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A sea change in the U.S. fentanyl epidemic

February 14, 2026

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Eros Dervishi for STAT

Drug injection fades as smoking grows more common, marking sea change in U.S. fentanyl epidemic

Experts view the shift from injecting to smoking as a promising development that could cut overdose deaths, mitigate the consequences of shared needles.

By Lev Facher


Adobe

Students, faculty mystified as NSF turns back applications for prestigious fellowship program

A wave of NSF GRFP applications returned without review, most in life sciences, is fueling concern that priorities are tilting toward AI and physics.

By Jonathan Wosen


LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)

National Cancer Institute studying ivermectin's 'ability to kill cancer cells,' alarming career scientists

NCI Director Anthony Letai cites public interest in starting a preclinical study on ivermectin. One cancer researcher 'shocked and appalled' at the news.

By Rachana Pradhan | KFF Health News



STAT+ | Hims is in the crosshairs. Is a crackdown coming for compounding?

A crackdown on Hims, depending on the focus, could impact a national network of compounding pharmacies and telehealth companies.

By Katie Palmer


We tested the government's official new AI nutrition tool: Grok

Government's new realfood.gov site uses Grok to answer nutrition questions, raising concerns about accuracy, bias, and AI use in health advice.

By Sarah Todd


STAT+ | Opinion: If you have Alzheimer's disease, who will take part in your care?

As Alzheimer's and other dementias are diagnosed earlier and earlier, doctors must change how they discuss care.

By Jason Karlawish


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