☀️ Handwritten Genetic Codes

Plus: Is LeBron James a longevity star?

Author

Kaushee Ganeshan
February 20, 2024

Logo

In partnership with

Welcome to your briefing:

  • AI ROUNDUP: Why the tech industry won’t disrupt healthcare

  • INDUSTRY ROUNDUP: NYC suing social media companies for effects on youth mental health

  • WELLNESS BYTES: LeBron James’ all-star longevity?

  • INSIGHTS CORNER: Unraveling the genetic code by hand

  • TRIVIA: Which area of healthcare is expected to see a significant increase in demand for professionals by 2030, even with automation?

AI ROUNDUP

WATCH THIS

Gates Ventures, Mayo Clinic back tiny robot created by $400M apple face ID inventors to treat brain disease. (Read More)

— ### —

  • N.Y. governor wants to criminalize deceptive AI (Read More)

  • Elon Musk's Neuralink has concerning lack of transparency and could be vulnerable to hacking, ethicists warn (Read More)

  • AI spots unidentified brain tumor on PET imaging (Read More)

  • Apple Vision Pro partners look to usher in new era of healthcare (Read More)

  • Why the tech industry won’t disrupt healthcare (Read More)

  • Move over, CRISPR: RNA-editing therapies pick up steam (Read More)

  • Meet Tina: The AI assistant that monitors neurodegenerative disease regression (Read More)

  • Artificial intelligence is making critical healthcare decisions. The sheriff is MIA (Read More)

  • New machine learning model uses MRI scans to predict psychosis onset (Read More)

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP

  • Nearly half of healthcare workers have witnessed racism, and discrimination (Read More)

  • Wegovy fuels sharp rise in use of weight-loss drugs for US youth (Read More)

  • Lost in directory: How bad data deepens rural health disparities (Read More)

  • FTC probing middlemen's role in drug shortages (Read More)

  • NYC suing social media companies for effects on youth mental health (Read More)

  • 12 hospital tech startups to watch, according to VCs (Read More)

WELLNESS BYTES

  • LeBron James’ all-star longevity? (Read More)

  • 4 things a doctor who's written best-selling books about aging does daily in the hope of living longer (Read More)

  • Everyone’s talking about memory right now. Neuroscientist Charan Ranganath on what we need to know—and what we’re all missing (Read More)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

The best broth on the planet.

From scratch, no concentrates, no preservatives, no shortcuts.
Now in a convenient package you can store in your pantry!

  • Created by James Beard award-winning chef Marco Canora

  • Beloved by NYC since 2014

  • 8 grams of protein and 50 calories 

  • Holistic gut and skin health

  • No preservatives, concentrates, or short cuts.

INSIGHTS CORNER

#1- Dr. Nirenberg: Unraveling the genetic code, by hand

The Breakthrough:

In 1965, Dr. Marshall W. Nirenberg made an extraordinary discovery that shifted the course of biological science: he cracked the genetic code. This was not just another scientific achievement; it was a pivotal moment that unveiled how life itself is orchestrated at the molecular level.

The Method:

Armed with paper, pencil, and a variety of inks, Nirenberg and his team meticulously documented the relationships between DNA's triplets and amino acids. This low-tech approach, in stark contrast to today's digital tools, was revolutionary. It showed that with basic resources and innovative thinking, one could decode the secrets of life.

Why It's Important:

Nirenberg's work laid the foundational knowledge for genetic research, enabling advancements in everything from medical treatments to our understanding of hereditary diseases. It underscored the importance of fundamental scientific inquiry and its potential to uncover the underlying principles of life.

The Legacy:

This discovery, captured on pieces of paper now preserved for posterity, highlights the significance of perseverance and intellectual curiosity. Winning the Nobel Prize in 1968, Nirenberg's contribution transcends the accolade; it's a reminder of the profound impact that dedicated research can have on humanity's quest for knowledge. His work not only advanced our understanding of biological mechanisms but also inspired subsequent generations to explore the uncharted territories of science with openness and creativity.

— ### —

#2 - Google Health’s 2024 forecast for AI in healthcare

In an insightful prediction for 2024, Aashima Gupta, the Global Director for Healthcare Strategy & Solutions at Google Cloud, outlines how artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize healthcare. Here are the key highlights:

  • Operational Efficiencies: Google Cloud's initiatives, including MedLM and Vertex AI Search, aim to reduce the administrative load on healthcare professionals. This could lead to substantial time savings and a reduction in clinician burnout, making the healthcare sector more attractive to professionals.

  • Improved Patient Care: Leveraging AI, institutions like HCA Healthcare and Mayo Clinic are innovating in patient care. Efforts are focused on streamlining processes such as patient handoffs and enhancing the retrieval of medical information, which in turn, improves patient outcomes and operational efficiencies.

  • Insightful Data Utilization: The application of generative AI for the synthesis and analysis of vast healthcare datasets is expected to provide deeper insights into patient care and public health, potentially transforming the healthcare landscape with new patterns and understandings.

Implications:

Google Health’s vision for 2024 is clear: AI will not only tackle current operational challenges in healthcare but also pave the way for long-term innovations in patient care and health insights. This strategic integration of AI promises a more efficient, insightful, and patient-focused healthcare system, marking a pivotal shift in how healthcare services are delivered and managed.

— ### —

#3- Global life expectancy: A century of progress

Global life expectancy has seen notable increases from 1971 to 2021, demonstrating significant health advancements across continents.

  • Global Increase: From 58 years in 1971 to 71 years in 2021.

  • Top Performer: Bangladesh, with a leap from 26 to 72 years, the highest globally.

Key Highlights:

  • Africa and Asia witnessed the most substantial rises.

  • The Americas, with countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, and Bolivia, showed notable improvements.

  • Europe’s significant climbers include Portugal, Malta, and Luxembourg, with Portugal’s life expectancy up by roughly 18%.

This data underscores the impact of medical advancements, political stability, and lifestyle changes on global health outcomes.

AI TRIVIA

HEALTHCARE CONFERENCES

MARCH 

That’s all for today, follow me on Linkedin.

Support us by sharing our newsletter with your colleagues.

Until next time.