Sleep Quality Shapes Jealousy

IN THE NEWS:
RFK JR. Fires Vaccine Panel, Reveals New Picks

One day after he fired the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) 17 person vaccine recommendation panel, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced several replacements. On Monday RFK Jr. explained his termination action in the Opinion section of the Wall Street Journal. The eight new members include the secretary's allies, several of whom have records of vaccine skepticism and spreading misinformation. CBS News takes a closer look at these changes.

PATIENT SAFETY:
Medtronic Recalls Ventilators Due To Complications

Medtronic has issued a voluntary recall for its Puritan Bennett 980 series ventilators due to a serious manufacturing defect. MedTech Dive reports the recall comes more than one year after Medtronic announced it would exit the ventilator market.

This malfunction poses a significant risk to patients who rely on these machines for breathing support, potentially leading to dangerously low oxygen levels or increased carbon dioxide in the blood, which can cause severe injury or even death.

This recall affects 278 ventilators distributed globally, with about 135 still in use in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this as a Class I recall, the most severe type, indicating that the defect could cause serious harm. Medtronic began notifying customers in early November and has been scheduling repairs to fix the issue. This is not the first time the PB 980 series has faced recalls; previous problems included software glitches and air delivery issues, highlighting ongoing reliability concerns with these ventilators.

The recall underscores the importance of vigilance in medical device safety, especially for equipment as critical as ventilators that support breathing in vulnerable patients. Medtronic and the FDA continue to monitor the situation closely.

PUBLIC HEALTH:
Limits On Non-Physicians From Practice Investing

Oregon has just taken a bold step to keep healthcare focused on patients rather than profits. The state passed Senate Bill 951, which places the nation’s strictest limits on private equity and corporate control of medical practices. Under the new law, physicians must own at least 51% of medical practices, closing loopholes that allowed corporations to control clinics by employing doctors who were nominal owners on paper but had little real involvement. The law also bans non-compete agreements that restricted doctors from moving to other practices, aiming to protect physician autonomy and patient care quality.

Other states have also passed laws bolstering oversight of healthcare deals this year including Massachusetts, New Mexico, Indiana and Washington. However, upon signing, Oregon’s law became the nation’s strictest limits on corporate influence in healthcare.

This legislation in Oregon was largely driven by concerns over corporate takeovers like Optum’s acquisition of the Oregon Medical Group, which led to physician departures after imposing noncompete contracts. The Oregon chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (OR-ACEP) strongly supported the bill, emphasizing that clinical decisions should always be made by doctors, not corporate shareholders. They highlighted how corporate interference contributes to physician burnout and workforce shortages, ultimately harming patient care.

The law also limits corporate influence on physician staffing, compensation, and management, reinforcing the doctor-patient relationship as central to medicine. While hospitals, tribal health facilities, behavioral health programs, and crisis lines are exempt from the new rules, the legislation applies broadly to primary care and specialty clinics. The bill includes a three-year transition period for clinics to comply.

MICROBIOME:
Oral-Gut Bacteria Linked To Dementia In Parkinson’s

Researchers at King’s College London have uncovered a fascinating connection between bacteria in the mouth and gut and the progression of cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease. Their study found that harmful bacteria from the mouth may migrate to the gut during a process called “oral-gut translocation” where these microbes release toxins that can trigger inflammation and potentially damage brain function. This discovery sheds light on how changes in the microbiome might contribute to the shift from mild memory problems to dementia in Parkinson’s patients, a condition affecting about one-third of those with the disease.

Using artificial intelligence, the team analyzed 228 saliva and stool samples from Parkinson’s patients at different cognitive stages and healthy controls. They identified specific bacterial toxins linked to worsening symptoms, suggesting these could serve as early warning markers for dementia risk. While it’s not yet clear if the bacteria directly cause cognitive decline or simply flourish due to Parkinson’s progression, the findings open the door to new diagnostic tools and targeted treatments aimed at altering the gut environment to protect brain health.

What’s especially exciting is the potential for practical interventions. The researchers emphasize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and gut health through diet and possibly probiotics as ways to slow neurodegeneration. This study highlights how something as everyday as dental care could play a role in managing Parkinson’s disease and its cognitive symptoms.

Read the full study here.

DIGESTIVE HEALTH:
Diverticulitis Is Common By Age 80, What Is It?

Most people develop diverticulosis as they age, especially by the time they reach 80, with up to 70-80% of elderly individuals having these small pouches, called diverticula, in their colon. These pouches form when weak spots in the colon wall bulge out, often due to increased pressure inside the colon.

Diverticulosis itself usually causes no symptoms and is often discovered by chance during medical exams like colonoscopies. However, about one in five people with diverticulosis can develop diverticular disease, which includes symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. In some cases, the diverticula can become inflamed, leading to diverticulitis, which can cause severe pain, fever, and sometimes serious complications like abscesses or perforation of the colon.

The exact cause of diverticulosis is not fully understood, but factors like aging, low-fiber diets, obesity, and smoking increase the risk of developing symptomatic disease. While most people with diverticulosis remain symptom-free, those who develop diverticulitis may require medical treatment or surgery depending on severity. Managing diet and lifestyle can help reduce risks, but the condition is common and often just part of aging in industrialized countries.

The Patient Advocate has published a number of health trackers including ‘Wellness Diary for Digestive Discomfort’ which can help you better manage lifestyle factors with the aim of working alongside clinicians for better quality of life. More about the Wellness Diary can be found at Stan Store.

SLEEP:
Study: Sleep Quality Shapes Jealousy

A new study presented at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s (AASM) SLEEP 2025 conference reveals an intriguing link between sleep quality and relationship emotions, especially jealousy. Researchers found that people with anxious attachment styles meaning those who often feel insecure and fear abandonment in relationships, tend to have poorer sleep quality. More importantly, when these individuals don’t sleep well, they experience heightened feelings of jealousy during the day. This connection, however, was not seen in people without such attachment anxiety, suggesting that how we emotionally relate to others shapes how sleep affects us.

The study involved 68 young adults who completed questionnaires about their sleep and relationships, along with daily reports of their emotional experiences over two weeks. The results showed poor sleep didn’t cause negative emotions across the board but specifically intensified jealousy in those with insecure attachment. This means that sleep deprivation can make it harder for people who already struggle with trust and self-esteem in relationships to manage feelings like envy and jealousy.

These findings highlight the complex interplay between sleep and emotional health in relationships. They suggest that interventions to improve sleep might be more effective if tailored to a person’s attachment style, especially for those prone to insecurity. Since the American Academy of Sleep Medicine *AASM) recommends adults get at least seven hours of quality sleep regularly, addressing sleep issues could be a key step toward healthier, less jealous relationships for those vulnerable to attachment anxiety.

Read the full study here.