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A STAT editor noticed someone sporting a t-shirt that proclaimed: “I ❤️ Tylenol.” This curious sight led to several reporters diving into the world of vintage pharmaceutical merchandise. My personal favorite was a cocktail shaker featuring the Lexapro brand.
While pharmaceutical merchandise is no longer available for purchase, you can still get your hands on STAT gear if you’re interested.
House Speaker Supports EMTALA Amid GOP Focus on Immigrant Health Care
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, expressed yesterday that the GOP does not intend to amend the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA), which mandates hospitals to treat anyone in need of emergency medical care, including undocumented immigrants. This statement comes during a week of heightened discussions around undocumented immigrants and access to healthcare.
In the ongoing debate over funding government operations, a common Republican contention is that the Democrats’ budget proposal would allocate substantial resources to provide “free healthcare for illegals.” (It’s important to note that undocumented immigrants are currently ineligible for federally funded health insurance like Medicaid.) Learn more from STAT’s John Wilkerson about the current situation.
Public Reaction to Trump’s Tylenol Assertions
Following President Trump’s unsubstantiated claims linking Tylenol (acetaminophen) usage during pregnancy to autism, a KFF poll representative of the U.S. adult population revealed that many were uncertain about the validity of these statements, with results showing that 30% believed it was likely true and another 30% thought it likely false. Opinions varied significantly along party lines. Other noteworthy findings included:
- Close to 60% of participants disapproved of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s performance as health secretary, with 62% disapproving of his management of vaccine policies.
- While trust in the CDC has been declining, 64% of respondents expressed confidence in the AMA, and 69% of parents trusted information provided by the AAP.
- Seventy percent of responding parents opposed the removal of vaccine mandates for public schools in their respective states.
As a reminder, STAT’s Matt Herper has compiled a comprehensive review of the evidence concerning both Tylenol and vaccines.
Increase in Cannabis Use Among People with Psychosis
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry indicates that the prevalence of cannabis use among individuals with psychosis is rising in states that have legalized cannabis. Researchers analyzed data from 1,856 adults with a lifetime history of psychosis from a national longitudinal study conducted by the FDA and NIH, finding a nearly 10% increase in cannabis use within five years after recreational marijuana legalization.
Although the majority of cannabis users do not experience psychosis, numerous studies suggest a correlation between cannabis usage and an increased risk of developing psychosis at a younger age with a potentially worse outcome. STAT’s O. Rose Broderick highlights that the rapid rise of legal cannabis products is outpacing adequate regulation. Discover more about the research and the concerns it raises among medical experts.
First Gene-Edited Pig Liver Successfully Transplanted into Human
A groundbreaking achievement occurred in China where researchers successfully implanted a CRISPR gene-edited pig liver into a human patient. This organ functioned properly for a month before it needed to be removed. The case study, released today in the Journal of Hepatology, offers cautious optimism for the renewed interest in xenotransplantation while also highlighting the challenges that remain.
The patient, a 71-year-old man with a history of liver failure, was admitted to a hospital in Anhui Province in May 2024, where a critical tumor was found on his liver. Faced with limited options, he and his family agreed to an experimental xenotransplant through a compassionate use program.
Upon integration with the patient’s circulatory system, the gene-edited pig liver began to perform vital functions, such as bile secretion. However, around day 31 post-transplant, alarming levels of inflammation and blood vessel damage were detected, necessitating the organ’s urgent removal. Though these issues were resolved, the patient ultimately passed away three months later due to sudden uncontrollable upper GI bleeding.
Lead surgeon Sun Beiching stated that this experiment demonstrated the potential of xenotransplantation to provide a lifesaving option for patients facing inoperable liver cancer or unmanageable liver failure. His team is now working on developing a pig with further genetic enhancements in hopes of creating organs that will be more compatible — Megan Molteni
Announcing This Year’s MacArthur ‘Geniuses’
The MacArthur Foundation announced yesterday the selection of 22 new “genius” fellows, which include individuals from various fields such as astrophysics, music composition, literature, and research, including a few recognized for their contributions in STAT journalism. Noteworthy mentions include:
- Nabarun Dasgupta, an epidemiologist and advocate for harm reduction. He has previously interviewed with STAT, notably addressing the growing effectiveness of naloxone in overdose treatment and discussing the evolving illegal drug supply.
- Jason McLellan, a structural biologist focused on virus fusion proteins, who played a key role in designing the spike protein target utilized by several vaccine manufacturers to create Covid vaccines. This accomplishment is referenced in STAT’s Helen Branswell’s 2022 piece detailing the extraordinary nature of Covid-19 vaccines.
Our Reading Picks
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Desperate children cry for food as U.S. aid cuts lead to devastation and death in Myanmar, AP
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Has Trump always opposed LGBTQ+ rights? Historical evidence suggests otherwise, The 19th
- Families of children with rare diseases ponder: When will our CRISPR breakthrough arrive? STAT
- California’s nursing shortage worsens. Frontline workers attribute the crisis to management, KFF Health News
- First Opinion: The pharmaceutical industry’s shift away from infectious disease research could have dire consequences for the world’s underprivileged populations, STAT
