Age is Just a Number

As seniors face complex health decisions, age alone may not be the best guide. Medical associations and health groups are shifting to consider life expectancy when recommending screenings and treatments. With the average life expectancy of a 75-year-old being 12 years, online tools like the "Know Your Chances" calculator can estimate mortality and disability risks, providing valuable context beyond age. By incorporating factors like smoking history and health status, patients can make more informed decisions about their healthcare, ultimately improving outcomes and avoiding unnecessary treatments. A Number That Should Guide Your Health Choices (It's Not Your Age) - The New York Times (gift article)

Immune System Influences Behavior

A recent study found the immune system (at least in mice) plays a role in altering our behaviors, especially in response to allergic triggers. "We find immune recognition controls behavior, specifically defensive behaviors against toxins that are communicated first through antibodies and then to our brains." Our Immune System May Help Guide Behavior

Humata.AI: ChatGPT to Query Academic Manuscripts

If you rely on academic publications for your work, prepare to have your mind blown. With Humata.AI,, after uploading a pdf of a manuscript, you can ask questions about the content or ask questions about a folder full of articles in aggregate. It worked incredibly well in the manuscripts I tried. My only complaint about this nascent tool was the limited ways to interact with the content, but I'm sure features will expand as the tool matures. Humata.ai worked much better in my experimentation than another tool I tried, Liquidtext. I suspect the field will get increasingly crowded with science-aware chatbots. Humata.AI is free for the first 60 pages of content, $15/month for more.

Using ChatGPT to Improve Your Writing

Large Language Models, like ChatGPT, are helpful in various ways for writing. Here are some ideas: 5 Ways ChatGPT Can Improve, Not Replace, Your Writing +And here is an article about using ChatGPT in medical diagnosis: A Mystery in the E.R.? Ask Dr. Chatbot for a Diagnosis.

Yo-Yo Diet Industry's Latest Spin

The weight loss industry is witnessing a new wave of reinvention as Americans continue their yo-yo relationship with dieting. Diet apps like Noom and WW (formally WeightWatchers) are now adopting a psychological approach to weight loss, emphasizing self-acceptance and joyful movement. Recently, Noom and WeightWatchers have integrated GLP-1 obesity drugs like Ozempic into their services, acknowledging that medications can be crucial in achieving good health for many. This shift reflects the desire to lose weight, though the approach has evolved from moralizing to a more attainable, value-neutral goal. The Diet Industry Is Pivoting to Ozempic

Unraveling the Mystery Behind Graying Hair

Gray hair is a visible example of how genetics and aging interact. Hair gets its color from melanin, a natural pigment produced by melanocytes. As we age, stem cell melanocytes can become trapped, leading to gray hair. Stress may also play a role in graying. While there's no reliable way to prevent or reverse gray hair, recent research suggests some intriguing possibilities. Why Does Our Hair Turn Gray? The Science of Aging Hair, Explained

Health System Monopolies

The NY Times published an opinion piece on healthcare monopolies: Opinion | The Ridiculous Medical Bill Brought to You by the Latest Hospital Merger - The New York Times (gift article). Hospital mergers and consolidations have created monopolies in the healthcare system, leading to decreased patient choice, rising prices, and limited innovation. The Biden administration has attempted to address the issue with antitrust activity, but hospital mergers have proven harder to curb compared to other industries. The Federal Trade Commission faces challenges blocking hospital mergers due to lengthy analysis and limited resources. Vertical mergers, where extensive hospital systems acquire smaller ones or doctors' practices, further exacerbate price increases. States are now considering price regulation as a possible solution to rein in the power of giant health systems.

Learning on Vacation

In this article, Arthur C. Brooks explores a vacation model often overlooked—turning leisure into learning. Research suggests that pursuing intrinsic interests and learning something new enhances well-being, even if it involves some sacrifice. By focusing on activities that captivate our curiosity, like taking a class or engaging in a guided retreat, vacations can be transformed into rewarding and content-filled experiences. So, instead of conventional models, consider turning your time off into an opportunity for personal growth and happiness. How to Have Your Most Fulfilling Vacation Ever

Young Blood Slows Aging (in Mice)

In a groundbreaking study, scientists extended the lifespans of older mice by connecting their blood vessels to younger mice, resulting in a 6 to 9 percent longer life for elderly rodents. Though not an anti-aging treatment for humans, the research suggests that compounds present in the blood of young mice may promote longevity. The experiment involved parabiosis, joining the animals together for an extended period, and upon separation, the aging process of the older mice appeared to have reversed, making them biologically "younger." Blood of Young Mice Extends Life in the Old - The New York Times (gift article)

Genetic Judo

"It's very cool. It turns something the cancer cell needs to stay alive into something that kills it, like changing your vitamin into a poison." Scientists at Stanford have developed a novel molecule that could potentially lead to groundbreaking cancer drugs. The molecule links cancer-driving proteins to cell-death genes, effectively turning the molecules promoting deadly growth into self-destruction triggers. In lab experiments, this dumbbell-shaped molecule was successful in activating cell-death genes in a blood cancer, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Flipping a Switch and Making Cancers Self-Destruct - The New York Times (gift article)

Aging Time Warp

In I'm 53 years old. I'm 36 in my head, Jennifer Senior delves into the mysterious phenomenon of feeling younger than one's actual age. Drawing from various studies, Senior reveals that adults over 40 tend to perceive themselves as approximately 20 percent younger. The discrepancy between chronological and internal age can be attributed to various factors, including a sense of optimism and the reminiscence bump. Senior highlights the cultural and societal influences on subjective age, ultimately suggesting that feeling younger can positively affect health and well-being.

Countering Amygdala Hijacking

Conflict is inevitable in human relationships, but it doesn't have to be destructive. In the article, 6 steps to manage conflict with emotional intelligence,, the importance of emotional intelligence in handling conflict is highlighted. The author explains the concept of "amygdala hijacking," where our emotional responses take over during disputes, and offers strategies to counteract this effect. The six methods include:

Understanding your conflict style.
Identifying the core issues.
Practicing self-regulation and calmness.
Avoiding destructive communication habits.
Fostering appreciation and empathy.
Developing these skills through practice.

By employing these strategies, individuals can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and deeper connections.

Beyond B.M.I.

The American Medical Association (A.M.A.) has acknowledged the limitations and potential harm of relying solely on body mass index (B.M.I.) to measure weight and health. The A.M.A. recognizes the historical exclusion and racial bias associated with B.M.I in a new policy. The recommendation encourages doctors to consider additional factors such as visceral fat, body adiposity index, body composition, and genetic/metabolic factors when assessing a patient's health. While B.M.I. may have its uses at a population level, the policy signifies a shift towards a more holistic approach to patient care, emphasizing the need to move beyond B.M.I. as a sole determinant of health. B.M.I. Alone Is Not Enough to Assess Health, American Medical Association says - The New York Times (gift article)

A.I. and a "Post-Truth" World

"A.I. will make it easier to produce disinformation—from fake images to deepfakes to fake news. That will affect people's trust as they're scrolling on social media" Wired had an interesting (dystopian) article on how A.I. might influence humanity. It's not pretty. Humans Aren't Mentally Ready for an AI-Saturated' Post-Truth World' | WIRED

Combatting Chemo Brain

"Chemo brain," a condition characterized by cognitive impairment and memory loss, affects many cancer patients during and after treatment. The causes and persistence of symptoms remain unclear. A multi-pronged approach is recommended to alleviate the chemo brain, including exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, prioritizing sleep, practicing mindfulness, and potentially exploring psychostimulant medications. While no FDA-approved medicines for chemobrain exist yet, promising research on repurposing drugs initially used for other conditions offers hope for future solutions. Cognitive behavioral therapy may help ease 'chemo brain' - The Washington Post (gift article)

Anxiety Screening During Routine Healthcare

In response to the growing mental health crisis, primary care providers in the United States are encouraged to incorporate anxiety screenings into routine checkups. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has published new guidelines recommending that asymptomatic adults, including pregnant and postpartum individuals aged 19 to 64, be screened for anxiety disorders. The aim is to identify and treat anxiety disorders earlier, improving patient outcomes. However, concerns about the burden on an already overburdened mental healthcare system and the potential overdiagnosis of anxiety disorders in communities of color have been raised. Anxiety screening for adults under 65 now recommended at health checkups - The Washington Post (gift article)

Quieting the Cravings

In the article, What Is 'Food Noise'? How Ozempic Quiets Obsessive Thinking About Food - The New York Times (gift article) the New York Times explores the intriguing phenomenon of individuals experiencing diminished "food noise" after taking medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. "Food noise" refers to the constant preoccupation with food and cravings that some people struggle with. The active ingredient in these drugs, semaglutide, affects appetite-regulating areas in the brain and promotes a feeling of fullness. Through interviews and social media stories, the article highlights the relief and freedom reported by individuals who have successfully silenced their "food noise" with these medications.

100 Places to See AFTER You Die

The book 100 Places to See After You Die: A Travel Guide to the Afterlife "surveys ideas from around the world about what happens to us after we die. It's written as a travel guide, with an eclectic mix of 100 accounts, ranging from mythology and religion to ideas floated in books, movies, and T.V. shows." I'm going to check this one out. Ken Jennings visits the afterlife in '100 Places to See After You Die' - The Washington Post (gift article)

Melanoma and the Microbiome

Jamie Rettinger, the first person to undergo a fecal transplant to treat melanoma, shares his remarkable journey. Jamie's cancer spread after being misdiagnosed and mistreated, leaving him with limited treatment options. The experimental approach of fecal transplant, aimed at restoring beneficial bacteria in the gut, showed promising results. The transplant engrafted successfully, and Jamie's body responded to subsequent immunotherapy treatment, leading to the shrinking of melanoma signs. This groundbreaking research offers hope for improved melanoma treatments and emphasizes the potential role of the gut microbiome in shaping immune responses in cancer therapy and beyond. Man who got the first fecal transplant to cure melanoma shares his experience.