Significant: Another child has been reported to have died in a gene-editing trial in China, rekindling debate on transparency and safety. Via @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/08/05/c...
Once again, child dies in gene editing trial in China, rekindling debate on transparency and safety
With a second delayed report of a child's death in China, criticism is rising of a looser form of clinical trial. One expert: what "bothers me is the lack of transparency.'
statnews.com
Scoop: The Trump administration wants to expand involuntary commitment. But a new evaluation of New York's system casts doubt on whether mandating care is effective at treating people with serious mental illness. www.statnews.com/2026/08/04/n...
As Trump administration pushes court-ordered mental health care, a new report raises questions
A study of New York’s court-ordered care for people with serious mental health conditions adds to the research on this type of involuntary care.
statnews.com
Are AI scribes useful tools in medical education, or a crutch that imperils learning? www.statnews.com/2026/08/03/a... via @statnews.com
Are AI scribes useful tools in medical education, or a crutch that imperils learning?
Educators want future physicians to be fluent in AI scribes, but they worry what off-loading clinical notes to AI could do to learning.
statnews.com
Senate's proposed continuing resolution would put OMB's proposed changes to grantmaking on ice, for now www.statnews.com/2026/08/02/s...
Senate measure would block Trump plan to politicize federal grants, for now
A White House proposal to subject research grants to political scrutiny meets at least a temporary roadblock in the Senate.
statnews.com
Senate measure would block Trump plan to politicize federal grants, for now. Via @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/08/02/s...
Senate measure would block Trump plan to politicize federal grants, for now
A White House proposal to subject research grants to political scrutiny meets at least a temporary roadblock in the Senate.
statnews.com
A neurologist who was used to delivering ALS diagnoses find himself on the receiving end of one, and takes some important lessons away from the experience. Via @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/08/03/a...
I’m a neurologist. I’ve delivered ALS diagnoses. Then I received one myself
“Losing the ability to speak has taught me how quickly society conflates physical dependence with diminished personhood,” writes Dr. Christopher Campos.
statnews.com
Novo Nordisk drug misses mark in heart disease study, raising questions about the increasingly popular approach of targeting inflammation to prevent cardiovascular complications. Via @elaineywchen.bsky.social @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/07/31/n...
Novo Nordisk inflammation-targeting drug misses mark in heart disease study
A Novo Nordisk drug missed the mark in a heart disease study, raising questions about targeting inflammation to prevent cardiovascular complications.
statnews.com
Medicaid work rules are sowing confusion over who's sick enough to get health coverage, @isabellacueto.bsky.social reports: www.statnews.com/2026/07/30/m...
Chronically ill people face confusion over new Medicaid work rules and ‘medically frail’ exemption
Patients, advocates, and experts fear the difficulty in documenting a frailty exemption to Medicaid work requirements will lead to millions losing coverage.
statnews.com
One thing I love about science writing is the tendency to embrace a cool-as-a-cucumber tone. www.science.org/content/arti...
The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa will very soon be the second largest on record. Current second-largest outbreak claimed that rank after two years. This one will claim it ~2½ months after being detected, per @helenbranswell.bsky.social . www.statnews.com/2026/07/30/h...
Ebola outbreak nears milestone, but vaccine is close
Medicaid work rules, FTC sues Hims, and more health news from Morning Rounds
statnews.com
NEW: How does a most-wanted fugitive work in the biotech industry for years under an alias without anyone, including federal investigators, noticing? @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social found out for @statnews.com. www.statnews.com/2026/07/29/r...
In the biotech industry, a most-wanted fugitive was long hiding in plain sight
Ronald Fischer, a most-wanted fugitive, was long hiding in the biotech industry in plain sight, and using an alias more extensively than has been previously reported.
statnews.com
A new rule by the Dept of Homeland Security imposing visa time limits on foreign Ph.D. students and postdocs will harm U.S. science, experts warn. My latest for @statnews.com (and my first story after returning from parental leave). www.statnews.com/2026/07/28/d...
Visa time limits on foreign Ph.D. students and postdocs will harm U.S. science, experts warn
A Trump administration plan to limit visas for graduate student and postdocs to four years is fueling concerns that the U.S. could lose out on foreign scientists
statnews.com
How pharma giants are trying to change Washington's view of China www.statnews.com/2026/07/22/b...
Pharma tries to tamp down broad China restrictions
AI-focused VC firm raises $800M, Merck's new cholesterol pill, and more biotech news from The Readout
statnews.com
New: Almost a quarter of all U.S. workers say they want to leave their jobs but won’t because they want to keep their health benefits. That’s up from 16% in 2021. Via @bobjherman.bsky.social @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/07/22/g...
More workers hate their jobs, but keep them for the health insurance
A new survey reveals 24% of U.S. workers stay in unwanted jobs to keep health insurance. Experts call it 'job lock.'
statnews.com
NEW: Crucial federal funding for HIV testing and prevention has lapsed as programs are being "streamlined," @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social reports. Community-based groups are pushing federal health officials to get the money flowing again. Via @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/07/21/h...
Advocates say federal funding is being cut from groups fighting HIV
The administration is shifting some funding to states, but community groups are set to lose out.
statnews.com
Lots of grocery stores and delis in NY stock drinks with 5, 10, and even 100 mg of THC — right alongside sodas, lemonade, and chocolate milk, with little in the way of signage alerting customers to their contents. Pediatric ER doctors say it's a real problem: www.statnews.com/2026/07/21/t...
THC drinks are sold beside sodas, iced tea, and even chocolate milk, often in violation of state laws
THC drinks, which have exploded in popularity in recent years, are sold in retail stores beside sodas, iced tea, and even chocolate milk, often in violation of state laws.
statnews.com
NEW: Are science and the public learning the wrong lessons from the Covid era? @mlipsitch.bsky.social and Sara Cody argue that's the case, in an interesting and, surely for some, provocative take in @statnews.com. www.statnews.com/2026/07/21/c...
Science and the public are learning the wrong lessons from Covid
“Post-pandemic polarization threatens to lock our memories into attractive, untrue conclusions that will leave us unprotected next time,” write Marc Lipsitch and Sara Cody.
statnews.com
New: A telemedicine company tied to Novo Nordisk stressed profits over patient safety, former workers say. An eye-opening investigation from @elaineywchen.bsky.social @statnews.com. www.statnews.com/2026/07/20/l...
Telemedicine company touted by Novo Nordisk stressed profits over patient safety, ex-workers say
LifeMD, a popular telehealth company, has been accused by former employees of pressing clinicians to mete out prescriptions more rapidly without sufficient screening and follow-up.
statnews.com
The Trump admin cut 988's LGBTQ+ youth line a year ago today. Now, officials say they're bringing it back, but with a big caveat. It seemed like a good time to talk with the Trevor Project's director of crisis intervention about what actually happens on these calls: www.statnews.com/2026/07/17/t...
Why affirming trans identities can be critical for suicide prevention counseling
Advocates worry that excluding trans youth in some way from LGBTQ+ counseling services provided through the 988 crisis line could be harmful.
statnews.com
New: Fresh turmoil roils American Diabetes Association following controversy at conference. Via @elizabethcooney.bsky.social @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/07/16/a...
Fresh turmoil roils American Diabetes Association following controversy at conference
Turmoil at the ADA has taken a fresh turn, with leaders blocking editors at its flagship journal from publishing pieces detailing a controversy at the group’s annual meeting.
statnews.com
New: An analysis of a huge wave of public comments on a White House proposal to change federal grant-making found that about 95% were posted in opposition. Via @aniloza.bsky.social @jaspar.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/07/15/t...
Flood of comments on White House grantmaking overhaul is largely negative, analysis shows
An analysis of public comments on a White House proposal to change the way federal contracts and grants are doled out shows widespread opposition
statnews.com
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Our series, "The Deadliest Drug," captured the American drinking problem. Today we turn to solutions. Here are a dozen ways the U.S. can start addressing excessive drinking and its many harms. (No paywall!) www.statnews.com/2026/07/14/a...
12 ideas for tackling the U.S. alcohol epidemic
The U.S. can save lives from excess alcohol use without taking drastic measures. Here are 12 steps that can help.
statnews.com
New: Biogen Alzheimer’s drug slowed cognitive decline at rates on par with approved therapies, a new study shows. The results, if confirmed in a Phase 3 study, suggest the medicine could offer some advantages. Via @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/07/14/b...
Biogen Alzheimer's drug slowed decline at rates on par with approved therapies, study shows
An experimental Alzheimer's drug from Biogen, one with a novel approach, slowed decline at comparable rates as approved drugs in a mid-stage study.
statnews.com
Pancreatic cancer specialists are excited about the biggest breakthrough in the field in decades. They are also looking around the corner to what comes next. www.statnews.com/2026/07/13/p...
A breakthrough in pancreatic cancer has experts excited — and braced for what’s to come
Pancreatic cancer specialists are excited about the biggest breakthrough in the field in decades. They are also looking around the corner to what comes next.
statnews.com
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is advancing his effort to curb use of antidepressants. Via @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social @lizzylawrence.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/07/13/h...
HHS presses ahead with effort to curb antidepressant use
In a private meeting, HHS officials met with mental health professionals to work on guidance for stopping SSRIs.
statnews.com
New: With Medicaid cuts looming, some states are dramatically slashing pay for family caregivers and community care. Via @rosebroderick.bsky.social @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/07/13/f...
As states absorb Medicaid funding cuts, family caregivers face financial ruin
Family caregivers of people with disabilities face a grim financial future as several states consider steep cuts to their wages.
statnews.com
New: Nominee for key federal health role has a history of questioning vaccines. Via @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/07/10/s...
Nominee for key federal health role has a history of questioning vaccines
Sean Kaufman's views on vaccines may put him at odds with Sen. Bill Cassidy during next week's confirmation hearing.
statnews.com
FDA commissioner shortlist has reached the White House, reports @danielpayne.bsky.social. Heidi Overton, Jeffrey Vacirca, and Stephen Ferrara are among the finalists: www.statnews.com/2026/07/08/n...
White House reviewing top contenders to lead FDA
The White House is reviewing finalists for FDA commissioner, suggesting the highly anticipated decision may come soon.
statnews.com
Longevity entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has autoimmune gastritis: "My stomach is eating itself," he wrote. Experts say this could raise awareness over a chronic disease that's very hard to diagnose, and often missed by gastroenterologists: www.statnews.com/2026/07/08/b...
Bryan Johnson’s chronic disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose
Why longevity entrepreneur Bryan Johnson’s chronic disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose.
statnews.com