Author: healthadmin

The latest example of opposition to rapid data center development in Pennsylvania occurred at a town hall meeting filled with complaints about how the state is handling its proliferation. In front of about 225 people, more than 20 speakers spoke during a two-hour online forum late Wednesday about rising electricity prices, heavy water use, noise pollution and resistance to industries that are responsible for rural industrialization. Gov. Josh Shapiro has been a frequent target as he tries to thread the needle on data center welcome while proposing some guardrails. “This is a matter of public trust and transparency,” said Jennifer…

Psilocybin induces different behavioral responses depending on the age of the rat and the reproductive cycle of the female. However, treating young rats with this drug does not change their behavior later in life. These results indicate that psychedelic therapies may need to be customized for different patient populations to work safely and effectively. The research results were published in a magazine neuropharmacology. Rates of mood and anxiety disorders continue to increase worldwide. Standard medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors serve as the most common first line of defense against these health problems. These daily medications can take weeks…

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests are likely to reduce the risk of death from prostate cancer, a new review published Thursday by an influential international scientific research organization has found. This is a change in medical evidence that could facilitate more widespread use. The Cochrane review’s lead author, Juan Franco from the Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf in Germany, said at a press conference that there was “moderate certainty” that screening tests that identify high levels of PSA as a potential marker for prostate cancer would lead to fewer disease-specific deaths. The benefits are small. The review analyzed the results of…

Learning a musical instrument may strengthen your attention and alertness from childhood to adulthood, according to a new study published in . British Journal of Psychology. Researchers have long debated whether mentally demanding activities, such as playing chess, learning a language, or practicing a musical instrument, can enhance general cognitive skills such as attention and vigilance, which naturally develop with age. Music training is considered a promising candidate because it requires sustained concentration, complex coordination, and multitasking. However, much of the previous evidence comparing musicians and non-musicians is difficult to interpret. These groups often differ in background factors such as…

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Thursday maintained women’s access to drugs used in the most common abortion method, rejecting lower courts’ restrictions while litigation continues. The court order will allow women seeking abortions to continue obtaining the drug mifepristone through pharmacies or by mail, rather than visiting a doctor in person. Access is unlikely to be interrupted until at least next year, as the case progresses, including a possible appeal to the High Court. The justices granted an emergency request by the manufacturers of mifepristone, which is appealing a federal appeals court ruling that would require women to see…

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who owns stock in oil companies, may be violating court ethics rules by participating in certain cases that could benefit big oil companies, according to a government watchdog group.In a letter Thursday, a coalition of watchdog groups urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate Alito, the only Supreme Court justice who owns stock in energy companies.“His irregular denials in cases related to the oil and gas industry undermine public confidence in the impartiality of the courts,” said the letter, which was signed by green groups such as the League of Conservation Voters and the Center…

Millions of tourists visit each year to enjoy the fresh air, picturesque scenery and pristine bushland of the Blue Mountains, to Sydney’s west. Unfortunately, the Blue Mountains are also the site of controversial research into water contamination with “forever chemicals,” also known as PFAS. Our recent research investigated long-term PFAS contamination from two accidents involving gasoline tanker crashes and fires. Both incidents occurred in drinking water catchments, and our study found that contamination was present but undetected for 24 and 33 years, respectively. I searched overseas literature, but could not find any similar examples. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are…

Making snap, gut-level judgments about dating apps can leave users feeling worse about themselves than systematically evaluating profiles based on set criteria. A recent study published in Media Psychology found that while seeing a large number of potential partners can increase feelings of overwhelm, it’s the intuitive swiping strategy that actually undermines users’ self-esteem and sense of value as a mate. These results suggest that the fast-paced design of modern dating platforms comes with hidden psychological costs, depending on how individuals choose to utilize the apps. Traditional online dating agencies typically rely on lengthy questionnaires and deliberate algorithms to pair…

U.S. regulators illegally withdrew responsibility for polluted waterways in Iowa after meeting with officials from the state’s powerful agricultural lobby, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday. The lawsuit, brought by the advocacy group Food & Water Watch, the Iowa Environmental Council, and the Center for Environmental Law and Policy, focuses on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) July 2025 decision to remove seven waterways from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ list of “impaired” waters. The petition seeks a court order requiring the EPA to re-register the waterway. Being listed as “degraded” is important because it requires state officials to…

Eli Lilly has made a six-year, $50 million commitment to UNICEF USA to support efforts to improve the prevention, detection and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). UNICEF is the United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and development assistance to children. The nonprofit UNICEF USA supports the agency through fundraising, advocacy, and education, including partnering with U.S. companies to serve vulnerable children. Lilly donated $14.4 million to UNICEF USA in 2022 and an additional $6.5 million in 2024. The latest initiative has significantly increased Lilly’s contribution. Lilly, which has donated $20.9 million over the past five years, will give $50…