Health
Immune cells are key to teen brain wiring
Immune cells are key to teen brain wiring Researchers have discovered that microglia, the brain’s immune cells, play a key role in wiring the adolescent brain during adolescence. The frontal cortex, responsible for executive functions such as empathy and decision-making, undergoes profound changes during adolescence, which can set the stage for neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia […]
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How stripping diversity, equity and inclusion from health care may make Americans sicker
How stripping diversity, equity and inclusion from health care may make Americans sicker The Trump administration has rescinded over $1 billion in medical research funding, including grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which will disproportionately affect marginalized groups. These cuts will likely worsen health outcomes for people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and […]
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How does your body make poop?
How does your body make poop? The digestive process starts in the mouth where food is chewed and broken down by enzymes like amylase, which begins breaking down carbohydrates. The stomach contains hydrochloric acid that breaks down food into smaller pieces, while the small intestine absorbs nutrients from the food, using its long and winding […]
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FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines with new restrictions, potentially limiting access for healthy children
FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines with new restrictions, potentially limiting access for healthy children The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for the fall season, but with new restrictions that may limit access for healthy children. The new guidance limits vaccine approval to only people at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 infection, such […]
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Brainās electrical activity could predict Alzheimerās development
Brainās electrical activity could predict Alzheimerās development Researchers have identified a brain-based biomarker that can predict whether mild cognitive impairment will develop into Alzheimer’s disease using electrical activity from neurons. A custom-built tool, called the Spectral Events Toolbox, was used to analyze brain activity recordings from 85 patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and monitored […]
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Balancing kratomās potential benefits and risks ā new legislation in Colorado seeks to minimize harm
Balancing kratomās potential benefits and risks ā new legislation in Colorado seeks to minimize harm Colorado has enacted a new law, known as the Daniel Bregger Act, to regulate kratom and minimize harm. The law aims to limit potency and underage access to kratom products artificially enriched with 7-OH. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration […]
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Why TikTok ADHD misinformation is dangerous
Why TikTok ADHD misinformation is dangerous New research reveals that exposure to ADHD misinformation on TikTok significantly reduces students’ accurate understanding of the disorder. College students are particularly vulnerable to this type of misinformation, with over 40% using TikTok as a search engine and many turning to it for health and safety information related to […]
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When workersā lives outside work are more fulfilling, it benefits employers too
When workersā lives outside work are more fulfilling, it benefits employers too Employers who prioritize their workers’ work-life balance are more likely to benefit from increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Research shows that overworking employees can lead to decreased productivity, mental health problems, burnout, and high turnover rates, ultimately costing employers millions of dollars each […]
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The growing fad of āmicrodosingā mushrooms is leading to an uptick in poison control center calls and emergency room visits
The growing fad of āmicrodosingā mushrooms is leading to an uptick in poison control center calls and emergency room visits The growing trend of “microdosing” mushrooms has led to an increase in poison control center calls and emergency room visits, as some products contain psychoactive mushrooms that can be toxic. Many commercial mushroom products lack […]
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Instability in childhood can lead to health problems later
Instability in childhood can lead to health problems later Instability in childhood can lead to mental and physical health issues later in life, according to new research. Unpredictable environments, such as frequent partner changes or chaotic households, are linked to poor behavior and mental instability in children as they grow up. Homes with consistent coparenting […]
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Grief feels unbearable, disorienting and chaotic ā a grief researcher and widow shares evidence-based ways to face the early days of loss
Grief feels unbearable, disorienting and chaotic ā a grief researcher and widow shares evidence-based ways to face the early days of loss Grief can feel unbearable, disorienting, and chaotic, disrupting daily routines and leaving individuals feeling lost and alone. Intense emotional swings, physical symptoms, and cognitive fog are common experiences during early grief, making everyday […]
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COVID-19 vaccines for kids are mired in uncertainty amid conflicting federal guidance
COVID-19 vaccines for kids are mired in uncertainty amid conflicting federal guidance Conflicting federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for kids has created uncertainty among parents and healthcare providers, with some states recommending vaccines only for children with high-risk conditions. The usual process of vaccine recommendation and distribution has been disrupted, with decisions made through internal […]
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āNanoflowersā can heal brain cells and protect against diseases
āNanoflowersā can heal brain cells and protect against diseases Nanoflowers, metallic flower-shaped nanoparticles, have been shown to protect and heal brain cells by promoting mitochondrial health and turnover. The nanoflowers target the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, rather than just managing symptoms. By improving mitochondrial function, the nanoflowers help address one […]
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Youth athletes, not just professionals, may face mental health risks from repeated traumatic brain injuries
Youth athletes, not just professionals, may face mental health risks from repeated traumatic brain injuries Repeated traumatic brain injuries in youth athletes may lead to mental health risks, including anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and thoughts about ending one’s life. A growing body of research suggests that adolescents and young adult athletes experience traumatic brain injuries […]
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Why does cancer immunotherapy work for some and not others?
Why does cancer immunotherapy work for some and not others? A new study published in Nature found that naturally occurring autoantibodies can significantly boost or hinder the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by up to 10-fold. The researchers mapped autoantibodies from 374 cancer patients treated with checkpoint immunotherapy and 131 untreated healthy individuals, using a novel […]
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Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia Vaccines may hold promise in reducing the risk of dementia, with one study suggesting that the shingles vaccine could lower the risk by as much as 20%. The study used a policy change in Wales to compare vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, finding that the vaccine reduced […]
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Listen: How microplastics are invading your body
Listen: How microplastics are invading your body Microplastics have been found in human placentas, reproductive organs, and brains, particularly in the frontal cortex. Professor Matthew Campen’s research has uncovered evidence of microplastic particles entering the human body through various means, including not just water bottles. The presence of microplastics in these areas may be linked […]
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Insurance warning signs in doctorsā offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health
Insurance warning signs in doctorsā offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health Warning signs in doctors’ offices that mention potential extra insurance costs may discourage patients from speaking openly about their health issues. Research found that these warning signs can lead to patients being less willing to raise a wide variety of […]
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Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths, but too often they are used to blame mothers for pregnancy loss
Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths, but too often they are used to blame mothers for pregnancy loss Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths by identifying underlying causes, but they are rarely performed after stillbirths, occurring in only 1 in 5 cases. In the US, at least 1 in 4 stillbirths (and up to 50% […]
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A toxicologistās guide to poison ivyās itch and bee stingsā burning pain ā 2 examples of natureās chemical warfare
A toxicologistās guide to poison ivyās itch and bee stingsā burning pain ā 2 examples of natureās chemical warfare **Poison Ivy:** Poison ivy contains an oily chemical called urushiol that causes an allergic reaction in most people, leading to a rash that can be mild or severe. Symptoms appear 12-48 hours after exposure and can […]
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A red meat allergy from tick bites is spreading ā and the lone star tick isnāt the only alpha-gal carrier to worry about
A red meat allergy from tick bites is spreading ā and the lone star tick isnāt the only alpha-gal carrier to worry about A red meat allergy from tick bites, known as alpha-gal syndrome, is spreading rapidly across the US and globally, affecting an estimated 450,000 people in the US. The allergy is caused by […]
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āForever chemicalsā found in reusable period products
āForever chemicalsā found in reusable period products Researchers have detected “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS) in reusable feminine hygiene products, including menstrual underwear and pads. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that almost a third of reusable period products contained PFAS, with some containing high concentrations suggesting intentional […]
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The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead
The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead The loss of a pet can be just as painful and valid as human loss, but it often gets minimized or dismissed by society, leading to “disenfranchised grief” that feels invisible and isolating. When responding to someone who has […]
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Speech-based AI tool flags sign of Parkinsonās
Speech-based AI tool flags sign of Parkinsonās A new speech-based AI tool has been developed to help assess signs of Parkinson’s disease, with nearly 86% accuracy. The tool uses a web-based screening test that asks users to recite two pangrams, which are short sentences using all 26 letters of the alphabet. Users simply read aloud […]
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Shingles vaccination rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major gaps remain for underserved groups
Shingles vaccination rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major gaps remain for underserved groups Shingles vaccination rates increased among adults aged 50+ during the COVID-19 pandemic, but gaps remain for underserved groups. The CDC recommends shingles vaccination for all adults aged 50 and older, but uptake has been low due to limited awareness, cost […]
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Parents donāt need to try harder ā to ease parenting stress, forget self-reliance and look for ways to share the care
Parents donāt need to try harder ā to ease parenting stress, forget self-reliance and look for ways to share the care Parents don’t need to try harder or be self-reliant to ease parenting stress; instead, they need connection and support from others. The traditional nuclear family ideal, which emphasizes self-reliance, is a relatively recent development […]
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It is becoming easier to create AI avatars of the deceased ā here is why Buddhism would caution against it
It is becoming easier to create AI avatars of the deceased ā here is why Buddhism would caution against it Buddhism cautions against creating AI avatars of the deceased as it may distort reality and intensify attachment to an illusion, potentially deepening suffering. Grief can be a catalyst for compassion in Buddhism, but it’s essential […]
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How FDA panelists casting doubt on antidepressant use during pregnancy could lead to devastating outcomes for mothers
How FDA panelists casting doubt on antidepressant use during pregnancy could lead to devastating outcomes for mothers Despite FDA panelists casting doubt on the safety of antidepressant medications (SSRIs) during pregnancy, research shows that the risks of untreated depression far outweigh those of SSRIs. The benefits of using SSRIs in pregnancy, including improved maternal mental […]
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Fruits and veggies could help you sleep better
Fruits and veggies could help you sleep better Fruits and vegetables may help improve sleep quality by reducing sleep fragmentation and promoting deeper, more uninterrupted sleep. A new study found that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables during the day was associated with better sleep quality at night, with participants who consumed more […]
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Are you really allergic to penicillin? A pharmacist explains why thereās a good chance youāre not ā and how you can find out for sure
Are you really allergic to penicillin? A pharmacist explains why thereās a good chance youāre not ā and how you can find out for sure Only 1% of Americans who report a penicillin allergy actually have one, making it likely that many people are incorrectly labeled as allergic. A penicillin skin test can safely determine […]
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