STEPHEN L. COX, M.D.

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This study looked at how women with commercial insurance used virtual healthcare during pregnancy and after giving birth from 2019 to 2021. Researchers found that telehealth visits increased significantly, rising from about 60,000 visits in 2019 to over 276,000 in 2021, particularly for mental health services, which made up more than half of the visits postpartum. Additionally, women who used telehealth had higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and depression compared to those who didn’t. Who this helps: This benefits pregnant women and new mothers, especially those facing mental health challenges.

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This research looked at how well a new HIV prevention drug called lenacapavir (LEN) works compared to two existing treatments, emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF), among different groups of people, including women and individuals of various gender identities. The studies found that LEN was more effective than F/TDF, with HIV resistance to LEN being rare—only 2 out of 2,179 participants developed resistance during the study. This matters because it shows that LEN is a promising option for preventing HIV without a high risk of developing drug resistance. Who this helps: This helps patients at risk for HIV, particularly women and individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.

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This research paper focuses on helping breast surgeons improve the quality of care they provide by guiding them through quality improvement (QI) projects. It found that surgeons often lack formal training in QI, so the report outlines nine important principles they can follow, including identifying problems, analyzing causes, and measuring results to enhance patient care. These steps are crucial because they help ensure that breast surgery meets high standards, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients. Who this helps: This benefits breast surgeons and their patients by improving the quality of surgical care.

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This study looked at how pediatric surgical centers around the world follow up on patients who have had surgery for solid tumors. Researchers found that many centers do not have proper protocols for checking long-term health issues after surgery, like fertility problems after bladder or prostate surgeries (62.8% didn’t follow a structured plan) and lung function after chest surgeries (67.8% were not routinely tested). This is important because the absence of regular check-ups may mean that many young cancer survivors are not receiving the necessary care to monitor their recovery, potentially impacting their quality of life. Who this helps: This benefits pediatric cancer survivors and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how OCOsense smart glasses can help monitor eating habits and encourage healthier behavior. Twenty-three volunteers wore the glasses for three weeks, during which they tested the glasses' ability to detect eating events accurately, identifying 528 out of 548 occasions in real-time. The glasses also helped participants change their eating habits, such as chewing slower and taking longer breaks between bites, which can lead to healthier eating practices. Who this helps: This benefits patients who want to improve their eating habits, including those managing weight or certain health conditions.

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Researchers studied how the drug robenacoxib is absorbed and processed in Caribbean flamingos after giving them a single injection of 2 mg/kg. They found that the drug quickly reached high levels in the blood within 15 minutes, with a peak concentration of 3.51 μg/mL, and then the drug was cleared from the blood in about 1.1 hours. This is important because the drug's levels in flamingos were higher than the amounts shown to be effective in domestic animals, without causing any harmful effects. Who this helps: This benefits veterinarians treating Caribbean flamingos and other similar bird species.

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This study examined how many adults in England who drink alcohol at higher-risk levels (meaning they drink enough to potentially harm themselves or others) feel guilt or remorse after drinking. It found that about 1 in 8 (13.3%) of these drinkers reported such feelings in the past six months, with most experiencing guilt less than once a month. Those feelings were more frequent among women, younger people, and individuals from wealthier backgrounds. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors and mental health professionals working with individuals who drink at higher-risk levels.

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This study looked at how nicotine use in England changed from 2014 to 2024, focusing on different age groups and types of nicotine products like cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Among 18-24-year-olds, vaping increased significantly from 5% to 25%, while traditional smoking declined from 25% to 19%. These changes indicate that younger people are shifting away from smoking towards vaping or not smoking daily, which means vaping might become the main way people use nicotine. Who this helps: This benefits young adults by offering them alternatives to traditional smoking.

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This study looked at how different methods of quitting smoking affect success rates among people from various social backgrounds in England. Researchers found that only 53% of individuals from less advantaged social groups attempted to quit abruptly, compared to 57% of those from more advantaged groups. Those who quit abruptly were 70% more likely to succeed than those who quit gradually, regardless of their social status. Who this helps: This information benefits smokers and health professionals, especially those working with lower-income patients.

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This study looked at how not having enough food affects people's use of tobacco and alcohol in Great Britain. Researchers found that 7.9% of people had low food security and 9.6% had very low food security. Those with food insecurity were 75% more likely to smoke, while people who didn’t drink alcohol were also more likely to experience food insecurity, especially if they were under psychological distress. This matters because it highlights the need for programs that support people struggling with tobacco and alcohol use, while also addressing their food security issues. Who this helps: This helps patients facing food insecurity, especially those who smoke or struggle with alcohol use.

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This study focused on how effectively England is treating hepatitis C among people who inject drugs, aiming to meet a goal set by the World Health Organization of reducing new infections to less than 2 per 100 people by 2030. The researchers found that from 2016 to 2022, about 8,831 to 9,689 treatments were given, leading to a significant decrease in hepatitis C cases—by an estimated 79.7% to 98.6% in some regions. To reach the elimination target, increasing testing in drug treatment centers and prisons could further boost treatment rates and remain cost-effective, which is crucial for public health and resource allocation. Who this helps: This helps patients and public health officials working to eliminate hepatitis C.

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This study looked at how bubbles in wet foams change size over time. Researchers found that as small bubbles lose gas to larger ones, the number of bubbles decreases and the average size increases. Specifically, their model predicts the bubble size distribution in foams with varying amounts of liquid, which helps understand how foams behave under different conditions. Who this helps: This research benefits scientists and engineers working with foams in products like food, cosmetics, and materials.

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This study looked at how different mouse strains react to cocaine, focusing on the relationship between certain brain chemicals that influence behavior. Researchers found that two mouse strains, C57BL/6J and DBA/2J, both avoided cocaine but in different ways: DBA/2J mice took longer to self-administer cocaine, while C57BL/6J mice avoided the cocaine-paired area more often. Importantly, the natural differences in brain chemicals related to cocaine's effects did not change how these mice developed their avoidance behavior. Who this helps: This research benefits scientists and researchers studying addiction and drug avoidance behaviors.

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This study looked at how age and socioeconomic status affect smoking habits and quitting success among women in Great Britain. It found that younger women (in their 20s and 30s) typically smoke the most and have the highest success rates when trying to quit, but this declines significantly as they age. Women from less advantaged backgrounds had both higher smoking rates and lower success in quitting, especially between ages 40 and 60, where their success rate was about 30% lower than that of more advantaged women. Who this helps: This benefits women who smoke, especially those from less advantaged backgrounds, by highlighting the need for targeted support in quitting.

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This study looked at whether using a standard treatment to prevent allergic reactions could help children with certain cancers from having bad reactions to a specific chemotherapy drug called PEGylated asparaginase. They found that 27% of patients experienced reactions before treatment started, compared to 17% after, but the difference wasn’t significant. The research matters because it shows that the premedication didn’t make much of a difference, suggesting that doctors should focus on monitoring another aspect, called serum asparaginase activity, to catch reactions early. Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients dealing with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma.

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This study looked at how people’s views on the safety of e-cigarettes changed after the UK government announced a ban on disposable vapes in January 2024. Before the announcement, the number of people thinking e-cigarettes were less harmful than regular cigarettes dropped from 30% to just 18.7%, while those who thought e-cigarettes were more harmful increased from about 23% to 31.3%. The announcement did slow the rate of decline in the perception that e-cigarettes are less harmful, showing that it did not make negative views worse, but many still have incorrect beliefs about their safety. Who this helps: Patients who smoke and need accurate information about smoking alternatives.

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This study focused on a rare case of a 44-year-old woman who suffered a heart attack and cardiac arrest due to Takayasu arteritis, a condition that causes inflammation of the large blood vessels. The doctors identified her condition through various imaging tests that showed severe narrowing of her coronary artery but no signs of traditional heart disease. This finding is important because it highlights that sometimes, young patients with heart issues may have rare diseases rather than common heart problems, pointing to the need for thorough and diverse diagnostic approaches. Who this helps: This helps doctors in diagnosing rare conditions in young patients who experience heart issues.

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This study looked at how healthcare providers in England are offering support to help people quit vaping. It found that while nearly 40% of providers see clients wanting help with vaping cessation weekly, only 44.8% actually offer this support, and many feel untrained and unprepared to help. This matters because there is a growing need for effective vaping cessation support, but current services are limited by lack of funding, training, and adequate resources. Who this helps: Patients trying to quit vaping.

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This study looked at why Indigenous Australians visit the dentist for emergencies compared to non-Indigenous Australians. It found that 58.2% of Indigenous patients needed emergency care, while only 40.2% of non-Indigenous patients did, showing that Indigenous Australians experience more urgent dental problems. This is important because it indicates that Indigenous Australians face greater dental health issues and may not have timely access to regular dental care, calling for better health programs tailored to their needs. Who this helps: This helps Indigenous patients and public health officials working to improve dental care access.

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This study looked at the costs and lengths of hospital stays for patients with dental infections. Researchers found that people stayed in the hospital anywhere from just over a day to 10 days, with costs ranging from about $2,400 to nearly $47,800. This indicates that dental infections can be very costly and complicated for hospitals, highlighting the importance of quick treatment and preventive care. Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers by underscoring the need for better dental care to prevent serious infections.

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This study looked at tobacco use among school-aged teenagers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Researchers found that 16% of adolescents have tried tobacco, and 7.3% are current users, with cigarette smoking being the most common. Boys are more likely to use tobacco than girls, and exposure to second-hand smoke and tobacco advertising increases the chances of using tobacco, while education about the dangers of tobacco helps reduce use. Who this helps: This benefits adolescents, their families, and public health officials working to reduce tobacco use.

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This study looked at how other health issues (called comorbidities) affect the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) by talking with five people living with MS and five healthcare professionals. The interviews revealed that comorbidities make MS harder to manage, as they can worsen symptoms and affect treatment choices. To improve care, there needs to be better teamwork among healthcare providers, more thorough care approaches, and further research on how issues like insomnia and substance use impact MS. Who this helps: This benefits patients with MS and their healthcare providers.

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This study focused on adult patients preparing for weight loss surgery to see how food insecurity affects the link between food addiction and binge eating. Researchers surveyed 866 participants and found that while food addiction and binge eating are strongly connected, food insecurity didn't play a significant role in this connection. Interestingly, the support from family or friends in accessing food did seem to influence this relationship. Who this helps: Patients preparing for bariatric surgery.

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This study examined how Wales is tracking the quality of palliative and end-of-life care for people in their final year of life. Researchers developed a system to monitor care quality using national data, focusing on six key areas of quality. They aim to ensure that everyone receives fair and high-quality care, addressing gaps that existed before. Who this helps: This benefits patients receiving palliative care and their families, ensuring they get the support they need.

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This research studied a new tool called MDCrow, designed to automate complex simulations of molecular dynamics, which are important for understanding how proteins behave. The study found that MDCrow performed well on 25 different tasks, successfully completing increasingly difficult ones with reliable results. This is significant because it can make the process of studying proteins faster and easier for researchers, allowing them to better understand diseases and develop treatments. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working on protein-related studies.

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This study looked at how confident people with diabetes in Wales are at managing their own condition and how this affects their health and hospital visits. Researchers found that those who felt more confident in managing their diabetes reported better well-being and were less likely to end up in the hospital for emergencies, with a 21% lower chance of such admissions. This is important because increasing patients' confidence can lead to better health outcomes and reduce hospital costs. Who this helps: Patients with diabetes and healthcare providers.

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The study focused on smoking among people experiencing homelessness and how to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use. Researchers talked to 24 homeless individuals and 20 service providers in England and found that many faced challenges like poor literacy and limited access to support for quitting smoking. Participants expressed a need for more personal support and accessible resources, highlighting that successful programs should be integrated into everyday services and built on strong relationships. Who this helps: This research benefits homeless individuals and the staff working to support them, as it provides insights for creating better smoking cessation programs.

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This study looked at how healthcare professionals in England provide support for quitting non-cigarette tobacco products, like cigars and shisha. The researchers found that awareness of these products was high among professionals, but most were not receiving specialized training, and only about 20% of them reported clients asking for cessation support regularly. The main barriers to providing help included a lack of perceived demand and insufficient training. Who this helps: This research benefits healthcare professionals and ultimately supports patients who use non-cigarette tobacco products.

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This research looked at how military service affects women's experiences with perimenopause and menopause. From 18 studies reviewed, most were from the U.S. and focused on veterans, highlighting issues like knowledge about menopause and access to treatment. The findings showed that there are significant knowledge gaps and a need for more targeted research to improve the support available for women in the military during this stage of life. Who this helps: This benefits military women and healthcare providers working with them.

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This study examined how the drug terbinafine behaves in Kemp's ridley sea turtles after giving them a single dose. The researchers found that the highest level of the drug in the turtles' blood was reached 24 hours after the dose, reaching a peak concentration of 1.17 micrograms per milliliter. This information is important because the drug levels exceeded what is needed to fight off certain harmful fungal infections in these turtles, providing useful data for their treatment. Who this helps: This helps veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators working with Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

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This study looked at blood cancer survival rates in the UK between 2009 and 2019, analyzing over 413,000 cases. Overall, survival rates improved slightly in England (by 3.8%), Northern Ireland (by 5.1%), and Wales (by 3%), but there was no improvement in Scotland. Factors such as being older, living in poorer areas, and being male were linked to lower survival rates, with certain ethnic groups in England experiencing worse outcomes for specific blood cancer types. Who this helps: This information helps patients and doctors understand survival disparities in blood cancers, guiding better care and treatment strategies.

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This study looked at how much abortion education is included in the training of osteopathic medical students in the U.S. Out of 256 students surveyed, over half (52.4%) reported that their schools taught about abortion and contraception, but most received less than an hour of dedicated instruction. This matters because many students, especially those in states with limited abortion access, feel they are not adequately prepared to educate patients about abortion. Who this helps: This benefits medical students and their future patients by improving the quality of reproductive health education.

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This study looked at how using tablets for collecting patient-reported information affects people preparing for weight loss surgery in a rural area. It found that 85% of 202 patients were happy with the tablet system, and 96% preferred it to traditional paper forms. The tablets made it easier for patients to discuss their health concerns and remember their symptoms, showing that using technology can improve communication in medical settings. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at the behavior of ants in the Neotropics (tropical regions in the Americas) and found that recent research has focused on only about 10% of the ant species in this area. Most studies concentrated on just four species, which make up less than 0.15% of all Neotropical ants, with significant gaps in research from many countries. This matters because understanding more ant species can help manage invasive ants and support conservation efforts. Who this helps: This helps researchers and conservationists working to protect biodiversity.

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This study looked at how being a caregiver affects patients preparing for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in terms of their mental health and eating habits. Out of 916 patients evaluated, 267 had both patient and caregiver roles, and their caregiver burden was linked to issues like depression and unhealthy eating patterns, even though overall levels of stress and mental health were similar across groups. Understanding the impact of caregiver roles is important because it can help improve support for these patients before their surgeries. Who this helps: Patients who are both caregivers and preparing for bariatric surgery.

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This study looked at the genetic makeup of four strains of fungi found in wild birds in Southern Ontario, Canada. Researchers found that these fungi were linked to the deaths of some birds, confirming that fungal infections can seriously harm these animals. Understanding these fungal pathogens is important for wildlife health and conservation efforts. Who this helps: This helps wildlife conservationists and veterinarians working with birds.

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This study looked at how smoking impacts people's ability to work due to long-term illness in England from 2013 to 2025. It found that the number of adults unable to work because of health issues more than doubled, from 2.5% to 5.5%, with current smokers experiencing the highest rates of inactivity at 11.3% in 2025, which means about 700,000 smokers are out of work for health reasons. Understanding the relationship between smoking and health-related work inactivity is important because it highlights the need for efforts to reduce smoking and improve overall public health. Who this helps: This helps patients, particularly smokers struggling with health issues, as well as public health officials and policymakers.

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This study looked at how well the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and pemetrexed work for patients with advanced lung cancer after they have stopped the treatment osimertinib. Researchers found that patients who received this second-line treatment had a median survival time of 9.6 months, and about 40.7% experienced a positive response to the therapy. This information is important as it helps set expectations for patients and doctors and highlights factors that affect treatment success, which can guide personalized care plans. Who this helps: This helps patients with advanced lung cancer and their doctors in making informed treatment choices.

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This study examined two pregnant women who had extreme difficulties managing their insulin levels. The first woman, who is 31 and has type 2 diabetes, required an astonishing 2,200 units of insulin daily, while the second woman, who is 25 and has a condition called SHORT syndrome, needed 766 units of insulin after taking steroids. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing rare genetic causes of severe insulin resistance during pregnancy and signal a need for more research into treatment options. Who this helps: This information benefits doctors and pregnant women with insulin resistance and related conditions.

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This study looked at how tobacco smoking and illegal drugs affect the chances of early death among people who use heroin in England. It found that 63.2% of heroin users die before age 70, with 23.6% of those premature deaths linked to smoking and 27.6% related to illegal drugs. If tobacco smoking was eliminated, the early death risk would drop by about 11.8 percentage points, and eliminating illegal drugs would lower it by 9.4 percentage points, showing both are major contributors to early deaths in this population. Who this helps: This information is useful for patients who use heroin and healthcare providers working with them.

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This study looked at whether giving e-cigarettes to people in homeless support centers is a good way to help them quit smoking compared to simply providing standard support. Researchers found that while e-cigarettes increased costs (about £3,859 per person compared to £2,716 for usual care), they only provided a small improvement in quality of life, leading to a cost of about £181,000 for each additional year of healthy life gained, which means it wasn't seen as cost-effective. This is important because it highlights the need for more effective and affordable methods to help people experiencing homelessness quit smoking. Who this helps: This benefits homeless individuals who smoke and the professionals working to support their health.

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This study looked at how a specific protein complex, called the 9-1-1 complex, helps protect against DNA damage in cancer cells that lack the BRCA2 gene. The researchers found that without the 9-1-1 complex, these cancer cells experience harmful DNA gaps that lead to increased damage, making the cancer worse. Specifically, when the 9-1-1 complex was removed, it caused DNA gaps to become unstable, resulting in higher levels of DNA damage that could worsen cancer progression. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with BRCA2-deficient cancers by identifying a potential new target for treatment.

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This study looked at how young people in England, Canada, and the US use non-cigarette tobacco products like cigarillos and smokeless tobacco. From 2017 to 2024, the use of these products among youths in England rose from 7.4% to 11.6%, while in the US and Canada, youth use decreased—dropping from 10.2% to 7.1% in the US and from 9.2% to 7.9% in Canada. The findings highlight the need for stricter regulations on all tobacco products in England, as the menthol cigarette ban did not stop the growth in non-cigarette tobacco use. Who this helps: This research benefits public health officials and policymakers looking to curb tobacco use among youth.

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This study looked at how shared decision-making, trust in the healthcare system, and health literacy affect pain levels in adults over 46 years old living with chronic health conditions in Wales. It found that people who experienced less shared decision-making, had lower trust in the healthcare system, and lower health literacy reported higher pain levels. For instance, factors like being female or having more than one chronic condition also contributed to increased pain. Improving these areas could lead to better pain management and healthcare for older adults in Wales. Who this helps: This helps patients living with chronic pain and healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how satisfied family caregivers were with specialist palliative care (SPC) services over ten years. Overall, 92.2% of caregivers felt satisfied with how the care respected the dignity of their loved ones, but only 6.2% were unhappy with how quickly symptoms were treated. This matters because it shows consistently high satisfaction with SPC services, but also highlights a need for improvement in symptom management. Who this helps: This helps patients and their families who are receiving end-of-life care.

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This study focused on improving healthcare for viral hepatitis in prisons, where access to treatment is often limited. Researchers reviewed 703 articles and developed 30 best practice recommendations covering areas like testing, treatment, and prevention. With strong recommendations based on high-quality evidence, these guidelines aim to ensure that people in prison receive better care for viral hepatitis, which is crucial for eliminating the disease globally. Who this helps: This helps patients in prison who are living with viral hepatitis.

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This study looked at how changes in the number of genes (either too many or too few) in different areas of the brain affect people's cognitive abilities. Researchers analyzed data from 260,000 individuals and found that when certain genes in the sensorimotor regions are deleted, cognitive ability decreases significantly. Conversely, duplicating genes in the multimodal association regions also led to a drop in cognitive function, illustrating a complex relationship between gene expression and brain function. Who this helps: This helps patients with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions by improving our understanding of cognitive deficits.