My Hobby and Interest - Research

 Nature News Genome pioneer Craig Venter dies: here’s how he transformed science Venter redrew the boundaries of biology — sequencing DNA at unprecedented speed, engineering synthetic life and charting ocean microbes. By   Ewen Callaway The ‘maverick’ scientist Craig Venter — who led a race to decode the human genome, pioneered a genome-sequencing method still used today, created the first organisms with synthetic genomes and sailed around the world recording microbial diversity — died on 29 April, aged 79. Venter is most well-known for leading a commercial effort to generate the first human genome sequence in the 1990s, racing against the US$3 billion global, publicly funded Human Genome Project (HGP). But Venter’s scientific legacy extended well beyond the ‘genome wars’, say scientists who knew, admired and competed with him. “He is a true pioneer and maverick who revolutionized genomics by enabling new sequencing methods and trying to create synthetic cells,” says Tae Seok ...

 REGISTER Women in Bioscience June 10, 2026 A celebration of women shaping the life sciences industry in Maine Join us on June 10th from 4:30-7:00PM for our ninth annual Women in Bioscience event at The Cellars @ Allagash Brewing Company in Portland for an inspiring panel discussion, networking, and delicious food and drinks. Women in Bioscience is a celebration of scientists and entrepreneurs, highlighting success stories and offering insights on navigating opportunities and overcoming challenges. More than just a networking event, this gathering is centered on connection, inspiration, and empowerment.

 

 Thanks to Liz Scharnetzki for this contribution! Register by May 11, 2026 to attend.

the Commonwealth Fund 2025 Scorecard on State Health System Performance LINK to article here . AUTHORS David C. Radley ,   Kristen Kolb ,   Sara R. Collins Scorecard Highlights Topping the 2025 Scorecard ’s overall health system rankings are Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia, based on 50 measures of health care access and affordability, prevention and treatment, avoidable hospital use and costs, health outcomes and healthy behaviors, income disparity, and equity. The lowest-ranked states are Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and West Virginia. Uninsured rates fell to record lows in all states by 2023, and differences in health coverage and access to care narrowed between states. These improvements were in all likelihood due to the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansions, recent state expansions of Medicaid eligibility, and more affordable marketplace plan premiums. The number of children receiving all doses of seven recomm...

 Food and Wine The Top 10 Small US Cities for Food and Drink, According to the Experts From New Mexico to Maine, these are the smaller cities with big food scenes to seek out this year. By   Adam H. Callaghan Adam H. Callaghan Adam H. Callaghan is a Quality Team Developmental Editor for Food & Wine. A multilingual editor and writer based in New England, he's worked across digital and print for over 10 years covering food and drink, travel, lifestyle, and sustainability. His work has appeared in Fodor's, Eater, and Punch, among others. FOOD & WINE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES   We’re experiencing a renaissance in the United States: More and more small cities are developing big restaurant energy. With fewer than 100,000 residents, these places will never offer the sheer scope of dining experiences of a New York City or Chicago, but they build upon unique local traditions, the proximity of farms inherent to a more remote setting, a strong sense of community and collaborati...