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Next week marks Earth Day, a time I eagerly anticipate to indulge in one of my favorite customs: tuning into the 24-hour live broadcast of a marsh located in the unceded W̱SÁNEĆ territory of British Columbia.
The sounds of birds, frogs, and insects, along with the occasional airplane, fill the airwaves. Listeners can even contribute their own calls to this natural symphony.
Now, let’s delve into the news.
Trump Nominates New CDC Director
President Trump has revealed via social media his choice for the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Erica Schwartz, a former deputy Surgeon General. This appointment fills a significant position that has largely been managed on a part-time or interim basis during his second term.
Schwartz’s background includes extensive experience in health roles within the U.S. military and her tenure as deputy surgeon general in Trump’s first administration, where she played a part in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It remains uncertain if Schwartz will secure enough Senate support for her confirmation. However, her medical and federal service credentials are expected to resonate well with lawmakers. Trump also announced new appointments for roles at the CDC and FDA. Read more from STAT’s Helen Branswell and Chelsea Cirruzzo.
The Deadly Consequences of ICE Detention
During President Trump’s second term, deaths among individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have reached unprecedented levels, according to a recent JAMA analysis covering federal records from 2004 to 2026.
The analysis reveals that at least 272 people died while in ICE custody over these 22 years, though it is acknowledged that these figures are likely underestimated. The mortality rate for the latest fiscal year, from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026, surpasses any year in nearly two decades, even eclipsing the coronavirus pandemic peak.
Alarmingly, nearly half of these deaths are attributed to “undetermined causes.”
This increase in fatalities coincides with significant changes in 2025, such as reduced oversight, expansion of detention facilities, and delayed medical care.
The study further details how implementing medical standards during the Bush and Obama administrations resulted in fewer deaths in ICE’s early years. For more information, explore the data analysis and accompanying editorial.
Should Researchers Ditch the GLP-1 Hormone as a Target for Weight Loss?
The necessity of targeting the GLP-1 hormone for effective weight loss is in question. Scientists, who were instrumental in developing potent anti-obesity drugs like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, suggest this might not be necessary.
A new experimental drug developed by these researchers activates receptors of other hormones, potentially achieving weight loss similar to GLP-1 targeting drugs but with fewer side effects, as indicated by studies on rodents and monkeys.
This peer-reviewed draft, published this week, challenges established beliefs in obesity drug development but awaits replication in human trials. Read more from STAT’s Elaine Chen to discover which renowned scientists are seeking to transform the industry they helped shape.
A New Way to Help Liver Transplant Patients Avoid Organ Rejection
Researchers are exploring methods to train the immune system to accept transplanted organs. A preliminary study published today shows promise by using cells from living donors—individuals donating part of their livers—to help recipients’ immune systems accept the transplanted organs as their own.
Achieving immune tolerance is a longstanding goal in transplant medicine, as current anti-rejection treatments can be intensive and carry many side effects. In the Nature Communications study, 13 patients received donor-derived cell infusions a week before their transplants. After a year, eight patients met the criteria for reducing their immune-suppressing medications, and four stopped them entirely, though one had to restart.
For insights into the outcomes three years post-transplant, STAT’s Elizabeth Cooney provides the full study readout.
Tetanus Tales, Part Two
Earlier this week, the CDC reported over 400 tetanus cases in the U.S. from 2009 to 2023, mostly among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals. On Thursday, they released another report detailing four tetanus cases in children during 2024, none of whom were vaccinated.
In two instances, parents sought medical attention for their children after accidents likely led to tetanus. Despite being advised to get preventive care, including a tetanus vaccine and immunoglobulin, both families refused. All four children required hospitalization for 8 to 45 days; two needed inpatient rehabilitation afterward. During their hospital stays, each child received tetanus immunoglobulin and at least one tetanus vaccine dose, but only one completed the recommended three-dose series.
The report does not detail the children’s experiences during illness, but a 2017 account of a similar case depicted a harrowing ordeal involving prolonged sedation due to severe spasms triggered by noise or movement. — Helen Branswell
Don’t Believe Headlines Saying That Vaccine Skepticism Is Widespread
A viral Politico poll claims to show a significant drop in American support for vaccines. However, David Higgins, a physician specializing in vaccine delivery and health policy, urges skepticism and advises reading the fine print.
The poll suggests that nearly half of U.S. adults believe vaccine science is still debatable, a notion repeated by various media outlets. However, a closer examination of the question that generated this data reveals more about the complexity of vaccine attitudes than it clarifies. This conclusion contradicts numerous surveys from recent years, which indicate a decline in confidence but still strong support for vaccines.
Higgins emphasizes the impact of how such data is collected and interpreted, noting it can influence beliefs, clinical advice, and policymaker decisions, potentially becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Read more.
What We’re Reading
- Kennedy focuses on affordability and combating fraud during Capitol Hill hearings, STAT
- HHS appoints an affordability czar, Axios
- The hidden alcohol crisis in high-stress, high-status jobs, Vox
- Utah measles outbreak surpasses 600 cases, now the most active in the U.S., CIDRAP
