Mixing Science and Politics Leads to Trouble, Former NIH Director Says
WASHINGTON — “When you mix politics and science, you just get politics.” Former NIH director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, made that comment Tuesday at an event here sponsored by The Atlantic as he reflected on the lessons he learned from his early experiences during the COVID pandemic. And although the country’s political polarization became more […]
Molecules in vegetables can help to ease lung infection
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have found that molecules in vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower help to maintain a healthy barrier in the lung and ease infection. The AHR — aryl hydrocarbon receptor — is a protein found at barrier sites like the gut and the lung. Natural molecules in cruciferous vegetables — for […]
Researchers map the effects of dietary nutrients on disease
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and King’s College London have created a tool to predict the effects of different diets on both cancerous cells and healthy cells. Their work could help disentangle the subtle metabolic changes associated with different types of nutrients, and improve our understanding of the link between diet and disease. Metabolism […]
Why Do People Keep Falling for Things That Don’t Work?
[embedded content] In this video, Rohin Francis, MBBS, discusses the nuances of scientific information. The following is a partial transcript of this video; note that errors are possible. Francis: I talk about the different cognitive biases on this channel fairly frequently that we all exhibit. And what’s interesting about them is that everybody is affected, […]
Can You Be So Fit …That You Die Early?
[embedded content] In this video, Rohin Francis, MBBS, discusses the potential ramifications of extreme exercise. The following is a partial transcript of this video; note that errors are possible. Francis: Can you be so fit that you die? I asked that question in the second ever video I uploaded to this channel, but today I […]
How Large Breasts Changed Medicine Forever
[embedded content] In this video, Rohin Francis, MBBS, recounts how a young woman’s generous shape led to a significant leap in medical technology. The following is a transcript of this video; note that errors are possible. Francis: I’m in Paris and I’m actually on the Champs-Élysées. You can probably just make out the Arc de […]
The Cult of Superstar Doctors
[embedded content] In this video, Rohin Francis, MBBS, discusses three stories of controversial figures in the field of regenerative medicine. The following is a partial transcript of this video; note that errors are possible. Francis: The trial of disgraced surgeon Paolo Macchiarini is due to conclude just a couple of days after I’m recording this. […]
Gene-editing used to create single sex mice litters, 100% efficiency
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute, in collaboration with University of Kent, have used gene editing technology to create female-only and male-only mice litters with 100% efficiency. This proof of principle study, published in Nature Communications today (Friday 3rd December), demonstrates how the technology could be used to improve animal welfare in scientific research and […]
Injecting Cocaine Into Your Spine for Science
[embedded content] Rohin Francis, MBBS, takes a look back at that time doctors injected themselves with cocaine in the name of science. Following is a rough transcript: Rohin Francis, MBBS: Good evening and welcome back to the Old England Journal of Medicine. It’s off to the former colonies today, as recently I had the sterling […]
Pope Francis Goes To Rome Hospital For Intestinal Surgery
Pope Francis went Sunday to a Rome hospital for scheduled surgery for a stenosis, or restriction, of the large intestine, the Vatican said. The brief announcement from the Holy See’s press office didn’t say exactly when the surgery would be performed but said there would be an announcement when the surgery is complete. Just three […]