Geneoscopy has received FDA approval for an updated, simplified stool collection method for ColoSense®, its RNA-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test. The new kit eliminates the need to scrape or divide stool samples—reducing one of the biggest barriers to at-home CRC testing and aiming to boost compliance. Key highlights: By making at-home screening easier, ColoSense may help close the gap for the 44 million Americans who remain unscreened for CRC.
Author: Abhay Panchal
In a landmark study published in Nature, Duke University researchers unveiled a “sixth sense” that allows the brain to respond instantly to gut microbes. This neurobiotic sense operates via neuropods—specialized gut cells that detect flagellin, a microbial protein, and relay appetite-suppressing signals to the brain via the vagus nerve. Key findings: 🧠💡 This discovery adds a new dimension to the gut-brain axis, suggesting behavior can be modulated by microbial signals in real time—not just through immune or hormonal responses.
A groundbreaking study published in Gastroenterology shows that a machine learning model (random forest analysis) significantly outperforms conventional tools in identifying high-risk cirrhosis patients. Researchers analyzed data from 121 hospitals globally (via the CLEARED consortium), validating the model with U.S. Veterans’ data. Key findings:
In an ambitious move to modernize the drug and device approval process, the FDA introduced “Elsa”—an AI assistant designed to fast-track reviews. However, a CNN investigation reveals that Elsa frequently “hallucinates” fake studies and misrepresents research, making it unreliable for high-stakes regulatory decisions. While the FDA touts Elsa’s ability to summarize documents and identify priority inspections, internal staff have expressed serious concerns. Six current and former officials say the tool is only marginally useful for tasks like email templates, and not viable for scientific reviews due to its factual inaccuracies. Elsa can’t even access core regulatory submissions, limiting its utility…
EndoQuest Robotics just secured a Series D-2 funding round co-led by Crescent Enterprises and surgical robotics pioneer Dr. Fred Moll—aiming to fast-track its flexible endoluminal surgical platform through FDA clearance and pivotal trials. Backed by investors like UTHealth Houston and Puma Venture Capital, EndoQuest is advancing the PARADIGM study in top hospitals (Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, Brigham, and more), showcasing its potential to remove complex colorectal lesions without invasive surgery. With bold ambitions in GI procedures, cutting-edge visualization tech, and a growing U.S.–Korea presence, the company is positioning itself as a category-defining force in scar-free robotic surgery.
CMS’s proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes major telehealth updates:
What’s stopping value-based care from taking off? According to this hard-hitting Health Affairs article, it’s not lack of innovation—it’s lack of participation from dominant provider systems. The piece calls out how “must-have” hospitals avoid downside risk and game the system through fee-for-service and risk coding. The authors urge CMS to mandate VBP participation, overhaul fee schedules, and rethink risk adjustment to break the status quo. The takeaway: real transformation won’t come from tweaks—it’ll take political courage.
HBO Max’s hit series The Pitt, set in a fictional Pittsburgh emergency department, is earning praise not just for its Emmy nominations—but for its realism. Filmed partly at Allegheny General Hospital, the show consulted real physicians and nurses to authentically portray the pressures and pace of urban emergency medicine. Healthcare leaders say the series accurately captures the chaos, compassion, and systemic strain faced daily by clinicians. As one doctor noted, The Pitt offers a rare, unfiltered view of a healthcare system on the brink.
The newly signed U.S. budget law grants physicians a temporary Medicare pay bump for 2026—but at a steep cost: a historic $1 trillion cut to Medicaid over the next decade that could leave nearly 12 million Americans without coverage. With new federal loan caps and the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, aspiring doctors may face greater financial barriers, while current providers—especially in primary care, pediatrics, and emergency medicine—brace for increased uncompensated care. Although direct primary care sees a win through expanded HSA eligibility, the overall outlook for access, equity, and practice sustainability remains deeply concerning.
CMS has released its proposed 2026 Medicare physician payment rule, and for GI, it’s a mixed bag. While the conversion factor is set to increase and telehealth flexibilities like direct supervision will continue, the proposal also introduces an “efficiency adjustment” that cuts work and practice expense RVUs for GI procedures—potentially lowering reimbursements for hospital- and ASC-based services. GI societies including AGA, ACG, and ASGE are reviewing the details and will release a full analysis soon.