UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Platelets, crucial for blood clotting, face classification debates but remain lifesavers. Current platelet function assessment methods are inadequate, prompting new technologies focusing on force measurement. Innovations like Stasys Medical Corporation's platform and Mechano-Cas12a Assisted Tension Sensor (MCATS) aim to provide more precise, less invasive diagnostics, potentially revolutionizing trauma and surgical care.

AI breakthroughs in diagnostic tools enhance disease detection speed and accuracy, potentially revolutionizing healthcare. Washington State University's AI model accelerates histopathology diagnostics, outperforming human pathologists. BiomedParse, a joint effort by Microsoft Research, Providence Genomics, and the University of Washington, integrates image segmentation and object detection for precise biomedical image analysis. These advancements promise to improve patient outcomes and transform healthcare systems globally, especially in resource-constrained regions like India.

Wildfire smoke exposure in Southern California linked to 18% higher dementia risk per 1-microgram-per-square-meter increase in PM 2.5, compared to 1% risk from other sources. Younger, poorer residents, and Black/Hispanic individuals particularly affected.

A lawsuit led by 18 attorneys general, including Washington's, argues FDA restrictions on mifepristone are illegal. In April 2023, a judge approved a preliminary injunction preventing the FDA from interfering with mifepristone's availability in 19 states. The Supreme Court later ruled against anti-abortion advocates seeking to rescind mifepristone's FDA approval. Abortion rights advocates argue the drug's restrictions are scientifically baseless and burdensome, with recent changes making it harder to prescribe. The Washington Attorney General's Office and Oregon's Ellen Rosenblum agree the restrictions are not medically necessary, potentially deterring providers. Privacy concerns also arise due to written agreements required for mifepristone use.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Dr. David Baker for computational protein design, along with Drs. Hassabis and Jumper for protein structure prediction. Baker's Rosetta software enables rapid, precise protein design, leading to applications like EndoTags, proteins enhancing endocytosis for targeted protein degradation.

Health disparities create 10 Americas with varying life expectancies; Asian Americans live longest (84 years), while American Indians and Alaska Natives in the West have the shortest (63.6 years). The gap widened from 12.6 to 20.4 years by 2021, largely due to the pandemic. Factors like education, income, and systemic barriers contribute to these disparities.

A new AI model, BiomedParse, can analyze nine types of medical images to predict systemic diseases, enabling medical professionals to query the system in plain English. Developed by Sheng Wang and collaborators, it aims to improve disease detection and is inspired by the concept of Esperanto for medical imaging modalities.

AI in biotechnology promises benefits but poses risks of misuse, necessitating governance to manage dual-use potential. Current regulation gaps require legislation enforcing monitoring and red-teaming. AI tools like LLMs and BDTs simplify bioweapon creation, highlighting the need for stricter supply chain controls. Despite minimal current impact, the evolving security environment demands proactive measures to prevent AI-driven biothreats.

By 2050, 4 out of 5 Americans will be overweight or obese, with 260 million affected, including half of all children and adolescents. Obesity rates are rising faster than overweight, leading to a crisis of chronic illness. Policy changes are needed to promote healthy lifestyles beyond diet and exercise.

Article lists affiliations and funding sources for researchers in nephrology and critical care from various institutions, including University of Minnesota, University of Chicago, King’s College London, and University of Washington. Funding sources include Novartis, Bioporto, Biomerieux, NIH, and others.