Prostate Cancer (Credit: Canva)
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the US, besides skin cancer. Worldwide, it is the 4th most common form of cancer. While it is treatable, it leaves a risk of erectile dysfunction.
However, surgeons in Texas, US performed a groundbreaking surgical milestone when they successfully performed the world's first dual-robotic surgery to remove a prostate gland. The dual-robotic method reduces the number of incisions, leading to less pain, faster recovery, fewer complications, and minimal scarring. This groundbreaking approach, aimed at preserving nerves essential for erectile and urinary functions, has ushered in a new era of hope for medical science.
"We’ve incorporated magnetic technology that enhances tissue retraction and visualization," said Dr. Alberto Rodriguez-Navarro, founder and CEO of Levita Magnetics (the surgical system used). "For prostate surgeries, this allows the surgeon to see and preserve nerve bundles critical for preventing urinary incontinence and maintaining sexual function," he added.
Surgery Was Performed On A 67-Year-old
Dr Jeffrey Cadeddu, a urologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, utilized the da Vinci single port robotic system and Levita’s MARS platform technology to perform a robotic prostatectomy on a 67-year-old man with Stage 2 prostate cancer. The procedure involved making a single small incision in the abdomen to insert surgical tools and a camera.
"The da Vinci system provides deep access to tissue with centralized instruments, while the MARS platform uses magnetic forces for precise tissue manipulation," Dr Cadeddu told a media organization. "In this procedure, one robot managed tissue retraction, and the other controlled cutting tools, creating a seamless integration of technologies.”
This approach marks a shift in robotic surgeries, with technologies from different manufacturers working in tandem for enhanced precision. The MARS system, launched in 2023, has already been used for weight-loss surgeries, gallbladder removals, and colorectal procedures.
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Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when malignant cells form in the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer treatment guidelines have shifted their path a bit in recent years, with many men opting for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment for slow-growing tumours. However, about 50% of men on "watchful waiting" will require further treatment within 5 years because of the tumour progression. This is what triggered many researchers to aim and identify whether dietary modifications, specifically increasing omega-3 fatty acids, could prolong this surveillance period and slow down the tumour progression.
Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:
Credits: Canva
The latest state to join the measles outbreak, which has been ongoing for quite some time now in the United States, is Kentucky. It has declared the outbreak, and has been confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday. So far, there has been a total of 1,267 confirmed cases of measles this year, nationwide.
For now, five active measles cases have been detected in Kentucky, and four of these are linked to the same outbreak.
"When there are measles outbreaks in other states and nearby countries, it is not surprising to see spread to Kentucky," Steven Stack, M.D., secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said in a statement. "Measles can be very serious, but it is avoidable through vaccination. We urge all parents to have their children vaccinated to ensure they are protected from preventable diseases like measles."
The CDC defines an outbreak as at least three related cases, and so far in 2025, 27 such outbreaks have been reported. Of them, 88% of the confirmed cases, which means 1,115 cases out of 1,267, are linked with the ongoing outbreak. In 2024, a total of 285 measles cases were reported by 33 jurisdictions, resulting in 16 outbreaks.
Since the late winter of 2024 till spring of 2025, Texas witnessed the country's largest outbreak, and three additional cases were reported this week. The case count in Texas now totals 753 since late January.
Last week, the New Mexico Department of Health reported five measles cases at the Luna County Detention Center in Deming. Officials are currently determining the vaccination status of people being held at the facility.
"The cases at Luna County Detention Center are a stark reminder that the measles outbreak in New Mexico is not over," Chad Smelser, M.D., a medical epidemiologist with the New Mexico Department of Health, said in a statement. "We urge everyone in New Mexico, especially Luna County residents, to ensure that they are fully vaccinated against measles."
So far, from the measles cases in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, three deaths have been reported. Among them, two were elementary school-aged children from the West Texas epicenter, and one was an adult in New Mexico. All of them were unvaccinated.
The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine as the "best way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella". For children, it recommends two doses of MMRV.
The MMR vaccine is a combination of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, while the MMRV is a combination of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines.
In the US, two MMR vaccines are available for use, including M-M-R II, and PRIORIX. For MMRV, the vaccine is only licensed for children who are 12 months through 12 years of age. The first dose is usually administered between the ages of 12 to 15 months, while the second dose is administered between the ages of 4 to 6.
For older children, adolescents and adults, the two doses of MMR vaccines should be separated by at least 28 days.
CDC notes that it is a highly contagious virus, which means if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will also become infected. As per the Mayo Clinic, measles is caused by the measles virus, which can spread through an infected person's cough, sneeze, or even during conversations.
Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:
Credits: Instagram
Netflix and adult film star Kylie Page's sudden death just at the age of 28 has come has a shock for the entertainment industry and her family. She was found dead at her apartment on June 25 after a friend called the cops when the friend was unable to reach her.
By the time the fire department arrived at her Hollywood residence, she had already been pronounced dead.
"The Brazzers team is deeply saddened to learn of Kylie Page’s passing,” the company said in a statement on X. “Kylie will be remembered for her laughter, kindness, and bringing light wherever she went. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Kylie’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.”
In case of Page, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia was found in her home.
As per the Edge Treatment Center that is licensed by the California State Department of Health Care Services, and US federal law, drug paraphernalia is any device, item, or component of any type which is mainly meant or crafted for the purpose of production, compounding, transforming, obscuring, generating, processing, prepping, injecting, inhaling, consuming, or otherwise including a banned drug into our bodies.
As per the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.
It is also known as Apace, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, and by other various names. It can be consumed through snorting, sniffing, smoking, or orally by pill or tablet. It could also be spiked onto blotter paper, patches or sold alone or in combination with heroin and other substances.
As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, US, Fentanyl and other illegally produced synthetic opioids have played a major role in the overdose crisis in the United States since 2013.
Since about 2017, overdose deaths often involve use of multiple drugs. In many cases, fentanyl is one of these drugs. When fentanyl is mixed with other drugs, either on purpose or unknowingly, the combination can have more serious health effects.
Like other opioid pain relievers, fentanyl can cause a range of effects including relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, constricted pupils, and slowed breathing.
In cases of overdose, symptoms may include stupor, altered pupil size, cold and clammy skin, bluish discoloration (cyanosis), coma, and respiratory failure, which can be fatal. A combination of coma, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory depression is a strong indicator of opioid intoxication.
Credits: Canva
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a significant update to the labeling of all extended-release medications used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The change specifically targets the use of these drugs in children younger than six, warning about the risk of weight loss and other adverse reactions.
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that typically begins in childhood. It is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can interfere with a child's development and daily functioning. Treatment usually involves a combination of behavioral therapy and medication, including stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate.
Although extended-release stimulants are not approved for use in children under six, the FDA notes that healthcare professionals sometimes prescribe them “off-label” to younger patients. This is typically done in cases where other treatments have failed or when symptoms are especially severe. However, the FDA warns that clinical trials have shown young children process these drugs differently from older children, often resulting in higher concentrations of the medication in the body.
These higher drug levels have been associated with an increased likelihood of side effects, including clinically significant weight loss. As a result, the FDA is requiring drug manufacturers to include a new “Limitation of Use” section in the prescribing information for all extended-release stimulant medications.
This section will outline the risks specific to children under six, including:
For young children already taking extended-release ADHD stimulants, the FDA advises healthcare providers to closely monitor the patient’s growth and development. Pediatricians should regularly chart weight and height to detect early signs of weight loss. If weight loss becomes a concern, alternative treatments should be considered.
These may include:
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to stay alert for signs of weight loss in children taking extended-release stimulants. If any concerning changes in appetite or weight are noticed, it’s essential to consult the child’s pediatrician. The doctor can then weigh the benefits and potential harms of continuing the current medication and discuss safer alternatives if needed.
The FDA's move comes as part of its ongoing effort to improve pediatric medication safety and ensure that drug use in children is backed by evidence, especially when used outside of official guidelines.
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