Artificial intelligence can serve as a helpful backup editor to radiologists, making sure their reports are accurate and reliable, a new study says. The OpenAI program GPT-4 performed about as well as a group of radiologists in detecting errors that had been placed into reports, according to findings published April 16 in the journal Radiology.… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
A More Diverse Nature Brings Better Mental Health
Want to feel happier? Live in or near a place with a rich diversity of nature, a new study says. Environments with plentiful natural features — trees, birds, plants and rivers — are associated with better mental well-being than the more spartan landscapes of suburbia, researchers found. Further, spending time in areas like this can… read on > read on >
Blinking: It’s About More Than Moistening the Eye
Most folks think of blinking as the eyes’ version of windshield wipers, clearing the eye of debris and maybe lubricating it, too. But blinking is much more than that, researchers report: It also helps the brain process what it’s seeing. That’s perhaps counterintuitive: Wouldn’t it make sense to not blink, so eyes are receiving an… read on > read on >
Brain’s Cerebellum Could Help Direct Prosthetic Limbs
Tapping the power of the small brain region called the cerebellum could improve patients’ ability to move cutting-edge robotic limbs, a new study suggests. The cerebellum is an ancient structure located under the brain, just above where the spinal cord connects to the brain. This structure has largely been overlooked by prosthetics researchers in favor… read on > read on >
Complications in Pregnancy Linked to Long-Term Health Risks for Women
Women who experience common complications during a pregnancy could face heightened odds for early death for decades to come, new research shows. In the largest such study to date, “women who experienced any of five major adverse pregnancy outcomes had increased mortality risks that remained elevated more than 40 years later,” said a team led… read on > read on >
Antibiotics Probably Won’t Ease Your Cough, Even If Infection is Bacterial: Study
Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics to help treat a cough, but a new study shows the drugs won’t help reduce the severity or duration of coughing — even if a bacterial infection is the culprit. Lower respiratory tract infections that cause coughing have the potential to become more dangerous, with 3% to 5% of these patients… read on > read on >
One in 3 Women With Migraines Say Attacks Occur During Periods
Among U.S. women with migraine, a third say the attacks tend to coincide with their periods, a new survey finds. Migraines that occur during menstruation are often frequent and severe, but only about one in five respondents said they used medications aimed at preventing the headaches. “If you have migraines related to your menstrual cycle,… read on > read on >
Pets Are Passing Drug-Resistant ‘Superbugs’ to Their Owners
Dogs and cats can pass antibiotic-resistant bacteria to their owners, raising concerns that household pets could be contributing to the world’s antibiotics crisis, a new study says. Cases of these “superbugs” being passed between sick dogs and cats and their healthy owners have been identified in the U.K. and Portugal, according to research presented at… read on > read on >
Researchers Probe Moments of Lucid Clarity Among People With Advanced Dementias
Lucid episodes are an unexpected occurrence among people with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. But these spontaneous events — in which a person temporarily regains an ability to communicate that appeared to be permanently lost — are not always a sign of impending death, a recent study argues. Half the time, people live more… read on > read on >
‘Feeling Like a Burden’ Can Be Motivator for Suicide in Preteens
Quiet preteens who feel they’re a burden on others are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors, a new study reports. Criticism from parents or caregivers also increased the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, researchers found. Preteen girls with these traits are at especially high risk, according to the study published recently in… read on > read on >