NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

USF Health and Weill Cornell Medicine published the first version of their clinically validated voice dataset on an AI platform, aiming to diagnose diseases like cancer and depression through voice analysis. The dataset includes over 12,500 recordings from 306 participants and will be expanded to 10,000 voices by the end of a four-year $14 million project. The data is standardized and includes respiratory, voice, and speech tasks, crucial for validating voice algorithms and developing new diagnostic methods.

At the first Myositis Common Data Elements Consensus Conference, an international expert panel discussed developing standard data elements for myositis research, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment. Nine core set instruments for measuring disease activity achieved over 80% consensus and were approved for the NIH CDE repository. The conference also prioritized 43 additional study forms for future inclusion, emphasizing the importance of patient input in data collection.

George Pro, Ph.D., MPH, received $275,000 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to develop a survey assessing outcomes of new methamphetamine treatment medications, aiming to improve treatment success by considering patients' overall life, functioning, and well-being.

CBAR at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has significantly contributed to reducing AIDS-related deaths by 69% since 2004 through clinical trials and observational studies on HIV treatments and vaccines. Notable advancements include preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission and improving combination therapies. Current research focuses on HIV viral reservoirs and potential functional cures. CBAR also trains early career investigators and continues to address the global impact of HIV.

The Pain Management Collaboratory Coordinating Center, a Yale-based research center supporting 16 large-scale pragmatic clinical trials of non-drug pain management approaches, has received a six-year funding extension. Established in 2017, the PMC aims to bridge the gap between evidence and clinical practice, focusing on veteran and military health systems. The trials investigate nonpharmacological approaches like chiropractic care and mindfulness, with over 11,000 veterans and military members engaged in studies. Early findings suggest feasibility and effectiveness, encouraging broader adoption.

GPT-4 achieved 73% accuracy in identifying gene set functions, refusing to name random sets 87% of the time, showcasing its potential in functional genomics with minimal hallucination. The study, led by Trey Ideker et al., highlights the need for continued LLM development in genomics and precision medicine, supported by a new web portal for researchers.

A study finds that moderate drinkers taking obesity drugs like Mounjaro report reduced alcohol consumption, with about 50% cutting back. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, involved 14,000 Weight Watchers members, with those losing more weight more likely to decrease drinking. Researchers suggest the drugs' impact on the brain's reward system may explain the reduction in alcohol use.

Dr. Lei Zhu, Chief Operating Officer of MIGRA Therapeutics LLC and Assistant Professor at Emory University, has been included in Marquis Who's Who for his significant contributions to cancer research and innovative drug delivery approaches.

HepB-CpG vaccine (2 or 3 doses) achieved superior HBV seroprotection in HIV-positive individuals with prior nonresponse to hepatitis B vaccine, compared to conventional HepB-alum vaccine (3 doses).

A. Cornelius Baker, a prominent advocate for H.I.V. and AIDS patients, died at 63. He championed testing, secured federal funding, and worked for a vaccine. Baker established National H.I.V. Testing Day and collaborated with health organizations to fund research for Black gay men with H.I.V. and AIDS.