MIT Technology Review has announced Sneha Goenka as its Innovator of the Year for 2025. Goenka is recognized for her work in developing the calculations for the fastest whole-genome sequencing method currently available. This advancement enables physicians to sequence a patient’s genome and diagnose genetic conditions within eight hours, potentially reshaping the landscape of medical care.
In addition, there will be a subscriber-only Roundtable discussion featuring Goenka, Leilani Battle, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, and editor-in-chief Mat Honan. This event is scheduled for 1 PM ET on Tuesday, September 23.
In other health-related news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted against recommending the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children under four years old. The agency’s decision follows ongoing discussions about vaccine recommendations, with results regarding hepatitis B vaccines for newborns expected shortly.
Meanwhile, the geopolitical landscape reflects Russian attempts to exploit the recent murder of Charlie Kirk to further its pro-Kremlin narratives within the United States. This initiative raises questions about political violence and its influence on American society.
In the tech sector, Nvidia has announced a $5 billion investment in Intel, enabling the latter to create custom CPUs optimized for Nvidia’s chips. This partnership is anticipated to provide significant assistance to Intel and its Asian suppliers.
Lastly, concerns are emerging regarding the use of medical AI tools, which may undermine the accuracy of symptoms reported in women and ethnic minorities. Experts warn that reliance on these technologies could exacerbate health disparities.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/19/1123860/the-download-the-cdcs-vaccine-chaos/