Anatomy of a scandal

The cancer breakthrough seemed almost too good to be true. But patients enrolling in clinical trials didn't know they were about to be involved in one of the worst medical research scandals of this century, one that would test Sally Kornbluth, then the dean overseeing clinical research at Duke Medical School and now president of MIT. 

The axolotl — a cute, slimy salamander — might hold the key to human regeneration

In a lab in Maine, there are about 1,000 of them, moving slowly, oozing about. Each one is isolated in its own glass tank, stored across rows of shelves, big eyes shining plaintively. Just down the hall is the office of James Godwin, a scientist who in 2016 came from Australia to bet his career on a simple premise: That the axolotl could change medicine. 

PERSPECTIVE

It’s time to save Fenway — again

Writer Jason Schwartz makes his strongest plea to Fenway Sports Group not to ruin the Green Monster. He’s referring to the group’s plan to construct a seven-story, 129-foot-high office building directly behind the beloved 37-foot wall. After all, Schwartz ponders, is a monster still a monster if it’s being dwarfed? The three local architecture professors he interviewed say no.

CONNECTIONS

Conversational volleys

“My son, who is 13 and autistic, has been struggling with social conversation,” Jane Kim writes. At the private school for neurodiverse kids he attends, parents and teachers have an open dialogue, and he gets support. But Kim knew he needed more help if he was going to navigate talking with people as his world grew. 

MISS CONDUCT CLASSICS

Speaking out
How do you deal with a conversation hijacker? Miss Conduct shared her tips.

LOVE LETTERS

Love on- or offline 
A near 60-year-old is hesitant to use dating apps after being scammed. She wants to meet potential suitors in-person. Meredith shares her advice.

Submit your relationship questions. And check out the Love Letters podcast here.

DINNER WITH CUPID

“After dinner, we went out for ice cream in my neighborhood. I figured, ‘Why not?’” Will these board game aficionados make a move?

Go on an in-person or virtual blind date. We'll pick up the tab. Fill out an application.

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