The low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet comes with promises of weight loss, but a new study says it also has some serious health risks. In mice, a keto diet increases the buildup of zombie-like cells in the heart, kidneys, lungs and brain, which can accelerate organ aging and other health problems. New Scientist has more: https://flip.it/HNFJFR #Science#Health#Diet#Nutrition#Keto
Millennia ago, Neanderthals and humans met, mingled and mated. And your health may depend on DNA from these long-lost ancestors. Live Science explains how "in some places in our genome, we're more Neanderthal than we are human.” https://flip.it/qiJdOD #Science#Humans#Neanderthal#Health#History
Climate Change presents a range of dire environmental and health challenges. Add brain disease to the list. New research shows that as weather conditions worsen, certain brain diseases — stroke, migraines, meningitis, even Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s — follow suit. Read more from Science Alert: https://flip.it/RDG4WP#Science#ClimateChange#Health#Brain#Neurology
There’s a new playbook being written right now when it comes to the future of social media. The early-mover advantage is still in effect, and there’s a lot to figure out. Gone are opaque algorithms and the whims of any single company.
The fediverse represents a chance for quality journalism to shine again.
We talked to two leaders at fedi-forward publications — @TheConversationUS's @BostonAbrams, and @404mediaco's @jasonkoebler — about why they’re investing in the open social web, what they’ve learned so far, and their advice for other publishers just getting started.
More than five million people are bitten by snakes every year, resulting in thousands of deaths and permanent disabilities. Those chilling statistics didn’t stop one PhD student, João Miguel Alves-Nunes, from stepping on deadly and dangerous vipers more than 40,000 times. Alven-Nunes tells Science about putting himself in danger for a scientific experiment, what happened when one snake’s fangs broke through his protective boot, and why even that harrowing experience won’t diminish his love for "working with these animals." https://flip.it/zRaVCF#Science#Animals#Snakes#Health
A new gel made from milk proteins could neutralize alcohol’s effects before a dreaded hangover hits. Scientists Raffaele Mezzenga and Jiaqi Su, along with a team of researchers, were able to reduce blood alcohol levels in intoxicated mice by 40 percent in 30 minutes. Hang tight, Premier League and NFL fans — there’s still a lot of work to do before the gel will be safe for human trials. Science Alert has more: https://flip.it/gk7p1e #Science#Drinking#Health#NFL#PremierLeague
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.
5 Ancient Roman Medical Practices Still in Use Today
“The Romans developed Roman Medicine by leaning on the knowledge of the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Etruscans, and others. Many of their medical practices are still in use today.”
A review of data from 51 countries finds that adolescent girls and young women using hormonal contraception had lower odds of being anemic. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37978956/
Survey finds that people want more information from their primary care provider about fertility; they report having fertility concerns dismissed by healthcare providers; and feel that healthcare providers lack sensitivity in discussing fertility related issues.
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?
‘Treat food companies like cigarette companies who are trying to get us addicted’
“Ultra-processed foods are designed to make us overeat and are causing both the obesity and mental health crises in the UK, says scientist and author Tim Spector.”
‘Treat food companies like cigarette companies who are trying to get us addicted’
“Ultra-processed foods are designed to make us overeat and are causing both the obesity and mental health crises in the UK, says scientist and author Tim Spector.”
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."
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.
@TheConversationUS
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.
Do you know what killed more than 19,000 Americans in the last 3 months? Covid. About 9 an hour. Many many more than that have been hurt, often permanently.
That’s a lower number than previously, yet the risks remain.
Stay home when ill, wear masks in crowds and inside, stay up to date on your vaccinations and improve ventilation (ex: opening windows) to stay healthier.
High levels of ultra-processed foods linked with early death, brain issues.
I found that for me, it was much easier to cut out highly-processed foods altogether (I went on a whole-food non-animal diet) that it was to "cut back." By cutting them out altogether, I lost my taste for them in just a few weeks.
"Ultra-processed foods are ready-to-eat/heat industrial formulations made mostly or entirely from substances derived from foods, including flavors, colors, texturizers, and other additives, with little if any intact whole food."
That's the definition from a BMJ study of the effects of UPF on all-cause mortality (not good).