HEALTH SECRET

A year of treatment with a medicine made of an antibody and chemotherapy drug has proven highly effective in preventing stage 1 HER2-positive breast cancer from recurring in patients, a team led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers has found. http://dlvr.it/T8tCqd

New research suggests that most plant-based meat alternatives are healthier for your heart than the real thing. Anastasiya Mihailovna/Getty Images * A new study indicates that plant-based meats can be good for your heart. * They were found to be linked with reduced cardiovascular risk factors. * However, another says ultra-processed plant-based foods appear to increase risk. * The discrepancy may lie in whether foods are high in sodium, saturated fat, and sugar. * It’s important to read labels on processed plant-based foods to avoid these. While one recent study indicates that plant-based ultra-processed foods might increase the risk of heart disease and early death, a systematic review and meta-analysis, including 12 controlled trials, published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology suggests that plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) might be an exception, actually helping to improve cardiovascular health. According to the study, while the nutritional

Researchers determined the relationship between loneliness and incident stroke risk in the United States. http://dlvr.it/T8rFH6

Macrophages play a critical role in the immune system by fighting infections and aiding in tissue repair. Understanding how these cells are activated in different scenarios is important for developing new medical treatments. However, identifying and studying macrophage activation has been challenging due to the complex nature of these cells and their responses. http://dlvr.it/T8qrkF

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) describes the outcome of a new approach to testing for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), guided by the principles of diagnostic stewardship. At Memorial Health care System in Hollywood, Fla., revised rules for when C. diff tests could be ordered helped to reduce inappropriate testing by 20%, which in turn can help rein in the overtreatment of patients. http://dlvr.it/T8qWg5

One in six integrated care boards (ICBs) in England have stopped accepting new patients for specialist weight management services as their referral numbers spiral out of control, an investigation by The BMJ has found. http://dlvr.it/T8qHbZ