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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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?
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
“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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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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Babies better protected from COVID if mother vaccinated during pregnancy: study
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
This finding suggests a greater transfer of maternal antibodies closer to birth, but more research is needed....
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New study shows natural immunity to COVID has enduring strength
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
“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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
“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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
“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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
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
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
There is still a lot of debate in the medical community about the need for boosters.