’s confirmed — I do not have a screw loose.

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Three days ago on July 13, it was my two-year anniversary of having back surgery, and today I had my final, annual check-up to make sure everything’s still copacetic.

Today’s x-rays:

And the doctor’s reading:

AP and lateral plain films of the lumbar spine done today are reviewed by me. They show well-healed interbody fusions at both L2-3 and L3-4. Posterolateral fusion at L4-5 is also well-healed with no evidence of substantial halo formation at any level.

My doctor, Conor Regan, was — and still is — incredible. I recommend him without reservation.

Organ recitals

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While walking around the aforementioned Corvin Square, Bob and I got tickled when we saw this sign:

Whenever “people of our age” get together and start talking about all of their knee and hip replacements, etc. — which Bob hates — I’ll eventually announce, “Okay, the organ recital is over.”

A patient-hygienist silver anniversary

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At my dentist appointment in March, my hygienist and I talked about when I first started going to this practice, which used to be Lake Boone Dentistry but is now Gover & Gover [David & Susan, husband and wife team] Dentistry.

I told Leigh Ann that I thought it might be 45 years this year, and she said, “Wait a minute. We have records going all the way back to when it was Lake Boone Dentistry. Let me check!”

And sure enough, my first appointment was in November of 1980!

I always schedule my semi-annual cleanings when

Leigh Ann

is available, and we talked about how long we’ve been “seeing each other,” and she saw in those same records, that my first appointment with her was on June 29, 2000.

Which, of course, means that yesterday was our “Silver Anniversary,” and today, she received the card I put in the mail to her last week.

She texted me to let me know she got it:

Good morning! OMG how thoughtful YOU are!! I just got your card!! Happy 25th and 1 day to US! 🥂 Cheers! Hoping you guys are doing well! I’m hanging this card in my locker forever!!!

Days made all around.

The first non-opioid painkiller (11-minute read)

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In January, the FDA approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Journavx (suzetrigine), the first non-opioid pain reliever suitable for treating post-surgery pain.

Clinical trials found that patients didn’t show any of the problematic side effects associated with opioids. Unlike opioids, Journavx doesn’t meaningfully interact with the brain – it instead targets a specific sodium ion channel found almost exclusively on peripheral nociceptors (pain-sensing neurons), blocking them from sending pain signals to the brain.

The drug is a product of 27 years of research and billions of dollars.

Read the article on The Works in Progress Newsletter.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, June 27). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=29c1d0c0-532a-11f0-8a05-dfd4e7565873&pt=campaign&t=1751021762&s=dc783f725385f35826ce3417523b7fb4d1e69f6f44d7ed849655265c20bdc9ab
•  Ma, M. (2025, June 26). The first non-opioid painkiller. The Works in Progress Newsletter. https://www.worksinprogress.news/p/the-first-non-opioid-painkiller

FDA approves powerful HIV drug that nearly eliminated spread in clinical trials (10-minute read)

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The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new HIV-prevention medication called Yeztugo. The drug nearly eliminated the spread of HIV in clinical trials.

It is the first in a new class of antiretrovirals that block HIV from infecting and making new copies of itself inside the immune cells it targets.

It costs $14,109 per injection, so health insurers will likely decline to cover the treatment in favor of other forms of PrEP, which can cost as little as $30 per month.

Read the article on nbcnews.com.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, June 20). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=3ff15ee2-4dad-11f0-8a0a-0bdfefe0127d&pt=campaign&t=1750416976&s=64bf54165cbacd5282266e883d964a07f581266b3d17c910203228b42356c048
•  FDA approves powerful new HIV drug. (2025, June 19). [Video]. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-hiv-prevention-drug-prep-lenacapavir-rcna208387

Father’s Day musing — hearing loss & back pain

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My dad was “hard of hearing” for about as long as I can remember. Obviously, I could deduce that it was a result of being around loud noise, but I wasn’t ever exactly sure of the diagnosis.

In this medical record it says, “History of noise exposure includes heavy artillery beginning in 1948 and being a loader on 90 mm. guns up until 1953.” This is what one of those “guns” looks like:

And here’s the medical record:

Also for as long as I can remember, my dad had — sometimes debilitating — back pain. Not that there’s anything funny about back pain, but I had to laugh when I saw this note about prescribing PT for him, because 3 times a week I do 8 exercises to strengthen my core and my back, and those 2 exercises are part of my routine!

Exercise check-in

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When I was younger, I looked forward to getting up early in the morning to exercise. Now, getting out of bed 𝙞𝙨 my exercise.
 
 
 
 
#Home #40Minutes #Strengthening #Back #Core
 
#PlanetFitness #30Minutes #Cardio #Elliptical
Do one set of 7. And 1, and 2, and 3…

We’re secretly winning the war on cancer (6-minute read)

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While cancer is still a terrible health threat, the tide in the war against cancer is turning. Thanks to breakthrough treatments, cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was. While there are certain areas where the story isn’t getting better, the future of cancer treatment is improving.

This article tells the story of three revolutions that caused the dramatic bend in the curve of cancer deaths.

Read the article on Vox.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, June 12). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=e2e4065c-475b-11f0-b4a2-fdbb6d26bcbc&pt=campaign&t=1749725820&s=05bf35b20ecd03df05de150e2f20a362a0d57368108713905b1e6f854c2c1036
•  Walsh, B. (2025, June 7). We’re secretly winning the war on cancer. Vox. https://www.vox.com/health/415812/cancer-death-rates-myeloma-immunotherapy-smoking

Breakthrough in search for HIV cure leaves researchers ‘overwhelmed’ (2-minute read)

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Researchers have found a way to force HIV out of hiding inside human cells. HIV’s ability to conceal itself within certain white blood cells has been one of the main challenges for scientists looking for a cure.

Further research is required to determine whether revealing the virus is enough to allow the body’s immune system to deal with it or whether other technologies or therapies will need to be used to eliminate it from the body. The method will require successful tests in animals followed by safety trials in humans before efficacy trials can even begin.

Sources:
•  TLDR. (2025, June 9). TLDR Newsletter. https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=f5cb7e17-003d-11ed-9258-0241b9615763&p=a437f6a0-450a-11f0-8f5d-91cc2f75f098&pt=campaign&t=1749466605&s=71f53978b6bb6288e3942fd1aa07d1e80682151cb4780d09967031e505dad7d1
•  Lay, K. (2025, June 6). Breakthrough in search for HIV cure leaves researchers ‘overwhelmed.’ The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/05/breakthrough-in-search-for-hiv-cure-leaves-researchers-overwhelmed

Blood pressure and heart rate stats for May 2025

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I have white coat hypertension (a.k.a. white coat syndrome), so I keep a record of my daily blood pressure readings to take to the doctor’s office whenever I go. I record my heart rate, too, but only because the machine takes it along with my blood pressure.

White coat hypertension aside, knowing your numbers is just plain smart, since high blood pressure is known as “the silent killer.” Do you know yours?

Anti-obesity drugs for everyone?

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Should Everyone Be Taking Ozempic? Doctors Say More People Could Benefit1
Anti-obesity drugs are showing promise for ever-expanding list of diseases

1Loftus, P. (2025, May 25). Should Everyone Be Taking Ozempic? Doctors Say More People Could Benefit: Anti-obesity drugs are showing promise for ever-expanding list of diseases. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/health/pharma/glp-1-drugs-health-benefits-4014d7d5

AI article summary:2

The article discusses the increasing potential of GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, beyond treating diabetes and weight loss. These drugs show promise for various diseases, including heart, kidney, and liver diseases, sleep apnea, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and alcohol addiction, and may even have anti-aging benefits.

Doctors suggest that millions more people could benefit from these drugs, potentially up to one-third to a majority of adults. However, caution is advised, as excessive weight loss and malnourishment are concerns for individuals who don’t medically fit the criteria. The drugs mimic natural gut hormones, promoting insulin production and suppressing appetite, leading to significant weight loss and improvement in related conditions.

While many benefits stem from weight loss, some may be independent, possibly due to anti-inflammatory effects. The article mentions specific examples of individuals benefiting from these drugs, like Susan Abernethy, who used Mounjaro to treat her psoriatic arthritis. There is also discussion of GLP-1s helping with liver diseases and potentially slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.

Despite the potential, only a small fraction of eligible people currently use these drugs, due to factors like cost, insurance coverage, tolerability, and manufacturing capacity. The article mentions ongoing research and development of newer GLP-1s with greater efficacy and different administration methods. However, certain groups, such as those with a history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis, should avoid these drugs. Analysts predict increased usage in the future but acknowledge that it will still represent a fraction of the eligible population.

2Generated by Gemini AI

FDA OKs first blood test that can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease (2-minute read)

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R. Scott Turner, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Memory Disorder Center at Georgetown University Hospital, points to PET scan results that are part of a study on Alzheimer’s disease at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, May 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials on Friday endorsed the first blood test that can help diagnose Alzheimer’s and identify patients who may benefit from drugs that can modestly slow the memory-destroying disease.

The new test, from Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc., identifies a sticky brain plaque, known as beta-amyloid, that is a key marker for Alzheimer’s. Previously, the only FDA-approved methods for detecting amyloid were invasive tests of spinal fluid or expensive PET scans. Read more…

Source: Perrone, M. (2025, May 16). FDA OKs first blood test that can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease | AP News. AP News.

Blood pressure and heart rate stats for April 2025

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I have white coat hypertension (a.k.a. white coat syndrome), so I keep a record of my daily blood pressure readings to take to the doctor’s office whenever I go. I record my heart rate, too, but only because the machine takes it along with my blood pressure.

White coat hypertension aside, knowing your numbers is just plain smart, since high blood pressure is known as “the silent killer.” Do you know yours?