health tech
Are AI antibodies on the way?
Adobe
Within the next couple years, a company will likely claim it has put the first artificial-intelligence-designed antibody in the clinic. But what, exactly, will that mean? Some researchers say that as long as a computer designs the basic antibody sequence, it counts as "AI-designed," even if scientists later tweak it to make a clinical candidate. But others say that an antibody should be ready to go straight into the clinic from the computer — a much bigger feat.
The work is ongoing. Last year, scientist David Baker received part of the chemistry Nobel Prize for his research in computational protein design. Now, he's now turning his attention toward AI-designed antibodies. "The real question is, will this completely transform the industry? And how long will that take?" he told STAT's Brittany Trang. Read more on what antibody AI models achieved in 2025 and what work is ahead.
more guidelines
Goodbye, pap smears
Starting in 2027, women and others who are at an average risk for cervical cancer will have a new screening option covered by insurance. The Health Resources and Services Administration at HHS released updated HPV screening recommendations yesterday, adding a new option for people to self-collect samples from the vagina or have it done by a clinician. The hrHPV test specifically looks for high risk variants of the virus, which cause nearly all cervical cancer cases.
Per the new guidelines, women ages 21 to 29 with average risk should still get pap smears every three years. But those ages 30 to 65 should do the hrHPV test every five years. (It's more like a PCR Covid test than a rapid one, for what it's worth: After collection, samples are sent to a lab where they're analyzed.)
The change will likely be welcome news to people around the country who dread regular cervical exams by their doctors, or those who struggle to see a doctor. But as family physician Kenny Lin pointed out, this is typically a job for the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, which health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has worked to overhaul.
first opinion
How to achieve the full potential of 'hospital at home' programs
The Center for Clinical Standards and Quality at CMS was "staring down a crisis" when Lee Fleisher took charge of the center in 2020. The Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver was born out of that crisis, allowing hospitals to deliver high-acuity care where most patients prefer: in their own homes.
Typically, the program's existence relies on a patchwork of short-term extensions — sometimes two years, sometimes just a few months. While the House recently passed a five-year extension, Senate action remains unclear ahead of a Jan. 30 deadline. Read more from the expert who oversaw the development of the program on its importance and its potential.
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