Anna Kuchment

Feb 24, 2025 | bostonglobe.com | Anna Kuchment

Some of the most powerful drugs in our medical arsenal come from animal venom. Ozempic was derived from Gila monsters, a lizard native to the southwestern US; Prialt, used to treat chronic pain in HIV and cancer patients, comes from deadly cone snails; and captopril, the first ACE inhibitor, a class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure, came from Brazilian pit vipers. Mandë Holford, a marine chemical biologist, is dedicated to finding the next generation of venom-derived treatments.

Feb 4, 2025 | bostonglobe.com | Anna Kuchment |Adria Watson

In an effort to comply with President Donald Trump’s directives that his administration would recognize only two genders and end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the CDC, NIH and other federal agencies have frozen research funding, asked for papers and data to be removed from government web sites and demanded that grant recipients terminate any work or contracts related to DEI. If you’ve been impacted by these changes, please fill out our survey below and a reporter may be in touch.

Jan 28, 2025 | bostonglobe.com | Anna Kuchment |Kay Lazar |Neena Hagen

Sameer Sonkusale had already bought his nonrefundable plane ticket to Washington, D.C., to present his research for federal funding when the email pinged into his inbox last week. The session, scheduled for this Tuesday was canceled “due to new guidance.” The email said he would be notified about next steps, but so far he’s heard nothing.

Jan 24, 2025 | bostonglobe.com | Anna Kuchment

March marks the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, a collective trauma that New Englanders faced together. For an upcoming story to mark the anniversary, the Globe is asking readers to share their memories of moments from the pandemic. Examples: Memories of being sent home from school or work, losing a loved one, new routines you created in isolation, including on Zoom; getting your first vaccine, going back to school or work; seeing someone without a mask for the first time.

Jan 18, 2024 | bostonglobe.com | Anna Kuchment

While the risk of dying from cancer has declined over the last 30 years, the incidence of several common cancers is on the rise, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. Those include breast, prostate, endometrial, pancreatic, kidney, and melanoma. In addition, the report highlighted a concerning trend: a “striking” increase in cancers among younger people.