Today’s item on bacterial outbreaks linked to hospital ice machines reminded me of The National’s song “Ice Machines,” so pardon me for slipping into music recommendation mode for a second.

Wild Pink’s new, wonderfully crunchy heartland rock album (featuring not just pedal steel, but also — wait for it — bagpipes on one song) is out today; I will be listening to it all autumn long.

Acoustic guitarist Yasmin Williams also has a new album out today. She’s got one of the most unique ways of playing the guitar; I highly recommend her 2021 Tiny Desk concert.

And now the news.

Why some people with schizophrenia hear voices

What does tickling have to do with auditory hallucinations? Not even the most ticklish person can tickle themselves, because when muscles move, the brain sends a copy of that information over to the sensory system so the body knows it is doing that and can tamp down that sensory input. This helps the body know what is internal and external input.

By studying people’s brain waves when they were about to speak, scientists were able to discern what’s different about people with schizophrenic auditory hallucinations, as opposed to people without schizophrenia or those who had schizophrenia but not auditory hallucinations. They found that people who hear voices showed signs that their neural suppression systems were not only disrupted, but likely interacted with each other to create auditory hallucinations.

Read more from STAT’s Timmy Broderick here, including how this might lead to better schizophrenia treatments. And don’t miss last week’s news about the first new type of medication for schizophrenia in decades.

The AI PI

If you, like me, are tuned into scientific research Twitter, you may have recently seen a clip circulating of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman suggesting that one day, artificial intelligence will suggest experiments for humans to do. “Then at the end of that, cancer will be cured,” Altman said in the interview.

Will that happen? STAT’s cancer reporter Angus Chen caught up with Shantanu Singh, a machine learning biologist and co-leader of the Carpenter-Singh Lab at the Broad Institute, about how handy AI is in research right now and whether we might expect it to replace researchers.

“I would love to retire if I can find an ally who can do the research that I think the world really needs…But can we truly be replaced? I think that is a fundamental question about creativity — what is it about the human mind that is associated with creativity? And are these models truly able to mimic what we consider creative thinking?” he told Angus. Read more here.

Hurricane Helene’s effect on medical supplies

Earlier this week, medical supply manufacturer Baxter reported that its Marion, N.C., plant was closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. According to the American Hospital Association, this plant manufactures 60% of the nation’s IV solutions. Yesterday, Mass General Brigham sounded the alarm on a potential shortage due to the supply disruption and called for conservation. Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai told STAT it also has started using contingency plans, though its operations remain normal.

Astute observers will remember that, during Hurricane Maria in 2017, there was an IV bag shortage because the storm damaged plants in Puerto Rico. While that shortage mainly involved small IV bags used to dilute and deliver medications, this shortage appears to mainly involve large ones, which are used for irrigation and continuous hydration.

Other IV bag manufacturers like B. Braun and Fresenius Kabi told STAT they were not affected by the hurricane, and the AHA told STAT it and the FDA are monitoring the situation.

If you understand how companies came to locate key IV plants in areas susceptible to hurricanes, email me: [email protected]

What to know about protecting babies from RSV

Until last year, there was nothing that could be done to protect against RSV infection, a seasonal respiratory illness that’s particularly severe for babies whose lungs are still developing.  But over the course of the spring and summer last year, several vaccines and antibody shots for older adults, pregnant people, and babies were all approved by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended for use by the CDC.

Last year’s rollout was plagued by a number of hiccups, including a shortage of the shots and regulatory approvals that came too late in the year for all eligible mothers and babies. This year, drugmaker Sanofi says there’s enough Beyfortus — the shot of protective antibodies for new babies — “for every eligible baby” in the U.S. But hurdles in rollout still remain.

“I think for a number of reasons, it’s not going to be perfect,” Nancy Foster, the American Hospital Association’s vice president of quality and safety policy, told STAT’s Helen Branswell. “Will there be more infants … inoculated? Yes, absolutely.” Read more.

A more specific ‘concept of a plan’

During the vice presidential debate Tuesday, Republican nominee JD Vance provided a bit more clarity on the Trump campaign’s vague plans to make health insurance more affordable. Vance in prior campaign stops had said Donald Trump wants to deregulate the Affordable Care Act and sort people into risk pools to provide different kinds of insurance depending on how sick people are. During the debate, he clarified that he was referring to “reinsurance regulation” that Trump had implemented during his term in office.

Reinsurance is insurance for insurance — in this case, for the companies that offer plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges.

Reinsurance programs play a crucial role in lowering premiums for individuals enrolled in Obamacare. These programs help cover extremely high patient bills, providing financial relief to policyholders. This means that individuals do not have to bear the burden of exorbitant medical expenses, making healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone.

In response to the impact of reinsurance programs on Obamacare premiums, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz has voiced his support. He recognizes the importance of these programs in making healthcare more affordable for Americans. The details of what Walz said, along with the specifics of how reinsurance programs work, were highlighted in a recent article by Rachel Cohrs and John Wilkerson.

Meanwhile, a recent report from the CDC has shed light on outbreaks of a rare bacterial infection linked to ice machines in hospitals. The bacterium, Burkholderia multivorans, was found in ice machines in three out of four hospitals where outbreaks occurred. This raises concerns about the transmission of infections through water sources in healthcare settings. The CDC recommends hospitals to track water sources and avoid using contaminated water during outbreaks.

In related news, hospitals in Asheville, N.C., including the HCA Mission Hospital, are facing challenges due to a lack of high-pressure water following Hurricane Helene. Basic tasks like food preparation and sanitation are compromised, highlighting the critical need for access to clean water in healthcare facilities.

As we navigate these healthcare challenges, it is important to stay informed about the latest developments in medical research and innovations. From the potential benefits of flashing lights in stalling Alzheimer’s to breakthrough treatments for rare diseases, there is a wealth of information to explore. It is crucial to prioritize healthcare access and quality, especially in times of crisis and uncertainty.

In conclusion, reinsurance programs play a vital role in making healthcare more affordable for individuals enrolled in Obamacare. By addressing high patient bills, these programs help lower premiums and ensure financial protection for policyholders. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize healthcare access for all.