Health
A tattoo artist uses an NFC chip implanted in his hand to unlock his studio, part of a growing trend of 10,000 people worldwide. The chip's 880-byte memory stores simple data, but users report a shift in daily habits, forgetting keys and badges. Experts weigh in on the practical and social implications of body-integrated access.
Health
Researchers at the Salk Institute have grown fully mature human pancreatic beta cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, and when transplanted into diabetic mice, the cells restored normal blood sugar control. The breakthrough, which relies on a key protein called ERRγ, could pave the way for a new class of diabetes treatments without the ethical concerns of embryonic stem cells.
Health
A NASA-funded study on rats reveals that galactic cosmic radiation, a key hazard of deep space missions, can cause lasting erectile dysfunction, with effects persisting over a year after exposure. The findings highlight a new health risk for astronauts, though treatments targeting specific biological pathways showed promise in the animal model.
Health
China's state-run Global Times has cautioned Elon Musk against endorsing the lab leak theory of COVID-19's origins, warning that such views could harm Tesla's business in China. The warning follows Musk's tweets supporting a US Energy Department assessment, which has intensified diplomatic tensions.
Health
Researchers using the Summit supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have identified 77 drug compounds that might bind to the coronavirus spike protein, potentially blocking infection. The findings, published on ChemRxiv, highlight seven candidates for experimental testing, though scientists caution that this is an early computational step, not a cure.
Health
As the milk crate challenge spreads on TikTok, orthopedic surgeons and health departments warn of severe injury risks and added strain on hospitals already overwhelmed by COVID-19. The Baltimore Department of Health and Mount Sinai's Shawn Anthony urge the public to avoid the stunt, which often results in falls comparable to ladder accidents.
Health
Bryan Johnson, a 45-year-old tech entrepreneur, spends $2 million annually on a rigorous anti-aging regimen aiming to restore his body to an 18-year-old state. With over 30 health professionals and extreme treatments, he claims to have reversed his epigenetic age by 5.1 years in seven months, documenting everything publicly in his Blueprint project.
Health
A California ophthalmologist removed 23 contact lenses from a senior patient's eye, a case that went viral and sparked global awareness about proper lens hygiene. The patient, who had not seen a doctor in two years, is recovering but has resumed wearing contacts against medical advice.
Health
A case report in BMJ Case Reports describes an 80-year-old woman with lung cancer whose tumor shrank by 76% after she declined conventional treatment and instead used CBD oil. The authors caution that the link is not proven and call for more research.
Health
Neuralink acknowledged that a significant number of monkeys in its brain implant experiments were euthanized due to complications, contradicting an animal rights group's claims. The company defends its practices while facing criticism and preparing for human trials.
