Medical Research & Technology

Palo Alto – September 17, 2026 -- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford tied for the No. 1 spot among children's hospitals in Northern California and ranked No. 2 (tie) statewide, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2026–2027 Best Children's Hospitals survey.

The hospital placed in the national top 5 for two specialties

Neonatology and Nephrology both ranked No. 4 nationally. Four specialties overall landed in the national top 10: Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology and Neurosurgery (No. 7), and Pulmonology and Lung Surgery (No. 8).

Seattle – September 17, 2026 -- Seattle Children's has secured a spot on U.S. News & World Report's Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll for the third consecutive year, a recognition given to only 10 hospitals nationwide.

The hospital ranked No. 1 in Washington state and tied for No. 1 in the Pacific region, which covers Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

Four specialties crack the national top 10

Seattle Children's ranked in every specialty category evaluated by U.S. News. Four of those specialties -- Cancer, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Nephrology, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery -- placed among the top 10 in the country.

Baltimore – September 17, 2026 -- Mercy Medical Center has introduced Mako SmartRoboticsTM technology for shoulder replacement surgery, making it among the first providers in the Mid-Atlantic region to offer the robotic-arm assisted procedure.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Gasbarro leads the new program

Gregory V. Gasbarro, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained shoulder specialist at Mercy, is now performing robotic Mako shoulder arthroplasty for patients. He treats patients ages 15 and older through The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy.

The technology builds a 3D surgical plan from a patient's own CT scan

Mako SmartRoboticsTM uses a detailed 3D CT scan of each patient's shoulder to generate a personalized surgical plan. During the operation, the robotic-arm assisted system helps the surgeon execute that plan with added precision while allowing real-time adjustments.

NEW YORK – September 17, 2026 -- A new clinical study finds that a single application of Biodance's Real Deep Hydrogel Mask returned skin to its pre-procedure baseline within hours of fractional laser treatment, a procedure known to temporarily damage the skin's protective barrier.

Researchers tested 32 participants using a split-face design.

Each participant underwent fractional laser treatment, then had the Real Deep Mask applied to one half of the face while the other half remained untreated, allowing direct comparison under identical conditions. Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Luke Maxfield and Dr. Christopher Tomassian presented the results.

Manassas – September 16, 2026 -- Meant Health has expanded its telehealth platform to connect patients with licensed U.S. clinicians for evaluation and prescription of FDA-approved GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic.

Patients start with an intake questionnaire before any prescription decision

The process begins with a questionnaire covering health history, current medications and treatment goals. A licensed clinician then reviews the submission and decides, case by case, whether a prescription is appropriate.

Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss

Ozempic carries FDA approval for treating type 2 diabetes. When clinicians prescribe it for weight management, that use is off-label and remains entirely at the clinician's discretion.

Minneapolis – September 15, 2026 -- A new study suggests one simple screen protector swap could ease digital eye strain for iPhone users, just as Apple's latest lineup hits shelves. Eyesafe, a screen-health technology company, published a white paper detailing survey results from 29 adult iPhone users conducted with Southwest Eye Care, an eye clinic.

Participants chose Eyesafe's filter nearly six times more often than a standard protector

In the two-period study, each participant used their phone at least two hours daily. They wore a standard clear screen protector for two weeks, then switched to one with Eyesafe CPF70 Technology for two weeks, completing identical surveys after each phase. Overall, 62% preferred the CPF70 protector, compared with 10% who preferred the standard one; 28% reported no preference.

Boise, Idaho – September 15, 2026 -- Cobblestone Car Wash is donating $1 from every GrapheneX Express Exterior wash purchased at any of its Idaho locations throughout September to St. Luke's Children's Hospital's pediatric cancer research program.

The initiative coincides with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and applies to all 14 Cobblestone locations across Idaho.

Roughly 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually in the US

Cobblestone and St. Luke's Children's Hospital cite this figure as the basis for the campaign, which aims to fund improved treatment options, new therapy development, survivorship care, and reduced disparities in pediatric cancer outcomes.

Customers simply upgrade their wash to trigger the donation

Any driver who selects the GrapheneX Express Exterior wash at a participating Idaho location during September automatically generates the $1 donation, with no additional steps required.

New York – September 13, 2026 -- Elysium Health has opened The Elysium Longevity Institute (TELI), a physician-led longevity medicine program now available to eligible patients across the United States.

Eighteen protocols combine prescription drugs, peptides and supplements

At launch, TELI offers 18 longevity-focused protocols delivered in oral, intranasal and injectable forms, including prescription medications, peptides, supplements and vitamins. Patients begin with a comprehensive medical intake, after which licensed providers build individualized treatment plans based on medical history, lifestyle and health goals. Protocols are adjusted over time as a patient's health or objectives change, with ongoing clinical support built into the program.

Chicago – September 13, 2026 -- The American Lung Association is expanding its Awareness, Trust and Action campaign to encourage more lung cancer patients to ask their doctors about clinical trials as a treatment option.

Every current lung cancer treatment originated in a clinical trial

"Clinical trials provide the most promising way to improve treatment outcomes and continue advancements in lung cancer care and survivorship," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. He said the organization wants patients and caregivers to discuss all treatment options, including trials, with their healthcare providers.

Scottsdale, Ariz. – September 12, 2026 -- An FDA advisory panel voted 8-6-1 in July 2026 to recommend adding BPC-157 free base and BPC-157 acetate to the Section 503A Bulks List, a move that would let pharmacies compound the peptide more broadly if finalized. The vote does not make BPC-157 FDA-approved, and the recommendation is non-binding.

FDA staff had opposed adding BPC-157 to the list

According to FDA materials reviewed by telehealth company Promise, agency review staff proposed against including either form of BPC-157 before the July 23, 2026 committee meeting. The favorable vote reflects a split between committee members and FDA staff, not an agency endorsement. FDA's briefing document notes that neither form of BPC-157 has an applicable USP/NF drug-substance monograph, and neither is a component of an already-approved drug.