Health
AI chatbots routinely violate mental health ethics standards
AI chatbots routinely violate mental health ethics standards A new study has found that AI chatbots, including those used for mental health advice, systematically violate ethical standards of practice established by organizations like the American Psychological Association. The researchers identified 15 ethical risks in LLM counselors, including a lack of contextual adaptation, poor therapeutic collaboration, […]
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‘Switch’ could turn off growth of tough childhood cancer
‘Switch’ could turn off growth of tough childhood cancer Researchers at Texas A&M University Health Science Center have discovered a key weakness in one of the toughest childhood cancers, translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC), which affects children and young adults. The team found that RNA builds “droplet hubs” in cancer cells, acting as command centers […]
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Why you shouldn’t take pain relievers after your flu shot
Why you shouldn’t take pain relievers after your flu shot Take pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, and naproxen (Aleve) after a flu shot at your own risk, as they may dilute the vaccine’s effectiveness. These medications work by blocking the COX-2 enzyme, which can reduce the production of antibodies that protect against illness. Avoid […]
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Why your late teens and early 20s are crucial times for lifelong heart health
Why your late teens and early 20s are crucial times for lifelong heart health Young adults (18-25 years old) are at a critical stage in their lives where behaviors that can harm heart health, such as smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity, become more common. The rate of heart disease among people under 40 […]
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Vaping while pregnant may pose serious risks
Vaping while pregnant may pose serious risks Vaping while pregnant poses serious risks to a developing fetus, according to new research. A recent study found that exposure to e-cigarettes with nicotine can impair the growth of the fetus and placenta in mice. Nicotine exposure may interfere with how nutrients are delivered to the fetus, similar […]
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Team sports lower blood pressure for people with chronic diseases
Team sports lower blood pressure for people with chronic diseases A new study published in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology found that team sports can significantly lower blood pressure for people with high blood pressure and chronic conditions such as COPD and type 2 diabetes. The 12-week training program, which involved twice weekly […]
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Simple tool can help uncover underdiagnosed back condition
Simple tool can help uncover underdiagnosed back condition A new study has developed an innovative online screening questionnaire called the A-tool to help identify people with underdiagnosed back conditions, specifically axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The A-tool consists of a brief set of clinical questions that patients can complete themselves without a physician intermediary, and it has […]
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Ohio State researchers use AI to tackle elusive lobular breast cancer detection challenges
Ohio State researchers use AI to tackle elusive lobular breast cancer detection challenges BulletPointN One of the most common forms of breast cancer is nearly impossible to detect. Source: Youtube link Q. What is one of the most common forms of breast cancer? A. Lobular breast cancer. Q. Why is lobular breast cancer challenging to […]
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Navigating mental illness in the workplace can be tricky, but employees are entitled to accommodations
Navigating mental illness in the workplace can be tricky, but employees are entitled to accommodations Mental health challenges are becoming increasingly common in the US, affecting approximately 23% of adults, with a nearly 37% increase over the past decade. Employees with mental illness may face difficulties in completing tasks at work due to symptoms such […]
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Gut microbiome can affect desire for alcohol
Gut microbiome can affect desire for alcohol Gut microbiome research has found a connection between Candida albicans, a fungus associated with alcohol use disorder, and the brain’s dopamine reward pathway. The study discovered that an overgrowth of Candida albicans increases levels of inflammatory molecules called PGE2, which can affect the desire for alcohol in mice. […]
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Does the full moon make us sleepless? A neurologist explains the science behind sleep, mood and lunar myths
Does the full moon make us sleepless? A neurologist explains the science behind sleep, mood and lunar myths The full moon may have a modest effect on sleep, causing people to sleep about 20 minutes less, take longer to fall asleep, and spend less time in deep, restorative sleep. The most likely reason for this […]
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COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could unlock the next revolution in cancer treatment – new research
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could unlock the next revolution in cancer treatment – new research COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have shown promising antitumor effects when used alongside immunotherapy treatments for late-stage melanoma and lung cancer, with patients receiving the vaccine being more than twice as likely to be alive after three years compared to those who didn’t […]
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Being fit might help your body handle dehydration
Being fit might help your body handle dehydration Research suggests that physically fit individuals may be better equipped to handle dehydration due to their increased voluntary running activity when deprived of water. A study using high-runner mice found that fitter animals increased their running distance and speed when water was removed, despite losing body weight […]
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Astronauts can get motion sick while splashing back down to Earth – virtual reality headsets could help them stay sharp
Astronauts can get motion sick while splashing back down to Earth – virtual reality headsets could help them stay sharp Astronauts can experience motion sickness during splashdown due to conflicting sensory inputs from their vestibular system and brain, which can impair their ability to respond quickly in emergency situations. The conflict arises when astronauts’ brains […]
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Your kids may not get as much sleep as you think
Your kids may not get as much sleep as you think Parents often overestimate how much sleep their kids are getting, while actual sleep data shows that only 14% of children meet national sleep guidelines. A new study found that elementary school children get an average of only 8 hours and 20 minutes of actual […]
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Helping friends can boost mood for older adults
Helping friends can boost mood for older adults Providing practical help to close friends can boost mood for older adults, particularly women, who tend to have more emotional intimacy and conversation-based friendships. Older men are less likely than women to provide emotional support to friends, and may experience a lower positive mood on days they […]
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Oura redesigns app with expanded stress tracking
Oura redesigns app with expanded stress tracking Oura is launching a redesigned app with expanded stress-tracking features to help users manage their stress levels. The new Cumulative Stress feature provides a weekly overview of how the body manages and recovers from sustained stress, using data from sleep, heart rate, temperature, and activity. Oura is working […]
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Zombies, jiangshi, draugrs, revenants − monster lore is filled with metaphors for public health
Zombies, jiangshi, draugrs, revenants − monster lore is filled with metaphors for public health Zombie lore has parallels with public health concepts, including infectious disease outbreaks and societal collapse. The zombie apocalypse narrative echoes key questions asked by epidemiologists during real-life outbreaks, such as how to contain an outbreak and prevent its spread. Monsters like […]
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Yes, ADHD diagnoses are rising, but that doesn’t mean it’s overdiagnosed
Yes, ADHD diagnoses are rising, but that doesn’t mean it’s overdiagnosed ADHD diagnoses are rising, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s overdiagnosed. The condition exists on a spectrum and can be treated differently depending on the severity of symptoms. The diagnosis of ADHD is not always clear-cut, as symptoms can vary widely from person to […]
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Weight loss drugs may curb alcohol use
Weight loss drugs may curb alcohol use Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may help reduce alcohol use by slowing down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, which can lead to a slower increase in blood-alcohol content. A study found that participants taking these medications reported feeling less intoxicated after consuming an alcoholic […]
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The right timing could make cancer treatments work better
The right timing could make cancer treatments work better Cancer treatments may be more effective when administered at the right time, based on an individual’s internal clock. The human body operates on a complex internal schedule governed by circadian rhythms, which control essential bodily functions like sleep-wake cycles and hormone production. Disruptions to these internal […]
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There’s a link between childhood stress and later chronic disease
There’s a link between childhood stress and later chronic disease New research has found a strong link between higher stress in children and adverse health conditions for them later in life. The study, published in PNAS, used measurable metrics of health over time to quantify the impact of childhood stress on adult health. Childhood stress […]
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Stethoscope, meet AI – helping doctors hear hidden sounds to better diagnose disease
Stethoscope, meet AI – helping doctors hear hidden sounds to better diagnose disease Researchers are exploring ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help doctors diagnose heart disease earlier and more accurately by combining stethoscopes with AI technology. The traditional stethoscope has been around for over 200 years, but it can be challenging to detect […]
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Special MRI may clarify why some depression is chronic
Special MRI may clarify why some depression is chronic A new brain imaging study uses specialized MRI to investigate the link between chronic depression and dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in reward and motivation. The study found that low neuromelanin signal in the midbrain is related to chronic depression and lower extraversion, a personality trait characterized […]
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Protein powders and shakes contain high amounts of lead, new report says – a pharmacologist explains the data
Protein powders and shakes contain high amounts of lead, new report says – a pharmacologist explains the data A new study by Consumer Reports found that some protein powders and shakes contain high amounts of lead, cadmium, and arsenic, posing serious health risks. The study tested 23 popular protein products and found that 16 exceeded […]
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Is a keto diet good for brain health?
Is a keto diet good for brain health? A new study suggests that a ketogenic diet may help preserve brain health and prevent cognitive decline in individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The research, led by Ai-Ling Lin and Kira Ivanich, found that females with the APOE4 gene, a genetic risk factor for late-onset […]
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How sperm kick into ‘overdrive’ for their final sprint
How sperm kick into ‘overdrive’ for their final sprint Researchers at Michigan State University have identified the molecular switch that supercharges sperm for their final sprint to an egg, paving the way for safe and nonhormonal male contraceptives. The study reveals that sperm undergo a rapid metabolic shift from low to high energy states as […]
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HIV rates are highest in the American South, despite effective treatments – a clash between culture and public health
HIV rates are highest in the American South, despite effective treatments – a clash between culture and public health The American South has the highest HIV rates in the country, despite effective treatments like PrEP being available. A clash between culture and public health plays a significant role in why effective medical treatments are still […]
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Higher temps may increase overdose deaths in the US
Higher temps may increase overdose deaths in the US A new study found that higher temperatures may increase overdose deaths in the US, regardless of drug type. The researchers analyzed county-level mortality data across the continental US from 1999 to 2020 and found a significant association between heat exposure and increased drug overdose deaths. Heat […]
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Focused sound energy holds promise for treating cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases
Focused sound energy holds promise for treating cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases Focused sound energy holds promise for treating various diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions, by directing powerful beams of energy to specific disease targets in the body. Researchers have made significant advances in focused ultrasound technology, overcoming technical hurdles such as skull […]
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