NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

NIH researchers developed TrialGPT, an AI algorithm that matches patients with clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov, reducing clinician screening time by 40% while maintaining accuracy. The tool aims to enhance trial enrollment and medical research advancements, with ongoing evaluation for real-world effectiveness and fairness.

NIH researchers developed TrialGPT, an AI algorithm to match potential volunteers to clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov. TrialGPT processes patient summaries to identify and explain eligibility for relevant trials, reducing clinician screening time by 40% while maintaining accuracy. The tool aims to improve clinical trial enrollment and accelerate medical research.

West Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering received a $350,000 NSF grant to enhance industrial and governmental partnerships, focusing on AI, biotechnology, semiconductors, and new materials. The grant aims to improve partnership development processes, establish a training program, and expand the network of external partners, ultimately benefiting students through increased research and internship opportunities.

Researchers at Linköping University identified the exact location of CaV2.2 calcium channels, crucial for pain signal strength, and discovered G-proteins make these channels more 'reluctant' to open, suggesting targeted drug design for effective pain relief with fewer side effects.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. opposes using medications like Ozempic for obesity and diabetes, advocating for dietary and behavioral changes instead, despite Denmark's use of Ozempic and its sister drug Wegovy. Kennedy's anti-vaccine stance and misleading statements worry public health experts, who argue that medication should not be demonized and that lifestyle changes alone do not solve obesity.

HACE, a tool combining helicase enzymes with CRISPR, introduces precise genetic mutations in specific genes, identifying drug resistance mutations in cancer genes and splicing defects in blood cancers, potentially revolutionizing therapeutic discovery.

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.

President-elect Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary raises concerns among public health leaders, who fear his fringe medical views and lack of scientific credentials could weaken federal health agencies amid rising disease threats and misinformation. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, would oversee institutions like the CDC and FDA, despite his history of criticizing them. Experts warn his views on vaccines and fluoride could undermine public health, while his potential reforms lack strong scientific support.

Florida’s Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science Program (SIBDS) offers undergraduates and recent graduates a six-week program from May 19 to June 27, 2025, at FAU’s Boca Raton campus. Participants will learn biostatistics, epidemiology, data science, and more, receive stipends, and engage in career workshops and group projects. Application deadline is March 14, 2025, with interviews starting late January 2025. Self-fund travel and initial expenses required.