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Health & Biotech

Health & Biotech covers the engineering side of medicine: devices and diagnostics, biotechnology platforms, drug development from trial through approval, genomics, and the digitisation of practices, hospitals and insurers. AI systems in imaging and drug discovery belong here as well, judged on trial data and regulatory clearance rather than on announcements.

For trials we give the phase, the number of participants and the comparator wherever the sources supply them — without those, a result cannot be placed. What this category explicitly does not offer is medical advice: these reports are written for a technical readership and are no substitute for talking to a doctor. Attacks on hospital IT are filed under IT Security.

FDA Data Shows Taco Bell Was Minor Destination in Taylor Farms Cyclospora Lettuce Recall

New FDA data reveals that less than 2.5% of the recalled Taylor Farms lettuce went to Taco Bell's parent company, raising questions about the company's transparency and the fate of the rest.

· 2 sources

FDA Approves Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine Amid Political Backlash

The FDA has approved Moderna's mRNA flu shot, the first of its kind, for adults 50 and older, despite political controversy and an initial refusal.

· 3 sources

Cyclospora outbreak grows to nearly 23,000 cases, two deaths; federal response lags

The Cyclospora outbreak has sickened nearly 23,000 people across 47 states, with two deaths reported in Michigan. Federal agencies have been slow to update public information, drawing criticism.

· 2 sources

Inca Mummy DNA Offers First Molecular Proof That Colonizers Brought Smallpox to the Americas

Genomes recovered from two Chilean Inca mummies provide the first direct DNA evidence that European colonizers introduced smallpox to the Americas, a study in Science reports.

· 2 sources

Boston Scientific Faces Recall and Restructuring Amid Key Product Slowdown

Boston Scientific has recalled a stroke prevention catheter after reports of tip separation, while also announcing a restructuring plan with up to $800 million in charges due to slowing key product lines.

· 2 sources

EU Deregulates Gene-Edited Crops as Biotech Leader Urges Trust Rebuilding

The EU relaxed rules for gene-edited crops on 28 July 2026, while industry leader Jeremy M. Levin called for ten commitments to rebuild public trust in biotechnology.

· 2 sources

Laser Fragment Counting Offers New Route to Chiral Molecule Identification

Researchers have developed a method that uses twisted laser light to distinguish mirror-image molecules by counting ion fragments, potentially simplifying pharmaceutical analysis.

· 1 source

AI Predictive Modeling Speeds Up Recombinant Protein Engineering

A recent article highlights how predictive modeling platforms are being used to design more stable and scalable recombinant proteins for biomanufacturing and therapeutic research.

· 1 source

Cyclospora Outbreak Tied to Taco Bell Lettuce Hits 9 States, Nearly 2,000 Ill

An outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell has spread to nine states, with nearly 1,947 cases and 98 hospitalizations reported as of July 24, 2026.

· 1 source

New X-ray imaging method cuts radiation dose by over 99%

Researchers have demonstrated an X-ray imaging technique that achieves megapixel resolution using less than 0.5% of the typical radiation dose, potentially enabling safer medical diagnostics.

· 1 source

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Health to All US Users Amid Lawsuit Over Dangerous Advice

OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT Health to all US users aged 18 and older, just one day after a lawsuit was filed alleging the chatbot gave a near-fatal suggestion. The company touts advanced reasoning but faces questions about safety.

· 2 sources