People who’ve lost a leg due to injury or disease are often plagued by what’s known as phantom limb pain — discomfort arising in the area, despite the absence of the limb. Now, researchers report that people who wear a prosthetic leg after amputation may have that pain eased, as well as improved sensation in… read on > read on >
Most women know that their menstrual cycle can affect their mood. Now, new research suggests suicidal thoughts may peak at certain points during the monthly cycle. The finding could have an upside, helping people pinpoint when they might be most vulnerable to suicide, so they can better prevent it. “As clinicians, we feel responsible for… read on > read on >
American physicians have mixed feelings on the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) into mainstream medical practice, a new survey shows. The survey of nearly 1,100 doctors, conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA) in August, found 41% of physicians saying they were “equally excited and concerned” about AI in the workplace. “Physicians are optimistic about… read on > read on >
“Long COVID” has become a well-known potential consequence of COVID infection, with symptoms that can last weeks, months or even years. Now it appears that “long flu” is also possible, with some patients developing long-lasting health problems following a severe infection, a new study finds. But before panicking, know that “long flu” isn’t as bad… read on > read on >
Smoking shrinks the human brain, and once that brain mass is lost then it’s gone for good, a new study warns. Brain scans from more than 32,000 people strongly link a history of smoking with a gradual loss of brain volume. In fact, the more packs a person smoked per day, the smaller their brain… read on > read on >
Regular exercise appears to enhance and even grow crucial areas of the human brain, new research using MRI scans shows. It’s long been known that physical activity is a brain-booster, but this international study illustrates ways this could be happening. “With comprehensive imaging scans, our study underscores the interconnected synergy between the body and the… read on > read on >
The Supreme Court will review the ability of American women to easily access a commonly used abortion pill, the court announced Wednesday. Mifepristone has become central to the response by health care professionals and reproductive rights advocates to last year’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The pill can be transported across state and… read on > read on >
Comedian Stephen Colbert returned to his popular late night talk show this week after recovering from a ruptured appendix he suffered roughly three weeks ago. During his monologue on Monday, the talk show host told the audience he was taping back-to-back episodes around Nov. 20 when he experienced almost unbearable pain. “I was in a… read on > read on >
A healthy plant-based diet can reduce a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes by 24%, a new study has found. Eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains has this protective effect even in people with a genetic predisposition for diabetes or risk factors like obesity, advanced age or lack of physical activity, researchers… read on > read on >
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 >
