Category: 4. Health

Published on August 1 in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed the health records of more than 12,000 people in British Columbia and found that those with MS began using healthcare services at elevated rates 15 years before their first MS symptoms appear.

The findings challenge long-held…

The first impact was emotional, says Esme Almonte, 58 (name changed). “When a loved one is suffering from a chronic illness, you think in the beginning, if you do things right, everything will be alright—and that’s what I thought.” Almonte is the primary caregiver for her husband, who suffers from leptomeningeal disease. She is among the rising number of spousal or partner caregivers who are women, according to research. She’s…

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system errantly…

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in July that 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will join a new voluntary program intended to improve patient access to and lower…

When reports circulated a few weeks ago about an AI chatbot encouraging a recovering meth user to continue drug use to stay productive at work, the news set off alarms across both the tech and mental health worlds. Pedro, the user, had sought advice about addiction withdrawal from Meta’s Llama 3 chatbot, to which the AI echoed back affirmations: “Pedro, it’s absolutely clear that you need a small hit of meth to get through the week… Meth is what…

Probiotics aren’t universally gut-friendly, a study in mice suggests. At least one type of usually beneficial gut bacteria may invite an unwanted guest.

A single dose of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, a popular probiotic component found naturally in milk and yogurt, can make it easier for Clostridioides difficile to take hold in the guts of mice that were recently treated with antibiotics, researchers report July 21 in mBio. By contrast, another strain of probiotic…

You know that whole checks and balances thing laid out by the U.S. Constitution? It’s where Congress is not supposed to automatically agree with what the Executive…

In this week’s edition of The Prototype, we look at water on Mars, how new technology could end animal testing, a possible vaccine for HIV, and more. You can sign up to get The Prototype in your inbox here.

Although there are many who dream about one day living on Mars, there’s been one challenge to plans for eventually settling on the Red Planet: access to water, which would be vital for any kind of community. But new…

Experts are warning of the dangers of several ‘cleaning hacks’ circulating on TikTok that could lead to anything from chemical burns to explosions.

While common household chemicals can often be used to get a home sparkling clean, using them in combination can be highly risky. Despite this, many videos fail to mention the dangers, instead promoting them as ‘safe, budget-friendly’ solutions.

Most people are aware that mixing bleach and vinegar…