science-and-medicine3.11 min read
NEJM Launches MMWR Rival Amidst Scientific and Ethical Concerns
2 months ago•Source: Retraction Watch
Science And Medicine News
The latest science and medicine stories, summarized by AI
Featured Science And Medicine Stories
View original source
6.505 min•6 months ago
Highlights from the Wellcome Photography Prize 2025 and Top Scientific Experiments
The article highlights the 2025 Wellcome Photography Prize, showcasing stunning images that explore health, science, and medicine, including microplastics beneath skin, brain neurogenesis, pollution, and innovative research like underwater greenhouses and climate change impacts, with winners announced in July 2025.
More Top Stories
2
"Reconsidering the Function of the Ovary Appendage: A Potential 'Tongue' of the Organ"
ScienceAlert•1 year ago
3
"MDMA's Impact on Positive Social Feedback Uncovered in New Study"
PsyPost•1 year ago
More Science And Medicine Stories
"Teenage Emotional Cue Processing Recalibrated by Testosterone"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by PsyPost
A recent study explores how testosterone, particularly in transgender boys undergoing hormone therapy, influences the processing of emotional cues from caregivers and peers during adolescence. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers found that testosterone therapy appears to recalibrate the neural response to emotional cues, reducing the impact of negative familial cues while heightening sensitivity to peer emotions. These findings shed light on the differential impact of testosterone on the brain's processing of emotional cues and its role in the social reorientation process during adolescence.
Ancient Viral DNA's Crucial Role in Embryo Development
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ScienceAlert
Researchers have discovered a link between a 500-million-year-old viral infection and the early stages of embryo development, shedding new light on the role of endogenous retroviruses in regulating pluripotency factors. The study, conducted on mouse embryos, identified a retroviral protein called MERVL-gag that influences the transition from totipotent to pluripotent cells, a crucial step in embryo specialization. This finding has implications for artificial embryo creation, regenerative medicine, and understanding fertility issues, highlighting the important functions of ancient retroviruses that have co-evolved with complex organisms over millions of years.
The Decline of Academic Clinician-Scientists: An Endangered Species
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Nature.com
The number of academic clinician-scientists, healthcare professionals who dedicate a substantial amount of time to research, is declining, posing risks to the long-term health and wealth of countries. The characteristics of these professionals must be defined, and efforts should be made to nurture and support them. Clinical practice can enhance research in applied fields and provide insights into human variation. However, barriers such as rigid and prolonged clinical training and a shift in funding focus have deterred clinicians from pursuing research careers. Industry jobs are becoming more attractive, but autonomy and the pursuit of interesting questions are preserved in academia. Funders and regulatory bodies should support clinician-scientists, and current professionals should inspire and support trainees to ensure the continued contributions of this group to human knowledge and health.
Nobel Prize Winner's Overlooked mRNA Research Paved the Way for COVID Vaccine
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Brandeis University
Immunologist Drew Weissman and his research partner Katalin Karikó have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their groundbreaking research that led to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. By engineering a modified version of messenger RNA (mRNA) and developing a delivery system, they were able to trick the immune system into producing antibodies and creating partial immunity. The ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, included a speech highlighting the impact of their research on public trust in science. Weissman, a Brandeis alumnus, is the second from the university to win a Nobel Prize.
Unveiling the Mysteries of Sleep: The Unsung Geniuses and Unanswered Questions
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Nature.com
"Mapping the Darkness: The Visionary Scientists Who Unlocked the Mysteries of Sleep" by Kenneth Miller explores the history of sleep research and the emergence of sleep as a medical discipline. The book highlights the contributions of pioneering scientists such as Nathaniel Kleitman, Eugene Aserinsky, and William Dement, who made groundbreaking discoveries about sleep and dreaming. It also discusses the challenges faced by early sleep scientists and the development of treatments for sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia. The book pays tribute to the unsung geniuses who shaped the field of sleep science and continues to make foundational discoveries.
"Unlocking Insights: Psychedelic Science's Lessons for Psychiatric Understanding of Psychosis"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Aeon
The relationship between experiences of psychedelics and psychosis has evolved over time. In the mid-20th century, researchers believed that psychedelics induced a temporary psychosis, providing a scientific model for understanding schizophrenia. However, as moral panic and stricter evidence requirements emerged, psychedelic research was largely abandoned by psychiatry. Today, there is a resurgence of psychedelic research, particularly in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. While there are differences between psychedelics and psychosis, their similarities in subjective experiences suggest that they should be examined together. Lessons from psychedelic research, such as considering meaning and mysticism, exploring the impact of set and setting, and providing compassionate care, could inform the understanding and treatment of psychosis. However, as psychedelic research seeks regulatory approval, it may become more aligned with the medical model, potentially losing some of its expansive and complex perspectives.
Unveiling the Hidden Beauty of Invisible Landscapes
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Orion Magazine
Scientists have discovered a new organ in the human body called the interstitium, a fluid-filled superhighway that spans the entire body and connects organs, arteries, capillaries, veins, and more. This discovery challenges the traditional view of the body as separate parts and highlights the importance of understanding the dynamic, interconnected nature of our biology. The interstitium has implications for fields beyond medicine, including how we organize labor and society. Recognizing and valuing interstitionary work, which bridges sectors and connects people and resources, is crucial for addressing complex challenges and finding balance in our systems.
Penn's Mistreatment of Nobel Prize-Winning Researcher Katalin Karikó: A Faculty Quality Oversight
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Daily Pennsylvanian
Katalin Karikó, the Nobel Prize-winning researcher known for her groundbreaking work on mRNA technology, faced years of mistreatment and neglect from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), according to eight current and former colleagues. Despite her contributions to science and the development of COVID-19 vaccines, Karikó's research was repeatedly overlooked, she was denied grants, and faced obstacles such as language barriers and a system that prioritized grant funding. Penn initially rejected her request to be reinstated as faculty, citing that she was "not of faculty quality." Karikó eventually left Penn and joined BioNTech, a German company. Her colleagues hope that her win will prompt changes in research funding allocations.
Teen Inventor Develops Affordable Skin Cancer Treatment Soap, Wins Top Science Award
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Bored Panda
14-year-old Heman Bekele from Virginia has won "America's Top Young Scientist" award for inventing a soap that treats skin cancer. The soap contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin to reactivate dendritic cells and boost immune responses. Heman's long-term goal is to establish a non-profit organization to distribute the soap to those in need. His invention could potentially revolutionize the oncological industry and provide a more affordable treatment option for cancer patients.
Nobel Prize Winner's COVID Fight: A Tenacious Force and Beautiful Gift
Originally Published 2 years ago — by PBS NewsHour
Katalin Karikó, one of the winners of this year's Nobel Prize in medicine, discusses her groundbreaking work on messenger RNA (mRNA) that made the development of COVID-19 vaccines possible. Despite facing skepticism and setbacks, Karikó persevered in her belief that mRNA could be revolutionary. Her work, along with her colleague, has saved millions of lives globally. Karikó reflects on her journey from humble beginnings in Hungary to receiving the Nobel Prize and encourages women in science to find supportive partners and not have to choose between family and profession.