The Top 10 Stories of August

From stem cell therapy breakthroughs to a national emergency declaration, August has been a month of peaks and valleys in the scope of healthcare.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alone made headlines. They approved a type 2 diabetes and obesity drug for cardiovascular risks associated with the condition. They partnered with their European peers. And, for the third time in 5 years, they rebuffed the advances of a potential Hepatitis B vaccine.

For all other major headlines you may have missed, we at MD Magazine compiled a list of the most popular stories of the month for some last-minute summer reading:

Botox Alternative Considered for Pain Therapy Treatment

Botulinum neurotoxin serotype E, a potential alternative to BOTOX for frown line treatment, will be using Phase II trial data to set dosing for Phase II pain therapy indication studies in 2 models.

What Is The Most Cost-Effective HCV Drug Regimen?

A new cost-effectiveness study has distinguished between the 6 oral DAA regimens recommended for treating chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection and the 4 regimens for treating genotype 4.

Opioid Threat Grows to National Emergency, Study Shows Mortality Rates Are Even Worse

"With approximately 142 Americans dying every day, America is enduring a death toll equal to September 11th every three weeks."

Biomarker May Allow for Type 1 Diabetes Stem Cell Therapy

Scientists in Denmark say they’re one step closer to developing a stem-cell therapy that could eventually allow patients with type 1 diabetes to be insulin independent again.

Misery Loves Company: How Suicidal Behavior Spreads in Army Units and Beyond

"The findings indicate that when a suicide attempt occurs in a unit, there is increased risk of another suicide attempt.”

Study: Exercise Combats Multiple Sclerosis Brain Atrophy

Researchers re-evaluated previous work that showed progressive resistance training’s counteraction to brain atrophy in MS patients.

Older Asthmatics More Likely to Die from Symptoms, Less Likely to Be Studied

"There has been very little research done to date on asthma in the elderly, and we need to address whether current guidelines apply in this population or whether alternative strategies should be taken."

Which Cleaning Methods Best Eradicate C. difficile?

The researchers purposely contaminated tiles using a test solution with the specific C. difficile strains. The investigators allowed the tiles to dry for an hour and then were wiped or sprayed with one of the test products.

Viral Hepatitis Up to 10 Times More Likely in Indigenous Populations

“This proves that vaccination in the indigenous population can have a very large impact on the disease burden."

Study Highlights Promise, Questions in Quest for Stem Cell-based MS Treatments

A promising report from India appears to bolster the case that stem cell therapies might one day reverse the progression of multiple sclerosis, but experts say there remain many more questions than answers when it comes to the potential treatment option.