Phase 3 clinical trials are the most expensive part of drug development, and the most important hurdle to regulatory approval. More than 95% of phase 3 trials in Alzheimer’s disease fail. The main reason is a poor foundation, namely, inadequate or misleading phase 2 trials. Dr. Donald Berry, Founder of Berry Consultants and Founder and Professor of the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, along with his son Dr. Scott Berry, President of Berry Consultants, are committed to turning the tide. Their revolutionary methodology involves adaptive clinical trial design within a Bayesian statistical approach.

Childbirth is a remarkable event that brings joy and new beginnings but also poses significant physical challenges to the mother’s body. One such challenge is the separation of the pubic symphysis, a joint located between the left and right pubic bones. Dr. Kamalini Das of Regions Hospital, Minnesota, and her colleagues conducted a groundbreaking study to investigate pubic symphysis separation in women who delivered vaginally versus those who had cesarean sections. Their research provides important insights into the nature of this physiological change and its development postpartum.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death globally. Atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries, is the primary underlying cause. The endothelium, a single layer of cells lining blood vessels, plays a crucial role in vascular health and disease. Disrupted endothelial function can lead to serious conditions such as thrombosis and hypertension and facilitates atherosclerotic plaque development. Interestingly, researchers have shown that alcohol has a complex relationship with cardiovascular health, displaying both protective and harmful effects depending on the dose. The work of Professor Eileen Redmond and her team at the University of Rochester Medical Center offers valuable insights into the nuanced role of alcohol in endothelial function.