Retrieval-augmented generation improved overall quality scores for patient-facing gynecological cancer information mainly through better source attribution.
<img src="https://jmir-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thumbs/6f5424b223cbd674be852ff0ea0cbaf2" />
AI in Oncology Takes Off, Tackling HIV and Liver Disease, Pharma’s Recent Gains
Some GEN editors were in sunny San Diego covering the hottest research, trends, and products from the American Association for Cancer Research meeting. We kick things off with news from America’s Finest City, particularly around the growing role of AI in oncology. Then we dive into two new research studies. In the first, scientists used CRISPR to identify genes in primary CD4+ T cells that promote or restrict HIV infection. The second study described engineered implantable liver constructs that could eventually serve as a stopgap for patients waiting for donor transplants. Finally, the acquisitions keep coming as Eli Lilly scoops up CAR T cell therapy developer Kelonia for $7B. Also, Revolution Medicines has shared some impressive data from a Phase III trial of its pancreatic cancer drug.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
AACR 2026: A Video Update from San Diego
By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Damian Doherty, GEN, April 21, 2026
AACR 2026 Video Update: Cancer Research Edges Toward an AI-Driven Era
By Fay Lin, PhD, and Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 22, 2026
Using AI in Healthcare Ethically by Considering Humanity
By Corinna Singleman, PhD, IPM, November 18, 2025
10x Genomics Unveils Atera Spatial Platform at AACR Meeting
By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, April 19, 2026
CRISPR Screens Map Human T‑Cell Genes That Promote or Block HIV Infection
GEN, April 20, 2026
Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering Grow Liver Tissue In‑Body
GEN, April 20, 2026
StockWatch: Revolution’s Phase III Pancreatic Cancer Data Dazzles Investors, Analysts
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 19, 2026
Lilly to Acquire Kelonia for Up to $7B, Expanding Cancer Cell Therapy Pipeline
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 20, 2026
Touching Base Podcast
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Behind the Breakthroughs
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
The post AI in Oncology Takes Off, Tackling HIV and Liver Disease, Pharma’s Recent Gains appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
<![CDATA[In this CME article, learn how depression hides in organ failure, transplants, neurologic disease, and hormonal shifts—plus screening tips and safer treatment choices.]]>
<![CDATA[Explore GLP-1 agonists and their “truly transformative” role in psychiatry in this podcast. ]]>
The Download: supercharged scams and studying AI healthcare
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
We’re in a new era of AI-driven scams
When ChatGPT was released in late 2022, it showed how easily generative AI could create human-like text. This quickly caught the eye of cybercriminals, who began using LLMs to compose malicious emails. Since then, they’ve adopted AI for everything from turbocharged phishing and hyperrealistic deepfakes to automated vulnerability scans.
Many organizations are now struggling to cope with the sheer volume of cyberattacks. AI is making them faster, cheaper, and easier to carry out, a problem set to worsen as more cybercriminals adopt these tools—and their capabilities improve. Read the full story on how AI is reshaping cybercrime.
—Rhiannon Williams
“Supercharged scams” is one of the 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, our essential guide to what’s really worth your attention in the field.
Subscribers can watch an exclusive roundtable unveiling the technologies and trends on the list, with analysis from MIT Technology Review’s AI reporter Grace Huckins and executive editors Amy Nordrum and Niall Firth.
Healthcare AI is here. We don’t know if it actually helps patients.
Doctors are using AI to help them with notetaking. AI-based tools are trawling through patient records, flagging people who may require certain support or treatments. They are also used to interpret medical exam results and X-rays.
A growing number of studies suggest that many of these tools can deliver accurate results. But there’s a bigger question here: Does using them actually translate into better health outcomes for patients? We don’t yet have a good answer—here’s why.
—Jessica Hamzelou
The story is from The Checkup, our weekly newsletter that gives you the latest from the worlds of health and biotech. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Thursday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 DeepSeek has unveiled its long-awaited new AI model
The Chinese company has just launched preview versions of DeepSeek-V4. (CNN)
+It says V4 is the most powerful open-source platform. (Bloomberg $)
+ And rivals top closed-source models from OpenAI and DeepMind. (SCMP)
+ The model is adapted for Huawei chip technology. (Reuters $)
2 More countries are curbing children’s social media access
Norway is set to enforce the latest ban. (Reuters $)
+ The Philippines could follow soon. (Bloomberg $)
+ Americans are pushing to get AI out of schools. (The New Yorker)
3 The US has accused China of mass AI theft as tensions rise
A White House memo claims Chinese firms are exploiting American models. (BBC)
+ Beijing calls the accusations “slander.” (Ars Technica)
4 OpenAI set itself apart from Anthropic by widely releasing its new model
It’s releasing GPT-5.5 to all ChatGPT users, despite cybersecurity concerns. (NYT $)
+ OpenAI says the new model is better at coding and more efficient. (The Verge)
5 Meta is cutting 10% of jobs to offset AI spending
Roughly 8,000 layoffs are set to be announced on May 20. (QZ)
+ Anti-AI protests are growing. (MIT Technology Review)
6 Palantir is facing a backlash from employees
Thanks to its work with ICE and the Trump administration. (Wired $)
+ Surveillance tech is reshaping the fight for privacy. (MIT Technology Review)
7 The era of free access to advanced AI is coming to an end
AI labs are under mounting pressure to start turning profits. (The Verge)
8 Elon Musk’s feud with Sam Altman is heading to court
The case has already revealed several unflattering secrets. (WP $)
9 A new movement is encouraging people to ditch their smartphones for a month
“Month Offline” is like a Dry January for smartphones. (The Atlantic)
10 Spotify has revealed its most-streamed music of the last 20 years
Featuring Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, and The Weeknd. (Gizmodo)
Quote of the day
“We want a childhood where children get to be children. Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens.”
—Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announces age restrictions for social media.
One More Thing
NASA/JPL-CALTECH VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS; CRAFT NASA/JPL-CALTECH/SWRI/MSSS; IMAGE PROCESSING: KEVIN M. GILL
The search for extraterrestrial life is targeting Jupiter’s icy moon Europa
As astronomers have discovered more about Europa over the past few decades, Jupiter’s fourth-largest moon has excited planetary scientists interested in the geophysics of alien worlds.
All that water and energy—and hints of elements essential for building organic molecules —point to an extraordinary possibility. In the depths of its ocean, or perhaps crowded in subsurface lakes or below icy surface vents, Jupiter’s big, bright moon could host life.
To find further evidence, NASA is now searching for signs of alien existence on Europa. Read the full story on the mission.
—Stephen Ornes
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line.)
+ Here’s a fun look at the secret collaborations of pop history.
+ Meet the mannequins showing how the “ideal” body has evolved.
+ A photographer has cataloged all 12,795 objects in her home into an archive of a life.
+ Slime molds are unexpectedly beautiful when viewed through these high-detail macro shots.
Vagus nerve stimulation as an anti-inflammatory therapy for maternal immune activation-induced alterations in offspring microglia and neurodevelopment
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. With the increasing prevalence of ASD diagnosis, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms behind preventable causes, such as prenatal infections, and look for possible routes to improve outcomes. For example, maternal immune activation (MIA), the process by which immunogens that enter the maternal system lead to a maternal inflammatory response, has been well established as associated with increased ASD diagnosis. However, the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated and the options for targeting MIA as a preventative measure are uncertain. The maternal cytokine response is considered a crucial mechanism underlying MIA-induced neurodevelopmental changes, with key contributing cytokines, which include interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17a. These cytokines can be produced in the maternal periphery and placenta, leading to the transmission of maternal cytokines into the fetal brain and causing upregulation of endogenous production. In the fetal brain, IL-6 and IL-17a act on microglia, the innate immune cells of the central nervous system, to further induce pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Furthermore, microglia alter fetal brain neurocircuitry, leading to lifelong, ASD-like dysregulation. The vagus nerve, the primary nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, may serve as a target for intervention. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be targeted by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and can lead to the downregulation of peripheral cytokines. This review is intended to summarize the cytokine-related mechanisms of MIA, the role of fetal microglia in dysregulation, and to assess the potential for VNS as a preventative treatment measure for MIA-induced alterations.
Toward an NGF-based therapy for Rett syndrome
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder primarily caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Although recent therapeutic advances, such as the approval of Trofinetide, offer partial relief, no comprehensive curative treatment is currently available. Among the emerging strategies, nerve growth factor (NGF) has gained attention due to its neurotrophic and immunomodulatory properties. This review, in addition to discussing the key features of RTT and the role of growth factors, also highlights recent evidence supporting NGF-based strategies for RTT, focusing on two independent studies that tested intranasal administration of NGF-like molecules in Mecp2-mutant mice. Both recombinant human NGF (rhNGF) and a modified, “painless” variant (hNGFp) improved behavioral (cognitive and motor) symptoms. While rhNGF primarily restored mitochondrial function, hNGFp restored neuroinflammatory responses through microglial regulation. Despite differences in molecular mechanisms and dosages, both molecules demonstrated efficacy without adverse effects, especially when administered intranasally, preventively, and over longer periods. These findings suggest that NGF may act through dual mechanisms, by supporting energy homeostasis and regulating immune responses. The use of intranasal delivery further enhances translational potential by overcoming blood–brain barrier limitations. Together, these studies provide a strong rationale for pursuing NGF-based therapies in RTT and encourage further investigations to optimize dosing, timing, and safety in preclinical and clinical settings.
Lithuanian children’s trauma characteristics and correlates: comparison of clinical and non-clinical samples
IntroductionPrevious studies have shown that children’s exposure to potentially traumatic events and their trauma−related symptoms may not always be consistently identified. This study aims to examine differences in trauma exposure and related psychological outcomes between clinical and non−clinical Lithuanian children.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 10–17−year−old children and adolescents recruited from a clinical inpatient setting (Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos) and general−education schools in Vilnius and nearby districts. After parental consent and child assent, participants completed a secure mobile assessment covering exposure to potentially traumatic events (CATS), dissociation (A−DES), mood and feeling (SMFQ), post−traumatic cognitions (CPTCI), PTSD symptoms (CATS; PCL−5 for convergent validation), and perceived social support (CASSS). Data were collected in 2023–2024. Group differences were examined using Welch’s t−tests (with Mann–Whitney U as robustness checks), and associations were assessed using Pearson correlations.ResultsIn the clinical sample over 40% of children experienced physical violence, while in the non−clinical sample 82.9% children reported exposure to multiple traumatic events. The clinical sample showed significantly higher dissociation, negative mood, and PTSD symptoms compared to the non−clinical sample. However, among children exposed to more than one traumatic event, differences in dissociation, PTSD symptoms, and close−friend support were not significant. Across both samples, exposure to potentially traumatic events was strongly associated with PTSD symptoms, dissociation, and post−traumatic cognitions, and moderately associated with mood symptoms. In the non−clinical sample, parental support showed moderate negative associations with dissociation, mood symptoms, post−traumatic cognitions, and PTSD symptoms.DiscussionThis study identified between−sample differences in exposure to potentially traumatic events and trauma−related psychological outcomes among Lithuanian children in inpatient and community settings, highlighting the need for trauma−informed assessment and attention to social support within child mental health and welfare services.
A longitudinal inquiry into the vicious cycle of social media addiction and self-injury: the moderating role of resilience
BackgroundThe reciprocal relationship between social networking addiction (SNA) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) represents a critical, yet poorly understood, feedback loop in adolescent psychopathology. This study aimed to longitudinally test a “vicious cycle” model, examining the bidirectional effects between SNA and NSSI, and to investigate psychological resilience as a potential protective factor that could disrupt this harmful dynamic.MethodsA three-wave longitudinal study was conducted with a large cohort of 2,628 Chinese high school students (mean age = 16.1 years; 53.1% female) over a 12-month period. Participants completed measures of SNA, NSSI frequency, and psychological resilience at each wave. A cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was used to examine the reciprocal, prospective relationships between SNA and NSSI. A multi-group CLPM was then employed to test the moderating role of resilience.ResultsThe CLPM revealed significant, positive, and reciprocal cross-lagged effects. SNA at T1 and T2 prospectively predicted increases in NSSI at T2 and T3, respectively (βs = .19 and.17). Conversely, NSSI at T1 and T2 prospectively predicted increases in SNA at T2 and T3 (βs = .14 and.12), providing robust evidence for a vicious cycle. Furthermore, resilience significantly moderated the pathway from SNA to NSSI. For adolescents with low resilience, the effect was strong and significant (β = .25), whereas for those with high resilience, the effect was rendered non-significant (β = .07).ConclusionsSocial networking addiction and non-suicidal self-injury are not merely comorbid but are locked in a mutually reinforcing developmental spiral over time. However, this dangerous cycle is not deterministic. Psychological resilience acts as a powerful protective buffer, effectively uncoupling the link from addictive social media use to self-harm. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated, dual-focus interventions that address both online and offline maladaptive behaviors, while championing resilience-building as a primary strategy for prevention.
Sex-specific impact of vitamin D and B9 concentrations on neuroticism: a polygenic score-based study
IntroductionNeuroticism is a personality domain with prognostic value for physical and mental health. To properly inform public health policy, it is crucial to uncover the mechanisms underlying high neuroticism. Many internal and external factors that affect brain development and functioning and therefore might contribute to the variability of neuroticism remain understudied. Among them, the impact of vitamin sufficiency is of great interest, as it is a modifiable factor. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of neuroticism with vitamin D (VD) and vitamin B9 (VB9) using polygenic scores (PGS) in a nonclinical cohort.MethodsWe analyzed data from 348 healthy unrelated individuals, including neuroticism scores on the Eysenck Personality Inventory, VD-PGS, VB9-PGS and PGS for neuroticism-related traits.ResultsThe analysis controlling for demographic and genetic confounders revealed a negative association between VB9-PGS and neuroticism scores in women and a positive association between VD-PGS and neuroticism scores in men. The highest values of the VD-PGS were observed in men, who scored high on both neuroticism and extraversion. In men, unlike women, neuroticism scores were not correlated with PGS for neuroticism but were associated with PGS for bipolar disorder type 1 and alcohol use disorders.ConclusionThe results suggest that the effects on neuroticism of genetic propensity for suboptimal vitamin D and B9 concentrations might differ across the two sexes. The findings are consistent with the idea of the importance of vitamin B9 for emotional stability in women and indicate the involvement of genetic factors predisposing to higher vitamin D levels in excitability-related components of neuroticism in men.