Science & Healthcare Features

The healthcare and medical sectors are based on empirical evidence and scientific facts, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some cracking good stories to be told.

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FDA Rare Disease Innovation Hub to Enhance and Advance Outcomes for Patients

Opportunities for Implementation—Since the Orphan Drug Act was passed in 1983, there have been tremendous advances in research, innovation and regulatory policies that have spurred development of new treatments for rare diseases, but less than 5% of rare diseases have approved treatments on the market.

More Than 39 Million Deaths from Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Estimated Between Now and 2050

The Lancet reported the study of first global analysis of antimicrobial resistance trends.—“Antimicrobial medicines are one of the cornerstones of modern healthcare, and increasing resistance to them is a major cause for concern,” says study author Dr. Mohsen Naghavi.

AI-Enabled Medical Device Manufacturers:

Are You Prepared for Evolving FDA Oversight?—The FDA is soliciting comments and feedback regarding the importance of AI safety and effectiveness considerations in advance of its upcoming Digital Health Advisory Committee Meeting.

New Tick-Borne Virus Identified in China

When researchers know what to look for we can start explaining a lot of “unidentified” diseases.—Several new tick-borne viruses have been discovered in various parts of the world in the past 10 years. The latest may be a previously unknown orthonairovirus known as Wetland virus (WELV).

Only 1 in 5 U.S. Nursing Homes Have Enough Staff to Meet New Requirements

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report targets these shortfalls—The pandemic brought attention to many parts of our healthcare system including long term care. An aging population is sure to place continuing stress on a care model that is already stretched.

Science Advances One Funeral at a Time

Understanding the Evolution of Scientific Innovation—Pierre Azoulay’s research reveals how the premature deaths of eminent scientists can pave the way for new ideas and innovations in scientific fields. The study underscores the complex dynamics of intellectual progress and the role of generational shifts in advancing knowledge.

Science Advances Via a Series of Funerals—The Latest Nobel Proves It

It may be that leaders in their field actively resist new ideas from disseminating or it may be that they simply suck the oxygen from the room.—“… Results suggest that outsiders are reluctant to challenge leadership within a field when the star is alive and that a number of barriers may constrain entry even after [they are] gone.” The flow of articles by non-collaborators increases by 8% on average after the death of a star scientist (relative to control fields).

Two Rebel Physicists Changed Quantum Theory

What were considered outlaw ideas more than 70 years ago, met with disbelief and antagonism, today have a significant degree of acceptance and have greatly expanded our view of the quantum world and the universe.—For a century, the Copenhagen interpretation—chiefly developed by Bohr and Heisenberg in that city—has been the standard answer taught in physics courses. In the 1950s, two American physicists dared to challenge the conventional Copenhagen interpretation with their “pilot wave” and “many-worlds” theories, respectively.