Wait, Ice Cream Might be Healthy?

I enjoyed the article, Could Ice Cream Possibly Be Good for You?. The report not only discusses the controversial, non-spurious outcome that won't go away but also demonstrates what happens in the scientific world when a new finding bucks traditional thinking. And the article contains puns.....

How Generative AI Will Change the Music Industry

Generative AI is not just for text and image creation. AI-Generated Music Is About to Flood Streaming Platforms discusses how AI is changing the music industry and music itself.....

Amyloidosis

The same misfolded proteins found in Alzheimer's Disease can also be found in other organs. Alzheimer's-Like Diseases Can Affect the Body — Scientists Are Working to Find Out Why is an overview of Amyloidosis and its treatment.

Chartreuse Shortage

For my 21st birthday, some friends bought me Chartreuse, a bright green herbal liqueur. That was the only time I tasted it. But now, even if I wanted more, it might not be possible. Chartreuse is getting more difficult to find. Why Is There a Chartreuse Shortage? Ask the Monks Who Make It.

Altered States of Memory

"Memory is "reconstructive." People actively alter the information they remember according to their biases and expectations." Short-term memories were thought to be less subject to alteration, but a recent study demonstrates otherwise: Our expectations can create fake short-term memories. If you'd like to learn more about the fragility/malleability of memory, take a listen to one of my favorite Revisionist History episodes: Free Brian Williams.

How Ultra-processed Food Starves the Microbiome

Another article on how processing alters food--and not in healthy ways: You Could Be Unknowingly Starving Your Gut Bacteria — But The Fix Is Surprisingly Simple. I feel like a broken record....

Is "Non-Communicable Disease" a Misnomer?

Human ailments such as heart disease were thought to be non-communicable. But findings from microbiome research call that belief into question: The Biggest Microbiome Study Sheds New Light on Shared Health Risks.

Covid, Population Risk, and Personal Risk

There is a 1% mortality rate from COVID. If 1% of COVID-19 cases result in death, does that mean you have a 1% chance of dying if you catch it?

FDA Approves Second Bivalent COVID Booster

"Federal health officials will not formally urge that people get a second booster. Instead, the "permissive" policy says they may get a second dose if they want." FDA okays second omicron booster for people at high risk from covid

Why Does Hair Turn Grey?

"A new study suggests stem cells may get stuck as hair ages and lose their ability to mature and maintain hair color." Scientists may have discovered why hair turns grey._

Belated Happy Waldo Day!

This week marked 4/20. In honor of the day, Longreads compiled a list of cannabis-related stories: Weed Between the Lines: A Longreads Cannabis Collection.

Talking to the Animals

I've often joked that I wish Theodore, a six-year-old Labradoodle, could talk. Now, thanks to AI and bioacoustics, my wish may become a reality: How Scientists Are Using AI to Talk to Animals.

Food and Hot Flashes

We don't understand the physiology of hot flashes, but it appears food can influence the severity of this common occurrence: Could Certain Foods Help With Hot Flashes? (gift article)

Us versus Them

"It's been said, "There are two kinds of people in the world: those who divide the world into two kinds of people and those who don't." In reality, there are lots more of the former. And it can be vastly consequential when people are divided into Us and Them, ingroup and outgroup, "the people" (i.e., our kind) and the Others." An stimulating article in Nautilus about us/them dichotomies: Why Your Brain Hates Other People.

Reinvent Yourself According to Experts

Giving credence to your "possible selves" is an evidence-based way to reinvent yourself. How to Reinvent Yourself, According to the Experts tells you how. See also the fantastic podcast: zigzag project.

A Key Character Trait for Happiness

Enthusiasm Is Key to Happiness is an interesting article that touches on psychology and finishes with ways of improving your happiness, regardless of personality type.

Huge Umbrella Analysis of Dietary Sugar

The British Medical Journal published an article that aggregated a huge (8600+) studies on the effects of sugar on health outcomes: Dietary sugar consumption and health: an umbrella review. Read the synopsis here: Study Offers Dozens of Reasons to Cut Sugar

Circadian Rhythms and Immunity

How Circadian Rhythms and Time of Day Control the Immune System describes recent breakthroughs into how our body's internal clock seems to regulate immunity and susceptibility to disease.