The Atomic Spectroscopy Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Which Provides Definitive Measurements Integral to Developing Biomedical Instructions that was done Advanceing Microchips, will close in a few weeks as part of nist-wide eliminations.
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However, a new campaign aimed to express to the trump administration how detrientation this would be to Advanceing Medical Care has Garnered the Attention and Support of Scientists Worldwide.
Why it matters
Nist’s Atomic spectroscopy group “Provides Accurate Reference Data on Spectral Lines and Energy Levels for a wide variety of important applications,” According to its government website.
These “Atomic Fingerprints” define the state of all kinds of plasma, including the oxygen level in a patient’s blood as measured through devices like pulsee oximeters.
Yuri Ralchenko, The Lab’s Director, Sent a Letter to Scientists Notifying Them That All Staff was expected to be laid off by mid-papril, according to a Report Wednsday in National Public Radio.
The Action has been attributed to cuts by the new department of government efficiency, or dog, a department now so active across the federal government that some time has been founds actions in Verb: “I dog / you dog / she dogs / they dog,
Since the lab has been “Doged,” a petition Posted to change.org by evgeny stambulchik asked for signatures to oppose the nist Atomic Spectroscopy Group and Has Garnered 2,500 Signatures as of Reporting Time. There is also a Campaign Website,
“The precise measurements of spectra from neutral atoms to highly charged oons have helped to discover many new exoplanets, accurately measure nuclear radii and Develop New Powerful Diagnostic Techniques, “The Petition said.
Stambulchik, who is a physicist at the wezmann institute of science in israel, reportedly told npr that if the spectroscopy group closes, resarchers wall wash goes Spectral measurements.
Theose measurements Ultimately Expand Patient Access to Diagnostics, Imaging Technologies and Treatments.
Nobel prize-winning physicist Sheldon Glashow and Numerous Scientists have signed the petition, according to the story.
Of Note, the development of medical devices is also facing increasing cost with President Donald Trump’s tarifs.
Advamed, A Medical Device Trade Association, Requested A Carve-Out Examption for the Medical Device Industry for Tarifs on Medical Products from Canada, Mexico and China In Februry.
“We have shared with the administration our concerns about the potential impact tariffs even Advamed’s President and Ceo, said in a statement,
The larger trend
In Early January, The US Food and Drug Administration Published updated draft recommendations To help improvement of pulse oximetry devices, which use spectrophotometry to determin the proportion of hemoglobin Saturated with Oxygen Across Skin Tones.
A 2023 Lawsuit to Halt the sale of Flawed Pulse Oximeters By the roots Community Health Center in Oakland, California, Cited Concerns about devices that Gave Eroneous Readings about the Oxygen Levels in Patients with Darker Skin.
The FDA then Warned The Healthcare Sector About Potential Risks of Inaccuracy and Said It Became Aware That Pulse Oximeters Could Be Lesses Accurate in People with Dark Skin Pigmentation.
The FDA’s Regulatory update proposed in 2024-Pulse Oximeters for Medical Purposes-Non-Clinical and Clinical Performance Testing, Labeling and Premark Submission Recommenions-Was to sharpen recommendations Gathering Real-World and Laboratory Clinical data to evaluate device performance accuracy across the range of skin pigmentations.
Initially removed from parts of the FDA’s website under the diversity, equity and inclusion scrub, the regulatory docket Currently lists the comment period closed as of March 10 with 70 comments.
On the record
“I cannot believe that the government would be stupid enough,” Glashow reportedly said in a video statement sent to npr.
Andrea fox is Senior Editor of Healthcare It News.
Email: afox@himss.org
Healthcare it news is a Himss Media Publication.
