A column by Tarvez Tucker, M.D., in Psychology Today explains mirror neurons and how they may help drive empathy, imitation and social behavior in humans and other animals.

Living Architecture Monitor highlights OHSU in a roundup of healthcare facilities incorporating living roofs and walls in their campus designs. Erik Robinson says, “Green roofs are part of OHSU’s overall commitment to ongoing action to reduce carbon emissions in healthcare and to make our facilities more resilient to the effects of climate change.”

Columbia Memorial Hospital announces in a press release that pediatrician Ashlyn Swerdloff, D.O., has joined its CMH-OHSU Health Pediatric Clinic, expanding pediatric care access on Oregon’s North Coast.

An OHSU-PSU School of Public Health study finds people experiencing homelessness face barriers, including unaffordable housing, administrative hurdles, service fragmentation and long waits for assistance. Lead investigator Kathleen Conte, Ph.D., emphasizes the need for better coordination across housing, health care and social-service systems.

An OHSU-PSU School of Public Health study finds people experiencing homelessness face barriers, including unaffordable housing, administrative hurdles, service fragmentation and long waits for assistance. Lead investigator Kathleen Conte, Ph.D., emphasizes the need for better coordination across housing, health care and social-service systems.

The American Thoracic Society feature “Who’s Who” highlights critical care physician and researcher Catherine “Terri” Hough, M.D., her career path, leadership philosophy and contributions to pulmonary and critical care medicine. She says, “I would love to see more integration of social science into critical care and recovery. I believe we prevent critical illness and improve outcomes post-ICU for patients and families through improved support in patients’ homes and communities and a committed effort to reduce health disparities.”

TIME announces its health leadership forum that convenes healthcare leaders, researchers and advocates for discussions on equity, longevity and innovation in health care. Eneida Nemecek, M.D., is among the featured speakers.

Ophthalmology Times reports on early clinical trial results that show the investigational gene therapy OPGx-BEST1 improved vision and retinal structure in patients with rare inherited retinal diseases, with no serious safety concerns reported. Mark Pennesi, M.D., Ph.D., says, “We are encouraged by the localization of functional gains to areas of viable, compromised retina and by the opportunity to apply these insights prospectively as OPGx-BEST1 is advanced into cohort 2 and potential pivotal development.”

Labcorp announces in a press release that it has joined the Knight Cancer Institute in launching a study to determine whether blood-based molecular residual disease testing can detect bladder cancer recurrence earlier after treatment. Jen-Jane Liu, M.D., the principal investigator of the study, says, “Advancing precision oncology requires strong collaboration between academic cancer centers and diagnostics innovators. By working with Labcorp on this study, we have the opportunity to evaluate the potential of tumor-informed MRD testing in a patient population where recurrence remains a significant clinical challenge despite advances in treatment.”

Earth.com writes about the widely covered study of 346 Oregon psilocybin-service clients found substantial declines in depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms over three months, with relatively few serious adverse events. “Safety was very similar to what we’ve seen with psychedelics in clinical settings,” says lead author Todd Korthuis, M.D.