Microsoft Mines Search Queries To Find Warning Signs To Cancer
The researchers focused on searches that indicated someone had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. From there, they worked backward, looking for earlier queries that could have shown that the user was experiencing symptoms before the diagnosis.
The New York Times:
Microsoft Finds Cancer Clues In Search Queries
Microsoft scientists have demonstrated that by analyzing large samples of search engine queries they may in some cases be able to identify internet users who are suffering from pancreatic cancer, even before they have received a diagnosis of the disease. The scientists said they hoped their work could lead to early detection of cancer. Their study was published on Tuesday in The Journal of Oncology Practice by Dr. Eric Horvitz and Dr. Ryen White, the Microsoft researchers, and John Paparrizos, a Columbia University graduate student. (Markoff, 6/7)
In other national health care news —
Stat:
Senate Panel Approves Funding Bill With Big Boost To Fight Opioid Epidemic
A key Senate panel approved a health funding bill Tuesday that would nearly double the federal support for fighting the nation’s opioid epidemic. The 2017 funding bill unveiled by Senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and Patty Murray of Washington, who head the subcommittee that oversees health spending, would increase spending for addressing opioid abuse to $261 million. That’s up $126 million from last year, a 93 percent increase. (Scott, 6/7)
The Associated Press:
Senate GOP Drops Push To 'Defund Obamacare'
Republicans controlling the Senate are abandoning an effort to use their power over the federal purse strings to block implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The more pragmatic approach came Tuesday on a huge $164 billion spending measure and reflects a hope by top Republicans like Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to remove veto bait from must-pass spending bills in hopes of advancing them more easily with Democratic support. (6/7)
The Hill:
AHIP Undergoes First Major Overhaul Since 2003
The top health insurance lobby on Tuesday announced an overhaul of its membership fees, less than one year after losing two of its biggest members. America’s Health Insurer’s Plans approved the first “major restructuring” since 2003, the group wrote at the bottom of a statement announcing its new chairmen. ... The powerful lobby, which worked closely on ObamaCare, has seen seen as losing clout. Over the last year, AHIP lost both UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest insurer, and Aetna, the second-largest. (Ferris, 6/7)
Reuters:
New Research Finds Low Risk Of Zika Virus At Olympics
New research attempting to calculate the risk of the Zika virus at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro may reassure organizers and many of the more than 500,000 athletes and fans expected to travel to the epicentre of the epidemic. Controversy about the global gathering in August has grown as more about the disease becomes known. The mosquito-borne virus can cause crippling birth defects and, in adults, has been linked to the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre. (Steenhuysen, 6/7)
The Washington Post:
New Blood Test May Be Able To Find Best Antidepressant Match, Study Says
British scientists took a major step toward bringing personalized medicine to mental health on Tuesday, announcing that they developed a blood test that can accurately predict whether you'll respond to the conventional, commonly prescribed antidepressants on the market. This is important because about half of patients who try them don't respond to first-line antidepressants and often spend months struggling to find the right drug. Doctors also have not had a lot of tools to help them create more personalized individual treatment plans. (Cha, 6/7)