This week we see that abortion rights continue to be a hot topic in the country with the FDA allowing abortion pills to be available at pharmacies Your Apple Watch may do more than just look cool (especially, when you don’t feel too cool) by measuring stress levels, the Covid-19 pandemic continues with yet another infectious Omicron variant and other top news!
In turbulent times, abortion pills may become available at your local pharmacy
As more states look to ban abortion, the FDA has stated that the country will allow abortion pills (mifepristone) to become an over the counter drug available at pharmacies. Pharmacies can apply to become distributors of the drug after which a person with a prescription will be able to purchase it. This move comes after significant turbulence over abortions rights post Roe vs. Wade overturn. To read more about the topic, click here.
Measuring stress through the Apple Watch
In a study conducted at the University of Waterloo, researchers have found that the commonly owned Apple Watch can be used as a tool to detect stress in its wearer. The latest series of the Apple Watch is able to track a person’s heart rhythm. This makes it able to track any irregular rhythm or heartbeat as well, which is an indicator of the body undergoing stress. To read more about the study, click here.
The pandemic that keeps going on
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is warning the public against yet another strain of the Covid-19 virus. Post-Christmas, a second wave of cases have hit the country, attributed to XBB. 1.5 Omicron variant. Over 40% of cases in the U.S. have been attributed to this strain and experts have found it to spread faster than other known variants of coronavirus. Read more here.
AstraZeneca taking manufacturing to Abu Dhabi
AstraZeneca has signed a partnership which will allow the pharma giant to manufacture therapies in Abu Dhabi. AstraZeneca has partnered with G42 Healthcare, an AI backed healthcare firm, for this purpose. This is in line with the Arab country’s wish to promote manufacturing in the country. Read more about the partnership here.
Pfizer cuts rare disease R&D
Pfizer has decided to opt out of early stage R&D of rare diseases as it states a move away from the development of novel therapies and early stage R&D as a whole. The company plans to shift to external innovation as opposed to internal innovation, in addition to focusing on the development of therapies in their late stages. Hemophilia therapies are an example of late stage research the company plans to continue with. Read more here.
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