Q and A: about health and research

Still’s disease is a rare, systemic autoinflammatory condition that causes recurrent fevers , joint inflammation , and a distinctive salmon-colored rash . Though its exact cause is unknown, Still’s disease involves excessive activation of the immune system, leading to widespread inflammation. One of the key laboratory hallmarks of this disease is elevated ferritin levels , often far above the normal range. This article explores the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Still’s disease—with a focus on the role of ferritin as both a diagnostic marker and an indicator of disease severity. What Is Still’s Disease? Still’s disease exists in two main forms: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA): Occurs in children and adolescents Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD): Develops in adults, typically between the ages of 16 and 35 Both forms share similar clinical features and are classified as autoinflammatory disorders, driven by innate immune system dysregulation rather t...

What I’ve Learned from Listening to Scientists: It’s important to begin with a distinction that often goes unrecognized: a scientist's work is not the same as a physician's . Scientists do not give medical advice. That’s not their role — and that’s by design. Physicians, especially in primary care, focus on implementing current best practices, clinical guidelines, and time-tested medical protocols. Scientific research , on the other hand, is often operating ahead of those protocols, exploring emerging knowledge that may eventually shape future standards of care. Scientists prefer to investigate what’s new, important, and potentially transformative . The aim is to push boundaries — not to revisit what’s already well understood. So when scientific findings are shared, they often don’t align 100% with current medical practice. That’s not a flaw — that’s the point. The research perspective is meant to ask different questions and open up possibilities that clinical practice will...