Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences
JABS
Sun, Nov 1, 2026
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Volume 16, Issue 4 (9-2026)
J Adv Biomed Sci. 2026, 16(4): 295-300 |
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Taghinezhad A. Heterogeneity Across Biomedical Research: Variation and the Limits of Inference. , J Adv Biomed Sci.. 2026; 16 (4) :295-300
URL: http://jabs.fums.ac.ir/article-1-3257-en.html
URL: http://jabs.fums.ac.ir/article-1-3257-en.html
Department of English Language, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran , taghinezhad1@gmail.com
Abstract: (1 Views)
Variation is ubiquitous in biomedicine, but its meaning depends on what varies, how it is measured, and the level at which conclusions are drawn. The studies in this issue address cancer stem-cell plasticity, conformational states of hemoglobin S, experimental responses to plant-derived preparations, well-being among people living with HIV/AIDS, and suicide mortality across 25 countries. Together, they illustrate distinct forms of variation: differences among cellular states, predicted molecular interactions, discordant experimental endpoints, psychosocial associations, and population-level patterns. These forms are connected by a common interpretive problem, not by a single biological mechanism. Computational docking can prioritize hypotheses but cannot establish target engagement or therapeutic efficacy. Animal findings require replication and mechanistic validation before clinical extrapolation. Cross-sectional associations cannot establish temporal or causal direction, while ecological comparisons cannot be translated directly into individual risk. Similarly, statistical significance in one population and its absence in another does not demonstrate that the underlying associations differ. Rigorous interpretation therefore distinguishes biological variation from measurement error, uncertainty, and design-dependent patterns. Transparent reporting, appropriately matched analytical methods, replication, and confirmatory research are essential to determine which findings are robust, which remain provisional, and how evidence can responsibly guide subsequent experimental, clinical, and public-health investigations across contexts.
Type of Study: Letter to the Editor |
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Received: 2026/11/1 | Revised: 2026/11/1 | Accepted: 2026/09/10 | Published: 2026/09/10
Received: 2026/11/1 | Revised: 2026/11/1 | Accepted: 2026/09/10 | Published: 2026/09/10
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons — Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)