Andrew Joseph, Author at STAT

Elizabeth D. Herman for STAT Rachel Haurwitz is the CEO of Caribou Biosciences, a biotech pursuing commercial…

Elizabeth D. Herman for STAT Haurwitz in the Caribou offices in Berkeley.

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Rachel Haurwitz is the CEO of Caribou Biosciences, one of the leading companies pursuing commercial applications of CRISPR.

Business

At 31, she runs one of the hottest biotech companies in the country

By Andrew Joseph

Spencer Platt/Getty Images Stem cells are viewed on a computer screen.

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The new program could provide enough high-quality pancreatic cells producing insulin to treat patients in upcoming clinical trials.

Biotech

Stem cell factory opens door for trials of personalized diabetes treatment

By Andrew Joseph

Joe Raedle/Getty Images A mosquito control inspector uses larvicide granules on plants as a proactive…

BRIEFLY

As part of a draft plan, US health officials will deploy a strike team to further limit the virus's spread, with the ultimate goal of protecting pregnant women.

Health

CDC preparing to deploy strike teams to limit spread of Zika

By Andrew Joseph

Wyss Institute at Harvard University A black cartridge, based on CRISPR technology, contains a paper-based diagnostic for…

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The gene-editing technique CRISPR has been used for the first time to create a diagnostic that can differentiate between two strains of the Zika virus.

In the Lab

Could CRISPR gene-cutting tool transform disease diagnostics?

By Andrew Joseph

Wendy Maeda/The Boston Globe George Church, seen here in 2011.

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Scientists George Church and Drew Endy take opposing sides in the debate over whether to build human and other genomes from scratch.

In the Lab

A ‘family spat’ spills out in public, as scientists debate effort to build a human genome

By Andrew Joseph

Alex Hogan/STAT More and more companies are adding "heavy" hydrogen to existing drugs.

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Adding heavy hydrogen to existing medications could help make drugs safer, but will the therapeutic gains be worth the extra cost to patients?

Business

A ‘heavy’ addition could improve old drugs, but patent and price questions loom

By Andrew Joseph

Chris Hondros/Getty When soldiers try to kill themselves depends on their deployment status.

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When soldiers try to kill themselves depends on their deployment status.

Health

Suicide risk spikes for soldiers at specific moments in their careers

By Andrew Joseph

Peter Dejong/AP A drug derived from magic mushrooms helped improve symptoms of depression, according…

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In the first clinical trial of its kind, psilocybin helped improve symptoms in people who had long suffered from severe depression.

Health

Magic mushroom ingredient offers hope for treating depression

By Andrew Joseph

Win McNamee/Getty Images Federal regulations on cannabis restrict what can be discovered about the plant…

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Federal regulations on cannabis restrict what can be discovered about the plant and its components’ therapeutic potential, researchers say.

Health

Want to test a marijuana-based drug? Expect a visit from the ‘men in black’

By Andrew Joseph

University of Luxembourg

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The STAT Morning Rounds newsletter keeps you ahead of the day's health and science news.

Morning Rounds

Big money for cancer research & a spiral-shaped model of your gut

By Andrew Joseph

Carla Schaffer/AAAS A new robotic system can suture soft tissues autonomously.

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An autonomous surgical robot completed a portion of an operation in living soft tissue without human guidance.

In the Lab

Robot surgeon performs first soft-tissue operation by itself

By Andrew Joseph

APStock Psychotherapy, not drugs, is the best way to treat insomnia, according to…

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Psychotherapy, not drugs, is the best way to treat insomnia, according to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians.

Health

Need a good night’s rest? Choose therapy over pills, doctors group says

By Andrew Joseph

Muhammed Muheisen/AP Where refugees settle can affect their long-term risk of type 2 diabetes.

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The type of neighborhood in which refugees live can affect their long-term risk of type 2 diabetes.

Health

Where refugees settle matters for their health

By Andrew Joseph

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong received a huge pay package last year from NantKwest…

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Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a biotech billionaire known for his showy promises to revolutionize health care, received an eye-popping $148 million pay package last year.

Business

The ‘world’s richest doctor’ just got a very rich payout

By Andrew Joseph

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald joins other veterans, as well as former…

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Secretary Robert McDonald, an Army veteran, said he wants to "in a small way, contribute to the vital research happening to better understand brain trauma."

In the Lab

VA secretary says he will donate his brain to concussion research

By Andrew Joseph

Screen capture via Cargo Collective Two mosquito killer billboards have popped up in Rio de Janeiro.

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Billboards that attract and kill mosquitoes could help simultaneously raise awareness about Zika and control virus transmission.

Health

Billboards in Brazil have been rigged to lure and kill Zika-carrying mosquitoes

By Andrew Joseph

Felipe Dana/AP

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It’s a question that has been asked of experts repeatedly: Will Zika raise a woman’s risk of delivering a child with birth defects in the long run?

Health

Does getting Zika raise a woman’s risk of birth defects in future pregnancies?

By Andrew Joseph

Alex Hogan/STAT

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Scientists have homed in on regions of the genome that appear to play a role in influencing when people first have intercourse.

In the Lab

How you look in those jeans — and your genes — can influence when you lose your virginity

By Andrew Joseph

Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe Steve Yang, chief operating officer of WuXi AppTec.

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Chinese companies are moving into Kendall Square and the Boston area, hoping to work more closely with biopharma giants and startups alike.

Business

Chinese biopharma companies set down roots in Boston area

By Andrew Joseph

Ohio State University

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A quadriplegic has regained some movement of his hand and wrist, after scientists rerouted his brain signals, a report says, though it added that the advance isn't ready for the…

In the Lab

Brain implant helps quadriplegic move his hand — and play Guitar Hero

By Andrew Joseph

Dom Smith/STAT A map of Harris County, Texas, divided so mosquito control officals can…

Dom Smith/STAT A pile of trash and tree clippings clogs a drainage ditch in…

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Public health officials fighting to stem the Zika virus in the United States have a problem on their hands beside the formidable mosquito: us.

Health

Mosquitoes are spreading Zika. Your neighbors aren’t helping

By Andrew Joseph

Dom Smith/STAT

CDC

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In hot, humid Harris County, mosquitoes are being dunked into a freezer, sorted, crushed, sampled, and tested for Zika virus.

In the Lab

Watch: As Zika concerns spread, a top mosquito control district gets to work

By Andrew Joseph

Andre Penner/AP A researcher holds a container with female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at the…

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The Obama administration announced Wednesday it is diverting more than $500 million in Ebola funding to bolster Zika research and preparation.

Politics

Obama administration diverts $500 million from Ebola response to Zika fight

By Andrew Joseph

David Goldman/AP CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden at the Zika Action Plan Summit in…

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Local and state agencies need to be preparing now for the possibility of mosquito-borne transmission of Zika, say federal officials.

Health

At Zika summit, officials stress need for funding and action now to avoid crisis later

By Andrew Joseph

Alex Hogan/STAT, CDC

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The mosquito species driving the outbreak appears to range over a far wider swath of the continental United States than previously estimated.

Health

Map: More US cities are now expected to be vulnerable to Zika

By Andrew Joseph

Orlando Sierra/AFP/Getty Images A majority of Americans would support spraying against mosquitoes if Zika appeared…

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The majority of Americans know the basic facts about Zika virus, but misperceptions abound about how the virus spreads and causes disease.

Health

1 in 3 Americans think you can catch Zika from a sneeze

By Andrew Joseph

K. West/CNPRC-UC Davis Scientists are studying Zika in rhesus macaques at the California National Primate…

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New animal models will help scientists discover possible treatments and vaccines for Zika virus infections.

In the Lab

From mice to monkeys, animal models hold the key to battling Zika

By Andrew Joseph

PAHO TV via YouTube Muppets Raya and Elmo tackle the Zika virus.

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The effort to slow the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean just enlisted some serious star power: "Sesame Street."

Health

Elmo and ‘Sesame Street’ get serious about Zika

By Andrew Joseph

Aram Boghosian for STAT Tyler Jacks, director of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at…

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Academic researchers used to raise eyebrows if they if they tried to commercialize their work while keeping their faculty posts. Now, it's common.

Business

Researchers take the plunge into industry — without leaving the ivory tower

By Andrew Joseph

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