Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico reported new measles cases this week, with the outbreak expanding for the first time into central Texas. Already, the U.S. has more measles cases this year than in all of 2024, the CDC says. The multi-state outbreak confirms health experts' fears that the virus will take hold in other U.S. communities with low vaccination rates and that the spread could stretch on for a year. The WHO said last week that cases in Mexico are linked to the Texas outbreak.
The Senate has confirmed Mehmet Oz as administrator for CMS, making him the head of Medicaid at a time where its funding is at risk of being severely cut. The Senate voted 53-45 along party lines to confirm Oz.
Leaders at Vanderbilt Medical Center said they must cut their research budget by $250 million due to federal policy changes under the Trump administration. "In response to recent administrative orders impacting financial resources for medical research, it is necessary for VUMC to strategically reduce research operating costs," a spokesperson said. "Hiring for most research positions will be paused, and other cost-saving measures will be implemented."
This innovation could replace bulky lab equipment, revolutionizing drug discovery and enabling rapid, personalized treatment testing. Born from a student project levitating diamonds, the tech has evolved into a compact benchtop device that automates key biomedical tasks and speeds up pharmaceutical research. Its potential to streamline clinical testing and unlock faster cures for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s could reshape the future of medicine.
Counterforce Health created two artificial intelligence systems to craft letters and call health insurance companies to help people fight claim denials.