Unseen intimate partner violence: regional differences in controlling behaviours

IntroductionControlling behaviour is considered a form of emotional abuse and restricts an individual’s autonomy. This study aims to determine the factors associated with women’s exposure to controlling behaviour by their spouse/partner in the last year, as of the time the survey was conducted, by place of residence in Türkiye.MethodsThis study utilised microdata obtained from the National Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Türkiye. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with women’s exposure to controlling behaviour by their spouse/partner.ResultsThe results of the study showed that age, educational level, the woman’s greater contribution to household income, suicidal thoughts, previous pregnancies, the educational level of the spouse/partner, whether or not the man beating his wife is considered acceptable, the educational level of the spouse/partner, fear of the spouse/partner, the spouse/partner fighting with the man in a way that involves physical violence, the spouse/partner experiencing physical violence from their own family, exposure to other types of violence by the spouse/partner, knowledge of preventive measures against violence, and household size were found to be associated with exposure to controlling behaviour.DiscussionThe study found that the significance and effect of variables related to exposure to controlling behaviour also differed by women’s place of residence. According to the study, appropriate strategies to reduce controlling behaviour should be developed, taking into account public health programmes to raise awareness of controlling behaviour towards women, based on their place of residence, and considering the determinants that influence exposure to controlling behaviour.

Remote EMDR versus CBT for PTSD after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: a randomized trial

BackgroundLarge-scale earthquakes are associated with high and persistent rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Although Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are both guideline-recommended treatments for PTSD, direct randomized comparisons—particularly in post-disaster settings and via remote delivery—remain limited.MethodsIn this randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06758362), 89 adult survivors of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye who met DSM-5 criteria for PTSD were assigned to 12 sessions of remotely delivered EMDR (n = 30), CBT (n = 30), or a wait-list control group (n = 29). PTSD severity was the primary outcome, with depression, anxiety, and emotion regulation as secondary outcomes. Assessments were conducted at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment. Analyses followed an intention-to-treat framework using mixed-effects models.ResultsBoth EMDR and CBT produced large reductions in PTSD symptoms compared with the control condition (Cohen’s d ≈ 1.9), alongside moderate-to-large improvements in depression (d ≈ 1.4) and anxiety (d ≈ 1.3). Symptom improvement was evident by mid-treatment and increased through post-treatment. Direct comparisons between EMDR and CBT yielded overlapping confidence intervals, indicating comparable overall efficacy. However, EMDR showed a tendency toward greater reduction in core PTSD symptoms, whereas CBT demonstrated relatively stronger effects on depressive symptoms. Improvements in emotion regulation were observed in both treatment groups but did not reach statistical significance.DiscussionThe findings suggest that both EMDR and CBT are highly effective when delivered remotely in the aftermath of a large-scale natural disaster. Differential response patterns likely reflect distinct therapeutic mechanisms—direct trauma memory processing in EMDR versus cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation in CBT—highlighting their potential complementarity rather than superiority of one approach over the other. The absence of spontaneous improvement in the control group underscores the necessity of structured psychological intervention following earthquake exposure.ConclusionRemotely delivered EMDR and CBT are feasible, effective, and clinically valuable interventions for earthquake-related PTSD. Their comparable efficacy and partially distinct symptom profiles support flexible, needs-based integration of both treatments within disaster mental-health systems.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06758362, identifier NCT06758362.
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STAT+: EU and US advisers split over AstraZeneca breast cancer drug 

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Merck’s bet on an antibody-drug conjugate developed in China has paid off in a major Phase 3 lung cancer study, where sacituzumab tirumotecan paired with Keytruda sharply outperformed Keytruda alone in a subset of lung cancer patients.

Also, the NIH is down another leader, and Sam Altman-backed longevity startup Retro Biosciences raises more funds.

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STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Parkinson’s drug setback, a Merck lung cancer therapy, and more

And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is unusually busy thanks to a lengthy to-do list that must be tackled before we walk one of the no-longer-so-short people down the aisle. What else? Hard to keep track, but once the chaos subsides, we hope to settle in for another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? Spring is in the air, so perhaps this is time to hike a trail, stroll through a park, or take a long drive to nowhere. You could also plan a summer getaway (book now before those fuel costs rise again) or clear out the perennial clutter. If all this is too much or the weather fails to cooperate, you could simply go into zen mode and plan the rest of your life. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you on Tuesday, since there is a long weekend due to a holiday on this side of the pond. …

Biogen and Denali Therapeutics said Thursday that their experimental therapy for Parkinson’s disease failed to slow the degenerative brain disorder in a randomized trial, dealing a substantial blow to a scientific approach that stoked excitement among advocates and academics, STAT explains. In the study, 648 adults with Parkinson’s were randomized to receive either a placebo or a pill targeting a protein called LRRK2. In 2004, researchers discovered that mutations in the LRRK2 gene can cause a rare, inherited form of Parkinson’s. And in 2018, another group of scientists showed that blocking the protein might actually benefit all patients with the disease. The results are a significant setback to the latter idea.

Earlier this month, Genentech offered countless academics and other researchers up to $125,000 in grants to generate papers about several topics that read like key talking points for a trip to Capitol Hill, STAT reports. The company is seeking “rigorous, independent” work that focuses on the potential consequences of U.S. pricing policies on future innovation, the idea that pharmaceutical discovery is a strategic national asset, and the risks surrounding R&D, according to a request for proposals that came with a June 30 deadline for submissions. Such overtures are hardly new, but this particular solicitation appears notable partly because the company is being very direct about seeking research that is designed to address specific points, rather than solicit topics that may — or may not — dovetail with corporate goals.

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