A couple of highlights from around the web that made it into our feeds this week.
Surgeons Perform First Human Bladder Transplant
Surgeons at UCLA and USC have performed the world’s first bladder transplant on a patient with a rare form of bladder cancer. Beyond the technical achievement and potentially life-changing implications for Oscar, the recipient, the story does a nice job of demonstrating the deep collaboration and dedication that make such breakthroughs possible. As the field of transplant medicine continues to push boundaries, this case prompts us all to consider how surgical innovation can redefine what’s possible for those who have exhausted conventional treatments. (from nytimes.com)
What Isaac Asimov Reveals About Living with A.I.
This thoughtful essay revisits Isaac Asimov’s “I, Robot” and its famous Three Laws of Robotics, exploring how fiction’s hopes of taming AI through rules align with today’s challenges of controlling large language models. Asimov’s early recognition of the complexities in aligning machine behavior with human values (highlighted by the ethical twists and technical hurdles we see today) feels especially timely. In medicine, where AI is poised to revolutionize diagnostics, workflows, and even surgical planning, the piece is a reminder that technology can enhance—but never replace—the human touch. (from newyorker.com)
What to know about COVID shots after RFK Jr. changed recommendation
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent decision to remove the CDC’s recommendation for COVID-19 vaccines in healthy children and pregnant women may make it harder for these groups to access shots, and to get them covered by insurance. This change could leave vulnerable populations at greater risk for severe outcomes, especially young children who lack immunity from prior infection or vaccination. For so many already facing barriers to care, this development underscores the importance of strong vaccine policies—and that we all must fully commit to equitable care. (from axios.com)
Related:
- “Dr. AI” Video Series: Can ChatGPT Step Up to The Medical Challenge?
- Will We See the End of Immunosuppression?
- Changing the Future of Living Liver Donation: A Conversation about Columbia’s All-Robotic Approach