Trending News Today: The Future of Medical Research Under Trump Administration

The federal government annually spends more than $30 billion to fund the National Institutes of Health, according to NPR. At a recent meeting of health advocates in New York City, policy insiders addressed what the future of medical research will look like under the Trump administration. Biotech and pharmaceutical companies may reap benefits under the new administration, with oft-mentioned tax breaks that could encourage drugmakers who put billions of dollars in profits overseas to bring some of the money back to the United States. Additionally, Trump may work to combat the rapid increase in prescription drug costs. However, when it comes to Trump’s support for universities and other government-funded parts of the nation’s biomedical enterprise, as well as research and development in general, not much has been revealed, NPR reported.

The eyesight of mantis shrimp, which closely resemble lobsters, may have lifesaving implications for cancer patients, reported KQED Science. Currently, researchers are working on a set of mantis shrimp-inspired imaging technologies that could help physicians detect and treat certain cancers. What’s special about these crustaceans’ eyes is that they can perceive polarization from the human standpoint, KQED reported. The mantis shrimp eye contains extra sensors that analyzes the angle the light wave is traveling, meaning it knows when light is polarized. Furthermore, they can perceive circular polarized light and broadcast it. The unique eyesight of the mantis shrimp is what led to researchers collaborating to build polarization cameras for early cancer detection.

The Ebola virus may be more widespread than originally perceived due to the virus being undetectable, according to the Los Angeles Times. During the recent 4-year West Africa outbreak, as many as 25% of infected individuals may have experienced little to no symptoms of the virus. The immune systems of these individuals would allow them to withstand reinfection with the Ebola virus, reported the LA Times.