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Dr. Barry Dworkin

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    • Health Headlines
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  • New antibiotic kills drug-resistant bacteria by targeting previously unknown vulnerability

    June 8, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for June 8, 2026 Source:New antibiotic kills drug-resistant bacteria by targeting previously unknown vulnerability Reference: A natural depsipeptide antibiotic binds the E-site of the bacterial ribosome

  • The mechanism of why statin medications can cause muscles aches has been outlined but this pathway is found in a minority of patients so other reasons remain elusive.

    June 3, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for June 3, 2026 Source:A Painful Side Effect of Statins Explained After Decades of Mystery Reference:Structural basis for simvastatin-induced skeletal muscle weakness associated with type 1 ryanodine receptor T4709M mutation

  • New medication for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer increases median overall survival from 6.7 to 13.2 months.

    June 1, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for June 1, 2026 Source:‘I actually started crying’: Oncologist reacts to pancreatic cancer drug results Synopsis of the article and study: Benefits: Doubled survival, oral convenience, targeted action, manageable side effects. Limitations: Grade 3+ adverse events in about one-third of patients; still experimental, not yet fully approved; tested in advanced cases post-chemo.

  • Beta-blockers, taken by millions after a heart attack, found to be ineffective for people with uncomplicated heart attacks (normal heart function thereafter) and presents increased risk of harm to women. Changes to management likely in the works for this population.

    May 27, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 27, 2026 Source:Common heart drug taken by millions found useless — and possibly dangerous Reference:Beta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction without Reduced Ejection Fraction Beta-blockers after myocardial infarction: effects according to sex in the REBOOT trial

  • Observational study noted that patients with diabetes and obesity using GLP-1 medications may experience reduced degree of metastases. Causality confirmation and mechanisms to be determined.

    May 25, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 25, 2026 Source:GLP-1 Users May Experience A Surprising Life-Saving Benefit That Has Nothing To Do With Weight Loss

  • Science gets closer to understanding how a psychedelic trip changes the brain

    May 6, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 6, 2026 Source:Science gets closer to understanding how a psychedelic trip changes the brain

  • Ex Vivo Study Examines an Invented Chewing Gum That Might Help Fight Oral Cancers Caused by HPV….. Some Day, Maybe.

    May 1, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 1, 2026 Source:Scientists Invented a Chewing Gum That Might Help Fight Cancer Some Day Reference:Ex vivo HNSCC clinical studies using saliva and antiviral or antibacterial chewing gums reveal reduction in carcinogenic microbes

  • Large observational study finds correlation between prenatal cholesterol-disrupting meds and higher autism rates; causation not proven.

    April 21, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for April 21, 2026 Source:Millions of US birth records uncover an autism risk surge tied to common drugs taken during pregnancy Reference:Sterol pathway disruption in pregnancy: a link to autism

  • Scientists finally crack mystery of rare COVID adenovirus vaccine blood clots

    April 15, 2026

    Medical Mythbusting Commentary for April 15, 2026 Source:Scientists finally crack mystery of rare COVID vaccine blood clots Reference:Adenoviral Inciting Antigen and Somatic Hypermutation in VITT

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