Peter Graven, Ph.D., tells the (Salem) Statesman Journal that Oregon’s 2023 to 2024 respiratory virus season has yielded fewer hospitalizations than the past two years and is predicted to remain relatively mild. “Cautiously, I’d say things look good, but that doesn’t mean it’s over yet,” he says.

In a Breaking Cancer News story on advancements in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer space, Brandon Hayes-Lattin, M.D., says: “From designing clinical trials in a way that sees pediatric and adult areas working together, to changing the age of eligibility to better include AYA patients, there are positive changes occurring.”

In coverage of Ashland’s discussions about potentially lowering the temperature threshold for opening its emergency shelter, Helen Turner, D.N.P., of the OHSU Street Nursing Team in Southern Oregon advocates for opening emergency shelters at higher temperatures, saying, “Many people can get hypothermia even at 50 degrees if they’re cold, if it’s windy, if they’re wet.”

OPB Think Out Loud speaks with Ben Hoffman, M.D., in his new role as the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics — the first Oregon doctor to serve in the position in 84 years. When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave after his three-year tenure, Hoffman says, "That during my tenure we continued to do the amazingly good work that the academy has done for almost 100 years, and that we kept to our North Star, which is to do what's best for kids."

Brian Druker, M.D., is among the National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center Directors attending the third annual Nixon National Cancer Conference to “shape the future of cancer research and care.”

OHSU is among the 50 U.S. hospitals that Healthgrades lists as being the best for cardiac surgery.

An OHSU human trial examines effects of the botanical Gotu kola on memory and cognitive decline, investigating whether its purported benefits withstand scientific rigor. Amala Soumyanath, Ph.D., says, “It might lead to manufacturers making better botanical products similar to this. Because we know precisely what’s in here, they might even be able to standardize production with the active compounds.”

In Women's Health coverage of a menstrual pad that inventors say could collect blood for the purpose of testing and diagnosing conditions, Lisa Bayer, M.D., says, “Generally speaking, when we empower women in different ways to engage in their health care, it can improve outcomes.”

Andrew McHill, Ph.D., describes sleep inertia, the hazy feeling people have shortly after waking up, saying, “It takes us a little while for our brains to come back online after we’ve woken up.”

Physician's Weekly covers a new publication by Amy Cantor, M.D., establishing the definition and measurements of effective respectful maternity care. She and coauthors say, “Tools to measure RMC demonstrate consistency but lack a gold standard, requiring further evaluation before implementation in U.S. settings.”