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Berrien County Health Department will hold free hearing, vision screenings for kids
The Berrien County Health Department will offer free hearing and vision screenings for kids throughout spring break.Clinics will be held March 30 at the departm
Dean for Basic Science Colin Duckett tapped to serve as Boston University Provost
Duckett, executive vice dean for basic and preclinical science, will begin his tenure as chief academic officer at Boston University starting in July.
Your Thymus and Your Healthspan
Our thymus gland plays a central role in the development or our immune system, specifically for supporting T cell development (how these cells got their name, maturation and differentiation in the thymus) and discriminating between self and foreign, non-self antigen proteins with production of dendritic cells. As we age, our thymus gland shrinks—the process known as involution—with progressive change from spongy to fatty tissue, with loss of functionality. But this process, with respect to timeline and extent, markedly varies from one person to the next. And to make things even more complicated, our thymus gland anatomy and precise location in the chest also is highly variable. So the famous Frank Netter diagrams from the 1960s (such as at left below) don’t capture the remarkable heterogeneity that a random set of 12 chest CT scans (below at right). What I consider as 2 landmark papers in Nature this week (here and here) used AI to quantify health of the thymus in 2 large cohorts, and then correlate the metric to a broad array of health outcomes. In this edition of Ground Truths, I’m going to cover three questions: (1) How was thymus health determined by AI?; (2) How is thymus health linked to key clinical outcomes? and (3) Are there ways we can promote a healthy (aka rejuvenate) thymus gland in our later years? Subscribe 1. How was thymus health determined by AI? This was accomplished by extensive work developing and validating an AI pipeline for 2 stages, the first for localization and segmentation of the thymus bed, and the second to quantify a digital marker, termed the thymic health score. There’s a lot to this algorithmic development, so I won’t go into all the details, but just provide a rudimentary outline of what was done. The 1st stage used supervised learning with 2 radiologists reviewing 2,461 chest CT scans. That work trained a 3D U-Net model to automatically identify the thymic bed’s 3D cropped region using center of mass coordinates, which reached 99.8% accuracy. The 2nd stage used a foundation model that was pre-trained with SwAV (which stands for Swapping Assignment between multiple Views), a self-supervised model, that generated a high-dimensional thymus representation of 4,096 features. That compares to the radiology reductionist and subjective scoring of 0 to 3 where 0 means the thymus is fully degenerated and fatty, and 3 is considered dense, intact glandular soft tissue. Notably, the self-supervised learning (SSL) performance was superior to supervised (AUC ~0.75 vs 0.55, respectively) reflecting the shallowness of the 0-3 classifier vs SSL’s holistic, self-taught AI. The thymic health score ranged from 0 to 100, with the highest number indexed to fully preserved thymic health. The algorithmic work extended to explainability with both Shapely value distribution, meaning the model was holistic not relying on any “magic” pixel, and occlusion sensitivity, demonstrating the model’s performance was not affected by ribs, sternum, lung tissue, but rather focused on the thymic bed directly. Below are a few saliency maps from the occlusion sensitivity that indicate the thymic bed focus, not affected by neighboring structures, using the jet color scale. Now the AI was ready for processing ~25,000 CT scans, each over 30 MB files, from the 2 large participant cohorts to provide a thymic health score, it did so in less than 14 hours, which is less than 2 seconds per scan! Share 2. How is thymus health linked to key clinical outcomes? The two cohorts were the National Lung Screening Trial, NLST (N=25,031) and the Framingham Heart Study, FHS (N=2,581) each with baseline demographics and long term follow up of >12 years for health outcomes. From the NSLT, you can see below that increased age and body-mass index were correlated to reduced thymic health. And, overall, men had reduced thymic health scores compared with women. There are a lot of graphs in the paper for outcomes, for both the NLST and FHS cohorts. To simplify the major outcomes, below is a composite Figure with striking reduction of all-cause mortality and for the different causes of death. The results were consistent between the 2 cohorts. For example, the cardiovascular mortality hazard ratio average was 0.57 in NLST and 0.38 in FHS (weighted to be 0.53 for the aggregate). The reduction of mortality also extended to digestive diseases and pulmonary disease (data not shown below). Lung cancer incidence was reduced by 36% for high vs low thymic health (Figure below, with a panel -incidence and b panel-mortality, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking status). Notably, there was a smoker’s paradox: lower incidence and improved survival for lung cancer in smokers who had a high thymus health score. Smoking was associated with lower thymic scores whereas alcohol was not. Higher thymic health was linked to higher HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, lower fasting blood glucose, and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Inflammation biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, were elevated in the people with lower thymic health scores. In their second paper, the same team looked at the relationship between thymic score and outcomes for 3,476 patients receiving cancer immunotherapy. The non-small cell lung cancer progression-free survival was reduced in patients with low thymic health score. A parallel relationship for survival was seen for other types of cancer including melanoma, breast, and kidney with a 44% lower risk among high thymic scores (Figure). A similar pattern was seen with different immune checkpoint inhibitors. The thymus health score outperformed programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)and tumor mutation burden (TMB) assay of the tumor and was an independent prognostic marker of progression-free survival. In this dataset, a direct connect with thymus score and adaptive immune function was noted with a correlation before cancer treatment for both T-cell diversity and thymus T-cell production (a metric known as T cell receptor excision circles). Thymus Removal Study There is a highly relevant citation about thymus function before moving onto ways to rejuvenate it. In 2023, a very important study of thymus removal during cardiothoracic surgery was published, with 1146 patients undergoing thymus removal vs 1146 matched controls (mean age 55 years). The adverse outcomes for thymus removal were striking, with a 2.9 higher risk of all-cause mortality and doubling of cancer incidence, 1.5 fold increase in cancer mortality, and 1.5-fold increase in autoimmune diseases. The immune function showed marked compromise after thymus removal, as reflected by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (Figure below) Share Ground Truths 3. Are there ways we can promote a healthy (aka rejuvenate) thymus gland in our later years? In recent months we’ve learned a lot about the process of thymus involution and the pathways by which this may be modulated. Thymus involution is primarily due to loss to thymus epithelial cells (TECs) and there are 2 subtypes with different functions: the cortical, responsible for positive selection of T cells, and the medullary, for negative selection. When adipose tissue infiltrates the thymus, thymic adipocytes are pro-inflammatory, knocking out T-cell output. Likewise, systemic inflammation, or “inflammaging,” from smoking, obesity, and chronic stress promote thymic adipocytes. Now, from preclinical studies, we know about key pathways that account for these processes. Historically, back in 2014, FOXN1 was recognized as a single master transcription factor essential for TEC function, with studies in mice with forced FOXN1 upregulation leading to thymus regeneration. That laid the foundation for potential regrowth of quiescent thymus cells. It took awhile to find pathways to accomplish this goal and to even refute its role as the master regulator. The Liver-Thymus Axis Feng Zhang and his team recently showed that injection of an mRNA vaccine to the liver encoding DLL1, IL-7 and FLT3-L in combination, factors known to support thymopoiesis (Figure), successfully enhanced immune function in aged mice. However, the effect was transient. The FGF21 Story Two reports in 2025 addressed the thymus gland’s production of FGF21, a growth factor (fibroblast growth factor 21) and its control of thymus involution. This growth factor is also produced by the liver, but it doesn’t have impact on the thymus in aged rodent models. In contrast, The liver’s hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to reverse senescent TEC structural changes. Growth hormone stimulates production of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the liver and the thymus. Two small studies in human participants (TRIIM, for Thymus Regeneration, Immunorestoration, and Insulin Mitigation) of 6 and 50 people, respectively, treated with combined human growth hormone, metformin and DHEA, suggested the potential of slowing epigenetic aging and improving thymus mass and function. But the combination of drugs, small sample, and lack of controls make conclusions murky. Increased thymus FGF21 led to increased CD8 T cells in old mice and extended healthspan and improved physical performance. Building on the previous FOXN1 data, ablation of β-klotho, the obligatory co-receptor for FOXN1, accelerated thymic aging. The benefit to FGF21 was confirmed in a companion paper using an FGF21 knock-in mouse model showing thymus enlargement and increased TECs throughout the lifespan. (schematic Figure below). The accompanying editorial for these 2 papers speculated: “The proposed link between age-associated thymus involution and organismal aging is intriguing, and suggests we might seek to achieve systemic rejuvenation by counteracting thymic involution.” Other Factors Lessons from the Axolotl (Mexican Salamander) In an elegant set of experiments of the axolotl (Figure), known for its complete thymus regeneration after total surgical removal, mediators were identified. Surprisingly FOXN1 was dispensable. But midkine, a growth factor, appeared to be the driver, the initiator of thymus cell growth, survival, and repair. Other components that contributed were Postn+ (periostin-expressing mesenchymal niches) and Ccl19, a chemokine protein from the bloodstream. RANK and RANKL RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB its ligand (RANKL) have been considered key regulators of medullary TECs. In a study of both aged mice and human thymus cell cultures, their key role was confirmed, with multiple benefits of resorting TEC function, recruitment of progenitor cells, and T cell development. Subscribe Summing Up This body of work strongly supports the health of the thymus gland as a critical regulator of human healthspan, not just a correlate or link. The new landmark studies are reinforced by the regenerative biology experimental models that have shown, via an array of mediators, that healthspan of aged mice is at least in part dependent on thymus gland function and its critical role for maintaining adaptive immunity. It sure seems that we’d be better off having an immune reservoir of naive T cells instead of a profile in older adults of exhausted, low quality, memory T cells, with a senescent phenotype. It is striking that we ignored the importance of the thymus gland for many decades. A wake-up call was the results of the thymectomy matched control study reviewed here, with the opposite of high thymic health score improved health outcomes. The convergence of AI and healthspan here is notable. The exceptional and laborious work for developing and validating (no less explaining) the AI to quantify thymus health set the foundation for probing the connect the major health outcomes in two cohorts with extensive follow-up. We’ve never had a way to meaningfully quantify the thymus gland before, so this represents important leverage of supervised, self-supervised, and transformer models. The study wouldn’t have been possible without AI. And it begs the question as to whether there are ways we can maintain our thymus at a high health score. But it’s not so simple to rejuvenate our thymus. There are multiple risks including the induction of autoimmunity, increasing the risk of cancer, and inducing a pro-inflammatory state. For example, factors that increase TEC proliferation could compromise the medulllary negative selection process and leak out auto-reactive (self-attacking) T cells. Thymic cells could be induced to proliferate, but we know, for example, that growth hormone and IGF-1 are associated with an increase risk of cancer. If thymus rejuvenation doesn’t clear out the accumulated senescent cells in older adults, then inflammation within the gland could block the production of TECs. Keeping these risks in mind, we now have identified many ways to keep our thymus healthy as we age that undoubtedly will be tested in clinical trials going forward. Ultimately, the benefit-to-risk tradeoffs will be defined. In the meantime, we have desperately needed an immunome. As I’ve stressed in multiple prior Ground Truths, we have no test in the clinic to assess a patient’s immune status! It was very encouraging for me to get an email from Hugo Aerts, the senior author of the landmark papers in the days after they were published: “I also wanted to say that your Substack on “Why We Need an Immunome” was inspiring for this work. We found it a very compelling perspective and greatly enjoyed reading it.” Just having an assessment of a person’s immune status via a chest CT scan, with millions of these performed per year, might help in guiding the right immunotherapy for cancer (e.g. more intensive, combinations for those with low thymic health scores) and help define people who are increased risk for age-related diseases of cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative. The main theme of Super Agers is that we now have many layers of data (genetics, proteins, biomarkers, organ clocks that can be integrated via multimodal AI) for us to define a person’s specific risk decades before one of these age-related diseases leads to symptoms, enabling prevention. From the new studies this week, we can add thymus health score as yet another way to understand a person’s risk, a window into their adaptive immune system and healthspan. And perhaps someday we will be able to safely rejuvenate the thymus, or maintain its health through one’s life, and use the thymus health score to monitor. NB: I wrote this post (No A.I.) A Quick Poll Loading... ********************************************************************* Thanks to Ground Truths subscribers (now > 200,000) from every US state and 212 countries. Your subscription to these free essays and podcasts makes my work in putting them together worthwhile. Please join! If you found this interesting PLEASE share it! Share Ground Truths Paid subscriptions are voluntary and all proceeds from them go to support Scripps Research. They do allow for posting comments and questions, which I do my best to respond to. Please don’t hesitate to post comments and give me feedback. Let me know topics that you would like to see covered. Leave a comment Many thanks to those who have contributed—they have greatly helped fund our summer internship programs for the past two years. It enabled us to accept and support 47 summer interns in 2025! We aim to accept even more of the several thousand who will apply for summer 2026.
Another Illinois basketball player enters legendary status in NCAA tournament
The Illinois basketball team has had some incredible performances this season, and one player just put up an amazing Round of 32 showing against VCU.
5 incredible observations from the Illinois basketball win over VCU
Illinois basketball continued their trek in the NCAA tournament with a huge win over VCU on Saturday night.
Health Literacy as a Modifiable Clinical Risk Factor: Operationalizing an Underrecognized Determinant of Outcomes
Health literacy has been considered a social determinant of health and has never been extensively incorporated in the general practice of clinical care. Systematic reviews and cohort studies sho...
More school-based health clinics fill growing needs
An increase in school-based health clinics is sweeping the states of Ohio and Michigan, following research that grounds positive health outcomes for ...
Musicians’ union hosts free health clinic in Treme
Local chapter of American Federation of Musicians offers free screenings to working entertainers
Ancient DNA reveals a farming shift that pushed a society to the brink
A new study reveals that farming in Argentina’s Uspallata Valley was adopted by local hunter-gatherers rather than introduced by outside populations. Centuries later, a stressed group of maize-heavy farmers migrated into the region, facing climate instability, disease, and declining numbers. Despite these pressures, there’s no sign of violence—instead, families stayed connected across generations, using kinship networks to survive. The research shows how cooperation, not conflict, helped communities navigate crisis.
'A pediatric clinic, but so much more.' Shipley Health Clinic celebrates 55 years
The Margaret B. Shipley Child Health Clinic in Canton is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year.
New Generations Urgent Care opens in Redding to meet growing health care needs
A new urgent care clinic, Generations Urgent Care, has opened in Redding, aiming to expand access to medical services in the Northstate.Co-owners Dr. Eryn Simmo
Private mental health hospital 'failed women who died'
Three women died at a private clinic where staff were not carrying out proper checks.
Illinois shifts into another gear to bury No. 14 Penn
First round goes to plan for the Illini.
Healthcare employee health plan bridges the gap between data and action
Integrating UpToDate evidence-based clinical decision support helps health plan optimize costs and member-centered care.
Democrats prepare for health care overhaul
Democrats are outlining a new vision for the health care system ahead of the midterms.
A biotech turns to Apple Watch to study its Parkinson's drug
In this edition of STAT Health Tech: How Apple Watch is being used in a clinical trial for a Parkinson's drug, and more
CMA opposes dangerous ballot measure threatening community health clinics
CMA is strongly opposing a proposed statewide ballot initiative that would strip billions of dollars from vital health...
Forum on harnessing Artificial Intelligence for health equity
Register to this forumOver the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly evolved in complexity, performance, and utility. Its integration across a wide range of industrial sectors has accelerated, with healthcare emerging as one of the most transformative sectors. In this sector, AI has enabled high-impact applications – from enhancing the speed and accuracy of disease diagnosis and supporting clinical decision-making, to strengthening public health initiatives such as disease surveillance and workforce optimization. Moreover, AI holds immense potential to empower individuals, enabling them to take greater control of their personal health and well-being. Yet the central question remains: Who benefits, who is at risk, and do these innovations close or widen health inequities? While the potential of AI-enabled applications is substantial, many countries have approached their adoption with caution. This hesitancy stems from concerns about risks and benefits, including model bias, data breaches, privacy violations, and the erosion of professional skills due to over-reliance on AI. Additional barriers include inadequate data infrastructure and a lack of robust evidence on the most effective forms and interfaces of AI to enhance service delivery and system performance. Moreover, the rapid rise of Generative AI has introduced a heightened urgency for the development of comprehensive governance and ethical frameworks. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Health Practice Team and Digital Sector, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific, are convening the Forum on Harnessing AI for Health Equity on 25–26 March at ADB Headquarters. Senior health officials from 16 developing member countries (DMCs), alongside leading researchers, innovators, and policymakers from across Asia and the Pacific, will engage in discussions on how AI can be governed, financed, and scaled to deliver healthier lives for all. The forum is funded through the High-Level Technology Fund with support from the Government of Japan. Objectives The two-day forum aims to:Identify high-impact, evidence-based health AI use cases suitable for resource-constrained settings and map out a pipeline for potential supportIntroduce and validate the WHO's policy guidance on minimum necessary ecosystem for countries and institutions to self-assess readiness for AI adoptionObtain initial commitment from participating stakeholders to join a pilot regional initiative focused on data/model sharing for a priority health challengeEndorse a prioritized set of actionable policy recommendations focusing on governance, regulation, and sustainable financing necessary to scale high-impact health AI use cases in resource-constrained settings Target participants The forum will convene participants from 16 ADB DMCs including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Viet Nam. In addition, health system leaders and practitioners, private sector technologists, academic experts, representatives from civil society organizations, development partners, and philanthropic institutions engaged in AI for Health from Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea will also be invited. SessionsDay 1 (25 March)Session 1: AI Use Cases for the Care Continuum: Improving Access and QualitySession 2: Adopting a risk-based approach for AI use case prioritizationSession 3: Establishing the Minimum Ecosystem for Implementation Risk ManagementSession 4: Future-Ready Health Workforce: Building Competency for Human-AI CollaborationDay 2 (26 March)Session 5: The Political Economy of AI in Health: Understanding Stakeholder Interests and their Impact on EquitySession 6: AI and Health Financing: Supporting Fair Coverage and ProtectionSession 7: AI Regulation and Oversight: Pathways for Different RealitiesSession 8: The Way Forward – Building Alliances and Regional Partnership How to registerThe forum will be held in a hybrid format. In-person attendance is by invitation only, while livestreaming of the forum will be available to the public. To register, please complete this form on or before 24 March 2026.Event organizers / partnersAsian Development Bank (ADB)WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific High-Level Technology Fund (HLTF)ContactAkihito WatabeHealth Specialist, SD3-HSDawatabe@adb.org Jae Kyoun KimHealth Specialist, SD3-HSDjkkim@adb.org
Keaton Wagler earns All-American honors and jersey banner
Greenville, S.C. — The preseason hype surrounding a kid named Keaton Wagler felt rather obscure back then. Today, Keaton Wagler is considered one of the recent great Illini to grace the wooden State Farm Center court. On Tuesday, Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler was named to the All-American Second Team, the first Illini Freshman ever to […]
HHS announces first Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity to strengthen rural health care workforce | Health and Human Services North Dakota
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the first Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity is now available to support the retention of health care professionals in North Dakota’s 37 critical access hospitals and their owned and operated clinics. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. CT April 30.
Messi scores 900th career goal in Inter Miami cup clash
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi bagged the 900th goal of his glittering career on Wednesday, scoring for Inter Miami in their CONCACAF Champions Cup clash with Nashville.- Clinical finish - The Argentine World Cup winner's 900th goal came early in Miami's last-16 second leg tie with MLS rivals Nashville.
Ever Joint Claims Evaluated: What the Science Says About EverJoint Joint Support Ingredients
A 2026 company-issued informational report outlining how Ever Joint positions its joint support formula, ingredient-level research context, oxidative stress claims, pricing structure, and what consumers should verify before purchasingTallmadge, Ohio, March 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This release is based on information provided by Ever Joint and reflects how the company describes its product, ingredients, and related scientific context. It is not an independent product review or third-party ev
Firefighters investigating ‘strong odor’ at Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center
Firefighters are investigating a ‘strong odor’ at the Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center on Wednesday afternoon.
Tim Scott says he will run for reelection in 2028, breaking promise that ‘22 would be his last run
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott confirmed he will run for a third term, despite the South Carolinian’s previous pledge to term-limit himself.
Different uniform, same mission
Tim Barnes, the clinical manager for radiation oncology, has spent 17 years with ECU Health, but started his career in law enforcement.
Tireless Advocates for Health
Three Gonzaga alumni are strengthening Washington’s community health network, supporting 28 systems and 400+ clinics that provide essential care regardless of insurance, income or circumstance.
Do Diet Trends Improve Health? A Clinical Take
Learn which diet trends have scientific support — clean eating, detox, glow food and plant-based diets influence health differently and require individualized clinical counseling.
Large California nonprofit to acquire Allina Health, creating $26B health system
The acquisition by Sutter Health would bring together nonprofits with a total of 88,000 employees, 39 hospital campuses and hundreds of clinics.
Sparse evidence for cannabis to treat mental health conditions highlights research gap
A new analysis represents the largest effort yet to systematically parse all the data from high-quality clinical trials on cannabis and mental health. The evidence is lacking.
Reproductive health clinics scramble as Title X funding cliff approaches
Title X is a 56-year-old federal grant program that supports thousands of clinics that provide birth control and STI testing and treatment around the country. Now those clinics could face a funding gap because of a Trump administration delay.
Gaumont Posts Stable $172 Million Revenue for 2025 With Theatrical Business Up, but Big Losses Amid Animation Slowdown
Gaumont, the venerable French studio which recently turned 130, reported stable revenue at €150 million (€172 million) in 2025 but saw its losses soar by 153% to €19.5 million, challenged by declining library deals and showdown in animation commissions. But while its cinema business was down 23%, Gaumont saw its theatrical distribution activity skyrocket by …
Rochester Regional Health Launches Targeted Loan-Support Program to Strengthen Access to Critical Healthcare Services
Rochester Regional Health (RRH) today announced a targeted student-loan support program designed to strengthen access to essential clinical care across the region. Through a partnership with Clasp, Rochester Regional will help future Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Surgical Technologists, and Radiologic Technologists finance their education and begin their careers serving the patients of Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region.
Partisanship and science
I recently participated in a symposium of the Denver-based Institute for Science & Policy, during which I had a “fireside chat” with Tony Mills of the American Enterprise Institute. Mills has written extensively on the politicization of science, and the two of us had a very enjoyable hour-long conversation on the topic. You can watch it below. The main questions we dealt with are why there is such a vast partisan gap in trust of science, and to what extent this is a unique moment. Mills helpfully brings a good deal of data to the discussion, as he did in this useful piece at Issues in Science & Technology. Tusk depends on reader support. To support this work, please become a paid subscriber. Subscribe Note this graph, drawing on a range of survey data to demonstrate partisan attitudes toward science since 1970s. As it demonstrates, there’s been a very sharp partisan divergence in confidence in science during the Trump Era, starting prior to the Covid pandemic. At least in part, we can attribute this to a rise in populist anti-science rhetoric embraced by Trump, his appointees, and those in his media orbit. But as the graph also shows, the partisan divide has existed in the past, and it’s not always in the same direction. The largest divergence in party views toward science prior to 2016 was in the 1970s, when liberals equated scientific achievement with the military-industrial complex and thus trusted it less. That era of scientific mistrust is often overlooked. Indeed, as Mills notes, the Moon landings (1969-72), which today are considered one of the last great moments of national unity, were experienced nothing like that at the time. There was sharp debate back then over whether the Apollo missions were worth the vast expenditures when the country had so much else to deal with. It’s outside the dataset, and we don’t have the partisanship lens for it, but the 1950s was another deeply anti-science decade, with critics of intellectuals and college professors alleging their ties to communism and their lack of commitment to basic American moral beliefs. This was the subject of Richard Hofstadter’s 1962 book Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, in which he quotes religious leaders like Franklin Graham: [In place of the Bible] we substituted reason, rationalism, mind culture, science worship, the working power of government, Freudianism, naturalism, humanism, behaviorism, positivism, materialism, and idealism. [This is the work of] so-called intellectuals. Thousands of these “intellectuals” have publicly stated that morality is relative—that there is no norm or absolute standard.… This fervor was heavily whipped up by Sen. Joe McCarthy (R-Wisconsin), although it’s clear that not all his fellow Republicans were on board with his red-baiting. What ended that era? The simple answer is the 1957 launch of Sputnik. Americans became afraid that they were losing to Soviet scientists, and suddenly university researchers and government projects were awash with funding. In our conversation, I asked Mills about the possibility of us having a Sputnik moment again that would rally the American public in favor of science today. Mills argued that the COVID-19 pandemic was essentially a Sputnik moment — a terrifying threat to all Americans that required scientific advances to address. But thanks in part to political polarization and the populist and conspiratorial leanings of Donald Trump, we got the opposite of a unifying moment. Many Americans turned against science, despite science actually stepping up in that moment. As we discussed in the chat, it’s not clear what scientists could or should be doing in this moment to increase faith in their work. As Mills notes, one of the chief complaints against scientists and professors is that they’ve become too political; scholars becoming even more political might not help them achieve their goals. This (mainly Republican-driven) anti-science era will end, of course, but it’s not clear what event will bring that about. Share
Large rapamycin clinical trial launches at UT Health San Antonio - UT Health San Antonio
A drug once known almost exclusively for preventing organ transplant rejection is now at the center of a National Institute on Aging-funded clinical study at UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), to determine how rapamycin should be used in older adults to […]
Just 24 minutes of specially designed music could significantly reduce anxiety
A clinical trial found that listening to specially designed music with auditory beat stimulation can significantly reduce anxiety. Among several listening lengths tested, a 24-minute session delivered the biggest benefits, easing both mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. The results suggest there may be an ideal “dose” of therapeutic music that works quickly without requiring long listening sessions.
Alto Neuroscience Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Recent Business Highlights
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 16, 2026--Alto Neuroscience, Inc. ("Alto") (NYSE: ANRO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel precision medicines for neuropsychiatric disorders, today reported financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2025, and highlighted recent progress across its pipeline of clinical-stage product candidates.
Lawmakers hear how rural women face risks to give birth
Despite modest growth in the number of OB physicians and certified nurse midwives, dozens of North Carolina counties have no clinicians or facilities for care.
SSM Health Dean Medical Group and Monroe Medical Group clinics to delay opening on Monday
Due to the blizzard warning, all SSM Health Dean Medical Group and Monroe Medical Group primary care and specialty clinics will delay in opening on Monday.
Girls & Science 2nd Saturday
2nd Saturdays at CSU Spur are free and open to the public for lots of family-friendly programming, including cooking activities in the CSU Spur kitchen, opportunities to watch veterinarians perform surgery on dogs and cats, see horses assisting with human therapies, engage with scientists at work, and play in a kid's kitchen and kid's vet clinic - allowing kids to become a veterinarian for the day and fix up stuffed animals.
Can a groundbreaking cancer therapy help people with multiple sclerosis?
A handful of small, early-stage clinical trials are investigating whether CAR-T therapy can improve symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients.
Denver’s STAR program reduces police contacts and arrests, but can’t meet demand
Denver’s pioneering effort to send mental health clinicians and paramedics to answer some 911 calls instead of police officers now has a proven result.
Scientists tested vitamin D for COVID and found an unexpected long COVID clue
A major clinical trial has delivered an unexpected twist in the search for ways to fight COVID-19 and its lingering effects. Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that taking high doses of vitamin D3 did not make COVID-19 infections less severe or reduce hospital visits. However, the study uncovered a subtle but intriguing signal suggesting that people who consistently took vitamin D supplements might be slightly less likely to develop long COVID symptoms weeks after infection.
Santa Ana Pueblo announces new U.S. Indian Health Service outpatient clinic
Pueblo officials hope the construction on the clinic, which has been on a priority list for three decades, will begin in 2027.
Maine’s wild blueberries deliver more than tradition. Research proves they support health.
Wild blueberries — the iconic Maine crop dotting hillsides, decorating sweatshirts and adding personality to local menus — is more than a cultural symbol. Over 20 years of preclinical and clinical studies suggest that regularly consuming wild blueberries supports gut and heart health and may reduce risk factors associated with…
How Safe Is Plasma Donation?
Two recent deaths tied to for-profit clinics in Canada raised concerns about the health effects of having plasma drawn as often as twice a week.
Researchers develop AI tool to predict patients at risk of intimate partner violence
NIH-funded, automated clinical decision support could facilitate timely interventions for at-risk patients years before they might otherwise seek help.
Clinical trial focuses on reducing fear and improving mental health outcomes in high-risk pregnancies
Study uses therapy and an immersive cesarean rehearsal to help high‑risk pregnant patients reduce fear and improve mental health outcomes.
Meet the farmer who helped Mayo strengthen its understanding of rural health care
One farmer who rose through the ranks at Mayo Clinic is helping the prestigious hospital connect the dots to better serve farmers in southeastern Minnesota.
Adams County Fair announces entertainment lineup with Hairball, Trace Adkins, Wyatt Flore
Hairball, Trace Adkins and Wyatt Flores headlining this season
Vaxart Provides Business Update and Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results
Topline data from 400-person sentinel cohort of the Phase 2b COVID-19 trial anticipated early Q2 2026 Published positive clinical results in the first quarter of 2026 demonstrating oral norovirus vaccine candidate was safe and immunogenic in lactating women and resulted in passive transfer of antibodies to their infants via breast milk Cash, cash equivalents and investments of $63.8 million as of December 31, 2025; Runway into second quarter of 2027 Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET Live sto
New Parkland Health center planned in southern Dallas County
A new public health clinic is coming to southern Dallas County, on its way to replacing a vacant lot along Interstate 45. Parkland Health’s new Inland Port...
2 Paralympians visit Philadelphia this week for sports clinics, teaming up with Sixers and Flyers
Psychology, public health sciences faculty members receive funding to implement hepatitis C virus research findings in clinical practice
Faculty members in the Clemson University College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) have received $3.4 million in funding from the
Google Maps brings a 3D map to your driving directions
Maps is now the latest Google service to receive a Gemini makeover, with a redesign of the driving experience headlining the update.
Century Therapeutics Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Business Updates
CNTY-813, lead beta islet cell therapy program as a potential functional cure for type 1 diabetes, in Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies; IND submission expected in 4Q 2026 to support anticipated initial clinical data in 2H 2027CNTY-308, a CD19-targeted CAR-iT cell therapy engineered with Allo-Evasion™ 5.0, on track to enter the clinic in 2026Strengthened balance sheet and cash runway extended into 1Q 2029 from oversubscribed $135 million private placement in January 2026 PHILADELPH
Translate science into practice at ADA 2026 Scientific Session
The Scientific Session will focus on clear, actionable insights dentists can use to support their clinical decision-making.
A “ghost” great white shark just reignited a Mediterranean mystery
A rare encounter with a juvenile great white shark caught by fishermen in April 2023 has reignited scientific interest in the mysterious population of these apex predators in the Mediterranean Sea. By reviewing records spanning more than 160 years, researchers found that great whites still appear sporadically in Spanish Mediterranean waters, suggesting the population—though elusive and declining—has not vanished. The discovery of a young shark raises an intriguing possibility: these legendary predators may still be reproducing in the region.
Rep. Costa Brings Together Central Valley Health Care Providers to Discuss Federal Funding Challenges
FRESNO, Calif. - This week, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) met with Central Valley health care providers to discuss challenges facing local hospitals and clinics.
Two People Die at Paid Plasma Donation Clinics in Canada
Grifols, a Spanish health care company, operates clinics in Canada that collect blood plasma from donors in exchange for an honorarium.
Nonprofit clinics offer crucial lifeline to Georgians living without health insurance
Across Georgia, nonprofit clinics like Good Shepherd in Clayton County are stepping up to provide free medical services for the state's 1.2 million uninsured.
Health systems use AI to break down language barriers in patient discharge notes
Translation systems are "trained to understand medication dosages, medical codes and other clinical terminology so the AI model works as it should," an Oracle engineer explained at HIMSS26.
Healthcare Uses Specialized Language. It Needs Specialized AI, Too.
The potential generative AI in healthcare is enormous. They can generate patient education materials or clinical notes in seconds, flag incomplete documentation to keep care on track, or even suggest differential diagnoses . But when generalist models encounter the specialized “dialects” used across medical fields, they can miss critical clinical meaning—even when they read every word correctly. The result can be flawed decisions and eroding clinician trust. Healthcare organizations should treat AI like a supervised trainee: adapt models to clinical specialties, require transparent reasoning, and calibrate automation with human oversight.
How to Solve One of the Most Expensive Problems in Employer Healthcare
A small share of employees drives a disproportionate share of employer health-care spending: They are patients whose complex conditions go undiagnosed as they cycle through a fragmented care system. A diagnostic-focused “center of excellence” model—such as the Mayo Clinic Complex Care Program—offers a different approach: coordinated, multidisciplinary evaluations that identify the right diagnosis quickly. Evidence from employer claims shows that earlier, accurate diagnoses can improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary procedures, and lower costs by shifting care from repeated testing toward targeted treatment.
Health Rounds: Death from dementia on the rise among people with type 2 diabetes
March 11 (Reuters) - In people with type 2 diabetes in the world's richest countries, deaths from cardiovascular disease are declining while mortality from dementia is on the rise, a large analysis ha...
Minnesota businesses hit by now-cancelled tariffs are lining up for refunds
The Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trump’s tariffs illegal, but did not get into any process for making up lost revenue to businesses
University of Minnesota’s Boynton Health Dental Clinic closes abruptly
Patients were given little notice of the dental clinic’s shuttering, and employees are wondering if they still have jobs.
Minerva Neurosciences Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results and Business Updates
Initiation of confirmatory Phase 3 trial with roluperidone for negative symptoms of schizophrenia is planned for Q2 2026, with topline data anticipated in 2H 2027BURLINGTON, Mass., March 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NERV), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today provided business updates and reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended Decembe
Our biggest concerns for Illinois entering tournament play
Is it too late for the Illini to change their mindset?
Scientists may have found a pill for sleep apnea
A European clinical trial found that the drug sulthiame significantly reduced breathing interruptions in people with moderate to severe sleep apnea. Patients taking higher doses experienced up to 47% fewer pauses in breathing and improved oxygen levels during sleep. The drug helps stabilize breathing signals in the brain, reducing airway collapse. Scientists say the findings could pave the way for a pill-based alternative to CPAP machines.
Missiles, Memes and Masculinity: When the White House Turns War Into Entertainment
A White House video turning missile strikes into an action-movie montage reveals how militarism, pop culture and hypermasculinity collide in war.
Male fertility rates crash as doctors reveal health threats: 'Something very wrong'
Male fertility issues spark debate, as studies show conflicting results on sperm counts. Experts reveal the complex reality behind declining birth rates.
Artiva Biotherapeutics Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Recent Business Highlights
Initial clinical response data for AlloNK® in refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) expected in first half of 2026 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) interaction to discuss potential pivotal trial design for AlloNK expected in first half of 2026 Strengthened board and executive leadership with deep immunology, commercial and financial expertise Robust balance sheet with cash, cash equivalents and investments of $108.0 million as of December 31, 2025, expected to fund operations into Q2 2027
Amazon expands free healthcare AI assistant to all users
The model, announced in January, was previously exclusive to members of One Medical, the company's clinical services provider.
Mental health solutions for the digital age
Ask the digital natives of Gen Z about the source of their biggest mental health challenges, and most will say social media and AI.Several of the nearly 400 guests at the third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit, presented by the Friends of Semel Teen Advisory Council at UCLA on March 8, explicitly named the endless stream of content on their phones as serious stressors. “Everybody is addicted to (Tik Tok) as if they were addicted to substances,” said Jantin Asmar, 17, a senior at Virtual Academy in Antelope Valley. “We’re always chasing that dopamine. We’re expecting that dopamine rush and it’s really decaying our interactions with others.” High school student Jantin Asmar was among nearly 400 people who attended the third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit. (Photo by Sandy Cohen) Even young teens feel pressure to be on social media constantly, both to consume content and collect “likes,” said 13-year-olds Chloe and Sophia, both students at Brentwood School. “Everyone’s always on, and you miss stuff if you’re not on it,” Chloe said, adding that social media’s emphasis on appearances is leading to eating disorders: “That’s a big thing for our generation.”The incessant influx of images and updates creates expectations that “weigh teenagers down,” said Linda Kou, 16, a junior at San Gabriel High School.Even though digital spaces allow people to connect with others beyond their immediate surroundings, it doesn’t always translate to real-life community, said Kelah Morgan, 17, a senior at Animo South Los Angeles Charter High School. High school students Kelah Morgan, left, and Linda Kou, shared about the challenges presented by social media. (Photo by Sandy Cohen) “Even if you see people saying that they relate to you online, it might be hard to find people in your personal life who you see every day who you feel comfortable enough to say, ‘You see me online, but this is me in real life and what I’m actually going through,’” she said.Solutions for our digital timesThe Gen Z Wellness Summit was intentionally designed as a free, in-person gathering where young people interested in mental health from across the southland could meet in person. “Peer support is the most important element of maintaining our mental health in community,” said Helena Hansen, MD, PhD, director of UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.Keynote speakers at the summit addressed AI, social connection and self-empowerment, while breakout sessions included discussions about eating disorders, dating, substance use, phone detox and breathwork. Here are some of the day’s top takeaways:Beware of FOPO: Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, a psychology professor at Columbia University, said that rather than FOMO, or fear of missing out, we ought to be more aware of FOPO: fear of people’s opinions. “Just think about how much your FOPO might be holding you back in your life,” Dr. Kaufman said. “And just that inner contemplation should be enough for you to change your life, because there’s so many things we don’t go after because we have debilitating FOPO.”We don’t need to feel like we’re the best – or what he called “narcissistic self-esteem” – but it’s helpful to acknowledge our own worth, recognize our good qualities and develop self-belief in the skills and talents we’ve cultivated. When we have that – dignity and self-respect, without needing everyone to like us – FOPO is less of a concern.Self-reflection is most effective in community: “When we try to self-reflect alone, we sometimes ruminate,” said Ira Bedzow, PhD, executive director of the Emory University Purpose Project. “But when we self-reflect with people that we trust … (it) allows us to hold ourselves accountable to different ways of seeing and different ways of hearing and different ways of being.”Opening up about our experiences and listening to others are skills we can develop, Dr. Bedzow said.He invited students to participate in what he called a “fishbowl exercise,” where four students sat in a small circle, surrounded by a dozen or so students forming a larger circle. Those in the inner circle answered such questions as: “What stops you from being you today?” and “What helps you feel most like you?”Within minutes, the group in the small circle (the fishbowl), were sharing intimately about their life challenges as those in the outer circle nodded in understanding.After the exercise, one participant said, “I felt like I wasn’t alone, that it wasn’t just me who feels that way.”Another remarked on how “personal” it felt to share face-to-face with others, even strangers.Don’t let AI crush your creativity: Theoretical neuroscientist Vivienne Ming, PhD, has been studying artificial intelligence for more than 20 years. And while she said “it’s reasonable to be concerned” about the fast-growing technology, it can also help humans become better problem-solvers when used strategically.“The smartest thing on the planet today are humans and machines working together creatively,” Dr. Ming said. “What gets more valuable in humans as machines get smarter? Our ability to explore the unknown.“Your unique voice is literally your value to the world … but most of us for most of our lives have been taught to not be unique,” she continued. “Be your own person. Celebrate being different. It is genuinely, measurably, truly valuable.”In a breakout session called “Phone Detox? IYKYK: Living Your Story IRL” led by Don Grant, PhD, students shared their frustrations with AI compromising academic work, art and creativity.“Art is a translation of human experience,” one participant said. “When people use AI, they diminish their own human experience.”Dr. Grant urged them, as “the last generation to remember a world before AI,” to remember the power of imagination and creativity – and to act on it.Remember that social media distorts perceptions: Stuart B. Murray, PhD, PsyD, who directs the Eating Disorders Program and Translational Research in Eating Disorders Program at UCLA, asked the students in his breakout session to take a spontaneous selfie and edit it to conform with society’s beauty standards. All 20 girls in the room immediately got to work, thickening their hair, slimming their faces, plumping their lips.“The pressure to look like what we present on social media can be crippling,” Dr. Murray said. “We now know that social media use is part of a causal pathway into an eating disorder.”Adolescents and young adults are most at risk of developing an eating disorder, he said, with one in three students on college campuses exhibiting clinically meaningful eating-disorder symptoms. More than 4 million people in California will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.Even for those who don’t develop anorexia or bulimia, the ubiquity of modified images online distorts what we consider normal, making us feel worse about ourselves. Remembering that, he and other speakers said, might inspire us to log off occasionally and spend time in the real world with people who love us as we are.
BV Investment Partners Announces Investment in Moxe Health
BV Investment Partners ("BV"), a middle-market private equity firm focused on tech-enabled business services and solutions, today announced it has made a majority investment in Moxe Health ("Moxe"), a leading EHR-neutral clinical data exchange platform. BV is partnering with CEO, Mike Coyne, CFO/COO, Katie Mallett, Founder, Dan Wilson, and the broader Moxe leadership team to support the company's next phase of growth.
Daily Multivitamins Slow Aging, Clinical Trial Finds
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, March 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — The health boost from daily multivitamins might actually extend to how quickly a person ages, a new study says. Researchers found slower “wear and tear” biological aging among seniors after two years on a multivitamin,
Aveeno® announces research collaboration to advance skin health science and education as skin care brand celebrates 80 years of innovation
Collaboration to focus on preclinical and clinical research, professional education, and innovative strategies to amplify advancements in skin science
Aveeno® announces research collaboration to advance skin health science and education as skin care brand celebrates 80 years of innovation
Collaboration to focus on preclinical and clinical research, professional education, and innovative strategies to amplify advancements in skin science
Rates for most vaccines in children and teens are declining, Wisconsin health officials say
Health officials are urging families to check on their children's immunization records before traveling for spring break.
Halfpricesoft.com Launches 2026 ezPaycheck Network Version to Empower Growing and Remote-Ready Businesses
Halfpricesoft.com announces the release of the latest 2026 ezPaycheck payroll software , now available in a powerful network version designed to support growing companies and remote teams. This enhanced edition allows businesses to securely share payroll data between multiple offices while enabling simultaneous printing of payroll checks and tax forms, streamlining operations for organizations with expanding workforces and distributed staff.
ETSU, Health Wagon team up for free medical services in SWVA
The Health Wagon, along with the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, will be hosting its 38th Move Mountains Medical Mission this week in Southwest Virginia.Sched
Reckoning With State and Federal Cuts, L.A. Safety-Net Clinics Push for a New Tax
By Bernard J. Wolfson | KFF Health News LOS ANGELES — Mia Angulo, who is pregnant and due in May, is living in a tent with her boyfriend in the predominantly Latino neighborhood of Boyle Heights. Lingering pain from a car crash two months ago, on top of an already hardscrabble life, has Angulo ...
Your story, your voice: Help us spotlight Northeast Ohio’s health care heroes
Health care is the largest industry in Greater Cleveland, and we want to hear about your experiences with Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals or MetroHealth.
Purpose, dignity, and joy through supported employment: connecting Vermonters experiencing mental health and substance use challenges with meaningful employment in their communities
Clara Martin Center’s IPS-supported employment program helps Vermonters with mental health or substance use challenges return to meaningful work by integrating clinical care, partnering with local employers, and restoring purpose, confidence, and community connection through individualized, community‑based support.
Fierce Healthcare Names Atropos Health a "Fierce 15" Company of 2026
PALO ALTO, Calif., March 09, 2026--Atropos Health, the pioneer in translating real-world clinical data into personalized real-world evidence (RWE), today announced that Fierce Healthcare has named it as one of 2026’s "Fierce 15" healthcare companies. The annual special report features the most innovative private healthcare companies looking to change the face of the industry.
After UnitedHealth moved in, Oregon sought to rein in corporate health care. Now, it’s facing an early test
PeaceHealth's move to replace ER doctors with ApolloMD clinicians is testing a new state law limiting corporate medicine.
Radiology Partners’ AI business receives Breakthrough Device designation from FDA
The country’s largest imaging group announced the news March 5, with the decision applying to its Cognita Chest X-ray tool across multiple clinical indications.
This Overlooked Health Condition Could Raise Your Risk of Death by 83%
A study following more than 5,000 participants for 12 years found that straightforward clinical measurements can help identify sarcopenic obesity without relying on complex imaging methods such as MRI and CT scans. Researchers from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in Brazil, working
Health Equity in Action: Building Pathways to Care and Community Well-Being
Through a Cone Health cooking class, Antoinette Haynes was connected to the Virtual Primary Care Clinic at Hampton Homes, an initiative of Cone Health’s Center for Health Equity.
Quick hits | No. 11 Illinois 78, Maryland 72
Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down the Illini's Big Ten road win against the Terrapins
Can Collagen Really Improve Your Skin Health? What the Research Says
A recent review of clinical research suggests that collagen supplements may offer modest improvements in skin elasticity and hydration. There is little evidence to show that collagen can prevent or significantly reverse wrinkles, despite common marketing claims.
Mental health partnership strengthens care during LAMAT 2026 in Saint Kitts and Nevis
As the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 mission concluded in Saint Kitts and Nevis, mental health professionals from the U.S. Air Force and local providers reflect on the partnerships built and the impact of their collaboration on mental health care across the islands. Working under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, the LAMAT mental health team partnered closely with local clinicians to better understand community needs while supporting care for patients across multiple settings.
Oscar Health’s CEO Says 2026 Is the Year It Finally Turns a Profit — Here’s What He’s Betting On
Oscar Health (NYSE:OSCR) CEO Mark Bertolini has been making the same promise for four consecutive quarters: 2026 is the year the company turns profitable. Now, with the Q4 2025 results in hand, we can see exactly what he’s betting on to make that happen. The headline numbers from Q4 were rough. EPS came in at ... Oscar Health’s CEO Says 2026 Is the Year It Finally Turns a Profit — Here’s What He’s Betting On
Seattle clinic gets homeless youth engaged in care by treating their pets
A clinic at the New Horizons Youth Shelter treats young people alongside their pets to build better relationships with the medical system — with promising results.
Independence business opens health clinic for employees. See photos
Cabinetworks Group, the country’s largest privately owned cabinet manufacturer, opened a free health clinic for employees in Independence.
Independence business opens health clinic for employees. See photos
Cabinetworks Group, the country’s largest privately owned cabinet manufacturer, opened a free health clinic for employees in Independence.
Epstein Doctor Steps Away From Elite Health Clinics
Dr. Bernard Kruger once gave a private E.R. membership to Jeffrey Epstein and unnamed “girls.”
Bungie Responds Quickly to Marathon Microtransactions Backlash, First Patch Will Make the Game Slightly Easier
Bungie has revealed plans to change Marathon in some key ways just a few days after launch, outlining early patch notes for an update due out next week.
Affordable healthcare clinic opens in Orem offering low-cost care for uninsured patients
For many Utahns with or without health insurance, a visit to the doctor can often get put on the back burner.Some face the reality of choosing between paying fo