February 7, 2020

Mayo Clinic in the News Weekly Highlights for February 7, 2020

By Emily Blahnik

CNBC, Mayo Clinic doctor: Coronavirus is ‘basically at a pandemic now’ and should be treated as such by Jessica Bursztynsky — Dr. Gregory Poland, director of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, told CNBC on Monday that the fast-spreading coronavirus is nearing pandemic status. “We’re basically at a pandemic now,” said Poland, regarding the deadly virus, which has currently been labeled as an epidemic. The difference between an epidemic and a pandemic is that a pandemic reaches a great number of people worldwide, compared with an epidemic, which sickens a large number of people locally. Additional coverage: Futurism, Express.co.uk, CNBC

FOX Business, Coronavirus can be spread before symptoms surface: Mayo Vaccine Research Group director by Maria Bartiromo — Mayo Vaccine Research Group director Dr. Gregory Poland discusses how the coronavirus is being spread and how it can be contained.

Bloomberg, There’s Another Virus Stalking America: It’s Called the Flu by Michelle Cortez — Gregory Poland, director of the Vaccine Research Group at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, lamented the low vaccination rates among Americans, especially pregnant women and children. This is especially frustrating because the vaccine that’s now being administered is well matched to the flu that’s circulating, he said. “Coronavirus isn’t a risk for the average American [or] for anyone who hasn’t traveled to China or been exposed to someone who has,’’ Poland said. “Their risk is influenza, and it’s substantial.’’ Additional coverage: Chicago Tribune

USA Today, Chicago man is first US case of person-to-person coronavirus spread by Grace Hauck —The woman, who is in her 60s, was hospitalized after being diagnosed with the illness following her return from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, on Jan. 13…"I’m not surprised by a sporadic second-generation case," said Greg Poland, director of the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group. "But everybody's holding their breath to see if we’ll have third or fourth generation cases. Did this spouse spread the virus?"

Los Angeles Times, Coronavirus symptoms: What to look for if you think you might be sick by Karen Kaplan — In general, adults need not be concerned about a fever unless their temperature hits 103 degrees F, according to the Mayo Clinic. Any fever in an infant or toddler, however, should be taken seriously.

NPR, Making Super Bowl Guacamole? Be Careful To Avoid The Pits Of An Avocado Hand Injury by Sophia Alvarez Boyd — Is it your turn to make the guacamole at the Super Bowl party this year? If so, be careful. You don't want to join the thousands of people who've ended up in an emergency room for avocado-related injuries. "These injuries are exceedingly common," says Dr. Matt Aizpuru of the Mayo Clinic. Aizpuru is the co-author of a 2019 study published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine that found that as avocado comsumption has gone up in America, so too have avocado-related knife injuries.

New York Times, Nike Vaporfly Shoes Avoid Olympics Ban by Matthew Futterman — The federation had been under intense pressure to deliver a ruling on the Vaporfly shoes before the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Regulating shoes, or any piece of equipment in sports that have many casual participants, can be a fraught exercise. “Based on what creative people might do in conjunction with the materials scientists, if the regulations are not done right there is going to be an ongoing cat and mouse game similar to what we see in golf and especially auto racing where the regulations are a starting point for tweaks, workarounds, and gamesmanship of the highest order,” said Michael Joyner, a physiologist at the Mayo Clinic.

Nature, How health research will support China’s ageing population by Sarah O’Meara — The government has also funded centres for basic and clinical ageing research, including the CAS Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration and the Aging Research Center at Peking University, both in Beijing. However, James Kirkland, head of the Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says that more commitment might be needed, given the size of the problem. “I think they’re on a knife-edge,” he says. “Is this going to be one of the scientific challenges they invest in heavily, or perhaps they’ll focus on another research area, such as some form of new space exploration? I don’t think they’ve made that key decision yet to push this kind of systems biology forward as a critical priority.”

Associated Press, Some hospitals wary as new liver transplant rules begin by Lauran Neergaard — “We’re hopeful this can make it more equal and help everybody who’s waiting,” said Dr. Julie Heimbach, a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon and past chair of UNOS' liver committee. Under the new policy, patients near death within 500 nautical miles (575 miles) of a donor hospital will be offered a matching liver first. If there are no takers, it will be offered next to progressively less sick patients at different distances within that circle. Additional coverage: ABC News, New York Times, Miami Herald, Yahoo! Lifestyle, Jacksonville Business Journal, KTAR-Radio

The Guardian, Could ‘young’ blood stop us getting old? by Zoe Corbyn — GDF11 is controversial. It has proved hard to replicate some of the regeneration findings, calling into question its use as a potential therapy. Nathan LeBrasseur, a scientist who studies ageing at the Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit academic medical centre in Minnesota, says his lab could not find that GDF11 changed with age. “I’m challenged to see a therapeutic opportunity,” he says. “For skeletal and cardiac muscle, I have not seen compelling evidence for a beneficial effect of GDF11 beyond the initial papers, and while there is a possibility of beneficial effects of GDF11 on the brain, preventing adverse effects on muscle or heart poses a challenge.”

Post-Bulletin, Find something unfamiliar in 'The Other Place by John Molseed — 'In the contemporary drama by Sharr White, Juliana, whose life takes a turn she didn’t expect, experiences similar moments of disorientation. Stafford’s experience helps her step into the challenging role that, in 2013, earned Laurie Metcalf multiple awards including a Tony nomination for her off-Broadway performance…Touching on health issues, the show is produced in partnership with Mayo Clinic.

Post-Bulletin, Getting an adequate amount of fiber has several health benefits — Dear Mayo Clinic: My doctor is recommending a trial of a gluten-free diet to see if my digestive symptoms improve. Can I still get enough fiber without eating bread and bran flakes? …It’s possible to get enough fiber, even without eating foods that you may typically associate with good sources of fiber, such as bran flakes and bread. And that’s important, because getting an adequate amount of fiber each day has several health benefits. — Dr. Kevin Ruff, Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Post-Bulletin, Three MN poets explore the body’s memory of illness, trauma by Anne Halliwell — …Taking race and gender into account in medical spaces -- especially given the impact of racism, sexism, and colonialism on people of color -- is hugely important, both for patients and their medical providers. “In the medical sense … it’s the importance of, when you’re seeing the the patient in front of you, taking that into account. Whatever ails us is also a product of the things that you’ve lived through, and that is a type of knowledge,” she said. After the performances, audience members will have a chance to ask questions in a Q&A. There will also be a panel of Mayo Clinic artists/students who’ll talk about the intersection of practicing medicine and using the body in art.

KAAL, Breaking down health care inequities in immigrant communities — Perhaps one of the more polarizing issues this election season is health care. Monday night, industry leaders came to the Med City to talk about health care injustices in local immigrant communities. Dr. Seth Holmes is a cultural and medical anthropologist and physician studying healthcare inequities at the University of California Berkeley… The forum was hosted by Community Health Service Inc. and co-sponsored by Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery and the University of Minnesota Rochester.

KAAL, "Pink in the Rink" hits close to home for the Grizzlies — The Rochester Grizzlies host their second annual "Pink in the Rink" game Saturday night, offering a special way for players to honor their loved ones. “Almost anybody you talk to is going to be affected by cancer.  So we want people to know that we’re doing this for the community and we’re doing this because it is so important," Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Matt Winthrop said. The proceeds from Saturday's game will go to Mayo Clinic. For the Grizzlies, they feel honored to help in the fight against cancer. Additional coverage: KIMT

KIMT, ‘Rally of the Restaurants’ is officially underway at Mayo Clinic’s Blood Donor Program by Madelyne Watkins — This is the first year of 'Rally of the Restaurants' at Mayo Clinic's Blood Donor Program. The restaurants participating are Newt's, Terza, Pescara, Chesters, The Loop, Smaok and Five West. if you want your favorite restaurant to win bragging rights and a plaque at the end of this, all you have to do is before you donate blood, tell the center where you want to pledge your donation to.

KIMT, Domestic airlines cancel flights to china as a coronavirus spreads by Jessica Bringe — A Mayo Clinic doctor and vaccine expert says while wearing a surgical mask isn't foolproof it can help stop the spread of illness. Dr. Gregory Poland explained, "If I'm infected and I cough I prevent those large respiratory droplets from being expelled into the air. It doesn't stop aerosolized virus and that's a key limitation of those masks." While there's still a lot to learn about the novel coronavirus Dr. Poland says there's no reason to panic at this point. However, if you're ill it's a good idea to practice "social distancing."

KIMT, International Packages unlikely to be carriers of the coronavirus, risk is ‘extremely low’ by Jessica Bringe — …While people are being closely monitored some worry our international packages are putting us at risk. Thankfully, Mayo Clinic vaccine research director Dr. Greg Poland says online shoppers shouldn’t worry. “The risk, if not zero, is extremely low,” said Dr. Poland. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stresses there is a very low risk of the virus spreading from products or packaging that are being shipped over a period of days or even weeks. Dr. Poland said, “Maybe up to 24 hours but certainly not in the days it would take to ship something from China.”

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, To Phenomix Sciences, crowdfunding is just one tool in the chest by Carrigan Miller — The Minnesota startup with the most upside, according to Business Journal readers, got that way partially because of crowdfunding. But that doesn't mean it would do it again. Phenomix Sciences, which Business Journal readers voted as the state's most promising startup of 2019, raised $288,547 last year from 125 investors on the equity crowdfunding site Wefunder. The company creates a blood test for people with obesity. The test helps people determine how best to lose weight and stay healthy based on an individual's genotype. Phenomix was founded by Dr. Andres Acosta, a professor and researcher at Mayo Clinic.

Star Tribune, Minnesota is often overlooked on a worldwide scale, but we have an amazing medical scene by Colin Kulstad — Despite fierce international growth and competition, most rankings still place Rochester-based Mayo Clinic as the world’s top-ranked nonprofit hospital; its global reputation is legendary. Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth remains the world’s largest health care company. And while the headquarters technically shifted across the pond, Medtronic remains the world’s largest medical device maker. And these are just some of the icons through which Minnesota remains hugely influential globally in the medical field.

Florida Times-Union, New Jacksonville lodge brings hope and relief to cancer patients and caregivers by Gabrielle Parzygnat — The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday on Mayo Clinic grounds. The facility provides free housing to cancer patients receiving treatment as well as a caregiver…“This is a very special place in the heart of our family,” said the center’s main benefactor, Richard M. Schulze, founder of Best Buy…Cancer won its battle over Sandy Schulze in 2001. Since then, Schulze has helped build five Hope Lodges in Rochester, Minn., Minneapolis, Tampa, Houston and now Jacksonville. The American Cancer Society and Mayo Clinic are also partners. “Mayo Clinic patients’ need for facilities like this will only grow,” said Kent Thielen, CEO of Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. Additional coverage: Action News Jax, WJXT

Florida Times-Union, Donna Marathon study to assess cancer survivors’ fight with fatigue by Clayton Freeman — Mayo Clinic is hoping to sign up Donna Marathon runners for a study on breast cancer survivors and exercise. For survivors of breast cancer, the Donna Marathon means a chance to celebrate recovery. This time, some of them will be helping others in the future along the same road. Some of the runners take on the 26.2-mile run through the Beaches on Sunday morning may later be participants in a Mayo Clinic study aimed at gathering further information about breast cancer treatment and its effects on physical endurance.

Action News Jax, Local cervical cancer survivor spreading awareness for disease by Meghan Moriarty — January is the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. LaTasha Bostick has used the past 31 days to share her story about her battle with cervical cancer. “I have to speak up,” LaTasha Bostick said. “I have to be a voice for the women who no longer have a voice.“…Bostick was treated at UF Health and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. She was finally able to call herself a cancer survivor in 2013.

WJCT Florida, Genome: Unlocking Life's Code ; Sadowski Trust Fund; Geriatric Toothfairy; Prati Italia by Peter Hoban — Do you have your mother's dimples? Or your father's hairline? What makes us, us? And how much of it sets us apart from every other living thing on Earth? Genome: Unlocking Life's Code begins to unravel the mystery behind the complete set of instructions needed for every living thing on Earth to grow and function: the genome.  It’s a collaboration between Mayo Clinic and the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).

South Florida Reporter, Early Detection Of Women’s Vascular Health Issues Can Affect Heart Disease Risk — Mayo Clinic researchers, in collaboration with international investigators, suggest a new approach of evaluating vascular function earlier in women, starting in middle age before arterial damage becomes severe. Amir Lerman, M.D., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, is senior investigator on the study. This study, “Endothelial Vascular Function as a Surrogate of Vascular Risk and Aging in Women,” was recently published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Arizona Republic, An Arizona family's emotional reunion is in a Super Bowl Budweiser ad. Here's how to watch by Kimi Robinson — In 2014, Arizona father and son Bernie and Mason Miller went viral and made headlines with a video titled “Dad breaks down when son returns home early from Afghanistan.” When Mason Miller returned early to Peoria from his combat tour with the U.S. Army, he set out to surprise his dad, mom and sister at work with the help of neighbor Scott Kelley. Kelley, who also served in Afghanistan, offered to record the reunions. Bernie Miller was in a meeting at Mayo Clinic Hospital in north Phoenix when Mason knocked on his office door. His disbelief is captured on camera as he starts crying and hugs his son for nearly a minute.

KPNX Phoenix, Paralyzed Marine defies the odds and walks Rich Prange — “It was the greatest thing I probably have ever done in my life,serve this country,” said Scott Flansbaum….Flansbaum served four years in the Marine Corps right out of high school.  He sometimes had to hike 30 miles with all that gear. Long after his service, that stress still bore down on his neck and back…He tried all kinds of ways to manage the back pain, including epidural shots, but in August of 2018, one of those shots led to something truly debilitating. “Three hours later I'm paralyzed from the chest down fighting for my life,” said Flansbaum. Flansbaum was rushed to the Mayo Clinic, where surgeons were able to save his life and regain some his mobility, but the road to recovery hasn’t been easy.

Mankato Free Press, Our View — …Thumbs up to Mayo Clinic Health System for increasing the number of midwives at the Mankato hospital. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says the OB-GYN staffing shortage is already in the thousands in the U.S. and shortages will continue to grow in a job that has high stress and unpredictable hours. Mayo has already been using more midwives at its La Crosse, Wisconsin, location. Mankato will double the number of midwives in Mankato from two to four to help alleviate some of the pressure on OB-GYNs.

Owatonna People’s Press, Area law enforcement joins with Mayo, MNSU to talk opioid epidemic by Carson Hughes — More than 115 Americans are killed every day in a wave of fatal overdoses to substances like heroin, fentanyl, tramadol and other opioids. Medical professionals from the Mayo Clinic and Minnesota State University, Mankato now say that the only way to mitigate this epidemic across the country, and at home in southern Minnesota, is to approach those afflicted with addiction with compassion and care. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, MNSU invited professionals with the Mayo Clinic and local law enforcement, including Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force Commander Jeff Wersal, for for a panel discusfsing “The Opioid Fix,” a new three-part documentary created in a partnership between Twin Cities PBS and the Mayo Clinic. Additional coverage: Faribault Daily News

Albert Lea Tribune, Mayo Clinic Health System to turn red — Mayo Clinic Health System staff will participate in this year’s Go Red for Women Day. On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation will come together, igniting a wave of red across the country, the release stated. “Of all cardiac and stroke occurrences, 8% can be prevented with education and action,” said Christopher Lee, D.N.P. certified nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin. “The most common heart attack symptom in women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But it’s not always severe or even the most prominent symptom, particularly in women.”

St. Peter Herald, Mayo Clinic: Take steps to prevent spread of flu by Becky Asleson — Contrary to common belief, influenza is not the same as what many people refer to as the stomach flu, which is a common term for an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting. "Flu, short for influenza, is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system," says Robert Taylor, D.O., Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague Family Medicine. "Symptoms initially overlap with a common cold, including a runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and sore throat. But they typically become more severe."

Winona Daily News, Saint Mary's in Winona and Mayo in La Crosse team up to support student-athletes by Rachel Mergen — The relationship between Saint Mary’s University and Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare is growing even stronger with a new connection focused on student-athletes. These students will have the benefit of working with a new medical director and a fourth athletic trainer, both provided through Mayo in La Crosse, Wis. These two additional staff members will help with day-to-day services in the university’s athletic department.

La Crosse Tribune, Community members, staff turn out to support blood drive at Mayo in La Crosse by Emily Pyrek — With a total time commitment of less than 60 minutes — most of it spent reclining in a chair and followed up with a hearty snack — giving blood is perhaps one the easiest but most rewarding ways to give back. Community members and Mayo Clinic Health System staff alike dedicated an hour of their day Thursday to contribute to the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin “Giving Warms the Heart” blood drive, held in Mayo’s Marycrest Auditorium.

La Crosse Tribune, Local experts say not to panic about coronavirus, advise handwashing over face masks in preventing flu by Emily Pyrek — Dr. John Ohoro, a consultant with the Division of Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic Health System, and Dr. Joseph Poterucha, chair of pediatrics for Mayo Clinic Health System, agree residents need not panic about coronavirus despite its declaration as an international public-health emergency by the World Health Organization. “I think there is a public misunderstanding of what it means when the WHO announces a public health emergency,” Ohoro said. “This is a warning to prepare, not a call that it’s too late.”

WKBT La Crosse, Wisconsin health experts say public at very low risk after first confirmed coronavirus case by Mal Meyer — Regardless of this confirmed case, Mayo Clinic Health System said its protocol will not change. “We treat this like other diseases that we’ve prepared for like Ebola or things like that,” said Dr. Joseph Krien, regional chair of clinical practice for Mayo Clinic Health System. Krien said they will continue to follow guidelines recommended by the CDC and specialists within Mayo Clinic. That includes assessing symptoms, asking patients questions about their exposure to confirmed cases or any recent travel to China.

WKBT La Crosse, People are wearing red for American Heart Month by Molly Ringberg — “A large amount of research supports a whole foods approach, with heart-healthy eating,” said Jamie Pronschinske, a dietitian at Mayo Clinic Health System. Pronschinske recommends eating lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of lean meats and low-fat dairy. It’s also important to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

WKBT La Crosse, Careers in the health field — Heidi Odegaard is interviewed.

WKBT La Crosse, Healthy food options for the big game by Molly Ringberg — If you plan on frying foods, try an air fryer, or bake them instead. However, one health expert says don’t stress too much over it. “The super bowl comes around once a year, so I think to expect we’re going to eat perfectly during the super bowl is not realistic,” said Jamie Pronschinske, a Registered Dietitian at Mayo Clinic Health System.

WKBT La Crosse, Health experts say a misunderstood infection can be treated right from home by Molly Ringberg — One health expert says pink eye is often misunderstood. “I think when there’s an infection in the eye, since its a very vital organ, people get up in arms. It is just really important to know now that the most common cause is viral, and it will resolve on its own.” Jennifer Althoff, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System.

WXOW La Crosse, Local doctors say research shows the importance of cancer screenings by Lindsey Ford — Dr. Laurie Logan, a Family Physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, said early detection allows treatment at a time when the disease may be more responsive. Logan said breast, colorectal, lung, and cervical cancer are among those identifiable in early stages. "Obviously, someone is going to have sleepless nights if they find out they have cancer, but I think once treatment is completed, especially for something that is caught early at a screening test, it will just be a bump in the road, and they can move on with their life," said Logan.

WXOW La Crosse, Treating lung cancer by Dave Solie — It's not the most common cancer. An oncologist at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse says it comes after breast and prostate cancer. But Dr. Ibrahim Sadek says lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than breast and prostate cancer combined. Dr. Sadek says treatments have improved, including target therapy and immunotherapy.

Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Special delivery: Teleneonatology helps local team deliver Bloomer baby 10 weeks early — Things were happening so quickly that Lizzie Stoltz needed an ambulance to get from her house to the nearest hospital just three minutes away. That hospital was Mayo Clinic Health System in Bloomer, a critical-access location that is staffed 24/7. But because of its size, there is no labor and delivery service, or a neonatal ICU.

WEAU Eau Claire, Local Mayo doctor named U.S. Women's Ski Jumping team physician by Hayley Spitler — Mext week the U.S. Women’s Ski Jumping team will travel and compete at the FIS World Cup in Austria. Along with the athletes will also be Dr. Alecia Gende, a DO who works at Mayo Clinic Health System and is now the team’s physician. “It's an exciting opportunity, a privilege really to work with such high-caliber athletes and get to experience different parts of the world at the same time,” Gende said.

Chicago Tribune, The hot toddy — it won’t cure you, but you’ll feel better. Here is why some call it the chicken soup of the cocktail bar. by Zak Stambor  — …While it was no cure, it temporarily relieved my symptoms, which may make some sense, says Donald Hensrud, a physician in internal medicine who also serves as an associate professor of nutrition and preventive medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. After all, even though there are few “good studies” on the hot toddy, if you look at the individual elements you can understand why the cocktail offers some relief. “The warmth of the drink may provide symptomatic comfort,” he says. That explains the effectiveness of other traditional remedies that also provide fluids, such as chicken soup, which also supplies nutrients, and tea, which also contains antioxidants. Additional coverage: New York Daily News

HealthDay, AHA News: Millions Are Learning to Live With Heart Failure — While many factors affect the rising prevalence, one is simply that people are living longer, said Dr. Shannon Dunlay, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "We know the risk of heart failure goes up as we age," she said. There's a lot doctors and other health care providers can do to help patients manage the condition. Additional coverage: US News & World Report

Healthline, Don’t Fall for These 3 Myths About the New Coronavirus — “The term ‘corona’ simply means crown,” said Dr. Gregory Poland, a virus expert and head of the Vaccine Research Group at the Mayo Clinic. “When you look at the virus through an electron microscope, it has these projections called S-spikes that look kind of crown-like

Forbes, Artificial Intelligence Is Not Ready For The Intricacies Of Radiology by Sai Balasubramanian, M.D. — Studies have shown that the use of radiology in clinical practice has exponentially grown over the years: at the Mayo Clinic, between the years 1999 to 2010, use of CT scans increased by 68%, MRI use increased by 85%, and overall use of imaging modalities for diagnostic purposes increased by 75%, all numbers that have likely continued to rise, and indicate the sheer demand and growth of this robust field.

SELF, Is It a UTI or a Yeast Infection? Here’s How to Tell the Difference by Patia Braithwaite — What can contribute to this overgrowth of Candida in the vagina specifically? Well, Candida exists alongside bacteria called Lactobacillus that help to maintain the crucial balance of microorganisms in the vagina, the Mayo Clinic explains. Changes in estrogen (like from pregnancy, birth control, and hormone therapies) can throw off this balance, as can taking medications like antibiotics. Wearing damp clothes next to your vagina for too long can also increase your risk, as it creates a wet, Candida-friendly environment, the Mayo Clinic says. (This is why changing out of your swimsuit, workout leggings, and the like ASAP is always a good idea.)

OZY, The first pilates studio was an internment camp by Joshua Eferighe — …While yoga is rooted in an ancient spiritual and philosophical tradition, Pilates was conceived first and foremost as exercise, one that took modern people back to basics in their daily lives. “He felt that everyone was not really mobilizing in their full range of motion, or breathing with full potential,” says Jane Hein, a wellness physical therapist and lead Pilates instructor at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program. “So he developed this series of exercises emphasizing full diaphragmatic breathing with a range of motions at our joints emphasizing core stability.”

Next Avenue, How Essential Tremor Is Diagnosed and Treated by Jeannie Erdmann — Alcohol can also help steady essential tremor, but, unfortunately, this can lead to an addiction. “We always ask about it — some don’t drink and some do,” says Dr. Bryan Klassen, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. “People use it strategically; they have a glass wine before going out. Other patients end up self-medicating and can actually end up with a substance issue, which can spiral out of control.”

Becker’s Hospital Review, Baton Rouge hospital joins Mayo Clinic network by Alia Paavola — Baton Rouge (La.) General and the Baton Rouge Clinic have joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a group of 47 independent health systems that can tap into Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic's resources. By joining the network, Baton Rouge General's physicians will gain access to Mayo's expertise, research and diagnostic and treatment resources. Patients can have cases reviewed. Additional coverage: The Advocate, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, WAFB 9 Becker’s Hospital Review

Becker’s Hospital Review, What hospitals can learn from Airbnb to promote innovation: Dr. John Halamka discusses by Mackenzie Garrity — Every Sunday night John Halamka, MD, flies out of Boston to Rochester, Minn. He stays in a 600-square foot apartment that's about a five-minute walk from Mayo Clinic where he is working as the health system's inaugural president of Mayo Clinic Platform. On Thursday night, Dr. Halamka flies back to Boston where he spends Friday, Saturday and much of Sunday on his farm. Mayo Clinic tapped Dr. Halamka to serve as president of Mayo Clinic Clinical Data Analytics Platform in December. He has been on the job since Jan. 1. And though he's only three weeks in, Dr. Halamka has already established the first partnership of the platform.

Becker's Hospital Review, 2 patient experience strategies separating front-runners from the pack by Mackenzie Bean — As a whole, the healthcare industry is making gains in patient experience. But that doesn't mean health systems can rest on their laurels, according to Thomas Lee, MD, CMO of Press Ganey…Four takeaways from the conversation… 3. Health systems are getting wiser about how technology is used… Yet technology is a double-edged sword, and health systems are also being more careful about how they use it. "If you walked around [Rochester, Minn.-based] Mayo Clinic today, I can guarantee that you would see very few personnel walking around looking at their smartphone," Dr. Lee said. That's because Mayo leaders realized the behavior sends patients a message that employees don't want to be interrupted. "But Mayo wants patients to feel like they can interrupt anyone," Dr. Lee said. "So they've created a social norm where it's understood you don't stare at your smartphone when you're in public areas with patients."

The Healthy, 10 Naturally Derived Tick Repellents That Actually Work by Kim Fredericks — “Oil of lemon eucalyptus smells nice and is natural, and it will provide protection for up to seven hours,” says Bobbi Pritt, MD, professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at the Mayo Clinic. “It’s comparable to DEET, which protects for up to eight hours, but DEET breaks down plastics, such as your watch band or electronics, while oil of lemon eucalyptus does not.”

The Healthy, 9 Things Doctors Wish You Knew About Shoveling Snow by Colette Harris — Professor of medicine, Stephen Kopecky, MD, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, advises getting in shape a few months prior to when you anticipate having to shovel snow. As physically taxing shoveling snow can be, those who exercise often and don’t have any pre-existing heart conditions can usually complete the task without major problems. For those who are inactive, Dr. Kopecky says they have a 70 to 80 percent higher risk of having a heart attack while shoveling that those who are active on a regular basis.

Science News, Stem cell clinics’ much-hyped treatments lack scientific support by Laura Beil — “The scientific and medical community is having to play defense,” says Shane Shapiro of the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville in Florida, who has conducted one of the very few published trials that compared stem cells with a placebo for people with osteoarthritis. “Misinformation and misunderstanding about how cells are used to treat disease is proliferating.”

KTSA-Radio, Do face masks protect against coronavirus? — The face mask industry is booming amid concerns about the outbreak, leading one surgical mask manufacturer to run out of its stock of masks in China; it has been working overtime to meet demand from worried Chinese citizens who were urged to wear masks in public. But do these masks actually prevent illnesses like the coronavirus from spreading? When it comes to protecting against the flu virus, “It can’t hurt and it might help,” the Mayo Clinic says.

KCRG Cedar Rapids, Austin Phyfe overcomes mysterious illness, key piece to UNI's success by Josh Christensen — His season was put on hold because he constantly felt lightheaded and would sometimes faint. It started during his summer workouts. He visited the E.R. a few times, but never got any answers. It wasn't until mid-season when doctors at the Mayo Clinic finally found one. Phyfe was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope. Basically, not enough blood was getting to his heart and head, which would cause him to faint.

Clinton Herald, ‘Hey, partner, loan me a kidney?’ by Kate Howes — Chuck Cox’s kidneys are failing and he was soon set to undergo a life-altering surgery. Ask him how he feels, and he’s quick to tell you … absolutely wonderful. “I’m so happy,” said the 81-year-old owner of the former T.C.’s Point After, a downtown DeWitt fixture since 1980. Food trailers now sell his famed “Chuckie’s Tenderloin” in popular sports venues throughout the country. “I feel like I’ve won the Powerball … better than if I won the Powerball.” Cox is so happy because he is getting a new kidney, courtesy of his longtime friend and business associate, Michele Bowers. Cox’s story began about a year and a half ago, when doctors told him he had cancer. He decided to get a second opinion which, unfortunately, was the same as the first. Not satisfied with the diagnosis and hoping the third time would be a charm, Cox traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

The Patriot Ledger, ‘Experience is worth nothing unless you share it,’ Weymouth veteran says by Anastasia E. Lennon — …The bullet struck his colon and a major nerve, which resulted in paralysis of his left leg. After undergoing emergency surgery in a medical tent, he woke up in a German medical center four days later with his stomach still open. Months later, he would undergo an experimental surgery at the Mayo Clinic to bring motor use back to his paralyzed left leg. His recovery was more painful than getting shot, he said, and yet he wouldn’t give up either experience.

Medical Marketing and Media, Stand Up to Cancer commits to making clinical trials more diverse by Alison Kanski — “As minority populations differ in terms of their genetic makeup, their reactions to these drugs are also handled differently,” said Dr. Edith Perez, chair of the Committee for Health Equity in Cancer Clinical Trials. “If these populations aren’t included in clinical trials and research, the full impact of drugs are not truly known. We have to incorporate diversity into our research if we’re going to be able to treat people and design treatments with specific populations in mind.” Perez, who is also a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, said that educating these communities is imperative to increasing diversity in cancer trials. There is a lot of misinformation about trials among these patient populations that may be deterring participants.

WRAL, World-class healthcare available in Carteret County through Mayo Clinic partnership — Residents of Carteret County and the surrounding region have access to even more expert care thanks to Carteret Health Care's recent induction as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. The Mayo Clinic is a trusted leader in healthcare worldwide — its hospital is recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as the nation's number one hospital overall. A leader in many specialities and celebrated for its renowned staff, the Mayo Clinic carefully vets a select group of independent health systems for its Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Banner Graphic, Patient describes what waiting for a kidney means — Ever thought about being an organ donor? Peyton Marie Krider, who lives in Vigo County, hopes you have, and you will…Even the trips to the Mayo Clinic can be fun for Peyton, who enjoys traveling, riding in the car, shopping - anything to get out of the house.

Cape Code Times, Yearly Wellness Checks — Every year, countless people make resolutions to focus on health and wellness. Eating better, getting more sleep and exercising are usually at the top of the list. But one area that is often overlooked is preventive health screenings. Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, says it’s important to schedule an annual physical to maintain overall health and address any concerns. “When it comes to staying healthy, it is important to check in with your provider annually to review vaccinations, cancer screenings and cardiovascular health,” says Dr. Ardon.

USC News, Could a drug deployed at the earliest hint of Alzheimer’s stop or slow the disease? by Leigh Hopper — The study will be led by Paul Aisen, director of USC’s Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) in San Diego, and Reisa Sperling and Keith Johnson from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, in partnership with Eisai. ATRI is part of the Keck School of Medicine…Aisen is among 100 USC researchers who study the memory-robbing illness, searching for potential therapies and analyzing its impact on the health care system and its toll on caregivers. Along with Sperling and Ronald C. Petersen, director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Aisen is co-director of ACTC.

Yale Insights, Are Electronic Health Records Useful Yet? by Jen Pinkowski — The new chart system, conceived by Dr. Henry S. Plummer and his assistant, Mabel Root, became the basis for Mayo Clinic’s medical record infrastructure, which now contains more than 9 million electronic health records (EHR) at the Rochester facility alone. And more records are always being generated: more than one million people visit Mayo Clinic every year.  Plummer’s insight was twofold, says Cris Ross ’88, the chief information officer for Mayo Clinic. “If we had a shared ledger that everyone could use, we could improve the care for patients—but also systematize the data so that we could draw insights from it,” he says.

Winnipeg Free Press, Benefits of keto diet end after one week: study by Kiersten Willis — …The results come after Dr. Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic voiced opposition to the diet. Hensrund, author of The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, said the keto diet is not the magic formula people believe it is. "People want to believe," he said. "They want an easy way out. They want the magic panacea."

MedPage Today, HER2 Breast Cancer Treatment Effective on Brain Metastases — At the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the HER2CLIMB study indicated that tucatinib is safe and effective for patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer who develop brain metastases. In this exclusive MedPage Today video, Matthew P. Goetz, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, explains the findings and his excitement about this new treatment.

GenomeWeb, Nference Poised for Growth Following Mayo Clinic Investment, Partnership by Neil Versel — With a fresh cash infusion of $60 million and a key partnership deal with Mayo Clinic this month, Nference is most certainly in a growth phase. Nference Founder and Chief Scientific Officer Venky Soundararajan said that the multi-omics analytics company has nearly tripled the size of its team in the last year. The firm employs about 150 scientists, engineers, and physicians at sites including its Cambridge, Massachusetts, headquarters, an outpost in Bangalore, India, at a small office in Toronto, and at its newest location, in Mayo's hometown of Rochester, Minnesota.

Medical Xpress, Mayo Clinic Minute: Capsaicin connection to heart — An ingredient in hot peppers has long been used in topical creams to relieve muscles aches and arthritis pain. Dr. DeLisa Fairweather, a Mayo Clinic cardiovascular disease researcher, says capsaicin, when included as part of a healthy diet, also may improve heart health.

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Editors: Emily BlahnikKarl Oestreich

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