February 20, 2019 Comments (0) Views: 1519 Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Blog

Biotech Briefing: UCSD Study Connects Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline

Plus: Illumina, Rady Children’s Hospital Team to Solve Tijuana Children’s Genetic Diseases

Reports + Research

UCSD Study Connects Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline

UC San Diego researchers found that hearing impairment was associated with greater decline in performance on cognitive assessment tests over time. Participants in the study had a range of hearing loss from mild to severe, and none used a hearing aid. Also, according to the study, those with mild hearing impairment, who did not have a college education, had a steeper decline compared to those with higher education. Study participants with moderate-to-severe hearing impairment had steeper decline regardless of education level.

Illumina, Rady Children’s Hospital Team to Solve Tijuana Children’s Genetic Diseases

Through Illumina’s philanthropic arm, iHope, the company is now offering genome sequencing test to Tijuana children who suffer from rare, undiagnosed genetic conditions. According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, of the 60 patients who have received genome sequencing so far, 41 patients were successfully diagnosed. Of those diagnosed, 50 percent had a change in care. For those who did not, the diagnosis has brought a sense of relief as the testing has helped “end the diagnostic odyssey.”

VA Enrolling Veterans for PTSD Clinical Trial

The Veterans Affairs Healthcare System is enrolling veterans with and without PTSD for a San Diego clinical trial. The trial will test whether at-home vagus nerve stimulation can “reduce the emotional pain and neural inflammation associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Read + Listen

POW: Podcast of the Week

Science Friday looks at “The Fluids That Flow Through Our Lives.”

It’s Happening Here

February 26-28:

Biocom Global Life Science Partnering Conference will take place February 26-28 at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

March 2-10:

San Diego’s Festival of Science and Engineering will take place March 2-10. Take part in Expo Day at Petco Park as well as STEM Week to engage kids in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

March 3-5:

Terrapin is bringing the inaugural Festival of Biologics to San Diego on March 3-5 at the Grand Hyatt. The Festival of Biologics bring together 250 speakers across four conferences: Americas Antibody Congress, World Immunotherapy Congress USA, World Biosimilar Congress USA, Clinical Trials Americas.