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

It’s hard enough to be sick or need surgery or hospitalization. But, for the past few decades, the bill for health care services often has added insult to injury as consumers were blindsided with soaring and unexpected costs. Now, a study co-led by a University of Massachusetts Amherst health services researcher is examining the impact of recent federal efforts to make health care costs more transparent and affordable.