In a story about the difference between the two joint disorder axial spondyloarthropathy and axial involvement in psoriatic arthritis, Atul Deodhar, M.D., describes treatments available for each.

Research by Craig Newgard, M.D., finds children died less often after receiving care at emergency departments that have higher pediatric readiness scores: “It is likely that this association is driven by reducing early preventable deaths in children.”

Therapeutic human embryo research by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D., is described in a story about whether human cloning is possible.

OHSU is among the many organizations that support Oregon House Bill 4092, which aims to expand broadband Internet access.

In a discussion about booster mRNA COVID-19 vaccines being the best way to avoid serious illness and death during the omicron-driven surge, Mark Slikfa, Ph.D., describes his 2019 research, which found antigens have “to maintain stimulation of the immune system for a certain amount of time” for vaccines to bring about longer-lasting immunity.

Nonurgent surgeries are being delayed across the country because of crowded hospitals during the omicron surge. Eric Stecker, M.D., says: “For some cardiovascular conditions, delaying elective care by two weeks to three months can really adversely impact patients.”

Fikadu Tafesse, Ph.D., says, “How long we’re stuck with this virus is really defined by the durability of our immunity. That’s what makes the immunity question so important.”

Tracy Severson, RD, LD, notes eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy, regular exercise and losing just 5% of your weight can reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.

Christopher Fox, M.S.N., RN, provides outside expert commentary on a study that explores why some patients don’t pick up HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, prescriptions, noting: “Writing a prescription is not enough. We need to think about a PrEP continuum the same way we think about an HIV-care continuum. After identifying who would benefit from PrEP, how do we ensure that they pick up their prescriptions, take their pills, order refills, and continue on PrEP?"

How dentists can better serve patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities: David Carsten, D.D.S., notes it’s important “that the philosophy of caring for vulnerable people and having mercy for those of limited means be a publicly held value. Providers have to learn about empathy and communication, become knowledgeable regarding the disabilities … (and) ... they need to learn how to modify care."