Use of robot-assisted surgery has increased dramatically since its advent in the 1980s, and nearly all surgical subspecialties have adopted it. However, whether it has advantages compared with laparoscopy or open surgery is unknown. More
Last week we covered CBD and mental health, finding that data to back up health claims are scarce and that consumer CBD products are often sketchy. In this week’s episode on CBD and other health ailments, we find that many of the same caveats apply. More
The pandemic stress-tested the way the world produces evidence — and revealed all the flaws. More
This Viewpoint details the development and regulatory path of aducanumab, a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody to treat Alzheimer disease. More
Infusing blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 into sick patients looks good on paper. But studies of the treatment haven't found benefits. More
Pharmaceutical company researchers develop a tool to suppress the placebo effect and improve their drug results. More
In this issue of JAMA, Janiaud et al present a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of convalescent plasma for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. More
Links between vitamin D deficiencies and coronavirus infections have been seen in studies, but “correlation doesn’t prove causation.” More
This Medical News Quick Uptake examines the debate about a link between vitamin D and COVID-19 risk. More
A key British agency has rejected graded exercise therapy and cognitive behavior therapy as treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome. More
The evidence shows only that the drug might be effective. That once wasn’t enough for F.D.A. approval. More
The new study was completely negative, while an earlier trial of Vascepa, another fish-oil-derived drug, persuaded the FDA to approve it. More
The drugmaker says its mRNA vaccine worked in 90% of patients in its trial, but some observers question how long immunity will last and who will benefit. More
Rehabilitating trust in public health efforts will take time. One step must be taken now: increase transparency in Covid-19 vaccine trials. More
This Viewpoint proposes that sensible medicine for COVID-19 may better serve patients than unreasoned treatment using unproven interventions in the moment. More
This Viewpoint proposes that varying combinations of evidence, physician influence, and economics guide the continuation or de-adoption of low-value health services and can help organize and prioritize policy initiatives to drive down the prevalence of wasteful care. More
This week, former Harvard Medical School professor William Haseltine wrote, “Beware of COVID-19 vaccine trials designed to succeed from the start.” More
With several Covid-19 vaccines in hand, we will need to a trial to know which are most effective at preventing the disease, or safest. More
The new coronavirus seems so strange because it has our full attention in a way most viruses don’t. More
The publication of several studies using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging raised public fears over increased risk to the heart in patients following infection with COVID-19. More