Must reads

• A May 19, 2014 The Tampa Tribune editorial underscored the importance of funding NIH research. According to the editorial, "Washington needs to curtail spending, but the National Institutes of Health is an essential federal expense that should be bolstered, not slashed…As Castor puts it, “Funding instability for the NIH weakens and delays the type of medical research that leads to breakthroughs to help millions of Americans living with devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer.” Supporting such research should be a national priority."
• A May 18, 2014 USA Today article reported on the need to close the gender gap in medical research. According to the article, "It seems obvious: Women make up half the population, so they should be the subject of half of medical research. But until about 20 years ago, most scientists assumed women were just like men, with a few different body parts. Now researchers understand that gender affects everything from how people respond to medicines to their likelihood of getting sick. Every cell bears the mark of the person's gender, and diseases like Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and depression are more likely to strike women, while Parkinson's, autism and schizophrenia are more common in men."
• A May 18, 2014 The Motley Fool article reported on the use of technology to fight Alzheimer's disease. According to the article, "Where medicine has so far failed, however, smart technology might help. Smart devices -- such as Google Glass, smart watches, and Apple iPhones and iPads -- can all help detect symptoms of the disease and reduce its impact on day-to-day life."