UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Scientists fear Trump's administration could undermine public health achievements, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. potentially leading a radical antiestablishment movement. Vaccine mandates, new vaccine approvals, and FDA decisions could be impacted, along with potential mass firings of dissenting scientists. Kennedy and allies advocate for dramatic public health changes, criticizing government agencies for promoting unhealthy practices and dangerous drugs. The potential for significant changes in federal health agencies, including the NIH and CDC, is concerning to many health professionals.

Research by the University of Michigan suggests polyphosphate, a ubiquitous biological polymer, could be the 'mystery density' inside fibrils linked to neurodegenerative diseases, potentially offering a new avenue for treatment.

Boehringer Ingelheim joins the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative (MTM Vision) as the first pharmaceutical company in the MTM Vision Consortium, aiming to diagnose and treat diabetic retinal diseases earlier, prevent vision loss, and develop new regulatory pathways for drug approval.

A study on income support's impact on health care utilization found a 27% reduction in emergency department visits and a 21% increase in subspecialty care, with estimated savings of $450/person. The cash benefit program, implemented in Chelsea, MA, showed no change in clinical measures or COVID vaccination rates, and funds were primarily spent on groceries and retail.

University of Michigan's AI tool, FastGlioma, aids surgeons in detecting residual brain tumor tissue within 10 seconds, outperforming conventional methods. Developed using high-resolution optical imaging and AI models trained on over 11,000 surgical specimens, FastGlioma achieves 92% accuracy in identifying tumor infiltration, potentially improving patient outcomes and extending its application to other cancers.

Boehringer Ingelheim joins the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative (MTM Vision) Consortium at the University of Michigan, aiming to develop novel diagnostics, validate clinical trial endpoints, and accelerate breakthrough therapies for diabetic retinopathy. The collaboration seeks to enhance understanding of diabetic retinopathy progression and retinal non-perfusion, leveraging a unique biospecimen bank to advance research and biomarker identification.

Valo Health appoints Brian M. Alexander as CEO and CEO-Partner of Flagship Pioneering, elevates Brett Blackman to COO, and adds Travis Wilson to its Board of Directors.

Eric Lefkofsky elected as new chair of the Art Institute of Chicago's Board of Trustees, succeeding Denise Gardner. Gardner's tenure saw significant fundraising, campus expansion, and student initiatives. Lefkofsky, a Chicago business leader and art collector, aims to continue the institution's excellence and growth.

A University of Michigan poll shows 72% of grandparents with grandkids hardly ever feel isolated, compared to 62% without. Grandparents who see their grandkids more often are less likely to feel isolated or lack companionship, with 78% of those seeing grandkids daily hardly ever feeling isolated. The poll highlights the positive effects of grandparenting, including social and cultural connections through shared meals and cooking.