Health and medicine news covering public health, clinical care, medical research, biotech, and wellness trends.
Previously unreleased US government test results show popular acne creams from brands like Dr. Pimple Popper and Proactiv contained benzene levels up to 15 times the FDA limit when recalled last year. The levels topped those found in other personal-care products. Benzene can cause leukemia at high levels.
A study in Menopause found that women with unexplained infertility or endometriosis face a higher risk of early menopause. Those with endometriosis reached menopause 2.75 years earlier on average, while unexplained infertility was linked to a 1.45-year earlier onset.
The author argues that hair loss, particularly from cancer treatment, profoundly impacts identity and emotional well-being, often underestimated by society. She highlights a recent scientific breakthrough in Japan that could lead to natural hair regrowth, suggesting that such advances offer hope for reversing hair loss and restoring a sense of self.
A cardiologist offers practical advice on selecting a doctor, emphasizing personal referrals over advertisements and suggesting key questions to evaluate a physician's fit. The commentary argues that despite a flawed US healthcare system, patients can improve their odds of finding a trusted doctor by avoiding common mistakes.
This commentary argues that menstruation at age 7 is not normal and signals precocious puberty, which requires medical evaluation. It contends that early intervention can prevent long-term health and emotional consequences, and urges parents to recognize signs and seek help.
This commentary examines the trend of 'spermmaxxing' and argues that while concerns about declining male fertility are based on real scientific evidence, online figures often exploit these fears to sell products or spread misinformation. The author suggests that increased focus on men's reproductive health is positive, but cautions against pseudoscientific remedies.
This commentary argues that AI-powered digital twin technology for heart disease may overlook biological differences between women and men, potentially limiting its effectiveness. It contends that medical data used to build these models often treats male biology as default, and calls for more inclusive data to ensure personalized medicine benefits all patients.
This commentary argues that while AI chatbots like ChatGPT are becoming highly accurate at diagnosing medical conditions, they still fall short in management reasoning—deciding on treatment plans. The author contends that experienced doctors use mental shortcuts and prioritize patient-specific factors, a skill AI has not yet mastered.
The commentary argues that wellness influencers on social media pose a significant risk to patients, particularly those with serious illnesses like cancer, by promoting unproven and potentially harmful health advice. The author contends that doctors, who are bound by professional regulations, are being undermined by influencers with large followings but no medical credentials.
This commentary argues that while AI chatbots like ChatGPT are becoming highly accurate at diagnosing medical conditions, they still fall short of human doctors in management reasoning—deciding how to treat patients. The author contends that diagnosis is only half the job, and AI lacks the nuanced judgment needed for prioritizing care.