Health

As the volume of messages sent from patients to their doctors via communication platforms like MyChart skyrockets, a growing number of healthcare providers are adopting artificial intelligence tools to manage their communication. Unbeknownst to many patients, some of the responses they receive may be created by artificial intelligence. A screenshot of the MyChart application on a smartphone shows a graph plotting a patient's blood pressure readings, accompanied by promotional text that advertises: "All your health information in one place." This patient portal, widely used in US hospitals, now incorporates an AI-powered feature that assists doctors in drafting messages for their…

A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine raises serious concerns about the fragmented landscape of cannabis laws in the United States. The report argues that the current patchwork of regulations prioritizes economic gains over public health and safety. With 24 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories having legalized recreational cannabis and 13 others allowing its medicinal use, the need for a coordinated national strategy is increasingly urgent. The report highlights the dramatic increase in potency of cannabis products, particularly THC concentration. This increase in potency, combined with the proliferation of diverse cannabis…

The global fight against infectious diseases is undergoing a fundamental shift in perspective. For years, the dominant narrative around antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has focused on the overuse of antibiotics, painting a picture of a world grappling with increasingly ineffective drugs. While the dangers of overprescribing remain real, a growing chorus of experts argue that this focus overlooks a more fundamental issue: Millions of people don't have access to even the most basic antibiotics. At a recent United Nations meeting, health leaders highlighted this overlooked aspect of antimicrobial resistance. The inability of poor families to afford a simple course of antibiotics,…

Michel Siffre, recognized as a pioneer of chronobiology, which delved into the response of our biological clocks to time, has died at the age of 85. He is celebrated for his groundbreaking experiments on himself in secluded caves that significantly advanced our understanding of human circadian rhythms. In the cold autumn of 1962, a curious crowd surrounded a small opening in the Maritime Alps, which marked the border between France and Italy. Michel Siffre, a compact and resilient geologist, emerged from the depths of this opening after spending 63 days isolated in a cave to study the effects of such…