All you need to know about Aurora, Clovis Oncology and many more

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Aurora says no deal with beverage makers for weed-based drinks

Aurora Cannabis Inc said on Tuesday it had not partnered with any beverage company, responding to a media report that Coca-Cola Co was in talks with the Canadian weed producer to make marijuana-infused drinks. Aurora said while it often engages in "exploratory discussions with industry participants," there was "no agreement, understanding or arrangement with respect to any partnership with a beverage company."

Clovis Oncology, execs to pay $20 million to settle SEC charges

U.S. biotechnology company Clovis Oncology Inc and its Chief Executive Patrick Mahaffy and former CFO Erle Mast will pay more than $20 million to settle charges of misleading investors about the efficacy of a cancer drug, the top U.S. securities regulator said on Tuesday. The Securities and Exchange Commission said they agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the allegations, and that the settlements are subject to court approval.

Physician burnout taking center stage

The medical establishment may finally be coming to grips with the issue of physician burnout. The evidence: two studies on the topic reported in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. One study found that nearly half of junior physicians were already having burnout symptoms at least one day a week.

Bayer's Monsanto asks U.S. court to toss $289 million glyphosate verdict

Bayer AG unit Monsanto on Tuesday asked a California judge to throw out a $289 million jury verdict awarded to a man who alleged the company's glyphosate-based weed-killers, including Roundup, gave him cancer. The company said in motions filed in San Francisco's Superior Court of California that the jury's decision was insufficiently supported by the evidence presented at trial by school groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson.

U.S. doctors recommend behavior changes to prevent obesity-related health issues

For preventing health problems in obese patients, intensive behavioral interventions focused on improving things like eating and exercise habits may be the best prescription, U.S. doctors advise. Obese adults should receive counseling and other programs to help them stick to a healthy diet, maintain or increase physical activity, and understand and address obstacles to weight loss, according to recommendations issued today by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

U.S. judge dismisses concussions lawsuits against World Wrestling

A federal judge has dismissed lawsuits by dozens of former professional wrestlers who accused World Wrestling Entertainment Inc of failing to protect them from concussions and other head trauma, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Many claims filed on behalf of 53 wrestlers like Joseph "Road Warrior Animal" Laurinaitis and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka were brought too late and some were frivolous, U.S. District Judge Vanessa Bryant in Hartford, Connecticut, ruled on Monday.

Women's sexual health after menopause may be best treated by gynecologists

Postmenopausal women who experience problems like vaginal dryness, painful intercourse or urinary incontinence may want to see a gynecologist instead of a primary care provider for help, a recent study suggests. That's because gynecologists may be more knowledgeable about what's known as vulvovaginal atrophy, a common but often overlooked condition that can seriously impact women's lives after menopause and lead to avoidance of intimacy, loss of libido, and painful sex.

GSK grabs new drug development head from Boehringer

GlaxoSmithKline has hired Chris Corsico from German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim to fill the new role of senior vice-president development as the company reshapes its research strategy, a spokesman for the British group said on Tuesday. Corsico, currently a chief medical officer at Boehringer, will start at GSK on January 1, reporting to research head Hal Barron.

Macron injects cash to fix France's healthcare system

President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday promised extra money and more doctors in rural areas to ease pressure on France's hospitals, which are creaking under the weight of budget constraints and closures of clinics outside towns and cities. Macron's announcement came days after he unveiled a separate 8 billion euro plan to help some 8.8 million people who live below the poverty threshold.

Chemical in cigarette smoke may damage important aspect of vision

Exposure to a chemical in tobacco smoke could make it more difficult for people to see in low-contrast conditions, such as low light, fog or glare, a new study suggests. Researchers found that higher levels of cadmium in the blood were associated with diminished contrast sensitivity, they report in JAMA Ophthalmology.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)