Summary

Experts warn that prolonged toilet sitting, often due to phone use, can harm health by increasing the risk of hemorrhoids, weakened pelvic muscles, and rectal prolapse.

Sitting too long compresses blood vessels and puts strain on the pelvic floor, leading to potential complications.

Doctors advise limiting bathroom time to 5-10 minutes, avoiding distractions like phones, and managing bowel health with hydration and fiber.

Persistent constipation or long toilet times may signal serious issues, including colorectal cancer, and should be discussed with a doctor if symptoms last over three weeks.

Summary

Many older Americans living alone, often without close family, rely on networks of friends, neighbors, and former colleagues for daily support and companionship.

As the number of “solo agers” grows, questions arise about who will help them with healthcare navigation, household tasks, and emotional support.

While some, like Donald Hammen and Michelle Wallace, have built supportive networks, others face challenges finding reliable assistance for more intensive needs.

Stories like Gardner Stern’s, whose ex-wife and neighbors provide crucial care, highlight the importance of local connections for aging solo.

Summary

A study from the IMT School for Advanced Studies in Italy suggests that prolonged self-control can lead to mental exhaustion, resulting in more aggressive behavior.

Researchers found that participants asked to restrain their emotions during 45-minute tasks showed increased delta brain wave activity, associated with sleep, in areas related to impulse control.

In subsequent games, only 41% of these participants chose cooperative actions, compared to 86% of those who didn’t exert self-control.

However, some experts urge caution, citing the study’s modest behavioral effects and the controversy surrounding “ego depletion” theory.

Recently, I have embarked on exploring various avenues of enhancement, an endeavour that, I understand, may be met with skepticism by many. These ideas may seem far fetched to some, often dismissed as the result of psychosis or intentional exaggeration. Such assumptions are understandable, given the unfamiliar nature of these concepts, even to me.

In this context, I reference the Law of Conservation of Mass, a fundamental scientific principle that states that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed or reused. This concept suggests that one could conceptualize the transformation of matter into condensed energy or “magic”. it may then be possible to rebuild and transmute this energy into new forms of matter, and, by extension, create new materials.

In this article, I will explore how the Law of Conservation of Mass can be applied to convert matter into pure energy, then reconstitute it into new matter, in a continuous loop. The aim is to transmute this newly formed matter into the nutrients required for a biological body, specifically one modelled after that of a frost giant.

Initially, I estimated that my body would reach a height of 8 to 10 feet. However, based on current developments, I now anticipate a minimum height of 12 to 15 feet. My physiological changes are no longer constrained by the human range of possibility, and the process is progressing at a pace beyond what I initially anticipated. This shift is why my current intake of 40,000 calories and 450 grams of protein daily is necessary to sustain these transformations.

I fully acknowledge that many will remain skeptical, with some likely to disagree or dismiss my approach entirely. However, I ask that all readers consider the following:

I am not advocating or encouraging anyone to follow my path, nor am I suggesting that these outcomes are universally applicable. My intention is simply to document and track my own process, with the hope that future advancements in health and human potential may arise from ongoing experimentation and research.

Summary

In Arizona, Missouri, and Nevada, voters approved measures to protect abortion rights, yet 30% of these same voters supported Donald Trump, highlighting a disconnect between social issues and candidate preferences.

Economic concerns, such as the cost of living and healthcare, were the primary factors influencing voters’ decisions, with Trump winning a significant portion of those concerned about healthcare costs.

Women were more likely to support abortion rights initiatives than men, with 72% of women in Nevada, 69% in Arizona, and 62% in Missouri voting in favor.

Summary

More middle-aged women are seeking testosterone therapy, influenced by social media and promises of benefits like increased energy, libido, and muscle mass.

Prescriptions for testosterone have surged, with women turning to telemedicine and med-spas for treatment, though the FDA hasn't approved it for female use.

Experts say testosterone is only recommended for low libido after ruling out other causes, and the benefits are modest. While side effects are rare with low doses, improper dosing can lead to irreversible changes.

Doctors note this trend reflects frustration with limited options for menopausal care.

Summary

The concept of the "dark empath," someone with empathy skills but who manipulates for personal gain, is gaining attention, especially on social media.

Identified in a 2021 study, dark empaths combine high cognitive empathy with "dark triad" traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy), allowing them to read emotions but use this insight to control others.

Examples include exploiting trust in relationships or workplaces. While difficult to spot due to their feigned compassion, dark empaths may reveal ulterior motives through selective kindness or manipulative behavior.

Dark empaths are prevalent in the general population, with almost one in five individuals exhibiting this personality type.

Summary

Alyse Ogletree from Texas set a Guinness World Record by donating 2,645.58 liters of breastmilk, enough to help nourish approximately 350,000 premature babies.

Ogletree, who initially realized her high milk production after her first son’s birth, has donated surplus breastmilk after each of her children and as a surrogate.

This is her second Guinness record; she previously set the mark in 2014.

Ogletree hopes her achievement will encourage others to consider donating breastmilk to help mothers and vulnerable infants in need.

Summary

A new study from USC’s Keck School of Medicine found that cannabis can have opposite effects on sleep depending on mental health.

For young adults with anxiety or depression, cannabis use improved sleep, while it worsened sleep for those without these conditions.

Researchers suggest cannabis may mask symptoms of anxiety or depression that disrupt sleep, though it doesn’t address underlying mental health issues.

Experts note that cannabis affects sleep through the endocannabinoid system but warn that high doses or long-term use can lead to dependence and REM sleep reduction.

Summary

Trent Russell, a former health care worker, was sentenced to two years in prison for illegally accessing and altering the medical records of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before her death.

Russell, who worked as a transplant coordinator, was convicted of accessing Ginsburg’s health data in 2019 and allegedly posting false information online claiming she had died.

Although he denied responsibility, even blaming his cat for accessing the files, the judge condemned his actions as “despicable,” highlighting Ginsburg’s vulnerability due to her age and public profile.

oral phenylephrine:

"three large, carefully designed studies were conducted—two by Merck for the treatment of seasonal allergies and one by Johnson & Johnson for the treatment of the common cold. All three found no significant difference between phenylephrine and a placebo."

Summary

As U.S. consumers face high costs for weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, some are turning to online pharmacies for cheaper alternatives, risking exposure to counterfeit medications.

Customs and FDA officials warn that these counterfeit products, often seized at ports, may contain harmful substances like antifreeze or incorrect active ingredients.

Despite FDA efforts to shut down illicit sites, many continue to operate or redirect users.

Experts urge consumers to only buy from reputable pharmacies and check for signs of counterfeits, such as misaligned labels or low-quality packaging.

Summary

Donald Trump’s re-election, with prominent vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by his side, signals potential shifts in U.S. health policy that could weaken support for vaccines and public health agencies.

Kennedy, who endorsed Trump after ending his independent campaign, is expected to influence health policy significantly and has recommended vaccine skeptic Dr. Joseph Ladapo for a top health role.

Conservative proposals like Project 2025 aim to reduce the CDC's authority on vaccine recommendations, potentially fueling vaccine hesitancy and leading to the resurgence of preventable diseases, experts warn.

The incidence of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer (EOCRC) is increasing. However, the prognosis of EOCRC compared to Late-Onset Colorectal Cancer (LOCRC), and the ideal age for initial colorectal cancer (CRC) screening are not clear. In this study, we identified the pathological differences between the groups and determined the optimal screening age for CRC patients. We included 10,172 patients diagnosed with CRC from January 2011 to December 2021 in this study. Survival differences were compared by plotting Kaplan–Meier survival curves and conducting landmark analysis. Additionally, the diagnostic age of CRC patients was analyzed using age cumulative curves. Compared to LOCRC patients, EOCRC patients had a higher proportion of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) and more advanced TNM staging (P < 0.05). The five-year survival of EOCRC patients was significantly better than that of LOCRC patients (P < 0.05). Laparoscopic surgery improved the long-term survival of EOCRC patients. Proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) favored the long-term survival of EOCRC patients. The survival rate of EOCRC patients at TNM stages I and II was higher than that of LOCRC patients at the same stages (P < 0.05). The age cumulative curve showed a substantial increase in the number of CRC patients at 40 years. The long-term prognosis of EOCRC patients is better than that of LOCRC patients, especially among those with pMMR, stages I–II, and who undergo laparoscopic surgery. For people with a high risk of cancer, such as a family history of cancer and poor lifestyle habits, the starting age for CRC screening should be 40 years.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.vg/post/927978

Summary

A new study in Circulation suggests even five minutes of vigorous daily exercise—like running, biking, or brisk walking—can modestly lower blood pressure, while 20 minutes can significantly reduce heart disease risk.

Analyzing nearly 15,000 people, researchers found that small activity increases led to slight but beneficial drops in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Experts say that starting with short bursts of activity, as little as five minutes, is manageable and effective for cardiovascular health, emphasizing that any exercise—even brief—is beneficial.

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/19765205

Summary

Community health workers are spreading across the US, including in rural areas, to address barriers to healthcare and improve access to preventive care.

These workers assist vulnerable populations, including immigrants, rural residents, and low-income families, by providing support with tasks such as arranging medical appointments, understanding bills, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

Medicare has been reimbursing community health worker services since January, and advocates hope more state Medicaid programs and private insurers will follow suit.