NY Times Nutritional Nuggets

Nutrition experts share key takeaways to shape our diets. The Mediterranean diet remains a top choice for heart health and longevity. Despite past beliefs, red wine's heart benefits are outweighed by its risks. Avocados stand out for their rich nutrients while delaying morning caffeine lacks scientific support. Environmental concerns temper Shrimp's nutritional value, and reducing sodium intake is essential for many. Apple cider vinegar's benefits are selective, and managing IBS might be more effective with diet changes than medication. Lastly, stay hydrated sensibly and be cautious with ultraprocessed foods.Our Favorite Nutrition Takeaways from 2024, So Far - The New York Times (gift article).

Trust Falls: Mind Your Moves

Nonverbal cues play a critical role in building trust, often betraying our true feelings unconsciously. Mixed messages—like warm tones paired with crossed arms—can create mistrust. Trust hinges on congruence between words and body language. Incongruity, emotional leaks, and closed body language can undermine trust and cause suspicion. To foster trust, align your verbal and nonverbal communication, manage emotional awareness, and practice open body language. Conscious communication helps convey sincerity and reliability, which are essential for strong relationships and successful collaborations. Unconscious behaviors that make people not trust you.

Holo-Doc

Crescent Regional Hospital in Lancaster, Texas, has introduced a futuristic approach to telehealth with hologram technology via Holoconnects. Patients can now interact with doctors through a 7-foot-tall, 440-pound Holobox, offering a 3-D, life-like video experience for $42,000 plus annual fees. While proponents tout improved patient engagement and realistic interactions, skeptics question the benefits of traditional 2-D telehealth options. Critics argue that the high cost and limited data on improved care quality make it less practical for widespread medical use, though it shows promise in the physical therapy and hospitality sectors. Your Hologram Doctor Will See You Now - The New York Times (gift article).

America's Diet Dilemma

America's obsession with dieting spans over a century, reflecting a paradox of indulgence and restraint. Early 20th-century essays in The Atlantic highlight the cyclical nature of diet culture, where strict regimens follow periods of indulgence. By the 1920s, slimness equated to health and wealth, further embedding the societal pressure to lose weight. Despite numerous fad diets and the evolution of nutritional understanding, the fundamental misunderstanding of balanced eating persists. Modern weight-loss drugs like Ozempic may change the landscape, but as long as thinness is idealized, the diet culture will endure. America can't stop dieting - The Atlantic. ^

Tau-morrow's Diagnosis Today

UC San Francisco researchers have discovered a method to diagnose progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in living patients. Previously identified only post-mortem, PSP, often mistaken for Parkinson's, progresses rapidly and is fatal within seven years. A study in Neurology highlights the use of high-throughput technology to identify protein biomarkers in spinal fluid, differentiating PSP from other forms of frontotemporal dementia. This breakthrough could lead to early diagnostic tests and targeted therapies, offering hope for timely intervention. The study underscores the importance of early diagnosis to enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient outcomes. Scientists may have discovered how to diagnose elusive neuro disorder (Thanks, Amy!).

Arthur Brooks on Fixing Social Media

In this video, Professor Arthur Brooks discusses how social media harms our socializing ability and proposes a way to fix it. We're lonelier than ever — and there's one big reason - Big Think.

Surviving Trauma

On this podcast, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, psychiatrist and author of The Body Keeps the Score, discusses understanding and dealing with lasting psychological trauma. It's well worth a listen. ‎How To!: How To Survive a Shark Attack (Encore).

Befriending Your Inner Voice

You know that negative voice that constantly berates you with negative self-talk? Thinking about anything else is hard when that inner chatter gets switched on. This podcast discusses how to keep our negative emotions from morphing into chatter. ‎Hidden Brain: Befriending Your Inner Voice.

Healthcare from Cradle to Cane

Designer Yves Behar argues that health care should cater to society's most vulnerable: children, older people, and those with disabilities. He critiques the sector for lagging in innovation compared to consumer experiences like those at an Apple Store. Behar's projects, like the AI companion robot Moxie for neurodivergent children and the FDA-approved SNOO bassinet for safe infant sleep, illustrate his vision. These designs address extreme needs and offer broader benefits, proving that inclusive design enhances everyone's experience. Health Care Should Be Designed for the Extremes of Life | WIRED.

AI Lie Detection

A study has shown AI outperforms humans in detecting lies, achieving a 67% accuracy rate compared to humans' 50%. Utilizing Google's AI model BERT, the tool identified falsehoods more effectively. However, reliance on AI led to increased accusations, raising ethical concerns about trust and social bonds. Despite skepticism, a third of participants trusted the AI tool's predictions, demonstrating its potential impact on evaluating claims and detecting misinformation. The study highlights the need for thorough testing before widespread implementation. AI lie detectors are better than humans at spotting lies | MIT Technology Review.

Mindful Matters

Despite its widespread promotion as a mental health cure-all, mindfulness may not benefit everyone equally. Research shows that the effectiveness of mindfulness practices varies with age. Older adults tend to experience better mental health by acting with awareness and being nonjudgmental, while younger individuals, who are more focused on observing, often see fewer benefits. A tailored approach to mindfulness, emphasizing aspects like nonjudgment for youth, could enhance its impact. Personalized mindfulness practices, reflecting one's age and specific needs, may be essential to unlocking its full potential. Here's Why You May Not Be Getting the Benefits You Expected From Mindfulness.