As the landscape of computational biology continues to evolve, fostering strong ties between specialized societies and high-impact scholarly publishing is essential. We are pleased to announce that both the Editor-in-Chief and I, the Managing Editor of JMIR Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, will be presenting a brief talk at the upcoming MCBIOS 2026 conference (March 27–29, 2026, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL). Our talk will focus on a new collaboration and an open call for submissions designed to highlight innovative research in the fields of computational biology, artificial intelligence, and health care innovation.

 

In the realm of preventative medicine, a one-size-fits-all approach often leaves historically underserved populations behind. For adults who are Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH), the path to a routine cancer screening is frequently blocked by a complex web of systemic barriers. From the lack of health information available in American Sign Language (ASL) to the recurring struggle of ineffective patient-physician communication, these challenges do more than just cause frustration—they lead to delayed diagnoses and poorer health outcomes.

The transition to Open Access (OA) is no longer a distant goal; it is a rapidly accelerating reality. As we navigate this shift, the ESAC (Efficiency and Standards for Academic Collecting) Initiative is a useful compass, tracking the rise of Transformative Agreements (TAs) globally.

In the digital age, a ratio on social media is more than just a fleeting moment of internet drama, it can be a measurable signal of institutional trust. As global health crises like COVID-19 unfold, the battle for public confidence moves from official press releases to the real-time arena of social platforms. But can we scientifically measure something as complex as popular legitimacy simply by looking at how the world interacts with an organization on X?

I had a great time in Austin at the ER&L Fest. The longer I’m in the position of Institutional Partnerships Lead at JMIR, the more I enjoy working with librarians. As a group, they are friendly, thoughtful, and ask great questions. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to me - my mother was a public librarian and I spent many, many hours among the book stacks of her workplaces.

When a patient walks into a doctor’s office today, they might notice something is missing: the frantic clicking of a keyboard. In exam rooms across Ontario, the traditional image of a physician hunched over a laptop is being replaced by eye contact, active listening, and a small, unobtrusive digital assistant known as an ambient artificial intelligence (AI) scribe.

Virtual Reality (VR) can be a powerful tool in mental health care, particularly for assisting with relaxation. By immersing users in calming natural environments, VR can effectively lower stress and anxiety. However, despite its potential, high-quality VR relaxation remains largely locked away in specialized clinics. The barriers are clear: stand-alone headsets are expensive, the software can be difficult to operate, and many apps aren't available in local languages.

Whenever the JMIR Publications team travels to conferences—like APHA or the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)—we are inevitably asked one question more than any other: "How can I become a peer reviewer for JMIR, and what qualifications do I need?"

As I am preparing for my trip to Austin for the ER and L conference, I am thinking a lot about the conversations I have had with librarians over the past year, especially at Charleston in November. The consistent theme of each conversation was uncertainty—often budgetary, but also regulatory and administrative. Everywhere, libraries are under pressure to do more with less, leaving many to ask: how to manage library budget cuts while transitioning to open access? It’s clear that librarians are no longer just managing collections;  they’re navigating a total systemic shift.