Summary

A new study reveals narcissists experience heightened social exclusion due to their aggressive and arrogant behaviors, creating a "self-perpetuating cycle" of pain.

They perceive ambiguous social cues as deliberately exclusionary, exacerbating their narcissistic traits. Researchers found that ostracism fuels narcissism, leading to further exclusion.

Lead author Christiane Büttner suggests that structured interventions—such as therapy or workplace strategies—could mitigate these effects

This approach aims to reduce the harm caused by narcissists and those around them and offers a new perspective on dealing with them.

Summary

The USDA confirmed H5N1 bird flu in rats for the first time, detecting the virus in four black rats in California near recent poultry outbreaks.

Other infected mammals include a harbor seal, a fox, a bobcat, and a cat likely exposed through contaminated raw pet food.

The discovery comes as the USDA scrambles to rehire bird flu experts recently fired under cost-cutting measures.

Since 2022, the virus has led to mass poultry culls, rising egg prices, infections in dairy cows, and nearly 70 human cases, including one fatality.

Summary

Texas is grappling with a 90-case measles outbreak across seven counties, centered in Gaines County with low vaccination rates.

Another nine cases have cropped up in nearby Lea County, New Mexico, though no direct connection has been established.

Most cases are unvaccinated children under 18. Measles, among the most contagious viruses, can lead to high fevers, rash, pneumonia, and even fatalities.

Officials warn the outbreak could grow as vaccine-preventable coverage remains low.

Summary

A new H5N1 bird flu variant has become "endemic in cows," with cases detected in Nevada and Arizona, raising concerns about human transmission.

Experts warn that without intervention, the outbreak will continue, but Trump has cut CDC staff and halted flu vaccination campaigns.

The virus's spread coincides with a severe flu season, increasing the risk of mutation.

The administration has also stopped sharing flu data with the WHO and shifted its containment strategy away from culling infected poultry, raising fears of inadequate response.

Summary

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil fraud investigation into UnitedHealthcare over alleged Medicare Advantage billing fraud.

Authorities are examining whether the company improperly used patient diagnoses to inflate payments.

Medicare Advantage, a private insurance alternative to traditional Medicare, has faced criticism for high taxpayer costs and restricted patient access.

UnitedHealthcare denies wrongdoing, calling fraud claims “outrageous.”

The probe follows broader scrutiny of the company, including a major data breach and the recent murder of its CEO.

Summary

Research suggests that increased screen time raises the risk of myopia in children.

A Korean meta-analysis of 45 studies involving 335,524 participants found that each hour of daily screen exposure raises the odds of developing myopia by 21%, with a 97% increase after four hours.

Experts warn that limited screen use and more time outdoors are essential, as the “safety threshold” appears to be below one hour per day.

However, study limitations prevent proving causality, though reduced outdoor exposure is likely a key contributing factor.

Summary

Doctors in London have restored partial vision in children born blind due to Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic disorder.

Using gene therapy, they injected healthy copies of the AIPL1 gene into the retina, allowing four children to see shapes, recognize faces, and even read.

The breakthrough, described as a “paradigm shift,” was developed by UCL and Moorfields specialists. Since then, seven more children have been treated.

Parents called the results “amazing,” with one child now able to identify toys and track objects.

Summary

The CDC has halted its “Wild to Mild” flu vaccination campaign, which used animal imagery to illustrate how immunization can lessen flu symptoms.

The campaign was discontinued following a review by the Department of Health and Human Services during Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s early tenure at HHS.

The decision comes amid a severe flu season with record hospitalizations, despite the campaign’s effectiveness in reaching millions through digital and transit ads.

Summary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., newly appointed as U.S. health secretary, pledged to Sen. Bill Cassidy that he would not alter the federal childhood vaccine schedule.

However, in his first address to Health and Human Services (HHS) employees, he announced an investigation into childhood vaccines.

The inquiry, under Trump’s new "Make America Healthy Again" commission, raises concerns about his commitment.

Critics, including vaccine expert Dr. Paul Offit, question his stance, fearing policies that could undermine vaccine accessibility.

Some parents are concerned about the recent confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of anti-vaccine views, to oversee the nation’s health department.

Summary

Krystena Murray, a 38-year-old Georgia woman, is suing Coastal Fertility Specialists for mistakenly implanting another couple’s embryo, leading her to unknowingly carry and give birth to a child who was not biologically hers.

In the lawsuit, she alleges she “was turned into an unwitting surrogate, against her will” and had to surrender the baby five months after delivery.

The clinic admitted the mistake, calling it an isolated incident.

Experts warn that IVF mix-ups, while rare, are not federally regulated, raising concerns about oversight in fertility clinics.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order he said would lower the cost of in vitro fertilization and protect access to it. But the order doesn’t clarify how it would lower costs, let alone eliminate them, particularly as his administration is trying to slash budgets.

Summary

A study analyzing nearly 500,000 UK BioBank participants suggests environmental factors are about 10 times more influential than genetics in determining the risk of early death.

Researchers identified 25 key environmental exposures—such as maternal smoking, employment, and income—that impact biological aging and disease risk, with most being modifiable.

These factors explained 17% of mortality risk, while genetics accounted for less than 2%.

However, genetics played a larger role in certain diseases like cancer and dementia.

Summary

A woman treated with CAR T-cell therapy for neuroblastoma as a child has remained cancer-free for over 18 years, making her the longest-known survivor of the treatment for an active solid tumor.

CAR T-cell therapy, which engineers a patient’s immune cells to fight cancer, has been highly effective for blood cancers but less so for solid tumors.

This case provides hope for improved therapies. Researchers aim to understand why some patients respond well while others do not, to enhance future treatments.

Summary

Mason Connor, diagnosed with autism at 2.5 years old, was nonverbal until his parents discovered leucovorin, a folic acid-based drug used to counter chemotherapy side effects.

Within days of taking it, Mason spoke his first words. Dr. Richard Frye, a pediatric neurologist, believes leucovorin can help many autistic children but lacks FDA approval due to low profitability.

Nonprofit Every Cure advocates for repurposing existing drugs for new treatments.

Mason, now 5, is set to start mainstream kindergarten.

Summary

A recent meta-analysis of 30 studies involving 90,000 participants found that water chlorination levels common in the US and EU likely increase bladder cancer risk by 33% and colorectal cancer risk by 15%.

Chlorine reacts with organic matter to form trihalomethanes (THM), toxic byproducts present in nearly all public water systems.

Although chlorine disinfection has reduced waterborne diseases, these findings pose regulatory challenges.

Alternatives exist but are costly. Experts recommend continued tap water use with effective filtration, such as granulated activated carbon.

Summary

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine by researchers from UC San Diego and Bryn Mawr College found that online searches for gambling addiction help increased 23% nationally following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that legalized sports betting.

With 38 states and Washington, D.C. now allowing sports betting, aggressive advertising and expanded access have raised public health concerns.

Experts call for improved regulatory frameworks and dedicated federal funding for gambling addiction treatment, prevention, and research.

• Multifocal contact lenses slowed progression of nearsightedness in children, and the treatment benefit continued even after they stopped wearing the lenses.
• The finding suggests a successful long-term treatment strategy for using multifocal contact lenses to control myopia.

A Signal group to discuss sports, meditation, food, sleep, and all sorts of other healthy things.

We focus on being environmentally acceptable, i.e. no keto carnivore nonsense ;)

To join, please make a nice profile pic and name, doesn't need to be something personal.

Summary

Collagen supplements are widely marketed for skin, joint, and overall health, but scientific evidence remains weak.

Collagen is broken down into amino acids during digestion, making its direct benefits uncertain.

Some studies suggest hydrolyzed collagen may improve skin hydration and elasticity, but many are industry-funded and lack independent verification.

Regulatory bodies like EFSA have not approved health claims due to insufficient evidence.