The fact that left-handedness resp. mixed-handedness are strikingly common in patients with certain neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorders is a frequently reported observation in medical practice. The reason why handedness is associated with these disorders is probably because both are affected by processes in early brain development. Various studies have explored this link for individual disorders and have sometimes been able to show it, and sometimes not. A meta-analysis carried out by an international research team from Bochum, Hamburg, Nijmegen and Athens shows that left and mixed-handedness is particularly common in people who suffer from a disorder that manifests itself early in life and is associated with linguistic symptoms. These include dyslexia, schizophrenia and autism. They published their findings in the journal Psychological Bulletin on May, 2, 2025.

The risk of dying from the most common form of primary liver cancer is about 30 percent higher for patients with low household income compared to those with middle or high household income, according to a study at the University of Gothenburg.

A team of researchers from the University of Waterloo have created a method that makes virtual reality (VR) more accessible to people with mobility limitations. 

AAAS CEO, Sudip S. Parikh, testified as a bipartisan witness before the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday, April 30, for a hearing discussing biomedical research in America. Dr. Parikh was joined by three other executives and one patient advocate to express the importance of American support and funding for biomedical research. In Dr. Parikh’s written testimony, he cites the biomedical research ecosystem developed in the United States as the “greatest engine for discovery in the service of health that the world has ever known,” while conceding some shortcomings in execution. However, despite any areas for improvement, he made it clear – including in responses to questions from Members –that recent budget cuts and rumored proposed budgets for 2026 by the current administration raise a number of major concerns that could irreparably damage the nation’s innovation ecosystem and consequently the nation’s health. “The enterprise, which has benefited our society for decades, is resilient, but there is a breaking point — and we are close to reaching it.” He also highlighted the way in which cuts to science funding could make us less competitive on a global stage, namely with China.

You can read the written testimony here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/eoeuz219dulpecekeyegv/AExcqOOmCZ4hOOg3K0Co_Lw?rlkey=z7x00p53w0feqw3ysx4sl88ue&st=ouwxhsq4&dl=0 

You can watch the full committee hearing here: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/biomedical-research-keeping-americas-edge-in-innovation

 

You can read the aaas.org story on the testimony here: https://www.aaas.org/news/aaas-ceo-us-crossroads-grave-danger-losing-global-research-leadership