Read article—Comments by Alan Budney, a professor of psychiatry and biomedical data science, are featured in an article about the growing use of therapeutic cannabis among older adults. Budney urges caution, citing concerns about falls, medication interactions and cognitive effects. “The risks in my mind outweigh the potential benefits, because the benefits are all mostly potential, and the risks are pretty well known,” Budney said.

Read article—Features Daniel Lucey, a clinical professor of medicine, discussing a rapidly growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo caused by the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus. “The virus already has a head start, and now we’re playing catch up,” said Lucey.

Read article—Steven Woloshin, a professor of health policy and clinical practice, comments on technologies in cancer screenings and how the public should know if the benefits of the tests outweigh the risks.

Read article—Jamie Banks ’97, founder and president of Quiet Communities, is featured discussing the health impacts of data center noise, particularly low-frequency hums that can travel long distances and penetrate homes. “Noise has far-ranging effects on physical and mental health,” Banks said.

Read article—Quotes Shelby Sullivan, a professor of medicine, as the lead author of a study evaluating a novel endoscopic procedure to prevent weight regain after patients discontinue GLP-1 weight-loss medications. “What’s particularly encouraging is that the benefit appears to increase over time rather than fade, and that it behaves like a drug in terms of dose response,” said Sullivan.

Read article—Features Michael Cole, a professor of molecular and systems biology, in an article examining new approaches to targeting MYC, a cancer-driving protein long considered “undruggable.” The article highlights a breakthrough pancreatic cancer drug targeting RAS proteins and reports that Cole is investigating compounds that could block MYC’s ability to activate certain other genes involved in tumor growth.  (Similar coverage in MisrYoum.)

Read article—Features Megan Romano, an associate professor of epidemiology, discussing the health risks associated with PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” which are commonly found in drinking water, food, and consumer products. “They have really unique properties, and that’s part of what has made them so attractive to industry. Unfortunately, we’re learning that it is also something that makes them toxic and causes problems in the human body,” Romano said.

Read article—Features Ugis Gruntmanis, a professor of medicine, discussing the fertility risks associated with testosterone therapy amid rising use of the hormone among young men. Gruntmanis said that while testosterone can suppress sperm production, “the effect is reversible once patients stop taking testosterone,” though it can take time for normal sperm production to return.

Read article—Features Michael Cole, a professor of molecular and systems biology, in an article on new approaches to targeting MYC, a cancer-driving protein long considered “undruggable.” The article reports that Cole is investigating compounds that could block MYC’s ability to activate genes involved in tumor growth following a breakthrough pancreatic cancer trial targeting RAS proteins.