Plovm Weekly: Autism Research Debates, Global News & Birthday Wishes for Our CEO
Latest on neurodiversity research trends, concerns about data privacy, and a special celebration for our CEO - plus updates from our growing community.
Hello Plovm Community,
Welcome to this week's curated collection of articles that matter. We've gathered perspectives on neurodiversity awareness alongside significant global events to keep you informed and engaged.
Autism is better known and diagnosed than ever before, leading to misconceptions that cases are skyrocketing. But experts say the biggest reason for the rise in autism diagnoses likely isn't new causes at all – it's a shift in how we screen for and diagnose the condition.
Research shows that autism is highly heritable – about 80% attributable to genetic factors – but very complex, with over 100 genes identified as having some connection. While environmental factors play a role, experts agree that most need further research before drawing conclusions.
This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to develop a "real-world data platform" using Medicare and Medicaid records to investigate "the root causes of autism." With roughly 36 percent of Americans enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, this platform could include sensitive health information from a significant portion of the population.
The announcement has sparked concern among autistic people and disability advocates. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network stated: "Members of this administration have repeatedly used eugenic language to talk about people with disabilities... This makes the administration seem like a particularly untrustworthy locus for a registry to track autistic people."
Any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".
Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon told the BBC on Friday it is "shocking to me that a guy could be selected to be the Pope that had had the Twitter feed and the statements he's had against American senior politicians," and predicted "friction" between Leo and Trump.
The head of the U.K. Royal Navy Admiral Ben Key has been removed from his duties while under investigation over allegations of misconduct, according to media reports.
The Ministry of Defence didn't give any further details on the matter he is being investigated for, but the statement follows a report in the Sun that Key was suspected of having an affair with a female subordinate. Key was due to retire from his position this summer, after serving as the head of the Royal Navy since 2021.
Political cartoonists around the world capture the essence of current events through their insightful and often humorous illustrations.
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