The “New and Interesting” series is a new feature of [On The Wards], and will comprise periodic compilations of select research findings, news articles, and random tidbits in bullet-point format.

• Development of long-acting local anesthetic with minimal toxicity (PNAS) – researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Boston develop a controlled release form of saxitoxin, which can provide prolonged nerve blockade with minimal systemic and local toxicity.

• Low adoption rate of electronic health record systems in US hospitals (NEJM) – despite wide agreement that electronic medical records would benefit health care institutions, the adoption rate is strikingly low.

• Valsartan does not prevent recurrence of atrial fibrillation (NEJM)