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Items tagged with: Health
So, May is also #mentalhealth awareness month.
I wanted to draw some attention to the prevalence of mental health apps and their potential negative impact on user privacy.
While mental health apps - especially those offering online therapy/counseling sessions - may make mental health care more convenient and accessible to users... they may be, quite frankly, violating your #privacy by collecting vast amounts of data and sharing it with third parties - even for marketing and advertising purposes.
Take care of yourself and stay safe out there.
New Post: Mental Health Apps are Likely Collecting and Sharing Your #Data
“Since the beginning of #Israel’s war on #Gaza, academics in fields including #politics, #sociology, Japanese #literature, public #health, Latin American and Caribbean studies, Middle East and African studies, #mathematics, #education, and more have been fired, suspended, or removed from the classroom for pro-#Palestine, anti-Israel speech.”
https://theintercept.com/2024/05/16/university-college-professors-israel-palestine-firing/
University Professors Are Losing Their Jobs Over “New McCarthyism” on Gaza
As brutal police repression sweeps campus encampments, schools have been cutting ties with pro-Palestine faculty members without tenure.Natasha Lennard (The Intercept)
Nearsighted? You're not alone. Researchers estimate that about half of the world's population will need corrective lenses by 2050 if current rates continue.
Reading, scrolling and focusing on objects near our faces increases the risk of developing myopia - but a little time in sun can help mitigate it ☀️
https://theconversation.com/nearsightedness-is-at-epidemic-levels-and-the-problem-begins-in-childhood-225255
#health #science
Nearsightedness is at epidemic levels – and the problem begins in childhood
While reading, scrolling and focusing on other objects near our faces increase the risk of developing myopia, a little time outdoors in the sun can help mitigate it.The Conversation
#goodnews #Science #health #medicine #Diabetes #seniors #China
59-year-old Man Who Had Type 2 Diabetes for 25 Years is Cured by Stem Cells
59-year-old Man Who Had Type 2 Diabetes for 25 Years is Cured by Stem Cells
After receiving the manufactured stem cells in 2021, he was weened off of external insulin over 11 weeks, with the disease largely gone.Andy Corbley (Good News Network)
Plant scientists at the University of Tennessee wanted to figure out alternatives to mechanical radiation sensors, which have a history of failing at the wrong time.
How about a potato plant that glows fluorescent green when exposed to radiation?
This “could act as a fail-safe if a disaster similar to Fukushima Daiichi were to occur.”
https://theconversation.com/potato-plant-radiation-sensors-could-one-day-monitor-radiation-in-areas-surrounding-power-plants-219950
#science #research #health
Potato plant radiation sensors could one day monitor radiation in areas surrounding power plants
What if plants in the area surrounding a nuclear reactor could act as radiation detectors, with the help of a drone?The Conversation
That’s the key takeaway of a new review of 154 studies that looked at how activities that increase or decrease physiological arousal affect anger and aggression.
https://theconversation.com/chilling-out-rather-than-blowing-off-steam-is-a-better-way-to-manage-anger-new-review-of-154-studies-reveals-what-works-225984
#health #emotion #anger #psychology
Chilling out rather than blowing off steam is a better way to manage anger − new review of 154 studies reveals what works
Activities such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, yoga and meditation help people manage their anger, according to a meta-analysis of studies involving more than 10,000 participants.The Conversation
Chronic asthma could be caused by cell overcrowding in the airways.
Science News reports: "A glitch in the mechanical process that drives normal turnover of epithelial cells lining the lungs could be to blame. ... Better understanding of this physical force underpinning chronic asthma attacks might lead to new ways of combating the disease."
#Asthma #Health #Disease #Science
Chronic asthma could be caused by cell overcrowding in the airways
Identifying drugs to reduce the excessive expulsion of cells in the lung lining could reduce the damage of chronic asthma.Monique Brouillette (Science News Magazine)
I live in Washington state. The state's innovative long-term care insurance tax is deducted from Washington residents' paychecks unless they prove they have purchased a long-term plan from an insurance provider.
A friend of mine who works for an insurance agent says that she sees many long-term care policy cancellations. She stated that although she believes the WA tax is well intentioned, it contains a loophole that can be exploited by those with the means to pay the high premiums for private plans.
She believes implementation of the state long-term care insurance needs more oversight. The current structure disproportionately taxes lower income workers who have the tax automatically deducted from each paycheck.
Higher income workers buy private plans to satisfy the exemption from paycheck deductions, but they later cancel the plans without penalty because no one in the WA state administration provides compliance oversight.
The plan is a good start but needs tweaking to achieve equity.
#Healthcare #LongTermCare #WashingtonState #Health #Insurance
If you needed long-term care, could you afford it?
For many Americans, especially those with a middle-class income and little savings, the answer to that question is absolutely not.
Washington state has done the most so far to make it accessible, but this November, state residents will vote on whether to make paying the program tax voluntary – which would essentially kill the statewide insurance program.
https://theconversation.com/us-long-term-care-costs-are-sky-high-but-washington-states-new-way-to-help-pay-for-them-could-be-nixed-228174
#health #healthcare
US long-term care costs are sky-high, but Washington state’s new way to help pay for them could be nixed
What happens in November 2024 could influence other states weighing their own options.The Conversation
How much #stress is too much, and what can you do about it?
We’ll be discussing toxic stress with an expert in the field, Dr. Lawson Wulsin, at a free online webinar on Thursday, hosted by our health editor.
Dr. Wulsin has written about his work for us, too, in addition to his recent book:
https://theconversation.com/how-much-stress-is-too-much-a-psychiatrist-explains-the-links-between-toxic-stress-and-poor-health-and-how-to-get-help-222245
Register for the #webinar here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MEPPgiyyST-SdxJ1FxZtPw#/registration
#Psychology #Health
How much stress is too much? A psychiatrist explains the links between toxic stress and poor health − and how to get help
No one can escape stress, but sometimes it takes a physical and emotional toll that translates to disease and other health effects. The good news is that there are new approaches to treating it.The Conversation
https://www.sciencealert.com/new-genetic-form-of-alzheimers-identified-in-people-with-common-risk-factor #health #AlzheimersDisease #genetic
New Genetic Form of Alzheimer's Identified in People With Common Risk Factor : ScienceAlert
We know that inheriting two copies of a specific gene variant, called apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), greatly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.Rebecca Dyer (ScienceAlert)
'Why is #Britain’s #MentalHealth so incredibly poor? It’s because our society is spiralling backwards'
''...out of the 71 countries it assessed, the #UnitedKingdom, alongside #SouthAfrica, has the highest proportion of people in #MentalDistress – and the second worst overall measure of mental health...'
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/may/10/britain-mental-health-society-neoliberalism-politicians
#ToryPoliciesInAction #neoliberalism #Health #PublicHealth
Why is Britain’s mental health so incredibly poor? It’s because our society is spiralling backwards
Even as neoliberalism destroys our dreams of a better life, politicians tell us ‘there is no alternative’. But there is, says Guardian columnist George MonbiotGeorge Monbiot (The Guardian)
Nitazenes – known on the street as ISO – are a class of synthetic #opioids, and in some cases, can be even more dangerous than fentanyl and carfentanil.
A doctor explains why nitazenes are so potent and deadly:
https://theconversation.com/nitazenes-are-a-powerful-class-of-street-drugs-emerging-across-the-us-222244
#health
Nitazenes are a powerful class of street drugs emerging across the US
An overdose death in Boulder County, Colorado, was linked to a powerful new formulation of a designer drug never approved for use in humans.The Conversation
Do probiotics and good gut health improve your mood, too?
Most likely!
Here’s the latest research:
https://theconversation.com/bacteria-in-your-gut-can-improve-your-mood-new-research-in-mice-tries-to-zero-in-on-the-crucial-strains-220935
#health #psychology
Bacteria in your gut can improve your mood − new research in mice tries to zero in on the crucial strains
The organisms living in your gut microbiome can influence your mental and physical health. Researchers have developed a way to better test for those biological effects.The Conversation
"the direct bombardment of #hospitals & deliberate denial of access to #health care facilities by #Israeli snipers... placing an estimated 50,000 pregnant #Palestinian #women & 20,000 new-born babies at unimaginable risk. Over 183 women per day are giving birth w/out pain relief, while hundreds of #babies have died because of a lack of electricity to power incubators... increases in miscarriages by up to 300%. 95% of pregnant & breastfeeding women face severe #food poverty”
- Placing the baby to sleep on a firm, flat sleep surface; in their parents’ room for the first 6 months on a separate sleep surface designed for infant sleep, close to the parents’ bed
- Keeping the baby’s sleep space free of soft objects, such as pillows and loose bedding
- Avoiding alcohol, marijuana, opioids, illicit drug use, smoke and nicotine exposure
https://theconversation.com/the-tragedy-of-sudden-unexpected-infant-deaths-and-how-bedsharing-maternal-smoking-and-stomach-sleeping-all-contribute-227288
#parenting #health #SIDS
The tragedy of sudden unexpected infant deaths – and how bedsharing, maternal smoking and stomach sleeping all contribute
Rates of sudden unexpected infant deaths have not gone down significantly over the last 20 years, and in some racial groups the numbers are rising.The Conversation
Using products like ‘dabs’, powders or vaping cannabis concentrates can be even more dangerous than smoking weed for young people and their developing brains.
It’s like what they say about alcohol:
Most people know that a 12-ounce beer is much less potent than 12 ounces of vodka. Cannabis in smoked form is closer to beer, while a cannabis concentrate is more like vodka. Neither is safe for an adolescent, but one is even more dangerous.
https://theconversation.com/cannabis-legalization-has-led-to-a-boom-in-potent-forms-of-the-drug-that-present-new-hazards-for-adolescents-219779
#health #marijuana #cannabis
Cannabis legalization has led to a boom in potent forms of the drug that present new hazards for adolescents
THC concentrations in newly available products far exceed those of traditional smoked weed, which can have dangerous unintended consequences in adolescents.The Conversation
Anyone use the Box Breathing technique?
https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-box-breathing
What Is Box Breathing?
Learn what box breathing is, how you can start practicing it, its benefits, and more.WebMD Editorial Contributors (WebMD)
Another mRNA #vaccine win:
Scientists have developed a cancer vaccine that can deliver treatments more effectively in people who have brain cancer and teach their immune systems to fight back. They’ve tested it successfully in four people now, and are moving on to more testing.
https://theconversation.com/brain-cancer-in-children-is-notoriously-hard-to-treat-a-new-mrna-cancer-vaccine-triggers-an-attack-from-within-228666
#health #science #vaccine #cancer
Brain cancer in children is notoriously hard to treat – a new mRNA cancer vaccine triggers an attack from within
Cancer vaccines have gained much interest among scientists but face a number of hurdles. A new mRNA vaccine for glioma offers a step forward in training the immune system to fight cancer.The Conversation
No need to fear #menopause #HormoneDrugs
>2 decades ago, the shocking results of a major women’s #health study challenged the safety of menopause #hormone medication, & overnight, millions of #women & their #doctors abandoned the drugs….
Now, a long-term follow-up of the #WomensHealth Initiative (WHI)…found that for many younger menopausal women—under 60—the benefits…outweigh the risks for short-term treatment of symptoms, incl’g hot flashes & night sweats.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/05/01/menopause-hormones-hrt-safety-whi/
With #Florida's #abortion ban going into effect, expect another surge of women traveling to Mexico for abortion care.
While many US states have severely limited abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned, 13 of 31 Mexican states have legalized abortion after the Supreme Court overturned an abortion ban in 2021.
Women's groups in Mexico have been expanding English-language services https://theconversation.com/mexico-emerges-as-a-destination-for-americans-seeking-reproductive-health-services-not-for-the-first-time-227962
#News #Health
Mexico emerges as a destination for Americans seeking reproductive health services – not for the first time
In Mexico, more states are legalizing abortion at the same time US states like Florida are imposing more restrictions.The Conversation
A #Doctor at Cigna Said Her Bosses Pressured Her to Review Patients’ Cases Too Quickly.
#Cigna Threatened to Fire Her.
==
Cigna tracks every minute that its staff #doctors spend deciding whether to pay for #HealthCare.
Dr. Debby Day said her bosses cared more about being fast than being right: “Deny, deny, deny. That’s how you hit your numbers,” Day said.
#Health #Insurance #News #Business
Cigna Pressured Her to Review Patients’ Cases Too Quickly, Says Former Cigna Medical Director
Cigna tracks every minute that its staff doctors spend deciding whether to pay for health care. Dr. Debby Day said her bosses cared more about being fast than being right: “Deny, deny, deny. That’s how you hit your numbers,” Day said.ProPublica
Dear billionaires, please do something, anything useful with your money.
#climate #sustainability #health #education
Gun reform advocate Walter Mikac celebrates 'bittersweet' win on 28th anniversary of family's death at Port Arthur
On the eve of the 28th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre in which Walter Mikac lost his wife and two daughters, the gun reform campaigner says it is "bittersweet" to finally see federal government funding for a national firearms register.Matthew Doran (ABC News)
Scientists have designed a solar panel-like pacemaker that can precisely control heartbeats. And it’s thinner than human hair!
https://theconversation.com/pacemaker-powered-by-light-eliminates-need-for-batteries-and-allows-the-heart-to-function-more-naturally-new-research-224350
#science #health
Pacemaker powered by light eliminates need for batteries and allows the heart to function more naturally − new research
Researchers designed an ultrathin pacemaker that can be implanted via minimally invasive techniques, potentially improving recovery time and reducing the risk of complications.The Conversation
What is chemical recycling?
"While industry claims it could be part of a circular plastics economy, experts say that chemical recycling is extremely damaging to the environment and provides no real benefits."
“Chemical recycling is really an industry ploy to convince the public and policymakers that we don't have to reduce plastic production in order to deal with plastic waste,”
#News #Plastic #Pollution #Recycle #ClimateCrisis #Health
https://www.ehn.org/what-is-chemical-recycling-2667366790.html?vgo_ee=HlJF4lfSQLEirBwZg%2F4Iroc5z1vrJ%2B%2F9s5XGKeqevd48OA%3D%3D%3AgtdP42vUWTiESivlle6XRFN%2BTymx44Qi
Exercising too much (The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week) can cause something called “athletic heart,” which can increase the risk of certain heart issues.
Quick explainer:
https://theconversation.com/your-heart-changes-in-size-and-shape-with-exercise-this-can-lead-to-heart-problems-for-some-athletes-and-gym-rats-216125
#science #health #hearthealth #fitness
Your heart changes in size and shape with exercise – this can lead to heart problems for some athletes and gym rats
People who regularly engage in significant amounts of exercise, as endurance athletes do, may develop enlarged hearts. While athletic heart is adapted for performance, it can be cause for concern.The Conversation
⚠️ "Half of all plastics ever manufactured were produced in the last two decades, and production continues to rise at an alarming rate, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons in 2015. "
👉 "..the amount of plastics is expected to double by 2050, with irreversible pollution on land, air and waters, including the ocean. "
👉 Russia, Iran, Cuba, Saudi Arabia are holding hostage the U.N. Treaty against plastics
#News #ClimateCrisis #Plastics #UN #Health
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/04/24/opinion/holding-un-plastics-treaty-hostage
Here’s who is holding the UN plastics treaty hostage
Micro and nanoplastics are implicated in health deficits and disorders, including heart attacks and Parkinson’s disease.Von Hernadez (Canada's National Observer)
Let’s clarify:
Having a patent means only that you can stop others from making, using, selling or importing your invention – it doesn’t mean the invention works well or without risk.
“FDA approved” means a product’s benefits have been found to outweigh the risks for a specific purpose – not that it’s of high quality or low risk in general.
https://theconversation.com/dont-let-fda-approved-or-patented-in-ads-give-you-a-false-sense-of-security-215998
#health #medicine #invention #science
Don’t let ‘FDA-approved’ or ‘patented’ in ads give you a false sense of security
Most people don’t know what these labels really mean − and advertisers take advantage of that fact.The Conversation
#Science #Health #Dieting #WeightLoss #Ozempic
Doctor Reveals What Happens When You Stop Taking Ozempic : ScienceAlert
Drugs like Ozempic are very effective at helping most people who take them lose weight.The Conversation (ScienceAlert)
