Doctor’s brains are great decision-makers, but even the smartest physicians might be well-served with a little diagnostic help from ChatGPT, a new study suggests. The main benefit comes from a thinking process known as “probabilistic reasoning” — knowing the odds that something will (or won’t) happen. “Humans struggle with probabilistic reasoning, the practice of making… read on > read on >
Marijuana use by expecting moms is associated with unhealthy pregnancy outcomes, especially low birth weight babies, a new study finds. Further, heavier weed use is associated with higher risks for the pregnancy, the researchers added. “Cannabis use is not safe,” said senior researcher Dr. Robert Silver, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of… read on > read on >
A study involving twins suggests that if you have a sibling who develops dementia, that might not bode well for your life span. That’s true even if you don’t go on to develop dementia yourself, according to a study from U.S. and Swedish researchers. One investigator was surprised by the finding. “We expected a different… read on > read on >
Many Americans battling diabetes are turning to a new class of injected drugs that includes blockbusters like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). But a new study finds half of patients who use these “second line” therapies — a class called GLP-1 RAs — quit them within a year. The main factor: Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting… read on > read on >
Late December is typically a time when holiday stress and winter weather can collide, creating a perfect recipe for a rise in heart attacks and stroke. Luckily, one expert has some advice on how to dodge the danger. “When we look across the year in terms of heart attack rates, what we see is fairly… read on > read on >
Gun advocates often claim that mental illness is the driving force behind mass shootings in the United States. But new research argues that gun violence is more likely driven by the massive numbers of firearms available throughout the country, providing easy access to anyone with a homicidal bent. In the study, investigators compared mental illness… read on > read on >
The diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic does not appear to harm a developing fetus when taken by pregnant women, a new study reports. Researchers found no elevated risk of birth defects among newborns of women who took medications to control their type 2 diabetes, compared with those who took insulin. During the decade-long study, researchers… read on > read on >
Saying “no” to a holiday invite might feel unforgivably rude, but people often overestimate the social consequences of turning down an invitation, psychologists report. More than three out of four people (77%) say they’ve accepted an invitation to an activity they didn’t want to attend because they were concerned about the consequences of declining. To… read on > read on >
Many women and men begin new relationships never dreaming they could later be enmeshed in a cycle of intimate partner violence. Now, a new study finds there are early behavioral warning signs from a partner that suggest the risk for violence is there. And the more signs a person sees in the partner, the higher… read on > read on >
Parents moaning over the noise from a new Christmas toy is a time-honored holiday tradition. But noisy playthings can do long-lasting damage to a child’s hearing, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is warning parents. Tiny ears are particularly susceptible to hearing damage, the AAA says. The inner ear contains delicate hair cells that don’t… read on > read on >
