Yes, Black patients do want to help with medical research – here are ways to overcome the barriers that keep clinical trials from recruiting diverse populations

Overcoming the access barriers and biases that underrepresented and underserved communities face could not only improve research participation but also improve care.

RaKetra Snipes, Physician Assistant in Gastroenterology, Morehouse School of Medicine • conversation
Sept. 8, 2022 ~9 min

Biden tests positive for COVID-19: An infectious disease doctor explains the risks and treatments available for the 79-year-old president

According to a letter from Biden’s doctor, the president has a runny nose, mild fatigue and a slight cough. The letter also noted that Biden began taking an antiviral drug the morning he tested positive.

Patrick Jackson, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia • conversation
July 21, 2022 ~7 min


How important is the COVID-19 booster shot for 5-to-11-year-olds? 5 questions answered

The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be effective against severe illness leading to hospitalization and death in all age groups, including children ages 5 to 11.

Debbie-Ann Shirley, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Virginia • conversation
May 26, 2022 ~7 min

Will new vaccines be better at fighting coronavirus variants? 5 questions answered

Existing coronavirus vaccines are not as effective against newer variants of the virus. Two vaccine experts explain how new vaccines currently in development will likely offer better protection.

Krishna Mallela, Professor of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
May 4, 2022 ~9 min

90% of drugs fail clinical trials – here's one way researchers can select better drug candidates

Drug development is a long and costly process that often ends in failure. Improving the way potential drug candidates are optimized could help boost success rates.

Duxin Sun, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan • conversation
Feb. 23, 2022 ~10 min

Medical technologies have been central to US pandemic response – but social behaviors matter just as much

Vaccines and medical treatments can only go so far in an unequal society. Facing the ongoing history of racial discrimination and bias in the US would help end the pandemic.

Eyal Oren, Professor of Epidemiology, San Diego State University • conversation
Dec. 22, 2021 ~11 min

How effective are vaccines against omicron? An epidemiologist answers 6 questions

For a number of reasons, as time goes on vaccines become less effective. So how do researchers calculate how well vaccines are working?

Melissa Hawkins, Professor of Public Health, American University • conversation
Dec. 15, 2021 ~9 min

The FDA's lax oversight of research in developing countries can do harm to vulnerable participants

Regulatory loopholes for research conducted off US soil allow for questionable trials and misleading data to slip under the FDA’s radar.

C. Michael White, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut • conversation
Nov. 12, 2021 ~5 min


What does full FDA approval of a vaccine do if it's already authorized for emergency use?

While emergency use authorization gets vaccines out to the public more quickly, it doesn’t skip any steps that full approval requires.

Jennifer Girotto, Associate Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut • conversation
Aug. 11, 2021 ~5 min

From CRISPR to glowing proteins to optogenetics – scientists' most powerful technologies have been borrowed from nature

Three pioneering technologies have forever altered how researchers do their work and promise to revolutionize medicine, from correcting genetic disorders to treating degenerative brain diseases.

Marc Zimmer, Professor of Chemistry, Connecticut College • conversation
Aug. 5, 2021 ~9 min

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