About Scope

Scope is an award-winning medical blog produced by a team of writers at Stanford University School of Medicine. We hope to provide you with high quality, engaging coverage of scientific and medical developments around the world.

How to contact the editor
Please send tips or questions to.

About Communication & Public Affairs
Scope is published by the Office of Communication & Public Affairs at the School of Medicine. The writers in our office have more than 150 years combined experience covering medicine, science and health policy.

We also publish Stanford Medicine magazine, Inside Stanford Medicine, a podcast called 1:2:1, the @SUMedicine Twitter feed, a Facebook page, a YouTube channel, and a Flickr photo stream.

Our comment policy
Our goal is to provide you with an informative, constructive, and entertaining blog, and we hope you enjoy Scope enough to comment on our posts from time to time. We particularly welcome updated information on the subject of the post, opinions that advance a debate on the subject of the post, and factual corrections.

Our goal is to not be heavy-handed in controlling comments, but we do moderate comments so that as many people as possible can enjoy the blog. We may not publish a comment, or we may choose to edit a portion of a comment, if it: (1) harasses or insults writers, blog subjects, or other commenters - or is likely to offend other readers; (2) consists of cut-and-paste talking points or astroturfing; (3) is off-topic; (4) advertises/promotes a product or service; or (5) exposes the private data of others. We also will not approve comment spam.

Please also be aware that comments are approved when a moderator is available to do so. If a comment is posted late at night or early in the morning, it may be several hours before it is approved.

Entries on Scope are not official statements
The entries on Scope represent the personal views of their respective authors. They are not intended to be official statements from the School of Medicine or Stanford University.

Entries on Scope should not be republished without attribution and a link to Scope
Please contact the editor for permission.

Entries on Scope are not medical advice
Lastly, the entries on Scope are meant to offer medical information, not medical advice. They are not a basis for any action or inaction, and they’re also not meant to replace the evaluation and determination of your doctor, who will address your specific medical needs and can make a diagnosis and give you the appropriate care.