Damian McNamara is a journalist for Medscape Medical News and MDedge. He worked full-time for MDedge as the Miami Bureau covering a dozen medical specialties during 2001-2012, then as a freelancer for Medscape and MDedge, before being hired on staff by Medscape in 2018. Now the two companies are one. He uses what he learned in school – Damian has a BS in chemistry and an MS in science, health and environmental reporting/journalism. He works out of a home office in Miami, with a 100-pound chocolate lab known to snore under his desk during work hours.
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Almost 60% of U.S. population has been infected by COVID-19: CDC
This is the first time the seroprevalence of prior infection is more than 50% in the American population.
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Moderna reports positive COVID-19 vaccine response in kids down to 6 months
Vaccine efficacy against infection was 43.7% in children aged 6 months to 2 years and 37.5% among children aged 2-6 years, the new data from its...
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French fries vs. almonds every day for a month: What changes?
“The take-home is if you like almonds, eat some almonds. If you like potatoes, eat some potatoes, but don’t overeat either.”
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Two studies shed light on IBD treatment after anti-TNF failure
Separate studies compared vedolizumab to tofacitinib in ulcerative colitis and to ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease.
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Robust immune response after COVID-19 boosters in those with IBD
Data support an additional vaccine dose of mRNA vaccine in patients at risk for an inadequate response to the initial series, says expert.
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Meta-analysis favors SubQ infliximab biosimilar over vedolizumab in Crohn’s disease
Researchers evaluated results of seven major studies to compare efficacy and safety of the two agents in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis....
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New study shows natural immunity to COVID has enduring strength
“The study involved only the early COVID strains – it has no information on either the Delta or Omicron variants.”
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Pollutants tied to changes in ratio of boys to girls born
The mechanism remains unknown, but the investigators suggested that female embryo pregnancies may end early in development, driving the SRB up.
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Pfizer asks FDA to authorize COVID vaccine for kids 5-11
Participants in the studies received a lower dose of the vaccine, 10 micrograms.
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Study finds paying people to participate in clinical trials is not unethical
Researchers examine how varying cash incentives affect clinical trial recruitment, assessment of risk, and perception of coercion.
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Booster shot back-and-forth creates uncertainty, confusion
“I take care of a fair number of folks...including the elderly and healthcare professionals. They are already asking for the booster.”
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Top questions answered about COVID-19 boosters for your patients
“The biggest concerns are that everyone wants it and they don’t know where to get it.”
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Gut microbiome could make weight loss easier for some
Researchers found that the gut microbiome - the bacteria that help digest food and absorb nutrients in the intestines - can influence attempts at...
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New Moderna vaccine data ‘support’ booster shot after 8 months
There is still a lot of debate in the medical community about the need for boosters.