Good morning. I hope you’re enjoying the weather—stepping outside in mid-thirties temperatures yesterday made me feel more alive than I have in weeks. Could it be time for some early spring vibes?
The latest on Moderna’s rejected vaccine application
In case you missed it, another significant report surfaced yesterday: Top FDA official Vinay Prasad decided to overrule the agency’s reviewers by rejecting Moderna’s flu vaccine application. According to multiple FDA officials, a team of dedicated scientists had been prepared to evaluate Moderna’s submission.
A senior FDA representative mentioned that if Moderna were to return, possibly exhibiting some humility, there might be a chance to reconsider the decision. You might want to check out Lizzy’s coverage—even if you saw it yesterday, she has since included more insightful details.
The MAHA Super Bowl commercial event
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gathered supporters at the agency’s D.C. headquarters yesterday to celebrate the debut of the MAHA Super Bowl commercial. If you missed it, this ad features boxer Mike Tyson discussing obesity, which he personally deals with in his family, emphasizing the need for Americans to “eat real food.”
At this rally, the HHS fully embraced the “real food” concept: poster boards were placed on every seat, showcasing images of wholesome foods like carrots, eggs, apples, and salmon or beef. Kennedy declared, “We are putting the full weight of the American government behind one goal.”
These posters were already a talking point at recent agency events, with attendees struggling to figure out where to put them during speeches. They’ve since transformed into both promotional tools and collectibles. HHS staff encouraged the audience to participate by waving these posters while Kennedy and Tyson spoke. Many attendees eagerly searched for a poster to take home or even wanted to swap food items depicted on them.
“Ooh, banana!” one woman exclaimed. “I already have that one,” another replied. Someone from the dairy sector mentioned her colleague brought back a whole milk poster from the dietary guidelines launch. One special poster featuring Kennedy in black and white, alongside Tyson’s famous face tattoo, remained off-limits.
New perspectives on lung cancer in never-smokers
As smoking rates continue to decline, the proportion of lung cancer cases among never-smokers has started to rise. Sharon Begley from STAT, who personally never smoked, explored this topic back in 2021 shortly before her passing from the disease. The question then was if the total number of lung cancer cases in never-smokers was increasing, even though their proportion was clearly on the rise.
Fast forward five years, and there’s still some uncertainty surrounding those statistics. Andrew Joseph from STAT recently spoke with lung cancer biologist Deborah Caswell, delving into the outstanding questions, including why women have a higher risk than men and what “nonspecific symptoms” mean for a diagnosis. It’s a conversation worth reading.
Increasing fentanyl harm reduction strategies
Over the last decade, there’s been a significant shift among drug users from injection to smoking. This trend illustrates how personal choices can profoundly influence health outcomes. For instance, avoiding needles can drastically lower the risk of skin infections and other complications.
This shift also highlights the gap between public perception and the realities of drug use. “The beauty of smoking for overdose prevention is that it’s a social act,” said Jim Duffy, founder of Smoke Works, an organization distributing “injection alternatives” like pipes. “People often struggle when they’re on their own.”
To explore more about how these changing patterns impact public health and addiction treatment, read Lev Facher’s piece. You can also watch a video showcasing harm reduction in action. Lev and Alex Hogan visited Duffy at Smoke Works and accompanied a local outreach worker into New Hampshire’s woods to distribute supplies to people living in remote encampments.
Effects of stopping antidepressants during pregnancy
A recent study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual pregnancy meeting found that pregnant individuals who stop taking antidepressants are nearly twice as likely to experience mental health emergencies compared to those who continue their medication. The data, drawn from almost 4,000 patients, indicated these emergencies were most frequent during the first and ninth months of pregnancy.
Researchers analyzed a state-based private insurance database, noting that a majority of those on SSRIs or SNRIs stopped taking them during pregnancy. This research is particularly relevant given a recent FDA panel’s scrutiny regarding antidepressant use during pregnancy, which has prompted discussions about potential warning labels for those drugs. The authors of the study asserted, “Treatment for mental health issues should remain accessible during pregnancy.”
Increase in rejections without clear reasoning
At least 40 life sciences students have had their applications for the National Science Foundation’s esteemed early-career fellowship program “returned without review.” Essentially, these applications were dismissed before any external experts could assess their scientific validity.
Jonathan Wosen from STAT reported on this unfortunate development, initially highlighted by Grant Witness. Many students are becoming increasingly aware of this situation but may not be as involved in submitting significant NSF or NIH grants. As Jill Wegrzyn, a computational biologist and advisor, noted, students are just starting to feel the impacts of this trend.
What we are currently reading
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A tragedy of early Covid has finally been explained, The Atlantic
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Intersex Texans fear new law will force gender identities, Texas Tribune
- A Greek myth sheds light on the biggest challenge facing oncologists, STAT
- Tens of thousands of mothers were reported to police due to flawed drug tests at childbirth, The Marshall Project
- WHO director-general criticizes U.S.-funded vaccine trial as ‘unethical,’ STAT
