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Striking findings from 2023

Pew Research Center has gathered data around some of this year’s defining news stories, from the rise of artificial intelligence to the debate over affirmative action in college admissions . Here’s a look back at 2023 through some of our most striking research findings.

These findings only scratch the surface of the Center’s research from this past year .

A record-high share of 40-year-olds in the U.S. have never been married, according to a Center analysis of the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data . As of 2021, a quarter of 40-year-olds had never been married – up from 6% in 1980.

In 2021, the demographic groups most likely not to have ever been married by age 40 include men, Black Americans and those without a four-year college degree.

A Center survey conducted in April found that relatively few Americans see marriage as essential for people to live a fulfilling life compared with factors like job satisfaction and friendship. While majorities say that having a job or career they enjoy (71%) and having close friends (61%) are extremely or very important for living a fulfilling life, far fewer say this about having children (26%) or being married (23%). Larger shares, in fact, say having children (42%) or being married (44%) are not too or not at all important.

About half of Americans say the increased use of artificial intelligence in daily life makes them feel more concerned than excited – up 14 percentage points from last year, according to an August survey . Overall, 52% of Americans say they feel this way, an increase from 38% in December 2022.

Just 10% of adults say they are more excited than concerned about the increased use of AI, while 36% say they feel an equal mix of these emotions.

The rise in concern about AI has taken place alongside growing public awareness of the technology. Nine-in-ten adults say they have heard either a lot (33%) or a little (56%) about artificial intelligence. The share of those who have heard  a lot  is up 7 points since December 2022.

For the first time in over 30 years of public opinion polling, Americans’ views of the U.S. Supreme Court are more negative than positive, a July survey found . A narrow majority (54%) have an unfavorable view of the high court, while fewer than half (44%) express a favorable one.

The court’s favorable rating has declined 26 percentage points since 2020, following a series of high-profile rulings on issues including affirmative action in college admissions, LGBTQ+ rights and student loans. The drop in favorability is primarily due to a decline among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, just 24% of whom express a favorable opinion of the court.

A growing share of U.S. adults say the federal government should take steps to restrict false information online, even if it limits freedom of information, a June survey found . The share of U.S. adults with this view has risen from 39% in 2018 to 55% in 2023.

In the most recent survey, 42% of adults took the opposite view, saying the government should protect freedom of information, even if it means false information can be published.

Still, Americans remain more likely to say that tech companies – rather than the U.S. government – should be responsible for restricting false information online. About two-thirds (65%) said this in June.

The number of U.S. children and teens killed by gunfire rose 50% in just two years, according to a 2023 analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2019, there were 1,732 gun deaths among U.S. children and teens under 18. By 2021, that figure had increased to 2,590.

The gun death  rate  among children and teens – a measure that adjusts for changes in the nation’s population – rose 46% during that span.

Both the number and rate of children and teens killed by gunfire in 2021 were the highest since at least 1999, the earliest year for which this information is available in the CDC’s mortality database.

Most Asian Americans view their ancestral homelands favorably – but not Chinese Americans, according to a multilingual, nationally representative survey of Asian American adults .

Only about four-in-ten Chinese Americans (41%) have a favorable opinion of China, while 35% have an unfavorable one. Another 22% say they have a neither favorable nor unfavorable view. This stands in contrast to how other Asian Americans view their ancestral homelands. For instance, about nine-in-ten Taiwanese and Japanese Americans have a very or somewhat favorable opinion of their place of origin, as do large majorities of Korean, Indian and Filipino Americans.

While Chinese Americans’ views of China are more mixed, they still have a more favorable opinion of the country than other Asian adults do. Just 14% of other Asian Americans view China favorably.

Even before the Israel-Hamas war, Israelis had grown more skeptical of a two-state solution. In a survey conducted in March and April , prior to the war, just 35% of Israelis thought “a way can be found for Israel and an independent Palestinian state to coexist peacefully.” This share had declined by 9 percentage points since 2017 and 15 points since 2013.

Among both Arabs and Jews living in Israel, there have been declines over the past decade in the share of people who believe that a peaceful coexistence between Israel and an independent Palestinian state is possible.

A majority of Americans say they would tip 15% or less for an average restaurant dining experience, including 2% who wouldn’t leave a tip at all, an August survey shows . The survey presented respondents with a hypothetical scenario in which they went to a sit-down restaurant and had average – but not exceptional – food and service. About six-in-ten (57%) say they would leave a tip of 15% or less in this situation. Another 12% say they would leave a tip of 18%, and a quarter of people say they’d tip 20% or more.

Adults in lower-income households and those ages 65 and older are more likely than their counterparts to say they would tip 15% or less in a situation like this.

Partisan views of Twitter – the social media platform now called X – have shifted over the last two years, with Republican users’ views of the site growing more positive and those of Democratic users becoming more negative, according to a March survey . The share of Republican and GOP-leaning users who said the site is mostly bad for American democracy fell from 60% in 2021 to 21% earlier this year. At the same time, the share of Republican users who said the site is mostly good for democracy rose from 17% to 43% during the same span.

Democrats’ views moved in the opposite direction during that time frame. The percentage of Democratic and Democratic-leaning Twitter users who said the platform is good for American democracy decreased from 47% to 24%, while the share who said it is bad for democracy increased – though more modestly – from 28% to 35%.

These changes in views follow Elon Musk’s takeover of the platform in fall 2022.

Nearly half of U.S. workers who get paid time off don’t take all the time off their employer offers, according to a February survey of employed Americans . Among those who say their employer offers paid time off for vacation, doctors’ appointments or to deal with minor illnesses, 46% say they take less time off than they are allowed. A similar share (48%) say they typically take all the time off they are offered.

Among those who don’t take all their paid time off, the most common reasons cited are not feeling the need to take more time off (52% say this), worrying they might fall behind at work (49%), and feeling badly about their co-workers taking on additional work (43%).

Smaller shares cite other concerns, including the feeling that taking more time off might hurt their chances for job advancement (19%) or that they might risk losing their job (16%). Some 12% say their manager or supervisor discourages them from taking time off.

An overwhelming majority of Americans (79%) express a negative sentiment when asked to describe politics in the United States these days, a July survey found . Just 2% offer a positive word or phrase, while 10% say something neutral.

Among those who volunteered an answer, 8% use the word “ divisive” or variations of it, while 2% cite the related term “polarized.” “Corrupt” is the second-most frequent answer, given by 6% of respondents.

The top 15 most cited words also include “messy,” “chaos,” “broken” and “dysfunctional.” Many respondents are even more negative in their views: “terrible,” “disgusting,” “disgrace” and the phrase “dumpster fire” are each offered by at least 1% of respondents.

Around half of Americans (53%) say they have ever been visited by a dead family member in a dream or in another form, according to a spring survey . Overall, 46% of Americans report that they’ve been visited by a dead family member in a dream, while 31% report having been visited by dead relatives in some other form.

Women are more likely than men to report these experiences.

While the survey asked whether people have had interactions with dead relatives, it did not ask for explanations. So, we don’t know whether people view these experiences as mysterious or supernatural, whether they see them as having natural or scientific causes, or some of both.

For example, the survey did not ask what respondents meant when they said they had been visited in a dream by a dead relative. Some might have meant that relatives were trying to send them messages or information from beyond the grave. Others might have had something more commonplace in mind, such as dreaming about a favorite memory of a family member.

More Americans disapprove than approve of selective colleges and universities taking race and ethnicity into account when making admissions decisions, according to another spring survey , fielded before the Supreme Court ruled on the practice in June. Half of U.S. adults disapprove of colleges considering race and ethnicity to increase diversity at the schools, while a third approve and 16% are not sure.

Views differ widely by party, as well as by race and ethnicity. Around three-quarters of Republicans and Republican leaners (74%) disapprove of the practice, while 54% of Democrats and Democratic leaners approve of it.

Nearly half of Black Americans (47%) say they approve of colleges and universities considering race and ethnicity in admissions, while smaller shares of Hispanic (39%), Asian (37%) and White (29%) Americans say the same.

The share of Americans who say science has had a mostly positive effect on society has declined since 2019, before the coronavirus outbreak, a fall survey shows : 57% say science has had a mostly positive effect on society, down from 73% in 2019.

About a third of adults (34%) now say the impact of science on society has been equally positive and negative. And 8% say science has had a mostly negative impact on society.

Democrats have become much more likely than Republicans to say science has had a mostly positive impact on society (69% vs. 47%). This gap is the result of steeper declines in positive ratings among Republicans than among Democrats since 2019 (down 23 points and 8 points, respectively).

Nearly three-in-ten Americans express an unfavorable opinion of both major political parties – the highest share in at least three decades, according to a July survey . Overall, 28% of Americans have an unfavorable opinion of both the Republican and Democratic parties. This is more than quadruple the share in 1994, when just 6% of Americans viewed both parties negatively.

A majority of Americans say TikTok is a threat to national security, according to a survey conducted in May . About six-in-ten adults (59%) see the social media platform as a major or minor threat to national security in the United States. Just 17% say it is  not  a threat to national security and another 23% aren’t sure.

Views vary by partisanship and age. Seven-in-ten Republicans and GOP leaners say TikTok is at least a minor threat to national security, compared with 53% of Democrats and Democratic leaners. Conservative Republicans are more likely than moderate or liberal Republicans – or Democrats of any ideology – to say the view the app as a major threat.

Nearly half of those ages 65 and older (46%) see TikTok as a major threat to national security, compared with a much smaller share (13%) of adults ages 18 to 29.

Read the other posts in our striking findings series:

• Striking findings from 2022
• Striking findings from 2021
• 20 striking findings from 2020
• 19 striking findings from 2019
• 18 striking findings from 2018
• 17 striking findings from 2017
• 16 striking findings from 2016
• 15 striking findings from 2015
• 14 striking findings from 2014
• Affirmative Action
• Artificial Intelligence
• Asian Americans
• Business & Workplace
• Death & Dying
• Defense & National Security
• Family & Relationships
• Misinformation Online
• Other Topics
• Politics & Policy
• Social Media
• Supreme Court
• Trust in Science
• Twitter (X)
• Unmarried Adults
• War & International Conflict

Katherine Schaeffer is a research analyst at Pew Research Center .

Private, selective colleges are most likely to use race, ethnicity as a factor in admissions decisions

Americans and affirmative action: how the public sees the consideration of race in college admissions, hiring, asian americans hold mixed views around affirmative action, more americans disapprove than approve of colleges considering race, ethnicity in admissions decisions, hispanic enrollment reaches new high at four-year colleges in the u.s., but affordability remains an obstacle, most popular.

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Nih research matters.

December 21, 2023

2023 NIH Research Highlights - Promising Medical Findings

Results with potential for enhancing human health.

With NIH support, scientists across the United States and around the world conduct wide-ranging research to discover ways to enhance health, lengthen life and reduce illness and disability. Groundbreaking NIH-funded research often receives top scientific honors. In 2023, these honors included  two NIH-supported scientists who received Nobel Prizes . Here’s just a small sample of the NIH-supported research accomplishments in 2023. Also see this year's  Human Health Advances  and  Basic Research Insights .

Printer-friendly version of full 2023 NIH Research Highlights

Immune and hormonal features of Long COVID

About one in eight people who survive an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection go on to have persistent symptoms. The processes that give rise to this syndrome, known as Long COVID, remain unclear. Researchers found several immune and hormonal differences between people with Long COVID and those without. Another study found that infection with a common cold virus may predispose some people to develop Long COVID . This year, researchers also discovered how COVID-19 may damage cells’ energy production and potentially cause some symptoms of Long COVID.

20230911-me-cfs.jpg

Protein may be linked to exercise intolerance in ME/CFS

People with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) live with debilitating symptoms. These including exhaustion, exercise intolerance, cognitive problems and worsening of symptoms after even mild exertion. A study suggested that high levels of a protein called WASF3 may reduce energy production in the muscle cells of people with ME/CFS. Blocking this protein in cells in the laboratory restored energy production, suggesting a potential new strategy for treating the condition.

20230214-bodyparts.png

Engineering skin grafts for complex body parts

Advances in bioengineering have allowed researchers to grow new patches of skin in the lab. But these skin patches have been small and limited in shape. Using new techniques, scientists grew strong skin in the shape of a full human hand. This technology has the potential to help heal burns and other damage to complex body parts with less trauma and scarring.

20220110-alz.jpg

Blood test for early Alzheimer’s detection

One of the first stages of Alzheimer’s disease involves the formation of toxic aggregates of a protein called amyloid beta (Aβ). The ability to detect these early would let scientists test new treatments before irreparable brain damage occurs. Researchers developed a blood test that could detect the toxic Aβ aggregates before Alzheimer’s symptoms appeared. This is one of several promising approaches to early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

20230314-diet.jpg

Erythritol and cardiovascular events

Artificial sweeteners can help people reduce their sugar and calorie intake. But little is known about the long-term health consequences. Researchers found that elevated blood levels of the artificial sweetener erythritol were associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke. When used as a sweetener, erythritol is typically added at levels more than 1,000-fold higher than those found naturally in foods. The results highlight the need to further study erythritol’s long-term effects on cardiovascular health.

Read more 2023 NIH Research Highlights: Basic Research Insights

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Research Highlights in 2023

A tale of Silk Road violence as told by a lake’s mud

Soot and other remnants of fires record ancient warfare along the storied trade route.

Hybrid workers scurry to the office when the bosses appear

Key-card use by more than 40,000 technology-company employees hints at who’s coming to the office and why.

Where ‘green ghost’ lightning gets its emerald hue

A range of elements in planetary dust provide the colour for high-altitude natural fireworks.

Weird waves in water emulate those in quantum matter

Unusually large wave patterns made by vibrating a container of water resemble those seen in Bose–Einstein condensates.

The Tree of Life, emoji version

What about the worms? Analysis of the 112 official emojis that represent organisms shows that there is a bias against invertebrates.

Dirty air is linked to smaller babies across huge swathes of Asia and Africa

Exposure to high levels of ozone causes mothers in low- and middle-income countries to give birth to infants with a low birth weight.

Wee VR googles give mice a true immersive experience

Headset could make it easier to study reactions in the animals’ brains to simulated situations.

Earth is warming but Mount Everest is getting chillier

Winds triggered by climate change sweep cold air down from the summit of Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks, leading to a cooling trend.

Powerful X-ray reveals the inner life of an electric-vehicle battery

Researchers get an unprecedented glimpse of how ions behave during a drive.

Mini fat particles help to turn platelets into protein factories

Genetically modified blood cells could churn out therapeutic proteins for treating inflammation and other conditions.

Holiday side dish: a big helping of indoor air pollution

Particulate-matter levels in US homes peak during mealtime — and especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Why coffee particles clump and make a mess during grinding

Scientists studying the electrical charge on coffee particles stumble on a secret to a better cup of joe.

This bird escaped extinction — but its genes hint at an ominous future

The extravagantly feathered Seychelles paradise flycatcher lacks genetic diversity, which might hamper its resilience to climate change and other threats.

How immense mountains create one of the rainiest places on Earth

The western coast of Colombia can get more than 26 metres of rain a year, thanks to the influence of air jets hitting the Andes range.

Earliest known fossil mosquito is a blood-sucking surprise

Insects trapped in amber reveal that male mosquitoes, too, could once extract blood.

A low-cost electron microscope maps proteins at speed

Bespoke cryo-electron microscope reveals 3D details of cellular structures — and is an order of magnitude cheaper than its rivals.

Tinkering with immune cells gives cancer treatment a boost

Tumours respond more readily to radiation and other therapies in mice without a specific protein in their dendritic cells.

The hunt for dark-matter particles ventures into the wild

Sensors deployed at magnetically quiet rural sites looked for axions and ‘hidden photons’ — with no luck yet.

Dolphins have a feel for electric fields

The bottlenose dolphin’s keen ‘electroreception’ sense might help it to locate buried prey and navigate the seas.

‘Early dark energy’ fails to solve mystery of cosmic expansion

The extra ingredient would explain why the Universe is expanding so fast now — but conflicts with data from ancient quasars.

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Selected Research Results

Research spotlights of selected studies are shown below. For a full list of published NCCIH Research to-date, see PubMed .

Spotlights for 2023

Adding Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) to Methadone Treatment Provides Therapeutic Benefits for People With Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain According to a recent study, adding a remote group therapy mindfulness program to standard methadone treatment leads to therapeutic benefits in people with opioid use disorder and chronic pain. The study, conducted by researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers School of Public Health, and University of Utah, was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry .

December 2023

New Machine Learning Strategy for Optimizing Interventions in Causal Model Design Researchers developed a new active learning—or machine learning—strategy that outperformed existing approaches for identifying optimal interventions when designing causal models. The new approach, which was developed by researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, was recently described in a paper in Nature Machine Intelligence . The research was partially funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

October 2023

The Mechanoreceptive Ion Channel PIEZO2 Plays a Critical Role in Sexual Function Uncovering the biomechanical processes underlying human touch and sensation is critical to understanding this essential human function and key to discovering potential new approaches to treating pain, a key National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) priority. NCCIH’s research is contributing to a growing understanding of the mechanoreceptive ion channel PIEZO2 and its essential role in discriminative touch in both mice and humans, in different parts of the body. 

August 2023

PIEZO2 Ion Channel Plays a Key Role in Gastrointestinal Motility and Bowel Sensation New research has identified mechanisms involved in sensing the presence of food in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and controlling the transit of GI contents. The findings demonstrate a key role for the protein PIEZO2 in controlling GI motility, a process critical for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste removal. This research, conducted jointly by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Scripps Research Institute, and other collaborating institutions, was published in a recent issue of the journal Cell.

U.S. National Survey Data Show High Rates of New Cases and Persistence of Chronic Pain New cases of chronic pain occur more often among U.S. adults than new cases of several other common conditions, including diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure. Among people who have chronic pain, almost two-thirds will still have it the following year. These findings come from a new analysis of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data by investigators from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and University of Washington, published in JAMA Network Open .

The Prevalence of Pain Among Sexual Minority Adults Is Higher Than Among Straight Adults, National Survey Data Show Pain prevalence is significantly higher among sexual minority adults than straight adults, with the highest levels among those who identify as bisexual or “something else,” followed by those who identify as gay or lesbian, according to a new analysis of 2013–2018 data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). This analysis, published in the journal Pain, was conducted by researchers from the University of Western Ontario; University at Buffalo, State University of New York; Michigan State University; Ohio State University; and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. 

When Taken Orally, Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol With Cannabidiol Can Result in Stronger Drug Effects Than Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Alone New research contradicts prior claims and clarifies the interactions between the two main cannabinoids—Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)—when they are ingested orally as part of an edible cannabis product. The study’s findings suggest that CBD can inhibit the metabolism of Δ9-THC when the two are consumed together, leading to increased effects than when the same dose of Δ9-THC is consumed without CBD. The study, recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open , was led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and partially funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

February 2023

Research Results by Year

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Diez maneras en que los estudiantes pueden prepararse para ser astronautas

Groundbreaking results from space station science in 2023, melissa l. gaskill, a new spin on pulsars, learning from lightning, regenerating tissue in space, mighty muscles in microgravity, better ultrasound images, this is your brain in space, improving solar materials, understanding bubbles in foams, answering burning questions, the robot hop.

Lee esta historia en español aquí .

The International Space Station is a microgravity research lab hosting groundbreaking technology demonstrations and scientific investigations. More than 3,700 investigations conducted to date have generated more than 4,000 research articles published in scientific journals. In 2023, the orbiting lab hosted approximately 500 investigations.

See more space station research achievements and findings in the Annual Highlights of Results publication , and read highlights of results published between October 2022 and October 2023 below:

Neutron stars, ultra-dense matter left behind when massive stars explode as supernovas, are also called pulsars because they spin and emit X-ray radiation in beams that sweep the sky like lighthouses. The Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer ( NICER ) collects this radiation to study the structure, dynamics, and energetics of pulsars. Researchers used NICER data to calculate rotations of six pulsars and update mathematical models of their spin properties. Precise measurements enhance the understanding of pulsars, including their production of gravitational waves, and help address fundamental questions about matter and gravity.

Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor ( ASIM ) studies how upper-atmospheric electrical discharges generated by severe thunderstorms affect Earth’s atmosphere and climate. These events occur well above the altitudes of normal lightning and storm clouds. Using ASIM data, researchers reported the first detailed observations of  development of a of negative leader, or initiation of a flash, from in-cloud lightning. Understanding how thunderstorms disturb the high-altitude atmosphere could improve atmospheric models and climate and weather predictions.

Tissue Regeneration-Bone Defect ( Rodent Research-4 (CASIS)), sponsored by the ISS National Lab, examined wound healing mechanisms in microgravity. Researchers found that microgravity affected the fibrous and cellular components of skin tissue. Fibrous structures in connective tissue provide structure and protection for the body’s organs. This finding is an initial step to use connective tissue regeneration to treat disease and injuries for future space explorers.

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) developed the Multiple Artificial-gravity Research System (MARS), which generates artificial gravity in space. Three JAXA investigations, MHU-1 , MHU-4 , and MHU-5 , used the artificial-gravity system to examine the effect on skeletal muscles from different gravitation loads – microgravity, lunar gravity (1/6 g ), and Earth gravity (1 g ). Results show that lunar gravity protects against loss of some muscle fibers but not others. Different gravitational levels may be needed to support muscle adaptation on future missions.

Vascular Echo , an investigation from CSA (Canadian Space Agency), examined changes in blood vessels and the heart during and after spaceflight using ultrasound and other measures. Researchers compared 2D ultrasound technology with a motorized 3D ultrasound and found that 3D is more accurate. Better measurements could help maintain crew health in space and quality of life for people on Earth.

The Brain-DTI investigation from ESA (European Space Agency) tested whether the brain adapts to weightlessness by using previously untapped connections between neurons. MRI scans of crew members before and after spaceflight demonstrate functional changes in specific brain regions, confirming the adaptability and plasticity of the brain under extreme conditions. This insight supports the development of ways to monitor brain adaptations and countermeasures to promote healthy brain function in space and for those with brain-related disorders on Earth.

Metal halide perovskite (MHP) materials convert sunlight into electrical energy and show promise for use in thin-film solar cells in space due to low cost, high performance, suitability for in-space manufacturing, and defect and radiation tolerance. For Materials International Space Station Experiment-13-NASA ( MISSE-13-NASA ), which continues a series investigating how space affects various materials, researchers exposed perovskite thin films to space for ten months. Results confirmed their durability and stability in this environment. This finding could lead to improvements in MHP materials and devices for space applications such as solar panels.

Wet foams are dispersions of gas bubbles in a liquid matrix. An ESA investigation, FSL Soft Matter Dynamics or FOAM , examines coarsening, a thermodynamic process where large bubbles grow at the expense of smaller ones. Researchers determined the coarsening rates for various types of foams and found close agreement with theoretical predictions. A better understanding of foam properties could help scientists improve these substances for a variety of uses, including firefighting and water treatment in space and making detergents, food, and medicine on Earth.

Fire is a constant concern in space. The Saffire series of experiments studies flame conditions in microgravity using empty Cygnus resupply spacecraft that have undocked from the space station. Saffire-IV examined fire growth with different materials and conditions and showed that a technique called color pyrometry can determine the temperature of a spreading flame. The finding helps validate numerical models of flame properties in microgravity and provides insight into fire safety on future missions.

Astrobatics tests robotic movement using hopping or self-toss maneuvers by the station’s Astrobee robots. In low gravity, robots could move faster, use less fuel, and cover otherwise impassable terrain with these maneuvers, expanding their orbital and planetary capabilities. Results verified the viability of the locomotion method and showed that it provides a greater range of distance. The work is a step toward autonomous robotic helpers in space and on other celestial bodies, potentially reducing the need to expose astronauts to risky environments.

Melissa Gaskill International Space Station Research Communications Team Johnson Space Center

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Cancer research highlights from 2023

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By Mayo Clinic staff

Researchers at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center spent 2023 studying the biology of cancer and new ways to predict, prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. Their discoveries are creating hope and transforming the quality of life for people with cancer today and in the future. Here are some highlights from their research over the past year:

Mayo Clinic researchers link ovarian cancer to bacteria colonization in the microbiome.

A specific colonization of microbes in the reproductive tract is commonly found in people with ovarian cancer, according to a study from the Mayo Clinic  Center for Individualized Medicine . Published in  Scientific Reports  and led by  Marina Walther-Antonio, Ph.D. , a Mayo Clinic researcher, and Abigail Asangba, Ph.D., the discovery strengthens the evidence that the bacterial component of the microbiome — a community of microorganisms that also consists of viruses, yeasts and fungi — is an important indicator for early detection, diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer . The study also suggests that a higher accumulation of pathogenic microbes plays a role in treatment outcomes and could be a potential indicator for predicting a patient's prognosis and response to therapy.  Read more .

Artificial intelligence is forging a new future for colorectal cancer and other digestive system diseases.

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard in detecting and preventing colorectal cancer , but the procedure has limitations. Some studies suggest that more than half of post-colonoscopy colon cancer cases arise from lesions missed at patients' previous colonoscopies. In 2022, Michael Wallace, M.D. , a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, published the results  of an international, multicenter study testing the impact of adding artificial intelligence (AI) to routine colonoscopies. His team, including James East, M.D. , a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, and other researchers from the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Germany and Ireland, found that incorporating AI into colonoscopies reduced the risk of missing polyps by 50%.  Read more .

A big step forward: Bringing DNA sequencing data to routine patient care.

The Tapestry study , an extensive genomic sequencing clinical research study, aims to complete exome sequencing (sequencing the protein-coding regions of a genome) for 100,000 Mayo Clinic patients. The results will be integrated into patients’ electronic health records for three hereditary conditions, and the amassed data will contribute to a research dataset stored within the Mayo Clinic Cloud on the Omics Data Platform. The overall hope of Tapestry is to accelerate discoveries in individualized medicine to tailor prevention, diagnosis and treatment to a patient's unique genetic makeup. It is poised to advance evidence that exome sequencing, when applied to a diverse and comprehensive general population, can proficiently identify carriers of genetic variants that put them at higher risk for a disease, allowing them to take preventive measures.  Read more .

Patients with multiple tumors in one breast may not need a mastectomy.

Patients who have multiple tumors in one breast may be able to avoid a mastectomy if surgeons can remove the tumors while leaving enough breast tissue, according to research led by the  Alliance in Clinical Trials in Oncology  and  Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center . Patients would receive breast-conserving therapy — a  lumpectomy  followed by whole-breast  radiation therapy — rather than mastectomy . The study is published in the  Journal of Clinical Oncology . Historically, women with multiple tumors in one breast have been advised to have a mastectomy. Now, patients can be offered a less invasive option with faster recovery, resulting in better patient satisfaction and cosmetic outcomes, says  Judy Boughey, M.D. , lead author, Mayo Clinic breast surgical oncologist and the W.H. Odell Professor of Individualized Medicine. Read more .

Staging pancreatic cancer early with minimally invasive surgery shows positive results in patient prognosis.

A study published in the  Journal of the American College of Surgeons  reveals that performing a minor surgical procedure on patients newly diagnosed with  pancreatic cancer  helps to identify cancer spread early and determine the stage of cancer. The researchers add that the surgery ideally should be performed before the patient begins chemotherapy. "This is an important study because it supports that staging laparoscopy may help determine a patient's prognosis and better inform treatment so that patients avoid unhelpful or potentially harmful surgical therapy," says  Mark Truty, M.D. , a Mayo Clinic surgical oncologist who led the research.  Read more .

Mayo Clinic study reveals proton beam therapy may shorten breast cancer treatment.

In a trial published in  The Lancet Oncology , Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers uncovered evidence supporting a shorter treatment time for people with breast cancer . The study compared two separate dosing schedules of pencil-beam scanning proton therapy , known for its precision in targeting cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue to reduce the risk of side effects. The investigators found that both 25-day and 15-day proton therapy schedules resulted in excellent cancer control while sparing surrounding non-cancerous tissue. Further, complication rates were comparable between the two study groups. "We can now consider the option of 15 days of therapy for patients based on the similar treatment outcomes observed," says  Robert Mutter, M.D. , a Mayo Clinic radiation oncologist and physician-scientist. Read more .

Harnessing the immune system to fight ovarian cancer.

Mayo Clinic research is biomanufacturing an experimental, cell-based ovarian cancer vaccine and combining it with immunotherapy to study a "one-two punch" approach to halting ovarian cancer progression. This research begins with a blood draw from people with advanced  ovarian cancer  whose tumors have returned after standard surgery and chemotherapy. White blood cells are extracted from the blood, biomanufactured to become dendritic cells and returned to the patient. Dendritic cells act as crusaders that march through the body, triggering the immune system to recognize and fight cancer. "We're building on an earlier phase 1 clinical trial  that showed promising results  in terms of survival after the dendritic cell-based vaccine," says  Matthew Block, M.D., Ph.D. , co-principal investigator and Mayo Clinic medical oncologist. "Of the 18 evaluable patients in the phase 1 study, 11 had cancer return, but seven of them — 40% — have been cancer-free for almost 10 years. We typically expect 90% of patients in this condition to have the cancer return."  Read more .

New gene markers detect Lynch syndrome-associated colorectal cancer.

Researchers from Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center and Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine have discovered new genetic markers to identify Lynch syndrome-associated colorectal cancer with high accuracy. Studies are underway to determine if these genetic markers are in stool samples and, if so, how this could lead to a non-invasive screening option for people with  Lynch syndrome . The research was published in Cancer Prevention Research , a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. "This is an exciting finding that brings us closer to the reality that clinicians may soon be able to offer a non-invasive cancer screening option to patients with the highest risk of getting cancer," says  Jewel Samadder, M.D. , co-lead author of the paper and a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist. Read more .

Mayo Clinic prepares to biomanufacture a new CAR-T cell therapy for B-cell blood cancers.

Mayo Clinic research has developed a new type of  chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy (CAR-T cell therapy)  aimed at killing B-cell blood cancers that have returned and are no longer responding to treatment. This pioneering technology, designed and developed in the lab of  Hong Qin, M.D., Ph.D. , a Mayo Clinic cancer researcher, killed B-cell tumors grown in the laboratory and tumors implanted in mouse models. The preclinical findings are published in  Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy . "This study shows our experimental CAR-T cell therapy targets several blood cancers, specifically chronic lymphocytic leukemia," says Dr. Qin. "Currently, there are six different CAR-T cell therapies approved for treatment of relapsed blood cancers. While the results are impressive, not everyone responds to this treatment. Our goal is to provide novel cell therapies shaped to each patient's individual need."  Read more .

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Investor Relations

News Details

Johnson & johnson reports q4 and full-year 2023 results.

• 2023 Fourth-Quarter reported sales growth of 7.3% to $21.4 Billion with operational growth of 7.2%* and adjusted operational growth of 5.7%*. Operational growth excluding COVID-19 Vaccine of 10.9%*
• 2023 Fourth-Quarter Earnings per share (EPS) of $1.70 increasing 39.3% and adjusted EPS of $2.29 increasing by 11.7%*  
• 2023 Full-Year reported sales growth of 6.5% to $85.2 Billion with operational growth of 7.4%* and adjusted operational growth of 5.9%*. Operational growth excluding COVID-19 Vaccine of 9.0%*
• 2023 Full-Year EPS of $5.20 decreasing 15.3% due to a special one-time charge in the First-Quarter, and adjusted EPS of $9.92 increasing by 11.1%*  
• Company re-confirms guidance for 2024 with operational sales 5  growth of 5.0% - 6.0%* and adjusted operational EPS of $10.55 - $10.75, reflecting growth of 7.4%* at the mid-point

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--  Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced results for fourth-quarter and full year 2023. “Johnson & Johnson’s full year 2023 results reflect the breadth and competitiveness of our business and our relentless focus on delivering for patients,” said Joaquin Duato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We have entered 2024 from a position of strength, and I am confident in our ability to lead the next wave of health innovation.”

Unless otherwise noted, the financial results and earnings guidance included below reflect the continuing operations of Johnson & Johnson.

Overall Financial Results

Regional Sales Results

Segment Sales Results

Full Year 2023 Segment Commentary:

Operational sales* reflected below excludes the impact of translational currency. Adjusted operational sales* reflected below excludes the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures and translational currency.

Innovative Medicine

Innovative Medicine worldwide operational sales, excluding the COVID-19 Vaccine, grew 7.2%*. Growth was driven by DARZALEX (daratumumab), ERLEADA (apalutamide), TECVAYLI (teclistamab-cqyv) in Other Oncology, and CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) in Oncology, STELARA (ustekinumab) and TREMFYA (guselkumab) in Immunology, and SPRAVATO (esketamine) in Neuroscience. Growth was partially offset by ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate) and IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) in Oncology, and REMICADE (infliximab) in Immunology. Including the COVID-19 Vaccine, Innovative Medicine worldwide operational sales grew 4.8%*.

MedTech worldwide operational sales grew 12.4%*, with the acquisition of Abiomed contributing 4.7%. MedTech worldwide adjusted operational sales grew 7.8%*, driven primarily by electrophysiology products in Interventional Solutions, contact lenses in Vision, wound closure products in General Surgery, and biosurgery in Advanced Surgery.

Notable New Announcements in the Quarter:

The information contained in this section should be read together with Johnson & Johnson’s other disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Current Reports on Form 8-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Copies of these filings are available online at  www.sec.gov ,  www.jnj.com  or on request from Johnson & Johnson. The reader is also encouraged to review all other news releases and information available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at  News Releases , as well as  Innovative Medicine ,  MedTech ,  www.factsabouttalc.com ,  www.factsaboutourprescriptionopioids.com , and  www.LLTManagementInformation.com.

Full-Year 2024 Guidance:

Johnson & Johnson does not provide GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because the company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of legal proceedings, unusual gains and losses, acquisition-related expenses, and purchase accounting fair value adjustments without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to Johnson & Johnson's results computed in accordance with GAAP.

Other modeling considerations will be provided on the  webcast.

Webcast Information:

Johnson & Johnson will conduct a conference call with investors to discuss this earnings release today at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time. A simultaneous webcast of the call for investors and other interested parties may be accessed by visiting the  Johnson & Johnson website . A replay and podcast will be available approximately two hours after the live webcast in the Investor Relations section of the company's website at  events-and-presentations .

About Johnson & Johnson:

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at  https://www.jnj.com/ .

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

* “Operational sales growth” excluding the impact of translational currency, “adjusted operational sales growth” excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures and translational currency, as well as “adjusted net earnings”, “adjusted diluted earnings per share” and “adjusted operational diluted earnings per share” excluding after-tax intangible amortization expense and special items, are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered replacements for, and should be read together with, the most comparable GAAP financial measures. Except for guidance measures, reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures can be found in the accompanying financial schedules of the earnings release and the Investor Relations section of the company's website at  quarterly results .

Copies of the financial schedules accompanying this earnings release are available on the company’s website at  quarterly results . These schedules include supplementary sales data, a condensed consolidated statement of earnings, reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures, and sales of key products/franchises. Additional information on Johnson & Johnson, including adjusted income before tax by segment, an  Innovative Medicine pipeline  of selected compounds in late stage development and a copy of today’s earnings call presentation can also be found in the Investor Relations section of the company's website at  quarterly results .

Note to Investors Concerning Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things: future operating and financial performance, product development, and market position and business strategy. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: economic factors, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product research and development, including uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; challenges to patents; the impact of patent expirations; the ability of the Company to successfully execute strategic plans, including restructuring plans; the impact of business combinations and divestitures; manufacturing difficulties or delays, internally or within the supply chain; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; significant adverse litigation or government action, including related to product liability claims; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including tax laws and global health care reforms; trends toward health care cost containment; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; financial instability of international economies and legal systems and sovereign risk; increased scrutiny of the health care industry by government agencies; the Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits from the separation of the Company’s Consumer Health business; and the New Consumer Health Company’s ability to succeed as a standalone publicly traded company. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at  www.sec.gov ,  www.jnj.com  or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Any forward-looking statement made in this release speaks only as of the date of this release. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.