For Love of the Bean

This author loves their coffee (in reality, caffeine). "A low dose of caffeine can lead to a significant increase in … happiness and calmness and decreases in tenseness." Coffee really does make you happier

What's Your Subjective Age?

There is frequently a difference between our chronological age and our subjective age. This author examines the phenomenon: I'm 53 years old. I'm 36 in my head. - The Atlantic

The Science and Pseudoscience of Aging

Scientists are working diligently to unravel the aging process. I mentioned some of this work in 027 - Wise-Selfishness, Horvath's Clock and GrimAge - HealthHippieMD Week In Review. Here is an excellent video overview of the quest to extend our lives, including an interview with Steve Horvath: The Future with Hannah Fry And another interesting, more scientific overview of the field: Turning back time with epigenetic clocks - Nature

+More on the brave new world of chronological-age testing start-ups: How Old Are You, Really? New Tests Want to Tell You

+More on longevity research: Can We Change How Fast Humans Age? A New Study Is Getting Closer to the Answer

Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Scientists at Stanford have been working on why there is an association between poor oral health and more severe rheumatoid arthritis: Oral bacteria trigger rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups

The Last of Us

I'm enjoying the HBO series, The Last of Us. The premise that a fungus infects humans and does everything in its power to spread is borrowed from the animal world. The article, Can a Fungus Really Take Over Our Brains?, is an overview of known pathogens that alter HUMAN behavior. If you want to binge another great sci-fi/horror show, try Fortitude, supposedly one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi shows ever made.

How to Deal with Dark Personalities at Work

Dark personalities: narcissists, psychopaths, and Machiavellians are common in society. Here is some advice on how to navigate your interactions with them at work: Here's what to do when you encounter people with 'dark personality traits' at work

A Reading List on the Neuroscience of Reading

According to the intro, humans were not designed to read. Here is a series of long-form articles on one of life's greatest pleasures: A Reading List About the Neuroscience of Reading

Digital Declutter

"Just as clutter in your home can cause stress, erode productivity, and hurt your sense of well-being, digital clutter, she said, can bring up similar feelings." Here is an interesting and helpful article from the NY Times on how to clean and organize your digital life: How to Clear Out Digital Clutter - The New York Times (gift article)

The Hottest Peppers in the World

Curious about where your favorite pepper ranks? Here you go... Hottest Pepper in the World and 6 Other Spicy Chilis

Artificial Sweetener Associated with Cardiovascular Events

This week's study in Nature Medicine, The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk,, demonstrates an association between the use of erythritol and cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack. More research is needed. Zero-Calorie Sweetener Possibly Linked to Heart Issues, New Study Suggests (gift article)

The Microbiome and Multiple Sclerosis (pre-clinical)

These scientists are investigating how the microbiome might be manipulated as a therapeutic intervention in Multiple Sclerosis: Bile acids and gut microbes could potentially treat multiple sclerosis, according to new research in mice

Cannabinoids and Cancer

As North Carolina ponders approval of medical marijuana, these scientists are investigating how cannabinoids might be used as therapeutic agents to combat cancer: Can Cannabis Help Treat Cancer? Researchers Are Getting Closer To An Answer

GLP-1 Agonists in Economist

The Economist had a brief but informative overview of the new anti-obesity drugs. A new class of drugs for weight loss could end obesity (subscription required)

The Problem of Fraud in the Scientific Literature

The problem of fraudulent papers in medicine is much more prevalent than I believed. The Economist explains There is a worrying amount of fraud in medical research (subscription required)

Wired Guide to Quantum Computing

Wired continues its excellent series on the hottest technology topics: What Is Quantum Computing? The Complete WIRED Guide

Generative AI does Anime

Unlike the author of this article, I was fascinated by the techniques used with generative AI to make an anime from the video: Corridor Crew's AI-Generated Anime Isn't Just Callous and Craven — It's Also Dangerous Make sure to watch the linked videos in the story.

Words, Not Truths

"On the other hand, if I can talk to a bot that will give me plausible responses to things I say, it would be useful in situations where factual accuracy isn't all that important." A computer scientist chimes in on how he believes generative AI, such as ChatGPT, should be used: ChatGPT is great – you're just using it wrong

Why Some Food Tastes Better the Next Day

Here is some of the science behind why certain leftovers taste better the next day: Why certain foods taste better the next day