Pfizer is making a major shift towards oncology, investing $23 billion in new business development opportunities after leading the race to develop the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, according to Fortune. CEO Albert Bourla told Fortune Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell, "We saved the world from Covid, now we'll save the world from cancer," outlining the company's ambition to tackle cancer following the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market experienced volatility, with Bitcoin dropping to its lowest price since April, Fortune reported. Bitcoin fell nearly 2% over a 24-hour period, hitting a low of nearly $81,000 late Thursday night, before rebounding modestly to around $82,290 on Friday, according to data from Binance. The decline in Bitcoin's value impacted other cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, which was down 4% over the same period, trading at approximately $2,660.
In other news, a study published in JAMA Network Open revealed a potential link between high-deductible health plans and decreased survival rates for cancer patients, Ars Technica reported. The study indicated that individuals with high out-of-pocket healthcare costs faced worse overall survival and cancer-specific survival compared to those with more standard health plans.
The World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), Time reported. While ESG and climate initiatives were prominent topics six years ago, AI dominated this year's discussions. However, concerns were raised about the significant electricity demands of AI, leading to conversations about investing in energy companies to ensure a reliable power supply.
Finally, Time also reported on the importance of vitamin D, particularly during the winter months. A 2023 study from Slovenia found that 63% of adults not taking vitamin D supplements had insufficient levels during the winter, compared to only 6% in the summer. The decreased sunlight exposure during winter makes it difficult to maintain adequate vitamin D levels naturally.
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