This Health Startup Says Its Tech Can Reverse Diabetes
The co-founder of Trulia has a new startup, Virta Health, that wants to help type 2 diabetes patients bring their diet and weight under control — and therefore their disease — without surgery or medications.
How Anti-Science Forces Thrive On Facebook
Welcome to the corner of the internet that’s hell-bent on convincing you that GMOs are poisonous, vaccines cause autism, and climate change is a government-sponsored hoax. The message is traveling far and wide.
Fitbit’s Thinnest Tracker Will Now Track Your Heart Rate, Too
With the slim, fitness-focused Alta HR, and new sleep features on its app, Fitbit is trying to stay ahead of the game.
This Startup Wants To Catch Cancer In Its Early Days
Freenome is raising $65 million to develop a test that could detect that you have cancer, even if you don’t know it yet, from a small blood sample.
Mark Zuckerberg And Priscilla Chan Are Funding Scientists As Part Of Their Plan To To Tackle Disease
In its quest to “cure, prevent, or manage all diseases,” the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is committing more than $50 million to fund nearly 50 researchers.
The Breathalyzer Device On "Shark Tank" Allegedly Ran False Ads
Breathometer, which charmed Shark Tank investors with a gadget that could detect your alcohol levels from your breath, just settled federal charges that its claims lacked scientific evidence. It must issue refunds.
People Are Saying That Twitter Forced Them To Follow Trump's @POTUS Account
So much for the peaceful transition of social media power.
Oscar Health Tells Members It'll "Be In Touch" If Obamacare Changes
In a blog post exclusively shared with BuzzFeed News, Oscar Health — whose co-founder is the brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner — seeks to reassure members that their Affordable Care Act coverage will remain intact for now.
Maker Of $34,000 Drug To Pay $100 Million Over A Monopoly Price Hike
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceueticals is settling federal and state charges that it bought a drug to protect a monopoly — allegations initially raised by "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli. The firm allegedly raised the price of its drug by 85,000%.
Birth Control Startups Are Offering Deals To Prep For Trump’s America
In response to customers' fears that birth control coverage will disappear if the Affordable Care Act is repealed, on-demand birth control startups are offering discounts.
Trump's Potential FDA Pick Attended McAfee For President Fundraiser
Jim O'Neill, an associate of venture capitalist Peter Thiel and a candidate for FDA commissioner under President-elect Trump, attended a fundraiser for aspiring Libertarian presidential candidate John McAfee last year.
Donald Trump Just Called The Drug Industry "Disastrous"
The president-elect pledged to crack down on high drug prices during his first press conference of 2017.
Here’s How Big Pharma Plans To Clean Up After Martin Shkreli
After a year of heavy criticism over high drug prices, the pharmaceutical industry views the incoming Trump administration with optimism — and uncertainty. "The image of the sector has been hijacked by some bad actors," said PhRMA's chief.
DNA-Testing Startup Counsyl Lays Off 5% Of Its Workforce
The startup is laying off salespeople who were selling its cancer-screening test.
Workplaces Are Tracking Their Employees' Sleep
Employers aren't just tracking your steps anymore, but your zzz's.
Here Are 10 Times Tech Failed In 2016
Shut-downs, acqui-hires, and literal explosions.
14 Things BuzzFeed Tech Tried And Liked In 2016
All the apps, hacks, habits, and products that made our lives a little better in 2016.
Big Pharma Is Coming For Your Facebook And Twitter Feeds
If the pharmaceutical industry wants to fully embrace advertising on social media, it'll have to avoid antagonizing the FDA.
People Are Stressed That This Stress-Tracking Bracelet Isn’t Working
After customer complaints about non-working and no-show Sona bracelets, wearable startup Caeden says it is offering refunds and finally filling orders.
These Startups Will Pay You For Your DNA
Patients usually don’t earn any money when they contribute to scientific discoveries and therapies. Some genetics startups want to change that.