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Good morning, and happy Friday! Today’s the last day you’ll hear from me for a couple weeks. I’m taking off on a big trip with some of my best friends. But don’t worry, you’ll be in good hands with a cast of STAT reporters while I’m away. Leave me tips, notes, and encouragement for when I get back at [email protected]
Filling in the blanks on Trump’s AI plans
President Trump issued a seven-paragraph order on one of his first days in office, promising to use AI to advance America’s economic interests. Recently, the Office of Management and Budget provided more details on Trump’s AI plans, highlighting a shift in approach compared to previous directives from President Biden.
The new memos focus on rescinding prior directives and emphasize a “forward-leaning” and “pro-innovation” approach to the use of AI under the Trump administration. Casey Ross and Brittany Trang delve into the differences in Trump’s AI strategy and how it is charting a new course for AI in the government.
BCI device clears regulatory hurdle
Precision Neuroscience has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its electrode array, which records, monitors, and stimulates electrical activity on the brain’s surface for up to 30 days. This development marks a significant step forward for the brain-computer interface industry, particularly in improving the lives of individuals with disabilities by converting neural activity into speech and movement.
While Precision is still working towards bringing this device to market, experts in neurotechnology see this clearance as a positive sign for the company and the broader BCI industry. Precision’s founder and CEO, Benjamin Rapoport, expressed excitement over this regulatory milestone, emphasizing the safety of their array for patients.
What’s in a name?
Taylor Coffman, who faced kidney failure after giving birth, shares her experience navigating the complexities of her rare disease’s name. Known as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), there is also a movement to call it complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (Cm-TMA).
Coffman reflects on the significance of the disease’s name, highlighting the impact it has on those living with the condition and working in advocacy. She stresses that the name of the disease is crucial, as it can be a matter of life and death. Read more about her perspective on the importance of disease nomenclature.
Growing signs of discontent — and resistance — within NIH
The NIH has experienced turmoil in the first two months of the Trump administration, with internal emails indicating growing discontent and resistance among employees. Reports of vandalism and destruction of federal property within the agency have raised concerns.
An internal message to NIH staffers highlighted incidents of defacing federal portraits and sticking bumper stickers on walls, warning of potential consequences, including termination and criminal action. A photo showing a print-out of strategies for resisting tyranny posted inside a bathroom stall underscores the internal resistance within the NIH.
What did you say? (I said hearing loss affects dementia)
A new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery suggests that up to 32% of new dementia cases over eight years could be attributed to hearing loss confirmed through clinical testing. The study included nearly 3,000 participants aged 66 to 90, revealing the potential impact of hearing loss on dementia risk.
Treating hearing loss could delay dementia onset in a significant number of older adults, as indicated by the study’s findings. Understanding the relationship between hearing loss and dementia risk is crucial for developing preventive measures and interventions for cognitive decline.
‘Get in luddite, we’re going gene editing’
He Jiankui, the controversial Chinese scientist known for his CRISPR experiments resulting in genetically modified babies, is making headlines again with his attempts to re-enter the scientific community. He’s now promoting gene editing on social media, signaling a potential comeback.
He’s recent posts on X hint at his interest in gene editing technologies and his desire to engage in viral content creation. His provocative social media presence raises questions about the ethical implications of gene editing and the role of scientists in shaping public discourse on emerging biotechnologies.
Jiankui He, the controversial scientist behind the gene editing of embryos, has once again captured the attention of social media with his enigmatic posts. The account, which is verified as belonging to He, has been posting cryptic messages that have left many scratching their heads.
Posts like “How many embryos have you gene edited today?” and “Stop asking for cat girls, I’m trying to cure disease,” followed by a playful “Meow >:)” have left followers wondering what exactly is going on in He’s world. The posts are often accompanied by stock photo-like images of He in a clean, vacant lab or office space, adding to the intrigue.
The eccentric nature of the posts has led some to question if the account is still being run by He himself. Journalist Antonio Regalado reached out via email to confirm, prompting the account to post a screenshot of the email with a caption about how “some random journalist wanted proof of life.” Despite this, Regalado still seems to believe that the account is not actually written by He.
In the midst of all this confusion, one can’t help but wonder about the true intentions behind He’s social media presence. Is he simply trying to stir up controversy and keep people guessing, or is there a deeper meaning behind his cryptic posts?
As the debate continues to swirl around Jiankui He and his gene editing experiments, one thing is for certain – he has certainly succeeded in capturing the attention of the online community. Whether or not his posts are truly written by him remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – he has once again managed to spark curiosity and intrigue with his mysterious online persona.
