blood tests

Elizabeth Holmes, the convicted founder of the blood-testing startup Theranos, is reportedly set to be transferred from federal prison to a halfway home next year. The move would mark a new stage in her sentence for fraud, ahead of her eventual release. The report has drawn renewed attention to the case and debate over how her punishment compares with other white-collar offenders.

Italian health coverage is converging on blood sugar and cardiovascular risk. New research shows stress can send glucose test results sharply higher, while commentators stress that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are not enough without proper nutrition education. It comes as the European Commission launches its first EU Screening Week from Milan and issues new recommendations to member states, with cardiovascular diseases causing 1.7 million deaths a year in Europe.

A randomized, double-blind controlled trial tested 12 months of vitamin C supplementation in 109 people with precancerous or cancerous blood disorders who were not receiving chemotherapy. Researchers found that growth of (pre)cancerous cells was unchanged in the treatment group, though the supplemented group reported fewer cases of anemia. The findings suggest vitamin C does not halt disease progression but may offer modest supportive benefits.

A new study suggests long-standing medical advice to fast before blood tests may be unnecessary or wrong, questioning routine guidance given to patients before common blood work. The finding could change how doctors and clinics prepare patients for testing. Many are surprised that such a basic, widely accepted medical instruction is now being challenged by research.

Retension Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company based in Falls Church, Virginia, is planning an initial public offering. Proceeds would be used to advance the company's hypertension drug candidate through development. The move would give the small drug developer access to public markets to fund late-stage testing of its treatment for high blood pressure, a condition affecting a large share of adults.

Dallas police have made an arrest in a murder case that went unsolved for 33 years, with blood found on a wall serving as the key evidence linking a suspect to the killing. The breakthrough highlights how advances in forensic testing can revive decades-old cold cases and bring charges long after the crime occurred.

Lori Brisbin, MS, MLS, discusses how liquid biopsies are changing precision medicine. The blood-based tests, which detect tumor DNA and other biomarkers without invasive procedures, are increasingly used to diagnose cancers, guide treatment choices, and monitor disease. Commentators in managed care circles are weighing the technology's clinical benefits against questions of cost, reimbursement, and broader adoption in routine practice.

Nathan Fielder's documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes screened at the New York Film Festival, drawing a lively, packed audience and early press attention. The Hollywood Reporter described the screening as raucous and revealing, suggesting the film offers new insight into Holmes and the fraud that toppled her blood-testing startup.

Charles Kelley, a member of the country trio Lady A, has revealed he has been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. The singer said the discovery came after what he described as a random health concern prompted doctors to run tests, leading to the diagnosis. Fans and fellow country artists have been reacting with messages of support and well wishes following the announcement.

New blood tests that could predict Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms appear are generating excitement among people worried about dementia. But doctors caution the tests are not yet ready for widespread use, and stress that lowering dementia risk does not depend on a blood test. Experts recommend focusing on proven prevention steps while the testing technology matures and awaits validation.