Social

Meta wants to revive Facebook’s old-school appeal by introducing a new Friends Tab, which will focus solely on posts shared by a user’s friends and family. This Friends Tab will replace the section in the app that previously displayed friend requests and suggested friends. Instead, users in the United States and Canada will now see a scrolling feed featuring photos, videos, friend requests, birthday reminders, and text posts. “Over the years, Facebook evolved to meet changing needs and created best-in-class experiences across Groups, Video, Marketplace and more, but the magic of friends has fallen away,” the company wrote in an unattributed blog post. “We’ll be adding several ‘OG’ Facebook experiences throughout the year, beginning with the revamped Friends tab.” Importantly, the new Friends Tab won’t replace the Home feed, which still includes recommended content. However, Facebook may see this as a way to offer the best of both worlds. The company received significant backlash in 2022 after announcing plans to introduce recommended content from users who weren’t added as “friends.” Although Meta scaled back that content, users continued to see their feeds flooded with posts from creators and brands over time. This algorithm-driven approach has generally been seen as a strategy to boost engagement. Instead of checking in occasionally to stay connected with friends, many users turned to social media for endless scrolling. “Social media should feel social,” the company wrote. “In that spirit, we’ll be adding more fun, simple experiences to help you connect and share on Facebook throughout the year.” Facebook’s user base continues to skew older. A Pew Research Center survey from fall 2023 found that only a third of American teens ages 13 to 17 reported using Facebook—a steep drop from the 71% who said they used it in a 2014–2015 survey. It’s unclear how many young users will actually see the latest updates. Still, the move could appeal to users weary of algorithms and brand-driven content. Meta CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said during a January analyst call that there are many opportunities to make the app “more culturally influential than it is today.

Content-Driven Program Brings Together Clinical Trial Stakeholders to Foster Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration in Cancer Research Advarra, the market leader in regulatory review solutions and clinical research technology, today announced the launch of Oncology Research Pulse, a new content-driven, thought leadership initiative designed to foster collaboration among clinical trial sponsors, study sites, contract research organizations (CROs), patient advocates, and other key stakeholders across the research community. This initiative will serve as a platform for expert insights, meaningful dialogue, and the exchange of best practices to support the advancement of oncology clinical trials. “Cancer research is evolving at an unprecedented pace. New therapies, shifting regulations, and cutting-edge technologies are transforming how trials are designed and conducted. Yet, persistent challenges remain—study startup is too slow, research sites are overburdened, and too many patients struggle to access innovative treatments,” said Christine Senn, PhD, Senior Vice President and Head of Site-Sponsor Innovation at Advarra. “Advarra has long been committed to optimizing cancer trials—making them faster, more efficient, compliant, and ethical. Oncology Research Pulse is an extension of this commitment, bringing together key stakeholders, to facilitate conversations that drive meaningful progress in the execution of cancer studies.” Oncology Research Pulse will explore scientific advancements in treatment strategies, evolving trial methodologies, and the role of technology and other novel solutions in optimizing study design, regulatory compliance, and operational feasibility. The program will also address opportunities to improve diversity in clinical trials and foster equitable and inclusive research programs that reflect the populations they serve. As part of this initiative, Advarra is partnering with Fierce Pharma on a webinar series, convening thought leaders from across the research community to discuss critical issues shaping the future of oncology trials. Speakers for the first webinar in the series, “Making Just-in-Time Oncology Trials Work: Overcoming Barriers and Unlocking Potential,” include Walter Stadler, MD, FACP, Chief Clinical Officer at City of Hope, Chicago, and Christine Senn, PhD, Senior Vice President and Head of Site-Sponsor Innovation at Advarra. The webinar will take place on April 10, 2025, 1 pm to 2 pm ET. “Collaboration is essential in overcoming the complexities of modern oncology research,” said Walter Stadler, MD, FACP, Chief Clinical Officer at City of Hope, Chicago. “Programs such as Oncology Research Pulse provide a valuable forum for key stakeholders to come together, share insights, and work toward practical solutions that improve trial efficiency and patient access.” Oncology Research Pulse will also cover key updates from major oncology-focused conferences throughout the year, including the Association of Cancer Center Administrators Forum (March 16-18, 2025, in Seattle), Society for Clinical Research Sites Oncology Site Solutions Summit (April 9-10, 2025, in Atlanta), American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (May 30 – June 3, 2025, in Chicago), and the Association of American Cancer Institutes Clinical Research Innovation Annual Meeting (June 23-25, 2025, in Chicago). Advarra experts will lead discussions on critical topics such as AI in oncology, patient reimbursement, and ethical considerations in Phase I studies Source – PR Newswire