The respiratory virus is a cold-like nuisance for most healthy people, but it can be life-threatening in the very young and the elderly.
Health
Soda sweetener aspartame now listed as possible cancer cause. But it’s still considered safe
Aspartame joins a category with more than 300 other possible cancer-causing agents, including things like aloe vera extract, Asian-style pickled vegetables and carpentry work. The guidance on use of the sweetener, though, isn’t changing.
First over-the-counter birth control pill gets FDA approval
U.S. officials cleared a once-a-day pill to be sold without a prescription, making it the first such medication to be moved out from behind the pharmacy counter.
Hospital facility fees to be investigated under new law
Legislation signed Tuesday by Gov. Janet Mills creates a task force to examine the fees, which also will be shared publicly.
Maine proposes dropping COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers
The state’s health department says the requirement achieved the intended benefit of savings lives, protecting health care capacity and limiting the spread of the virus. An industry that struggled with pandemic-era staffing shortages welcomes the change.
Yarmouth 10-year-old advocates for diabetes research funding at U.S. Senate hearing
Of the 160 children from around the U.S. and 5 countries who attended a hearing about funding for diabetes research, Maria Muayad was the only one who spoke to the committee.
FDA gives full approval for Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, and Medicare will pay for it
The Food and Drug Administration endorsed the IV drug, Leqembi, for patients with mild dementia and other symptoms caused by early Alzheimer’s disease.
MaineGeneral Health seeks to expand Augusta cancer center, with $36 million project up for review
Officials said the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care is seeing many more patients than anticipated when it was built, and demand for services is projected to continue increasing.
A daily pill may soon be available for treating obesity
Drugmaker Novo Nordisk plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the pills later this year.
Legislation aims to curb violence against Maine health care workers in emergency settings
As the bill awaits final passage, some advocates say there’s more to be done to prevent violence in health care settings.