Forest Ray PhD,  —

Forest Ray received his PhD in systems biology from Columbia University, where he developed tools to match drug side effects to other diseases. He has since worked as a journalist and science writer, covering topics from rare diseases to the intersection between environmental science and social justice. He currently lives in Long Beach, California.

Articles by

Electrocardiograms to Monitor Heart Health Advised for SSc-PH Patients

Changes from the norm in the electrical conduction of the heart — called cardiac axis deviations — are “common” and indicative of poorer outcomes in people with systemic sclerosis-related pulmonary hypertension (SSc-PH), a study reported. Because cardiac axis deviations are easily measured by electrocardiography (ECG), monitoring for such deviations…

Skin Fibrosis Worse When Lungs Involved, Study Finds

Scleroderma involving the lungs is associated with a greater degree of skin scarring, or fibrosis, according to a new research model that seeks to predict a person’s risk of organ-specific complications involved in that disorder. The study, “Correlation Between Skin and Affected Organs in 52 Sclerodermic Patients…

Mary J. Wheatley Is New Scleroderma Foundation CEO

Mary J. Wheatley will succeed Robert J. Riggs as CEO of the Scleroderma Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting scleroderma patients, promoting public education concerning the disorder, and helping to fund research into effective treatments and a possible cure. The change will be effective July 1. “This is…

Ofev Safely Slows Lung Function Decline in SSc-ILD Over Long Term

Ofev (nintedanib) safely and effectively slowed lung function decline in people with interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), according to an interim analysis of the ongoing and long-term SENSCIS-ON study. “The SENSCIS-ON trial provides important new evidence about the longer-term use of nintedanib [Ofev] in people living…

‘Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma’ Events Run Through June

The Scleroderma Foundation invites people to participate in Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma, a combination of outdoor and virtual fundraising events to support patients and their families, and research into potentially curative treatments during scleroderma‘s awareness month. Local Scleroderma Foundation chapters organized group Stepping Out runs and…

Computer Algorithm Highly Accurate at Detecting PAH in Scleroderma

A computer algorithm called DETECT correctly identified all cases of a potentially life-threatening type of high blood pressure in a group of people with scleroderma in a recent study. The algorithm outperformed standard methods, showing potential as an effective means of screening SSc patients for developing pulmonary arterial hypertension…