Read article – Anne Hoen, associate professor of epidemiology, says that state and federal policies lifting mask mandates were probably a little too early, according to reporting in the article, which mentions that Vermont had a mask mandate in place until mid-May.

Read article – A new study led by Steven D. Leach, the Preston T. and Virginia R. Kelsey Professor and director of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, demonstrates that epigenetic screening can be used in pancreatic cancer prognosis and can help predict whether tumors are likely to respond to chemotherapy. Leach says, “With this work, we have pioneered a precision epigenetic approach in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a treatment approach that is now ready to be translated into the clinic.”

Read article – The article reports that Dartmouth and its professional schools are one of the reasons that many biomed, manufacturing, and high-tech companies are drawn to the Upper Valley. Jamie Coughlin, director of entrepreneurship, says, “I do think we have a real unique talent base that is very complementary to the entrepreneurial venture creation process.” Steven Leach, the Preston T. and Virginia R. Kelsey Distinguished Chair in Cancer and director of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center, says, “The secret sauce from my vantage point is the confluence of a great academic medical center, with a school of medicine, a business school, an engineering school and an undergraduate college all existing on a human scale that’s right-sized for interaction.” The article states that the startup Fresh Air Sensor, a nicotine sensor, was developed by Jack O’Toole, Tuck ’14, and Joe Belbruno, a former chemistry professor.

Read article – An article on the benefits of drinking water references research from the late Heinz Valtin, a former professor of physiology, which took exception to the idea that we should all drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

Read article – John Mills, a former faculty member at Geisel School of Medicine, has been appointed interim president of Northern Vermont University.

Read article – A feature on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Ford von Reyn, professor of medicine. “Turn your compass south and head to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a Southern gem with 16 peaks over 6,000 feet in elevation,” said von Reyn.

Read article – Jose Mercado, assistant professor of medicine, is quoted in an article on the lingering medical problems associated with COVID-19. “The younger-age population think they are less vulnerable,” Mercado said. “We have messaged out so far if you are young, you are less likely to have severe disease and more likely to have mild or asymptomatic disease that may make them feel less vulnerable, but there is still a good chance they will experience long-term symptoms.”

Read article – Comments related to herd immunity by Michael Calderwood, associate professor of medicine, are carried in an article on efforts to vaccinate younger people in New Hampshire. Paul Palumbo, professor of medicine and professor of pediatrics, is also mentioned in the article for his participation in a video produced by Dartmouth-Hitchcock hospital on the risk COVID-19 poses to children.

Read article – A feature praising the efforts of Anna Thomas, Geisel ’05, the public health director of Manchester, New Hampshire, in response to the public health crisis brought on by COVID-19. Thomas was named the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year for her efforts leading the city’s pandemic response. “I’m thankful of the lives we’ve saved … but I wish we could have prevented loss of life,” said Thomas.

Read article – An article about the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Seychelles reports that Daniel Lucey, clinical professor of medicine, said last week in a blog that genetic sequencing data are not yet available for infections in the country for April. Seychelles is said to have vaccinated more of its population against the virus than any other country.