Musings’ 5 Most Wonderful Posts of the Year

From artificial intelligence to ClinicalTrials.gov, women’s health research to gut enzymes, we at Musings sure were busy this year! As we ring in the new year, we invite you to reflect on the five posts from 2024 that kept you coming back for more.

ChatGPT-Like AI Tool Promises to Speed Treatment Advances and Free Doctors’ Time by Matching Patients with Clinical Trials

two women looking at a medical document.

TrialGPT is an innovative AI tool developed by NIH that uses large language models to efficiently identify and rank relevant trials for patients based on their medical and demographic data. The goal of TrialGPT is not only to increase patient enrollment in clinical trials, but to also reduce barriers for populations that have traditionally been underrepresented in clinical research.

Not A Blank Space: Policy Considerations for AI in Research

Forecasting policy needs is challenging due to rapid technological advances. NIH’s Data Management and Sharing Policy includes flexibility for evolving tools like artificial intelligence (AI), which enhances research but requires responsible use. Learn more about how NIH provides resources to ensure AI research adheres to existing policies and plans to update guidelines as technology progresses.

Big Data, Big Impact: Meet Three NLM-Funded Researchers Who Are Expanding Data Availability

Image of a real hand touching a bionic hand

Advancements in AI and machine learning can shape how we can tackle “big” data challenges in biomedical discovery. See how three NLM-funded researchers are taking this on… and what their innovative work and collaboration means for clinical insights, biomechanics, and medical imaging interpretation.

“Computers don’t diagnose the same way that doctors do”

- NLM Lecture Explored How a Cancer Diagnosis Can Help Illustrate Algorithmic Biases

How can cancer help us understand algorithmic bias? At this year’s NLM Science, Technology, and Society Lecture, journalist and AI ethics expert Meredith Broussard shared how her personal experience with breast cancer can help illuminate the potential impact that racial and gender bias can have on the use of AI in medical contexts.

Unraveling the Complexity of Cellular Identity in Health and Disease

Better understanding a cell’s identity and function—its “phenotype”—is fundamental to many medical discoveries. Fortunately, new technology has made a deeper understanding of cellular phenotypes more accessible than ever. Learn how NLM experts and others are working to accelerate this field in a new blog from NLM Scientific Director Dr. Richard H. Scheuermann.

Translational AI: A Necessity and Opportunity for Biomedical Informatics and Data Science

From guiding diagnosis to advancing research, artificial intelligence (AI) has a lot of potential. But this potential currently represents more promise than reality, and the actual use of AI in health care is still modest. We must treat AI the same way as any other tool we use in health care: “Show us the evidence.”

Funding Announcement: Helping Individuals Understand and Improve Their Health through AI-Powered Insights

illustration of a cell phone with health data and people walking a mountain trail

The emerging field of personal health informatics strives to bridge the gap between personally generated health data and individuals receiving real-time information to make informed decisions about their health. Check out our notice of funding opportunity!