Asymptomatic COVID’s Genetic Link; Tornado Hits Pfizer Plant; Thalidomide Survivors

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A common variant in an immune-system gene was associated with a higher chance of asymptomatic COVID-19. (Nature)

Doctors in the Northeast have established a pipeline of legally prescribed abortion pills that are flowing into states with abortion bans. (Washington Post)

The president of Stanford University is resigning after a report cleared him of research misconduct but found “serious flaws” in his research. (AP via ABC News)

In an alleged case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a Texas mother has been accused of subjecting her 3-year-old daughter to multiple unnecessary medical procedures. (People)

Medicaid managed care organizations are denying prior authorization requests at extremely high rates, raising concerns about access to care, according to a report from the HHS Office of Inspector General.

Children’s Hospital Colorado stopped offering transition-related surgeries for adults due to “unprecedented referrals,” a spokesman said. (NBC News)

A tornado heavily damaged a Pfizer plant in North Carolina — one of the largest sterile injectable product facilities in the world. (AP)

Overdose deaths involving both opioids and cocaine or methamphetamines have spiked over the last decade, a CDC study found.

Meanwhile, a study in Health Affairs linked exposure to early oxycodone (OxyContin) marketing with increased rates of infectious diseases associated with injection drug use.

How is drug decriminalization working in Oregon 3 years after going into effect? (The Atlantic)

TikTok banned some weight loss influencers after they talked about GLP-1 medications including semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). (Endpoints News)

Juul Labs said it’s seeking FDA authorization of a new e-cigarette that has age-verification capabilities and prevents the use of unauthorized refill cartridges.

Researchers have identified 32 proteins associated with dementia outcomes. (Science Transitional Medicine)

Thalidomide survivors are speaking out, questioning why the U.S. government failed to provide them with any financial assistance. (People)

What is it like to live in a city that is running out of fresh water? (New York Times)

State officials in several Northeast states are warning residents about the possibility of contaminated water after last week’s massive flooding. (Reuters)

As heat waves spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments and local authorities to set up strong surveillance systems of people most at risk. (Reuters)

And the WHO is warning about contaminated cough syrup being sold in Cameroon. (Reuters)

Children with cancer are fighting a war within a war in Ukraine. (New York Times)