Family in PA Measles Death Speaks; Political Appointees Flood HHS; Email Defense

The Amish parents of the newborn who likely died of measles-related causes had no clue their son’s death was national news, let alone a political flashpoint. Measles had been ravaging their Pennsylvania community; all of their kids became sick, as did the mom while she was very pregnant. She went into labor while still sick, and the newborn died. The parents said not vaccinating their kids isn’t a political statement for them, it’s just not something they do. (The Atlantic)

Under Kennedy’s leadership, HHS has purged civil servants and increased the number of political appointees. The agency has 264 appointees — the highest number since 1996 and more than much larger departments, including Defense or Justice. This aligns with a larger Trump administration strategy to put allies in positions that don’t require Senate confirmation. (Politico)

Elsevier said it will “soon” investigate two papers co-authored by disgraced surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, MD, more than a year after critics requested a retraction and a decade after Macchiarini’s misconduct came to light. The papers describe a trachea transplant and report that the patient had a “normal social and working life” when she actually needed stents and had a lung removed. Macchiarini told Retraction Watch their questions were the first he was hearing about the retraction request.

Marc Tessier-Lavigne, PhD, the former Stanford president who resigned after allegations of research misconduct, shared personal emails alongside a 3,000-word response to a new book by the former student who sparked the investigation. Theo Baker was a freshman reporter at the Stanford Daily when he began his reporting, and he recently released a new book that presents Tessier-Lavigne as someone who epitomizes Silicon Valley’s corner-cutting. Tessier-Lavigne argues that his emails contradict several claims in Baker’s reporting. (STAT+)

The federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), recently approved a controversial strategic plan that would increase autism research on regression. Some new members, who were chosen by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have said that vaccines triggered their child’s regression. The plan’s rollout has been criticized as being rushed and lacking transparency. (Science)

Tech startups have taken over the market for perimenopause care in recent years, particularly targeting millennial women and those feeling unsatisfied with their current care. With the black box label removed from menopause hormone therapy last year, more women are turning to these telehealth-based businesses that often work with compounding pharmacies. The pace of evidence of benefit for these groups is slower than the growth of these companies. (Wired)

Law enforcement agencies in 19 states have used nearly a million in opioid settlement money to buy Flock cameras and other artificial intelligence (AI)-powered automated license plate readers. Meanwhile, many counties hard hit by the opioid crisis don’t have adequate resources or support for people with addiction, and critics have said these issues deserve funds more than AI surveillance networks. (Mother Jones)