|
EVERYTHING
Ultrasounds in Space
What: Gynecological ultrasounds in space: it's possible! A study in Obstetrics & Gynecology tested a woman giving herself an abdominal ultrasound while on a flight that created periods of weightlessness, like one would feel in space. The technology could be crucial in diagnosing and managing gynecologic emergencies during space missions.
Key Line: "Gynecologic emergencies are a leading cause of hospital admissions on Earth and could present significant risks in austere environments, including space travel, where emergencies need to be managed autonomously. ...Notably, upcoming missions aim to increase female participation in space exploration, including all-female astronaut crews and the first female astronaut to fly to the moon as part of the Artemis program. Given these developments, it is crucial for space missions, particularly those of longer durations, to establish well-defined protocols for addressing potential gynecologic emergencies."
Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology
MENSTRUATION
Reusable Menstrual Products Full of PFAS
What: A study published last week in an environmental science journal found high levels of toxic chemicals known as PFAS in some reusable menstrual products, with potential long-term health risks including cancer and fertility issues. Manufacturer names were not included in the study, but authors said the majority were in the United States.
Key Line: "What’s shocking is that we found 33% of period underwear and 25% of reusable pads had intentional PFAS use — meaning the chemicals had been put there, likely to keep the products from leaking,' Peaslee said."
Source: CNN
BIRTH CONTROL
The Trump Admin Really Is Lighting $10 Million in Contraceptives on Fire
What: NPR confirms a story we included last week about the Trump administration destroying nearly $10 million worth of contraceptives intended for low-income countries. Humanitarian groups tried to buy the products, but the State Department confirmed they will spend $167,000 to incinerate them, citing policies that prevent federal funds from going towards abortion services. But there are no abortion pills in the stockpile.
Key Line: "The kinds of products in the stockpile — like birth control pills and implantable birth control — are meant to work before fertilization to prevent a pregnancy from occurring in the first place. But in its statement to NPR, the State Department referred to them as 'abortifacient birth control commodities' — referring to substances that cause the termination of a pregnancy."
Source: NPR
ABORTION ACCESS
Texas Moves to Enforce Judgment Against New York Doctor Over Abortion Pills
What: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked a New York state court to force Dr. Margaret Carpenter to pay a $100,000 judgement against her for sending abortion pills to Texas. But Bew York state has a "shield law", which aims to protect prescribers from abortion ban states' legal actions. This move officially takes the matter to court.
Key Line: "The case could set statewide precedent in New York and could embolden Paxton and other Republican attorneys general to prosecute other out-of-state doctors who prescribe abortion drugs.
Source: Reuters
ONCOLOGY
AI Helps Detect Cervical Cancer Risks
What: A study found AI significantly increased the detection of cervical cancer or precancerous cervical cells. In a group of 825 women, traditional (just human) methods flagged 392 women, versus 640 using AI-enhanced methods.
Key Line: "Artificial intelligence–assisted colposcopy enhances sensitivity in detecting CIN 2+ and CIN 3+, particularly among postmenopausal women. Moreover, it improves the diagnostic performance of junior colposcopists and improves detection in women with a squamocolumnar junction that is not visible."
Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology
|