Among the many latest approvals, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Blujepa (gepotidacin) for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) in adult women who weigh 40 kg or more and for children who are 12 years and older and weigh 40 kg or more.

What Is Blujepa?

It is a first-in-class oral antibiotic which is approved for the treatment of uUTIs which are caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii complex, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Enterococcus faecalis.

How Was It Approved?

The approval followed the results form the Phase 3 EAGLE-2 and EAGLE-3 trials. These trials were useful to demonstrate the medication's noninferiority and superiority, respectively, to nitrofurantoin, which is one of the leading current standard-of-care options available for uUTIs in women and pediatric patients. This is for patients with confirmed uUTI.

What were the results of these trials?

In EAGLE-2, the therapeutic success occurred in 50.6 percent of patients taking Blujepa compared with 47.0 percent of those taking nitrofurantoin. In EAGLE-3, the superiority was demonstrated for Blujepa versus nitrofurantoin, with therapeutic success occurring in 58.5 versus 43.6%.

Are there any side effects of Blujepa?

One of the most common adverse events that patients who have consumed Blujepa reported was gastrointestinal, including diarrhea, which was reported in 16% of the patients. Then came nausea at 9%.

The maximum severity of these side effects or adverse events were mostly mild up to 69% to moderate at 28%. Severe gastrointestinal events occurred only in less than 1% of all the participants.

"The approval of Blujepa is a crucial milestone, with uUTIs among the most common infections in women," Tony Wood, chief scientific officer of GSK, said in a statement. "We are proud to have developed Blujepa, the first in a new class of oral antibiotics for uUTIs in nearly three decades, and to bring another option to patients given recurrent infections and rising rates of resistance to existing treatments."

What Is Uncomplicated UTI?

As per the National Library of Medicine's National Center for Biotechnology Information, an uncomplicated UTI is a bacterial infection of the bladder and associated structures. Patients with uUTI have no structural abnormality of the urinary tract and no comorbidities such as diabetes, an immunocompromised state, recent urologic surgery, or pregnancy. A uUTI is also known as cystitis or lower tract UTI.

The presence of bacteria (bacteriuria) or white blood cells (pyuria) in the urine without symptoms does not indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI). Common UTI symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, suprapubic discomfort, and pain during urination (dysuria). While UTIs are common in women, they are rare in circumcised males. When they do occur in circumcised males, they are typically classified as complicated UTIs.

Many uncomplicated UTIs can resolve on their own, but treatment is often sought to relieve symptoms and prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys. If left untreated, a UTI can develop into an upper tract infection like pyelonephritis, which can damage kidney structures and potentially lead to high blood pressure.

A UTI diagnosis is based on clinical history and urinalysis, with confirmation through a urine culture. Proper urine sample collection is crucial for accurate evaluation and diagnosis.

In many new things, there has been a groundbreaking new tool developed by the scientists of Ankara University (AU) in Turkey. This tool promises to detect lung cancer in its early stages. The best part? The tool uses nothing more than just your voice. This AI-powered application is used to analyze speech patterns in order to identify structural changes caused by the diseases. This is a great way of testing, as it is non-invasive in nature, thus is a low-cost method of screening for such a deadly disease.

Detecting Through Speech

The project is being led by Associate Professor Dr Haydar Ankishan of AU's Stem Cell Institute. The idea centered to the research was: changes in a person's voice could reflect anatomical or functional disruption in the lungs, especially those caused by cancer.

“In our study, we considered the structure of the voice, the anatomical structure of the lungs, and the circulatory system,” Ankışhan said at a press conference held at AU’s Ibn-i Sina Hospital. “We proposed that the voice could provide information about lung cancer.”

The study took a span of 18 months, with the team being able to develop a system that can detect stage-one lung cancer with an accuracy rate exceeding 90%.

How Does This Work?

The technology is able to capture a person's voice in a natural environment. Then the voice is processed using advanced signal analysis techniques and machine learning. The AI model is trained on these audio samples to differentiate between healthy individuals and those with early-stage lung cancer.

Faculty member of AU's Faculty of Medicine, who is also a key contributor in the study, Dr Bülent Mustafa Yenigün emphasized the importance of such early detection. “The later lung cancer is diagnosed, the harder it becomes to treat. We aimed for a method that’s non-invasive, low-cost, and doesn’t expose patients to harmful radiation,” he explained.

If one has to understand the science behind it, then one must understand what the AI listens for. The science behind this method is actually rooted in how tumors affect airflow and resonance in the lungs. As masses form, they can disrupt the natural vibrations and frequencies that are part of normal speech. Thus, the AI is trained to detect these variations, regardless of how subtle they may be. Many of these variations, in fact, may not be noticeable to the human ear.

“Our application identifies deviations in frequency and sound resonance that can indicate a pathological mass in the lungs,” Yenigün explained.

Is It Accessible?

The researchers are optimistic about the future. If legal approvals are secured and larger datasets are collected, they estimate that the technology could be integrated into standard lung cancer screening programs within two to three years. In a best-case scenario, it could be available in as little as one to two years.

If successful, this voice-based screening tool could become a revolutionary step in early cancer detection—accessible, painless, and potentially life-saving.

What Is Lung Cancer?

As per the NHS UK, Lung Cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer, which has affected more than 43,000 people in UK, annually.

In many cases there are no symptoms, however, you must look out for these:

• a persistent cough
• coughing up blood
• persistent breathlessness
• unexplained tiredness and weight loss
• an ache or pain when breathing or coughing

When cancer begins in the lungs, it is referred to as primary lung cancer. In contrast, if cancer originates elsewhere in the body and spreads to the lungs, it is known as secondary lung cancer. This explanation focuses specifically on primary lung cancer.

Primary lung cancer is broadly categorized based on the type of cells where the cancer develops. The two main types are:

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common form, making up about 80–85% of all cases. NSCLC includes three subtypes:

• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma
• Large-cell carcinoma

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC): Less common than NSCLC, this type tends to grow and spread more quickly.

Understanding the type of lung cancer is essential for determining the appropriate treatment approach.

A new study titled The Global Flourishing Study, conducted by researchers from Baylor and Harvard universities have thrown light on the meaning of "flourishing" and how it does not mean being happy. The study has looked at how some countries are doing significantly better in terms of the broader sense of well-being than other countries. The study is based on responses from over 207,000 participants across 22 countries and Hong Kong. The study also assessed six core aspects of flourishing, which includes happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial stability.

What Does Being "Flourished" Really Mean?

While there are traditional happiness indexes that measures an individual's or a group's subjective well-being or happiness, the study about being "flourished" includes not just how happy people feel, but also their health. The study looks at whether people are leading a healthy life, whether they are mentally well and feel like they do have a purpose in life. The study also takes in account for strong relationships, acting with character and feeling financially secure.

The participants of this study were asked to respond to 12 key questions. They were aimed at measuring these components. The questions varied from "How satisfied are you with life?" to "Do you worry about meeting monthly expenses?"

Dr. Byron Johnson of Baylor University, who led the study, said the scale of the research is what makes it especially unique. “We are following 207,000 participants around the world in over 40 languages. This gives a voice to approximately 64% of the world’s population,” he explained.

Indonesia Leads, But Traditionally 'Happy' Nations Lag

The results too have been unexpected, unlike what we seen in the happiness indexes. Countries which were often seen as happy in global rankings did not perform as well when it came to flourishing. Indonesia, however, topped the list, followed by Mexico and the Philippines. However, nations like Sweden and the United States, which are usually high ranking in the World Happiness Report, were found to be average in terms of flourishing.

Interestingly, some of the most flourishing countries, such as Nigeria and Indonesia, did not make it to the top 20 in the World Happiness Report, indicating a crucial distinction between simple happiness and a deeper sense of well-being.

Youth Is Struggling

One of the most concerning findings of the study was that flourishing tends to increase with age. According to Dr. Tyler VanderWeele of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, young people across most countries reported the lowest levels of flourishing, often citing a lack of purpose.

"In most countries, the youngest individuals are the ones struggling the most,” VanderWeele noted. However, there were exceptions—Tanzania and Poland showed relatively better flourishing scores among their younger populations.

The researchers suggest that in more developed countries, increased competition, job stress, and social comparison may be contributing to this generational dip. “Young people are telling us something is wrong,” added Felix Cheung, a co-author of a separate study in the World Happiness Report.

Rich, Not Flourishing

While wealthier countries usually scored higher in the financial security section, they lacked in the sections where they were asked questions on meaning and relationships.

This gap has raised questions about modern development. “How can we carry out economic growth without compromising meaning and relationships?” VanderWeele asked.

In contrast, countries with fewer economic resources but stronger community bonds and clearer cultural or spiritual values often performed better on overall flourishing metrics.

According to researchers, people can take active steps to improve their own flourishing. VanderWeele shared how one participant, after reflecting on the study’s 12 questions, decided to volunteer to find greater purpose. “Flourishing can be guided by reflection,” he said.

Still, systemic issues like conflict, inequality, and poor governance remain significant barriers. As Cheung summed it up: “When one person is unhappy, that’s an individual issue. But when a population isn’t happy, that’s a structural problem—and it requires structural solutions.”

A new ketamine-like nasal spray will soon be available at a subsidised cost in Australia to help thousands living with treatment-resistant depression. The medication, called Spravato (esketamine), has been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), marking a significant shift in how the country approaches difficult-to-treat mental health conditions.

What Is Esketamine and How Does It Work?

Esketamine is chemically related to ketamine, a well-known anaesthetic that gained notoriety for recreational use in rave culture. However, in controlled medical settings, this compound is offering new hope for patients who have not responded to traditional antidepressants.

Unlike older medications that target serotonin – a “feel-good” chemical in the brain – esketamine works on a different neurotransmitter called glutamate. This chemical is believed to play a key role in restoring neural connections that influence mood regulation. The result is often a much faster response, with some patients feeling relief within hours instead of weeks or months.

Why It Matters: A Breakthrough After Decades

Esketamine is the first government-funded drug for major depression in over 30 years that works via a new mechanism. While most antidepressants developed since the 1980s have focused on serotonin or other monoamines, esketamine offers an alternative path by targeting glutamate and related brain circuits.

For those who have tried multiple medications without success, this drug represents a long-awaited option. Clinical trials in Australia show that nearly 50% of patients with treatment-resistant depression reported significant improvement after using esketamine.

Who Can Access It and What Will It Cost?

Starting Thursday, up to 30,000 Australians will be able to access Spravato through the PBS. Patients will pay $31.60 per dose, or $7.70 for pensioners and concession card holders. However, this does not include additional healthcare and administrative fees. Because of safety requirements, the drug must be administered under supervision at certified treatment centres, which will add to the overall cost.

Despite these extra expenses, making esketamine available through PBS is expected to reduce financial barriers and give more Australians access to potentially life-changing care.

Why Esketamine Stands Out

Since receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019, esketamine has been used in hospitals and clinics across America, particularly in emergency care for severe depression. Unlike some drugs that sedate or numb emotions, esketamine is reported to alleviate core depressive symptoms — including intense feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts — without dulling awareness.

Mental health experts say this rapid effect can be life-saving in critical cases where waiting for standard medications to take effect is not an option.

A Step Forward After Long Delays

The inclusion of Spravato in the PBS comes after a four-year wait and four separate funding submissions. The listing is seen as a major win for mental health advocates and patients who have pushed for broader access to advanced treatments.

While it may not work for everyone, esketamine opens a new chapter in treating depression — one focused on faster, more targeted relief for those who need it most.