Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 16 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03183-4
A tough scaffold for bacterial therapy
DeepMind spinout raises $2.1 billion
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 16 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03189-y
DeepMind spinout raises $2.1 billion
Broad-spectrum Ebola vaccine
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 16 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03191-4
Broad-spectrum Ebola vaccine
Exclusive eBook: How AI is becoming the next military advisor
A collection of stories about how militaries are using AI models to make decisions.
This subscriber-only eBook is a package of six stories that were originally published in MIT Technology Review between April 11, 2025, and April 21, 2026, and have been updated to reflect recent developments.
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Related Stories:
- 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now: The new war room
- Generative AI is learning to spy for the US military
- Phase two of military AI has arrived
- A defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions
- The Pentagon is planning for AI companies to train on classified data, defense official says
- How AI is turning the Iran conflict into theater
Using AI to Detect Psychosis Relapse: Scoping Review
Background: Psychotic disorder represents a leading cause of disability worldwide, and relapse in psychosis is common. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a method that could aid clinical monitoring for individuals experiencing psychosis. Objective: This review aims to map the existing literature on AI-based approaches—including machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing—used to detect relapse in individuals with psychotic disorders. Methods: A systematic search strategy was conducted on PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase up to January 7, 2026. Observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and quasi-experimental studies that used AI methods to detect relapse in psychosis were eligible for inclusion. Screening and data extraction procedures were conducted by at least 2 reviewers working independently. Findings were extracted, charted, and described using narrative synthesis based on data extraction and consensus meetings with the research team. The scoping review was prospectively registered with the Open Science Framework. Results: Relevant studies identified (N=10) included the use of digital tools such as smartphone- and smartwatch-based monitoring, ecological momentary assessment tools, social media activity, and internet searches. Digital phenotyping via smartphones and wearables emerged as the most common method for data collection. The efficacy of AI models varied with sensitivity (or recall) ranging from 0.25 to 0.77 and specificity (or precision) ranging from 0.06 to 0.88. The reported area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for models ranged from 0.63 to 0.78. AI models were heterogeneous across studies, and most study findings were not replicated. Conclusions: This scoping review highlights both the promise and the current limitations of AI in psychosis relapse detection. Passive digital phenotyping research in the detection of psychosis relapse has progressed, and personalized approaches with individual-level modeling show promise; however, further studies need to include larger numbers of participants and should incorporate methods such as large language models. Future studies will require large collaborations aimed at delivering AI methods for use in real-world clinical practice.
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STAT+: How a biotech turned a trial failure into an AI model
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Think anyone will notice if I sneak out to go to a parade in New York on Thursday?
Introducing the 2026 IOCDF Award Winners of the 2026 Annual OCD Conference
The mission of the International OCD Foundation — to ensure that no one affected by OCD or related disorders suffers alone — requires the collaboration and dedication of countless individuals and professionals around the world. Each year, the IOCDF is honored to recognize a few of these contributors who have gone above and beyond to inspire hope, build community, and move us closer to a world where everyone has access to effective support and care.
These awards will be presented at the 31st Annual OCD Conference, sponsored by OCD Institute Texas, on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
2026 Career Achievement Award Winner: Sabine Wilhelm, PhD
Highlighting the significant and notable contributions of a professional in the field of OCD and related disorders.
Sabine Wilhelm, PhD, is the Donovan-Chien Family Endowed Professor at Harvard Medical School and Chief of Psychology at Mass General Brigham. She directs both the Center for OCD and Related Disorders and the Center for Digital Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Wilhelm’s work leverages AI and technology to improve mental health care globally, focusing on developing personalized, scalable digital treatments. She has authored 375 publications and nine books. She has received major awards, including the NAMI Scientific Research Award and the Peter Ranney Innovation Award from the World Medical Innovation Forum. Dr. Wilhelm is the outgoing Chair of the IOCDF Scientific & Clinical Advisory Council after serving since 2023, and she has served on numerous committees to support the Foundation’s work to advance research and resources for OCD and related disorders.
2026 Patricia Perkins Service Award Winner: Aureen Wagner, PhD
Honors any professional or IOCDF member who has stood out as a long-time (10+ years) and active contributor to the IOCDF in multiple ways. This award is named after Patricia Perkins, IOCDF co-founder, past president of the Board of Directors, and previous executive director.
Winner Bio: Aureen Pinto Wagner, PhD, has been involved with the International OCD Foundation since 1992 and a frequent presenter at its conferences and programs for families, clinicians, and youth. She serves on the IOCDF’s Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board and has been faculty with the Behavior Therapy Training Institute since 2001.
Dedicated to expanding access to evidence-based OCD treatment, Dr. Wagner provides clinician training, workshops, and consultation nationwide. She is the author of the professional treatment manual Treatment of OCD in Children and Adolescents: A Professional’s Kit and several award-winning books for families, including “Up and Down the Worry Hill: A Children’s Book about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and its Treatment,” “What to do when your Child has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Strategies and Solutions” and “Worried No More: Help and Hope for Anxious Children.”
At The Anxiety Wellness Center in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Wagner provides in-person and telehealth treatment for children, adolescents, and adults with OCD, anxiety, and related conditions, along with parenting support for families.
2026 Hero Award Winner: Stephen Smith
Recognizes any individual that has stood out as a particularly effective advocate for OCD and related disorders or who helped raise awareness of these disorders.
Stephen Smith is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NOCD, the world’s largest OCD-specialty treatment provider for both adults and children. After emerging from a personal struggle with undiagnosed OCD and experiencing the success of Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) therapy first-hand, Stephen made it his mission to transform the behavioral health treatment system for people with OCD and related conditions. Under his leadership, NOCD has done that. NOCD drives OCD awareness campaigns that reach millions of people each year, cares for hundreds of thousands of people with OCD, and is contracted to serve more than 140 million commercial lives nationally.
2026 Youth Hero Award Winner: Gabriella Lee
Recognizes any youth (under 18) that has stood out as a particularly effective advocate for OCD and related disorders or who helped raise awareness of these disorders. This award is presented by UNSTUCK: an OCD kids movie.
Gabriella Chaeyoon Lee is a junior at Great Oak High School in California who is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, particularly surrounding OCD. Inspired by her personal connection to OCD through her mother’s diagnosis, she actively works to reduce stigma and support others through her school club and independent initiatives. She is passionate about creating safe and inclusive spaces where individuals feel understood and supported. She hopes to continue her advocacy and contribute to meaningful change in mental health communities.
2026 Illumination Award Winner: Tiffany Jenkins
Honors media personalities who have represented OCD or related disorders in a respectful, accurate, and appropriate way, or who have challenged stereotypes and helped to fight stigma around mental health issues.
Tiffany Jenkins is a comedian, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host with a combined social media following of over 9 million and more than one billion video views worldwide.
While widely recognized for her relatable and candid comedy, Tiffany is deeply committed to raising awareness around mental health and addiction. Drawing from her own lived experience in recovery, she travels across the United States speaking at high schools, correctional facilities, treatment centers, and conferences, where she delivers impactful, honest conversations that resonate with diverse audiences.
Above all, Tiffany is a devoted mother, bringing authenticity, resilience, and humor into both her work and her everyday life.
The post Introducing the 2026 IOCDF Award Winners of the 2026 Annual OCD Conference appeared first on International OCD Foundation.
The U.S. infant mortality rate fell to an all-time low, though it still trails other similar nations
NEW YORK — Infant mortality in the U.S. dropped to a new all-time low in 2025, according to preliminary government data.
There were slightly fewer than 5.4 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
STAT+: ARCH-launched Neumora stops depression program
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Good morning. Let’s get straight to the news today.
The need-to-know this morning
- Moderna said Ester Banque joined the company as chief commercial officer. She was formerly president of U.S. operations for Zoetis. Moderna President Stephen Hoge has also been given an expanded role overseeing several of the company’s drug development programs.
New AI model aims to improve trial enrollment
The biotech Verge Labs today released a new AI model that it says will help determine which patients will respond to treatment better, leading to fewer people dropping out while also increasing the statistical power of a trial.
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Medicare and obesity drugs, Germany’s pricing plans, and more
Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. And it is getting off to a pleasant start here on the Pharmalot campus, where clear blue skies and comfy breezes are greeting us. Moreover, the official mascots succeed in spotting various varmints — foxes and possums, to be specific, but thankfully, no vultures. As for us, we are heating our spiffy new replacement kettle for another cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is old-fashioned green teas. And here is a helpful tip — a teaspoon of honey enhances the flavors splendidly. Of course, you are invited to join us. For the full experience, we are now hawking replicas — take a look. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. As always, do keep in touch. We appreciate feedback, criticism, and tips. …
Weight loss drugs will be available to adults 65 and older in Medicare for the first time next month, thanks to a government program that is supposed to be temporary — but it may be difficult to end, STAT explains. By law, Medicare is prohibited from paying for obesity drugs, but the Trump administration is circumventing the law by making the drugs available in a demonstration program. Initially, Medicare hoped to push private Medicare insurers to voluntarily cover the drugs in a three-year program called Balance, which would have started following a short transitional period. But insurers balked, so the government is instead extending the transitional coverage program, called Bridge, until the end of next year.
Novo Nordisk chief executive officer Mike Doustdar said the company plans to seek Chinese regulatory approval for its Wegovy weight loss pill “very soon” as it moves to catch up with Eli Lilly in the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market, Reuters tells us. The patent for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo’s blockbusters Wegovy and Ozempic, expired in China in March, though the company has regulatory data protection until early next year. Doustdar said he expected competition from generic drugmakers from the second quarter of next year. Novo won early approval in the U.S. and the U.K. for its Wegovy pill and launched it in the U.S. this year. Lilly followed quickly, securing U.S. approval in April for its oral drug orforglipron.