AI in Academia

In the University of Mississippi's Department of Writing and Rhetoric, Marc Watkins, a self-proclaimed AI guru, is navigating the transformative impact of large language models like ChatGPT on student learning. These AI tools significantly alter how students engage with writing and reading, sometimes even taking over these tasks for them. Watkins' approach to faculty meetings often starts with the quip, "Remember what I told you last week? Forget it," highlighting the rapidly evolving nature of AI in educational settings and its profound implications for teaching methodologies. Opinion | How AI is transforming education at the University of Mississippi - The Washington Post (gift article).

Spice Odyssey

The article How cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger became the scents of winter holidays, far from their tropical originsexplores how these spices, originally from tropical regions, have become synonymous with winter holiday festivities in the Northern Hemisphere. These spices, known for their 'warm' flavors, have a rich global trade and exploration history. Ginger, used in sweet and savory dishes, requires 8-10 months to mature and can be harvested year-round. Nutmeg, derived from the Myristica fragrans tree in Indonesia, takes years to reach peak production, offering nutmeg and mace from its seeds. Cinnamon, harvested from tree bark, is best collected after heavy rains or soaking in water. These spices add distinctive flavors to holiday dishes and offer health benefits. Cinnamon, for instance, can reduce blood glucose levels, ginger aids digestion, and nutmeg has anti-diabetic properties. Their integration into winter holiday traditions is a testament to the enduring influence of the spice trade and the global exchange of culinary practices.

The Elusive World of Hidden Carcinogens

The article The Fight Against Cancer Turns to a Special Class of Carcinogens in The New Yorker delves into the complexities of identifying and understanding carcinogens that don't directly cause mutations in cells but play a crucial role in cancer development. It highlights the limitations of traditional methods like the Ames test in detecting these carcinogens. The piece explores the work of scientists like Bruce Ames, Allan Balmain, and Charles Swanton, who have contributed to our understanding of carcinogenesis. The article discusses how certain substances, while not directly mutagenic, can act as cancer promoters by altering the environment around cells or interacting with pre-existing mutations. This exploration into the 'dark matter' of carcinogens challenges the conventional approach to cancer research, suggesting a need to broaden our perspective and methodologies to include these elusive cancer-promoting agents.

Aging Gracefully

A BLUEPRINT FOR ANTI-AGING (Apple News+) provides valuable insights into the aging process and offers practical tips for maintaining a youthful appearance and prolonging lifespan. The document covers a range of lifestyle factors that can impact aging, from the importance of exercise and a healthy diet to the benefits of good oral hygiene and quality sleep. Additionally, the PDF explores the biological hallmarks of aging and offers advice for measuring biological age at home. With helpful tips on everything from wearing sunscreen to strength training, this document is a must-read for anyone looking to age gracefully.

Filing For Ecstasy

MAPS Public Benefit Corp. has taken a groundbreaking step by filing an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, combined with therapy for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This marks a significant milestone in the journey of psychedelic drugs from restricted substances to potential mainstream medical treatments. The application follows decades of research showing the potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine in treating mental health disorders. If approved, MDMA-assisted therapy would be the first of its kind, potentially setting a precedent for future psychedelic treatments. The treatment involves psychotherapy sessions supplemented with MDMA, aiming to provide a new avenue for those suffering from PTSD. This development reflects a growing recognition of psychedelic treatments, with the FDA increasingly acknowledging their potential therapeutic value. MAPS seeks approval of Ecstasy- or MDMA-assisted therapy - The Washington Post.

MedLM in Medicine

Google's new suite of health-care-specific AI models, MedLM, is set to leave its mark on healthcare. MedLM includes large and medium-sized models built on Med-PaLM 2, a language model trained on medical data. This innovation aims to assist clinicians and researchers in complex studies and summarizing doctor-patient interactions. Companies like HCA Healthcare have been testing Google's technology, using it for tasks like automatic documentation of patient interactions and developing tools for nurse handoffs. While the technology shows promise in improving workflows and reducing clerical work, challenges such as accuracy and implementation remain. Google plans to further enhance MedLM with health-care-specific versions of Gemini, its newest AI model, indicating a significant step towards AI integration in healthcare. How doctors are using Google's new AI models for health care.

Many Holiday Returns

The Atlantic has a curated list of articles on shopping returns. "When my colleague Amanda Mull ventured into the belly of the holiday-returns beast, she learned that somewhere amid a complex system of transporters, warehousers, and resellers, a guy named Michael has to sniff the sweatpants." The Fate of Your Holiday-Season Returns - The Atlantic.

Pillow Talk

Do Sleeping Pills Work? A Guide to Insomnia Drugs and Their Risks - The New York Times (gift article) offers a guide to insomnia medications, their potential risks, and when they should be used. With a variety of prescription and over-the-counter options available, including suvorexant and antihistamines, this article explores the golden age of insomnia drugs. Experts advise limited use, cautioning against habit-forming tendencies and emphasizing the importance of consulting a healthcare provider. Whether it's a short-term relief or a last resort, this informative piece provides valuable insights into managing sleep issues while shedding light on the complexities of sleep medication dependency and safe withdrawal methods.