Brain biopsies on 'vulnerable' patients at Mount Sinai set off alarm bells at FDA, documents show

STAT's examination of the Living Brain Project raises questions about how such a sensitive research study — which was based on a contested justification and which so alarmed regulators — ballooned exponentially. In response to a detailed set of questions, Mount Sinai vehemently defended its handling of the study and disputed that it is or ever was subject to FDA regulations. Read more.

By Katherine Eban

Illustration: Christine Kao/STAT; Photos: Getty, AP, Adobe

What we're starting to learn about H5N1 in cows, and the risk to people

The H5N1 bird flu virus has been around for decades, and the damage it wreaks on chickens and other poultry is well documented. But the recent discovery that the virus has jumped into dairy cattle — whose udders seem to be where the virus either infects or migrates to — has dumbfounded scientists and agricultural authorities. Read more.

By Helen Branswell and Megan Molteni

Courtesy Armas

Scientists spot an orangutan using a plant to treat his own wound in the wild

"We physicians tend to underestimate what is happening in the animal world. We often suffer from human exceptionalism, which causes us to assume that we have unique capacities," said B. Natterson-Horowitz, a professor of medicine and cardiology at UCLA. Read more.

By Annalisa Merelli

More great reads from STAT this week

Biological clocks could be the key to longer, healthier lives. But scientists don't yet agree on what 'aging' is
CDC's top flu scientist says the risk to the public from H5N1 is low, but she isn't sleeping well. Here's why
4 burning questions about Amgen's obesity drug, a potential Wegovy and Zepbound competitor
After private equity firms gobbled up wheelchair makers, users pay the price in long repair times
Opinion: Medical students lose in the research arms race for residency slots