Author: healthtost
It is estimated that more than half of US teens regularly use companion chatbots powered by large language models and genetic artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The programs, such as Character.AI, Replika and Kindroid, are meant to provide companionship, according to the companies that make them. But a recent study from Drexel University shows that teens worry that these attachments are becoming unhealthy and affecting their offline lives. The study, which will be presented at the Association of Computing Machinery’s conference on Human Factors in Computing in April, looked at a sample of more than 300 Reddit posts from users, self-identified…
Anxiety itself is not a mental illness. It is a normal, adaptive emotion that helps us respond to perceived threats. Anxiety is the automatic reaction that makes you jump back when you think you’ve seen a snake while walking in the bushes – before realizing it’s a stick. It’s also (uncomfortably) the sweaty palms and shaky voice you notice before a presentation or a first date, or the circular thoughts that keep you awake at 3am. Most of us have ways to deal with anxious thoughts and feelings that can give us a greater sense of control. This could be…
With Ayesha Khan Gambling has long regarded as a vice: dangerous, addictiveand deliberately stand out from everyday life. Casinos are zoned away from schools. Sportsbooks display warnings. The risk is recognized, even when gambling laws and restrictions are lacking. But what happens when gambling is repackaged under the guise of asset trading and made accessible on a daily basis? Prediction market platforms like Kalshi, Polymarket and Manifold are betting that Americans won’t notice the difference. These platforms allow users to buy what they call “stocks” or “contracts” to trade based on real-world outcomes, including elections, inflation reports, court rulings…
This creamy chia blueberry pudding is blended with milk, maple syrup and vanilla. It’s an easy breakfast, full of flavor and perfect for meal prep. Ever since I got home from the cruise, where I had chia pudding almost every day for breakfast, I’ve been dreaming about it! I shared a basic version recently in my post coconut milk chia pudding recipe and have been having fun experimenting with different flavor combinations ever since. When on the cruise, one of the breakfast options was a blueberry chia pudding, and this recipe is an homage to that. It’s creamy, slightly sweet…
The brain doesn’t just work together. also competes. So determines an international study from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Pompeu Fabra University and the Montreal Neurological Institute in Canada, published in Nature Neuroscience. The study reveals that the human brain—like that of macaques and mice—works thanks to a stable balance between these two forces. Using advanced whole-brain computer modeling, the researchers showed that while specialized circuits cooperate internally, there are long-term competitive interactions between them to manage limited resources. Reproducing this balance could bring us closer to creating digital copies of a person’s brain, a major breakthrough…
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk, author, and one of the most influential spiritual voices of the 20th century—a man concerned with solitude, silence, and the demands of the interior life.He is best known for his spiritual autobiography, The seven-story mountainwhich traces his restless youth and eventual conversion to Catholicism.As I mentioned in last week’s Odds and Ends, I recently re-read this book and enjoyed it. It is full of interesting intellectual ideas. But I also caught something else that Merton mentioned: a simple, practical trick for falling asleep.Thomas Merton’s trick to falling asleep when you can’t sleepMerton discovered the…
03:13 PM, April 9, 2026 Skincare Physicians dermatologists have been at the forefront of the most exciting development in non-invasive body contouring. Invented in Boston at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Dermatology, CoolSculpting, which uses cold to selectively eliminate unwanted fat, was pioneered at SkinCare Physicians where national FDA approval trials were directed and performed. Since its approval, our doctors have remained deeply involved in perfecting the technique. Today, they are excited to offer CoolSculpting Elite technology, one of the most important recent developments.…
Recent study on the intersectionRecent research has begun to explore the intersection of autism with kink and BDSM practices, shedding light on long-understudied communities and experiences. Drawing on findings from a recent article and the literature review, this section describes key concepts and their possible connections.Autism and NeurodivergenceNeurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how human brains are wired and developed, including those whose cognitive function deviates from neurotypical norms.Autismas one such form of neurodivergence, it is characterized by distinct patterns in social communication, differences in sensory processing (including both increased and decreased sensitivity), and a tendency for deep, focused…
A new USC-led study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals the neural mechanisms that contribute to urinary incontinence, a common condition affecting stroke survivors that has a significant impact on their quality of life. The research, just published in Rapwas conducted by a multidisciplinary team of urologists, neurosurgeons and imaging experts from the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Keck Medicine of USC, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center and the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. The team discovered significant differences in brain activity during voluntary versus involuntary bladder contractions, presenting potential avenues for targeted therapies. Urinary incontinence affects up…
MenAlive began in 1969 when I held Jemal, my newborn son, in my arms and promised to be a different father to the one my father could be to me and to do all I could to create a world where men are fully healed and engaged with their families and communities throughout their lives. In 1972 I started MenAlive as my window to the world to share what I was learning about love, life, survival and transformation. In June 2026, I will be offering exciting new and expanded services at MenAlive. I am looking for men and women who…