University of Zurich

Dr. Sarah Sallon, a pediatrician turned medicinal plant researcher, has dedicated her career to studying and reviving ancient seeds found in Israel. Through the Middle East Medicinal Plant Project, she has successfully germinated and grown ancient date seeds, including a 2,000-year-old seed named Methuselah. Sallon's latest project involves a 1,000-year-old seed from a Judean desert cave, which she believes may be the biblical tsori, a resinous substance mentioned in the Bible for its healing properties. This seed, identified as a Commiphora species, has been characterized through DNA sequencing and chemical analysis, revealing unique medicinal compounds and suggesting a connection to the biblical tsori.

A study by researchers from the University of Zurich, Yale School of Medicine, and Harvard Medicine School found that 1 in 3 oncology drugs approved in the U.S. and 1 in 5 in Europe are administered to patients not included in clinical trials, raising concerns about efficacy and safety. The study highlights discrepancies between trial and real-world patient profiles, emphasizing the need for better alignment to ensure informed decisions and public health funding.

We thank MUVON Therapeutics team, M. Graf, T. Haralampieva, N. Schwarz, J. Hegetschweiler, Horizon2020, Wyss Zurich Translational Center, and University of Zurich for their contributions and support.

Study of 60 top-ranked medical schools finds only 9 mention technology in mission statements, and just 4 teach digital health technology (DHT) in curricula, mostly through innovation projects. Key findings include minimal alignment between mission statements and curricula content, and low DHT teaching despite its importance. Examples of schools integrating DHT, like Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and University of Zurich, highlight the need for multidisciplinary collaboration. The study suggests future research should explore factors enabling DHT integration and its impact on graduate practice.