Podcasts about Annals

Intro - Metz tells Phil about Seven Part Pact. Content (10:26) - Discussion of Annals of Klepsis, by R.A. Lafferty Current Read-Along - The Face, by Jack Vance Check out more at alzabosoup.com.

What if the water coming out of your kitchen faucet contains chemicals specifically engineered not to break down, and the protections designed to remove them are now being rolled back? In this Fatal Conveniences episode, Darin dives into PFAS, the so-called "forever chemicals" used for decades in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, firefighting foam, and countless everyday products. Their incredibly strong carbon-fluorine bonds make them extraordinarily useful, but also allow them to persist in the environment and human body for years. Darin breaks down the regulatory battle surrounding America's first legally enforceable federal drinking-water standards for several PFAS chemicals. He walks through the original 2024 EPA rule, subsequent efforts to delay or rescind portions of those protections, the court battle surrounding those changes, and why he believes the story represents something much larger than bureaucratic policy. He then traces the history back decades, discussing internal industry documents, early toxicology findings, allegations that companies withheld troubling information, and a 2018 controversy involving a federal PFAS health assessment. For Darin, it's another example of a familiar pattern: dangerous information emerging slowly while the public continues to be exposed. But this episode isn't about becoming afraid of your faucet. It's about understanding the problem so you can take action. Darin's message is simple: don't wait for corporations, regulators, or politicians to protect your health. Understand your exposure, learn what the science says, and take practical steps to protect yourself and your family. What You'll Learn What PFAS "forever chemicals" are and why they persist for so long How PFAS became embedded in everyday products and the environment Why the carbon-fluorine bond makes these chemicals so difficult to break down How PFAS can accumulate in the human body over time What the EPA's original 2024 drinking-water standards attempted to regulate Why parts of those federal PFAS protections became the subject of a regulatory and legal battle How proposed changes could delay compliance and eliminate several PFAS limits What historical internal documents revealed about early industry knowledge of PFAS toxicity Why Darin sees today's regulatory battle as part of a decades-long pattern Why understanding your own exposure and taking action matters regardless of what happens in Washington Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:34 – Sponsor: Bite 00:02:49 – Forever chemicals may already be in your blood 00:03:13 – The federal PFAS drinking-water rule and what happened next 00:03:44 – Why this episode isn't about being afraid of your faucet 00:04:07 – Stop waiting for someone else to protect your health 00:04:30 – PFAS as the ultimate Fatal Convenience 00:05:22 – The nearly unbreakable chemistry behind forever chemicals 00:05:57 – How PFAS entered everyday life 00:06:27 – Why your body struggles to eliminate these chemicals 00:06:57 – How long PFAS can remain in the body 00:07:20 – We built a civilization around a molecule with no exit plan 00:07:46 – PFAS contamination in America's drinking water 00:08:15 – The EPA's historic 2024 drinking-water standards 00:08:48 – How little PFAS it takes to trigger regulatory concern 00:09:56 – The original deadline for water utilities to comply 00:10:54 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality 00:12:49 – The PFAS rollback and what happened behind the scenes 00:13:16 – The attempt to erase standards through the courts 00:13:42 – The Safe Drinking Water Act's anti-backsliding protection 00:14:18 – The court refuses the EPA's request 00:14:49 – The 2026 proposed PFAS rule changes 00:15:33 – Why delaying compliance could affect millions of Americans 00:15:59 – The bigger story behind the PFAS rollback 00:16:35 – What internal DuPont documents revealed 00:17:12 – Toxicity findings, birth defects, and what the public was told 00:17:49 – The historic EPA penalty against DuPont 00:18:24 – The 2018 federal PFAS report controversy 00:19:03 – Why Darin believes the same pattern continues today 00:19:53 – The 60-year history of PFAS exposure 00:20:18 – What are forever chemicals actually doing to your body? 00:20:26 – Cancer risk, immune suppression, and the science coming next 00:20:36 – Can PFAS exposure happen through your shower? 00:20:44 – How to filter your home and protect your family 00:20:50 – Why Darin says we can't wait for government action 00:20:58 – Continue the full PFAS investigation on Patreon 00:21:19 – Take back control of your health Thank You to Our Sponsors Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien Find More from Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "We built an entire civilization around chemicals designed to never break down, and now they're in our water, our environment, and our bodies. But the answer isn't fear. It's awareness followed by action. We cannot control what a chemical company knew decades ago, what regulators decide tomorrow, or how quickly government moves. We can control what we bring into our homes, what we put into our bodies, how we filter our water, and how seriously we take our own health. Don't wait for someone else to save you. Learn what's happening, find the solutions available to you, and take your health back into your own hands." Bibliography/Sources: The 2024 Rule and the Rollback E&E News / POLITICO. (2026, May). EPA to roll back PFAS limits for drinking water . https://www.eenews.net/articles/epa-to-roll-back-pfas-limits-for-drinking-water/ Harvard Law School Environmental & Energy Law Program. (n.d.). EPA issued first national drinking water standard to protect against PFAS exposure . https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/tracker/epa-issued-first-national-drinking-water-standard-to-protect-against-pfas-exposure/ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, April 10). Biden-Harris administration finalizes first-ever national drinking water standard to protect 100M people from PFAS pollution [Press release] . https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-first-ever-national-drinking-water-standard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2025, May 14). EPA announces it will keep maximum contaminant levels for PFOA, PFOS [Press release] . https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-it-will-keep-maximum-contaminant-levels-pfoa-pfos U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2026, May). Proposed PFAS rescission rule . https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/proposed-pfas-rescission-rule U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2026, May). Proposed PFOA and PFOS compliance extension rule . https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/proposed-pfoa-and-pfos-compliance-extension-rule U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2026, May 11). Pre-publication Federal Register notice, PFAS rescission NPRM . https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-05/for-prepub-web-12843-01-ow_pfas-rescission_nprm_frn_20260511_admin.pdf The Court Fight Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. (2026, January 22). DC court denies EPA's motion to vacate hazard index PFAS from drinking water rule . https://www.asdwa.org/2026/01/22/dc-court-denies-epas-motion-to-vacate-hazard-index-pfas-from-drinking-water-rule/ Fox Rothschild. (2026, March). Court denies EPA's motion to sever and stay challenges to MCLs for four index PFAS. Fox Rothschild PFAS Blog . https://pfas.foxrothschild.com/2026/03/court-denies-epas-motion-to-sever-and-stay-challenges-to-mcls-for-four-index-pfas/ National Law Review. (2026). PFAS drinking water rule case lingers in DC circuit for 18 months . https://natlawreview.com/article/pfas-drinking-water-rule-not-vacated-yet Natural Resources Defense Council. (n.d.). American Water Works Association et al. v. EPA ('Forever Chemicals' in tap water) . https://www.nrdc.org/court-battles/american-water-works-association-et-v-epa-forever-chemicals-tap-water Natural Resources Defense Council. (n.d.). What to expect in key EPA cases on PFAS and lead in drinking water . https://www.nrdc.org/media/what-expect-key-epa-cases-pfas-and-lead-drinking-water Opposition, Exposure Estimates, and Process Criticism Arizona Attorney General. (2026). Attorney General Mayes opposes EPA's rollback of PFAS limits in drinking water . https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-opposes-epas-rollback-pfas-limits-drinking-water Earthjustice. (2025). EPA seeks to eliminate critical PFAS drinking water protections . https://earthjustice.org/press/2025/epa-seeks-to-roll-back-pfas-drinking-water-rules-keeping-millions-exposed-to-toxic-forever-chemicals-in-tap-water Environmental Protection Network. (2025, December). EPA moves to roll back PFAS drinking water protections . https://www.environmentalprotectionnetwork.org/20251209_pfas-rollback/ Environmental Protection Network. (2026, May 18). EPA's PFAS promises undermined by safeguard delays & rollbacks, along with weakened scientific capacity . https://www.environmentalprotectionnetwork.org/20260518_epa-pfas-announcement_release/ Environmental Working Group. (2026, March). New data shows 176M exposed to 'forever chemicals' as Trump EPA rolls back drinking water limits . https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2026/03/new-data-shows-176m-exposed-forever-chemicals-trump-epa-rolls Environmental Working Group. (2026, May). Trump EPA guts landmark PFAS tap water protections, leaving millions at risk of harm . https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2026/05/trump-epa-guts-landmark-pfas-tap-water-protections-leaving Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. (2026, July 21). Attorney General Ellison opposes Trump rollback of PFAS limits in drinking water . https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2026/07/21_Drinking-Water.asp The New Lede. (2026, August). The EPA says they want 'PFAS out.' Their policies are allowing more of them in . https://www.thenewlede.org/2026/08/the-epa-says-they-want-pfas-out-their-policies-are-allowing-more-of-them-in/ The History of Suppression EcoWatch. (2018, May 15). Trump admin. blocked toxic chemicals study fearing 'public relations nightmare' . https://www.ecowatch.com/toxic-chemicals-study-blocked-2569008321.html Gaber, N., Bero, L., & Woodruff, T. J. (2023). The devil they knew: Chemical documents analysis of industry influence on PFAS science. Annals of Global Health, 89(1), 37 . https://annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/10.5334/aogh.4013 Union of Concerned Scientists. (2018). Bipartisan outrage as EPA, White House try to cover up chemical health assessment . https://blog.ucs.org/michael-halpern/bipartisan-outrage-as-epa-white-house-try-to-cover-up-chemical-health-assessment/ Union of Concerned Scientists. (n.d.). How the chemical industry deployed the disinformation playbook on PFAS . https://blog.ucs.org/genna-reed/how-the-chemical-industry-deployed-the-disinformation-playbook-on-pfas/ University of California, San Francisco. (2023, May 31). Makers of PFAS 'forever chemicals' covered up the dangers . https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2023/05/425451/makers-pfas-forever-chemicals-covered-dangers Health Science IARC Monographs Working Group. (2023, November 30). Carcinogenicity of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. The Lancet Oncology . https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00622-8/abstract International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2023, December 1). IARC Monographs evaluate the carcinogenicity of PFOA and PFOS . https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/iarc-monographs-evaluate-the-carcinogenicity-of-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa-and-perfluorooctanesulfonic-acid-pfos Ragnarsdóttir, O., Abdallah, M. A.-E., & Harrad, S. (2024). Dermal bioavailability of perfluoroalkyl substances using in vitro 3D human skin equivalent models. Environment International . https://research.birmingham.ac.uk/en/publications/dermal-bioavailability-of-perfluoroalkyl-substances-using-in-vitr/ University of Birmingham. (2024, June). New study confirms forever chemicals are absorbed through human skin . https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/new-study-confirms-forever-chemicals-are-absorbed-through-human-skin-1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, April). PFAS national primary drinking water regulation — Questions and answers . https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_qa_general_4.9.24v1.pdf Home Filtration Evidence and How-to Duke University. (2020, February 5). Not all in-home drinking water filters completely remove toxic PFAS [Press release]. EurekAlert . https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/694230 Environmental Working Group. (2025, September). PFAS in drinking water: What you need to know . https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2025/09/pfas-drinking-water-what-you-need-know Herkert, N. J., Merrill, J., Peters, C., et al. (2020). Assessing the effectiveness of point-of-use residential drinking water filters for perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 7(3), 178–184 . https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00004 Tap Score. (n.d.). Quick guide to NSF certified filters for PFAS . https://mytapscore.com/blogs/tips-for-taps/quick-guide-to-certified-filters-for-pfas State Action Ballard Spahr. (2026, June). EPA rolls back PFAS regulations, states fill the gap . https://www.ballardspahr.com/insights/alerts-and-articles/2026/06/epa-rolls-back-pfas-regulations-states-fill-the-gap Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. (n.d.). PFAS drinking water standards: State-by-state regulations . https://www.bclplaw.com/en-US/events-insights-news/pfas-drinking-water-standards-state-by-state-regulations.html

Welcome to the latest Midlife Minute. Today, I'm answering listeners' questions about cardiovascular risk, focusing on Lp(a), LDL, statins, and the changes women experience after menopause. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why women should have their Lp(a) checked both before and after menopause How Lp(a) works as a risk enhancer, and how cardiovascular risk becomes more significant when elevated Lp(a) occurs alongside high LDL Why family history is particularly helpful for women with a 10-year calculated cardiovascular risk that looks reassuringly low I review the current guidelines for primary prevention Why, even though research has shown reductions in major cardiac events with GLP-1s, GLP-1s do not replace statins for lowering LDL  What a CAC score can reveal about coronary artery calcification, and what it cannot detect How AI-assisted CT angiography (such as Clearly) can map, quantify, and characterize plaque throughout the coronary branches Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line References: 1.  ​Lipoprotein(a) and Women's Cardiovascular Health: A Review. JACC. Advances. 2026. Michos ED, Saucier S, Mehran R, Koschinsky ML.Recent 2.  ​Sex Differences of Lipoprotein(a) Levels and Associated Risk of Morbidity and Mortality by Age: The Copenhagen General Population Study. Atherosclerosis. 2022. Simony SB, Mortensen MB, Langsted A, et al. 3. Managing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Young Adults: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2022. Stone NJ, Smith SC, Orringer CE, et al.Review 4. Thirty-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Healthy Women According to Clinical Thresholds of Lipoprotein(a). JAMA Cardiology. 2026. Nordestgaard AT, Chasman DI, Moorthy V, et al.RecentObservational 5.  ​Lipoprotein(a).The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2025. Mora S, Kronenberg  6. Clinical Practice Guideline on Lipid Management for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction. Department of Veterans Affairs (2026). 2026. Paul Heidenreich, Lance Spacek, Neil Gregor, et al. Guideline 7. Lipoprotein(a) and Family History Predict Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020. Mehta A, Virani SS, Ayers CR, et al.Observational 8. 2010 ACCF/AHA Guideline for Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Asymptomatic Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2010. Greenland P, Alpert JS, Beller GA, et al.Guideline 9. Prevalence and Prognostic Implications of Coronary Artery Calcification in Low-Risk Women. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2016. Kavousi M, Desai CS, Ayers C, et al.SR 10. ​Coronary Artery Calcium Scores and Risk for Cardiovascular Events in Women Classified as “Low Risk” Based on Framingham Risk Score: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007. Lakoski SG, Greenland P, Wong ND, et al.Observational 11. 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2019. Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al.Guideline 12. HOPE for Rational Statin Allocation for Primary Prevention: A Coronary Artery Calcium Picture Is Worth 1000 Words. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2020. Orringer CE, Maki KC.Review 13. Summary of Updated Recommendations for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020. Cho L, Davis M, Elgendy I, et al.Review 14. Health Maintenance in Postmenopausal Women. American Family Physician. 2025. Plesa M, Wong A, Katsaggelos E.Guideline 15.  ​Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes by Baseline HbA1c and Change in HbA1c in People With Overweight or Obesity but Without Diabetes in SELECT. Diabetes Care. 2024. Lingvay I, Deanfield J, Kahn SE, et al.RCT 16.  ​Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2023. Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al.RCT 17. Long-Term Weight Loss Effects of Semaglutide in Obesity Without Diabetes in the SELECT Trial. Nature Medicine. 2024. Ryan DH, Lingvay I, Deanfield J, et al.RCT 18. Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Cardiometabolic Multiple Long-Term Conditions. Lancet. 2026. Valabhji J, Hope D, Sayed NE, et al.RecentReview 19. Glucagon‐Like Peptide‐1 Receptor Agonists and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With and Without Diabetes: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized‐Controlled Trials. Clinical Cardiology. 2024. Hosseinpour A, Sood A, Kamalpour J, et al.SR 20. ​FDA Orange Book. FDA Orange Book. 2026. 21. 10. Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2026. Diabetes Care. 2026. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes*.RecentGuideline 22. Premature Coronary Artery Disease in Women: Sex-Specific Risk Factors, Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Annals of Medicine. 2026. Li F, Hong D, Yang M, et al.RecentReview 23. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women: The Impact of Race and Ethnicity: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023. Mehta LS, Velarde GP, Lewey J, et al.Guideline 24. Preventing CVD in Women: Common Questions and Answers. American Family Physician. 2023. Westfall E, Viere AB, Genewick JE.Review 25. Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020. El Khoudary SR, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, et al.Guideline

In this episode, Ray Cochrane records from the Michigan studio on the one year anniversary of losing the show’s original host, Todd Cochrane. The featured story is Anthropic’s $5 million grant program, which pays outside researchers to measure whether AI is actually good for the people using it. Ray also covers Anthropic’s Enterprise Frontier Safeguards, Google’s Fairwind cyber defense program, Meta’s organizational second brain, sixteen green AI projects across Asia-Pacific, an Oklahoma Bitcoin mine condemned after leaking 3.8 million gallons of water, BepiColombo closing in on Mercury, and the 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes. – Want to start a podcast? Its easy to get started! Sign-up at Blubrry – Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Email Ray if you want to get in touch! Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes Get 1Password Full Summary Cochrane opens from the studio in Michigan, recording on the one year anniversary of the show losing its original host, Todd Cochrane, his father. The family has gathered for the occasion. He also plans to record several episodes throughout the week as a commemorative run, so listeners should expect a heavier release schedule than usual. He also shares where things stand. He and Delaney have gone back and forth on relocating to Michigan, but the family is pushing, and the plan is firming up for the coming month or so. Part of the draw is getting his dad’s studio cleaned up and running the way it used to. Finally, he passes along an update on the Zuvers, a story long-time listeners will recognize. The father of the three children is due out of jail soon, though he now faces retrial for the murder of the three boys. Cochrane notes that the original prison term related to their return rather than the murders themselves. The family’s expectation, he says, is that this time the sentence will be permanent. Anthropic Puts $5 Million Behind Measuring AI’s Effect on You The featured story asks a question the industry has mostly avoided. Not whether a model is smart, but whether you are better off after using it. Anthropic is funding independent research to find out, and the structure is the interesting part. The money creates what the field calls evaluations: standardized tests for AI models. Hundreds already exist for coding, math, and reasoning. However, almost none measure whether the tool is good for the human on the other end. Crucially, Anthropic is not building these tests in-house. Grantees receive funding, model access and technical support, then work fully independently. Everything they produce must be published open source, so any developer at any company can run it. As Cochrane puts it, Anthropic is paying to create a ruler other people will use to measure Anthropic. The example Anthropic leads with is deliberately uncomfortable. Claude might offer diet and workout advice to someone asking about weight loss. But if that user has a history of disordered eating, the same response becomes actively harmful. Cochrane connects this to sycophancy, a topic the show has returned to before, and notes that models carry no real memory of who you are unless you tell them. That is exactly why the problem has gone unmeasured. Code compiles or it doesn’t. Math checks out or it doesn’t. Wellbeing has no answer key, because the identical response can help one person and harm the next. The Five Things Anthropic Wants These Tests to Do Cochrane walks through all five criteria, since each targets a specific way this research usually fails. First, state plainly what you are measuring. It is easy to measure something adjacent, such as how often a model uses warm language, then publish numbers about a proxy while claiming insight into loneliness itself. Second, involve clinicians and subject-matter experts in designing and validating the tests. A capable engineer may simply not know what the warning signs of an eating disorder look like in text. Without those people in the room, the test measures what engineers imagine the harm looks like. Third, count overcompliance and overrefusal as harms. Overcompliance is the obvious failure. Overrefusal is the model becoming so cautious it turns useless, or shutting down someone who had nowhere else to ask. Cochrane adds that overrefusal is far harder to spot, because you often cannot tell it is degrading until it has degraded. Fourth, reflect real multi-turn usage. Most safety testing throws one nasty question at a model and checks for refusal. Meanwhile, actual harm builds across a long conversation where every individual message reads as fine. Fifth, validate the automated graders against real experts. Scoring thousands of conversations means an AI grades the AI. Consequently, a subtly wrong grader skews every downstream number in the same direction, and nothing in the process flags it. Cochrane expects this to be the hardest criterion to satisfy, since psychiatric and medical specialists do not come cheap by the hour. Applications close September 21st, and shortlisted applicants will be notified by October 5th. Notably, the announcement names no individual researcher or executive. Sponsor: GoDaddy Economy hosting $6.99/month, WordPress hosting $12.99/month, domains $11.99. Website builder trial available. Use codes at geeknewscentral.com/godaddy to support the show. Anthropic’s Enterprise Frontier Safeguards Keep Your Logs in Your Vault Anthropic’s second announcement targets a completely different audience. Catching misuse across many sessions requires keeping logs. However, banks and hospitals cannot hand that data to an outside vendor, because regulators will not allow it. Safety monitoring and compliance were in direct conflict. The fix moves where the data lives. Activity logs go into the customer’s own cloud bucket at Amazon, Microsoft or Google, locked with keys the customer controls. Automated systems scan a rolling window for serious abuse such as credential theft, and alerts route straight to the customer’s own security team. No human at Anthropic reads it, and Anthropic does not charge for the feature. The backstory explains the urgency. Anthropic had begun retaining thirty days of data with its Fable 5 model, specifically to catch patterns that only appear across multiple sessions. Regulated customers had to walk away immediately. Over a hundred organizations helped shape the result, including a quarter of the Fortune 100 and every US globally systemically important bank. It works across Claude Code, Claude Enterprise, Amazon Bedrock, and Microsoft Foundry. Wells Fargo’s security team put it simply, saying their logs stay in a Wells-managed environment under Wells-managed keys. Cochrane adds a personal note on the same retention change. Because transcripts now persist thirty days after last touch, he can keep Claude Code threads open far longer and lean on clear without losing context. Google’s Fairwind Program Hands Patching to the Machines Google is running the same play from the defensive side. Normally, a human engineer must reproduce a security flaw, understand it, write a fix, then prove the fix broke nothing else. That can stretch to weeks, and attackers live in exactly that gap. Fairwind pairs two systems to close it. Gemini 3.8 Flash Cyber is a model tuned for security work. CodeMender hunts for flaws and writes the patches. Together, Google says they produce verified, deployment-ready patches in minutes, running inside the customer’s own environment. Access is deliberately restricted to three groups: national cyber authorities; critical infrastructure operators in healthcare, telecom, energy, and finance; and major technology platform providers. More than 650 partners are involved. Cochrane’s take centers on logging quality. Systems that emit specific, unique errors rather than generic ones let these tools find real issues almost immediately. Furthermore, he sees value in purpose-tuned models over general ones, since different training data and methodology surface gaps a single familiar model would miss. Meta Built an AI That Learns From Its Own Experts Every organization has two or three people who actually understand the hard systems. When they are busy, everyone waits. When they leave, the knowledge leaves too. Most AI assistants address this with retrieval, searching documents when you ask. Meta went the other way. A long-running offline process digests the source material ahead of time into more than 200 structured knowledge files, so the thinking happens before anyone asks. On top sit what Meta calls recipes, step-by-step procedures mirroring how a specialist actually works a problem. The reported numbers are concrete. Restructuring cut tokens consumed per turn by 80 percent. Assessments that took days now take minutes. The team built the whole system in six weeks across three sprints. Cochrane focuses on the feedback loop. Normally, an expert corrects an assistant in chat; the answer improves once, then the system forgets. Meta’s version compiles corrections into knowledge files and regression-tests them, so fixes stick without retraining the model. However, he raises two real caveats from his own attempts. Building those knowledge files is token-heavy, and codebases change. If the offline process does not rerun, the documentation drifts away from the code it describes. He also predicts this will become a service offered by AWS, GitHub, or GitLab rather than something each company builds alone. Sixteen Green AI Projects Across Asia-Pacific Google DeepMind named the first cohort of its Accelerator: AI for the Planet program. Sixteen organizations span New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Australia and Japan, receiving three months of access to Google’s AI stack plus mentorship and a Singapore bootcamp. Several stand out. A New Zealand outfit called 800 Trust uses bioacoustics, monitoring an ecosystem by listening to it and running AI over continuous audio to track biodiversity. Wildlife.ai builds open-source AI camera traps. Australia’s X-Centric replaced the soil lab with a handheld X-ray reader that answers a farmer standing in the field. In India, Climitra Carbon verifies invasive species removal and converts the biomass into biochar. Access matters more than money, as Cochrane points out. A six-person conservation nonprofit cannot run frontier models, because the compute bill alone would consume its operating budget. The organizations closest to these problems have always been furthest from the tooling. An Oklahoma Bitcoin Mine Condemned After Leaking 3.8 Million Gallons Cochrane corrects the figure up front. Many outlets report three million gallons, but El Reno city officials put it at 3.8 million. A Bitcoin mining operation on West Jensen Road leaked water and dropped pressure badly enough to close El Reno Public Schools, the Canadian County Courthouse, and other city and county offices. It happened during a month with 24 days above 100 degrees, in a region under severe to extreme drought. The leak is not the damning part. The city issued a stop-work order on the site back in 2023 for electrical, construction, and fire safety violations, then never followed up. The facility ran roughly three years under an order nobody enforced. Interim city manager Ken Brown did not dodge it, saying simply, “We failed.” The site is now posted as condemned with a ten-day removal notice, and a hearing with operator Athlon BT is set for September 14th. Reaching the company has proven difficult, with a website stuck on a maintenance notice and an unanswered California phone number. Cochrane draws one distinction that the coverage keeps blurring. This is a Bitcoin mining rig, not a hyperscale AI data center. The residents who lost pressure absorbed the cost, and nobody billed the operator for the aquifer. BepiColombo Closes In on Mercury After Eight Years Reaching the closest planet to the Sun took nearly eight years, which sounds backward until you understand the physics. Falling toward the Sun means gaining enormous speed, and a spacecraft arriving too fast simply sails past. So the mission spent those years shedding velocity across nine gravity-assist flybys: one at Earth, two at Venus, and six at Mercury itself. On September 3rd, the transfer module separated and was discarded more than 200 million kilometers from Earth. Mission control marked the moment with “Roll call completed, GO for separation.” Importantly, the spacecraft has not arrived yet. Orbit insertion is November 21st, the two science orbiters separate around December 9th and 10th, and science operations begin in April 2027. That November date is revised, having slipped from an earlier plan. Two orbiters fly because they do different jobs. Europe’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter studies the planet and what lies beneath its surface. Japan’s Mio studies the magnetosphere. Mercury having a magnetic field at all is genuinely odd, since a planet that small should have cooled and lost it long ago. The mission honors Giuseppe “Bepi” Colombo, the Italian mathematician who worked out how to slingshot a spacecraft to Mercury in the first place. NASA Builds a Rocket Engine Talk You Can Hear NASA hosts a webinar on Friday, October 2nd at 2 pm Eastern, titled “The RS-25 Engine and the Future of Artemis Missions.” It runs about two hours, is open to anyone, and RSVPs close September 25th. The RS-25 is not new hardware. It is the Space Shuttle main engine, the same design that flew 135 shuttle missions across three decades, now bolted four at a time into the SLS core stage. Together they produce roughly 2.2 million pounds of thrust at 111 percent of their original shuttle rating. Throwing them away is the strange part. These are precision engines built to fly repeatedly, yet Artemis expends four on every launch. NASA got a proven engine and skipped a decade of development, and that is the trade. The accessibility work is the real story. The event includes an audio-described video of an engine test firing, a live Q&A with an Artemis engineer, and a panel on accessibility in space and science. A test firing normally sells entirely on spectacle. Conveying that, and the engineering underneath it, without the visuals is a genuine design problem NASA built the whole event around solving. Buried Underwear Wins a 2026 Ig Nobel The 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes were awarded September 3rd in Zurich. Marc Abrahams launched them in 1991 at the satirical magazine Annals of Improbable Research, and what began as a roast is now something researchers actively want. The soil science prize went to a team that buried 1,000 pairs of underwear across more than 25 countries and dug them up two months later. Measuring how much cotton rotted turns out to be a cheap, surprisingly good proxy for how biologically alive the soil is. The biomechanics prize recognized a precise, cross-species definition of kissing that works for animals and excludes passing food. By that definition, polar bears kiss, some birds kiss, and so do ants. Nature reports the behavior traces back roughly 21.5 million years to the ancestor of all large apes, meaning ancient humans very likely kissed Neanderthals. Cochrane’s favorite was the physics prize, awarded for a splash-free urinal design that reportedly cuts spray to 1.4 percent of normal. Cochrane closes by pointing listeners to the GNC Insider program, the newsletter, and podcastapps.com for a modern podcast app. Feedback on the show’s format is explicitly welcome at geeknews@gmail.com, where either Ray or Chris will read it. The post Anthropic’s $5 Million Push to Measure AI’s Effect on Wellbeing #1876 appeared first on Geek News Central.

Já são conhecidos os vencedores dos Ig Nobel 2026, prémios atribuidos desde 1991 pela revista Annals of Improbable Research que distinguem os estudos científicos mais "fora da caixa".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in 40 years, the Annals of Inisfallen will go on display in UCC. At nearly a thousand years old, it is an account of the history of Ireland.Pádraig Ó Macháin, Professor of Modern Irish at UCC, joins Seán to discuss.Image: University College Cork

For the first time in 40 years, the Annals of Inisfallen will go on display in UCC. At nearly a thousand years old, it is an account of the history of Ireland.Pádraig Ó Macháin, Professor of Modern Irish at UCC, joins Seán to discuss.Image: University College Cork

Hay pacientes con daño cerebral que tienen fuerza, movilidad o equilibrio suficientes para hacer mucho más de lo que finalmente consiguen en su vida diaria. Y otros, aparentemente más afectados, terminan siendo mucho más independientes. ¿Qué explica esa discrepancia? En este episodio utilizamos el concepto pedagógico de "fenotipo premotor" para explorar todo lo que ocurre entre disponer de movimiento y conseguir convertirlo en una acción: selección, preparación, secuenciación, predicción, aprendizaje, automatización y transferencia. Hablamos de corteza premotora, complejo motor suplementario, sinergias, aprendizaje explícito e implícito, retención, generalización y de por qué a veces "da un paso largo” funciona mejor que “extiende la rodilla”. También revisamos estrategias clínicas y tecnologías que podrían ayudarnos cuando el verdadero problema no está simplemente en la fuerza o el tono. Porque en neurorrehabilitación no basta con conseguir más movimiento: necesitamos conseguir que ese movimiento se convierta en una acción útil, estable, transferible y autónoma. Referencias del episodio: 1. Antenucci, P., Moura, J., Bhatia, K. P., Rocchi, L., & Latorre, A. (2026). The Bereitschaftspotential in Voluntary Movement and Movement Disorders: Potential, Limitations and New Perspectives. Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, 187, 2111895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2026.2111895 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42013765/). 2. Ariani, G., Shahbazi, M., & Diedrichsen, J. (2025). Cortical Areas for Planning Sequences before and during Movement. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 45(3), e1300242024. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1300-24.2024 (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11735648/). 3. Boyd, L., & Winstein, C. (2006). Explicit information interferes with implicit motor learning of both continuous and discrete movement tasks after stroke. Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPT, 30(2), 46–59. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.npt.0000282566.48050.9b (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16796767/). 4. Branscheidt, M., Hadjiosif, A. M., Anaya, M. A., Keller, J., Widmer, M., Runnalls, K. D., Luft, A. R., Bastian, A. J., Krakauer, J. W., & Celnik, P. A. (2025). Reinforcement Learning is Impaired in the Sub-acute Post-stroke Period. Neurorehabilitation and neural repair, 39(4), 297–311. https://doi.org/10.1177/15459683241304352 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39849897/). 5. Cattaneo, L., Nunes, S., Giampiccolo, D., Caro, V. D., Basaldella, F., Badari, A., Tagliaferri, M., Squintani, G., & Sala, F. (2025). Anatomical characterization of premotor-motor connectivity in humans by paired intraoperative direct cortical stimulation. NeuroImage, 324, 121621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121621 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41314273/). 6. Demeco, A., Marotta, N., Lentini, M. P., Fratto, C., Loiarro, G., Frizziero, A., Salerno, A., Cerasa, A., de Sire, A., & Ammendolia, A. (2026). Mental simulation practices in stroke rehabilitation reorganize brain connectivity: a systematic review. Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association, 35(9), 108719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2026.108719 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42537726/). 7. Denyer, R., Greenhouse, I., & Boyd, L. A. (2023). PMd and action preparation: bridging insights between TMS and single neuron research. Trends in cognitive sciences, 27(8), 759–772. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2023.05.001 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37244800/). 8. Fridman, E. A., Hanakawa, T., Chung, M., Hummel, F., Leiguarda, R. C., & Cohen, L. G. (2004). Reorganization of the human ipsilesional premotor cortex after stroke. Brain : a journal of neurology, 127(Pt 4), 747–758. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awh082 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14749291/). 9. Fried, I., Katz, A., McCarthy, G., Sass, K. J., Williamson, P., Spencer, S. S., & Spencer, D. D. (1991). Functional organization of human supplementary motor cortex studied by electrical stimulation. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 11(11), 3656–3666. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.11-11-03656.1991 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1941101/). 10. Fu, Y., Wang, W., Yan, Q., Song, J., Li, Y., Zhu, C., Chai, S. C., Subramaniam, P., Yao, L., & Singh, D. K. A. (2026). Comparative effects of transcranial direct and alternating current stimulation combined with cognitive-motor dual-task training on functional and cognitive recovery in stroke survivors. Frontiers in neurology, 17, 1720429. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2026.1720429 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41725712/). 11. Garcea, F. E., & Buxbaum, L. J. (2023). Mechanisms and neuroanatomy of response selection in tool and non-tool action tasks: Evidence from left-hemisphere stroke. Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior, 167, 335–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2023.06.012 (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10543550/). 12. Genkin, M., Shenoy, K. V., Chandrasekaran, C., & Engel, T. A. (2025). The dynamics and geometry of choice in the premotor cortex. Nature, 645(8079), 168–176. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09199-1 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40562938/). 13. Jahfari, S., Waldorp, L., van den Wildenberg, W. P., Scholte, H. S., Ridderinkhof, K. R., & Forstmann, B. U. (2011). Effective connectivity reveals important roles for both the hyperdirect (fronto-subthalamic) and the indirect (fronto-striatal-pallidal) fronto-basal ganglia pathways during response inhibition. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 31(18), 6891–6899. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5253-10.2011 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21543619/). 14. Kim, M. S., Park, H., Kwon, I., An, K. O., Kim, H., Park, G., Hyung, W., Im, C. H., & Shin, J. H. (2025). Efficacy of brain-computer interface training with motor imagery-contingent feedback in improving upper limb function and neuroplasticity among persons with chronic stroke: a double-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 22(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01535-2 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39757218/). 15. Koyama, T., & Domen, K. (2017). Diffusion Tensor Fractional Anisotropy in the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus Correlates with Functional Independence Measure Cognition Scores in Patients with Cerebral Infarction. Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association, 26(8), 1704–1711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2017.03.034 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28478977/). 16. Liepmann, H. (1900). Das Krankheitsbild der Apraxie (Motorische asymbolie): Auf Grund eines Falles von einseitiger Apraxie. Monatschrift für Psychiatrie und Neurologie, 8, 15-44 (https://www.mpi.nl/publications/item2354912/das-krankheitsbild-der-apraxie-motorische-asymbolie-auf-grund-eines-falles). 17. Meehan, S. K., Randhawa, B., Wessel, B., & Boyd, L. A. (2011). Implicit sequence-specific motor learning after subcortical stroke is associated with increased prefrontal brain activations: an fMRI study. Human brain mapping, 32(2), 290–303. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.21019 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20725908/). 18. Mihara, M., Hattori, N., Hatakenaka, M., Yagura, H., Kawano, T., Hino, T., & Miyai, I. (2013). Near-infrared spectroscopy-mediated neurofeedback enhances efficacy of motor imagery-based training in poststroke victims: a pilot study. Stroke, 44(4), 1091–1098. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.674507 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23404723/). 19. Mihara, M., Fujimoto, H., Hattori, N., Otomune, H., Kajiyama, Y., Konaka, K., Watanabe, Y., Hiramatsu, Y., Sunada, Y., Miyai, I., & Mochizuki, H. (2021). Effect of Neurofeedback Facilitation on Poststroke Gait and Balance Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Neurology, 96(21), e2587–e2598. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000011989 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33879597/). 20. Nachev, P., Kennard, C., & Husain, M. (2008). Functional role of the supplementary and pre-supplementary motor areas. Nature reviews. Neuroscience, 9(11), 856–869. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2478 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18843271/). 21. Park, S. H., Yan, S., Dee, W., Reed, R., Roth, E. J., Rymer, W. Z., & Wu, M. (2022). Repeated adaptation and de-adaptation to the pelvis resistance force facilitate retention of motor learning in stroke survivors. Journal of neurophysiology, 127(6), 1642–1654. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00046.2022 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35583975/). 22. Paul, T., Cieslak, M., Hensel, L., Wiemer, V. M., Tscherpel, C., Grefkes, C., Grafton, S. T., Fink, G. R., & Volz, L. J. (2024). Corticospinal premotor fibers facilitate complex motor control after stroke. Annals of clinical and translational neurology, 11(9), 2439–2449. https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.52159 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39073030/). 23. Potgieser, A. R., de Jong, B. M., Wagemakers, M., Hoving, E. W., & Groen, R. J. (2014). Insights from the supplementary motor area syndrome in balancing movement initiation and inhibition. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 8, 960. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00960 (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4246659/). 24. Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., Zheng, B., Chen, S., Yu, H., Dai, L., Zhang, W., Huang, H., Su, X., Cao, M., & Chen, J. (2025). The effects of combining anodal transcranial direct current stimulation with robot-assisted gait training on lower limb motor function and the motor cortex regulation of stroke patients. Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 22(1), 230. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01731-8 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41163056/). 25. Zhang, Y. S., Li, Y. D., Ou, C. X., Bi, Z. T., Xiao, J. H., Zhang, J. M., Wei, J. X., Xu, J. W., & Huang, L. (2026). Comparative efficacy and mechanistic insights of non-invasive neuromodulation and motor rehabilitation on functional reorganization of the supplementary motor area in subacute stroke: a narrative review. Frontiers in physiology, 17, 1744260. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2026.1744260 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42005313/). 26. Zhou, Y., Li, X., Huang, W., Xie, H., Zheng, Y., Su, L., Xiang, H., Zhou, H., Jiang, W., & Dou, Z. (2026). Predicting activities of daily living at discharge in stroke patients using rehabilitation robot training-induced functional connectivity. Topics in stroke rehabilitation, 33(6), 618–629. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2026.2612712 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41496182/).

Die Entwicklung von künstlicher Intelligenz in der wissenschaftlichen Forschung – insbesondere in der theoretischen Physik und Mathematik – lässt sich hervorragend durch die in den Quellen beschriebene Analogie der vier Epochen der Schachcomputer erklären. Der Übergang von der Spielzeug-Ära (Toy) zur Werkzeug-Ära (Tool) und die darauffolgenden Phasen stellen sich wie folgt dar:Schach-Analogie: In dieser Phase war es bereits eine Sensation, wenn ein Schachcomputer überhaupt einen regelkonformen und halbwegs sinnvollen Zug ausgeben konnte.LLMs in der Physik und Mathematik: Noch im Jahr 2019 agierten Large Language Models auf dem Niveau eines Vorschulkindes. Die größten Modelle hatten damals etwa eine Milliarde Parameter und konnten kaum kohärente Sätze oder logische Zusammenhänge bilden. Auf dem anspruchsvollen Highschool-Mathematik-Benchmark MATH erreichten die besten Modelle vor vier Jahren gerade einmal eine Genauigkeit von 6 %. Sie scheiterten vor allem daran, die menschliche Formulierung der Aufgaben überhaupt semantisch zu erfassen, und lagen damit auf dem Niveau von blindem Raten.Schach-Analogie: Computer wurden als nützliche, aber hochgradig spezialisierte Werkzeuge für eng umgrenzte Teilbereiche eingesetzt – beispielsweise zur Berechnung von Endspielen oder zum Abrufen von Eröffnungsdatenbanken.LLMs in der Physik und Mathematik: Durch das Entdecken von Skalierungsgesetzen (Scaling Laws) sowie massiven algorithmischen Fortschritt entwickelten sich LLMs rasant zu mächtigen Werkzeugen für Forscher. Als Werkzeuge übernehmen sie heute bereits unverzichtbare Teilaufgaben im wissenschaftlichen Alltag:Der Sprecher macht deutlich, dass wir die reine Werkzeug-Ära bereits hinter uns lassen und uns mitten in der Zentaur-Ära befinden. Das Konzept des Zentauren (halb Mensch, halb Maschine) beschreibt die kollaborative Forschung.Schach-Analogie: Die stärksten Akteure im Schach waren über Jahre hinweg menschliche Großmeister, die in direkter Interaktion mit der tiefen Rechensuche von Computern spielten.LLMs in der Physik und Mathematik: Ein konkretes Beispiel aus dem Jahr 2024 zeigt diesen Übergang: Ein Team aus professionellen Mathematikern, darunter der Präsident der American Mathematical Society, veröffentlichte eine wissenschaftliche Arbeit in Kooperation mit Gemini. Das Modell lieferte dabei völlig neuartige mathematische Argumente und Beweise, die über das bloße Reproduzieren hinausgingen. Der Mensch fungierte hierbei als Guide, der die vom Modell generierten Beweiskandidaten bewertete und die Richtung lenkte.Der finale Schritt der Analogie führt über den reinen Nutzen als Werkzeug hinaus zu autonomen Systemen, die menschliche Spitzenleistungen übertreffen.Benchmarks auf PhD-Niveau wie GPQA wurden innerhalb kürzester Zeit von Modellen gemeistert und sind faktisch „tot“, weil die KI-Systeme nahezu perfekte Scores erzielen.Mit der autonomen Lösung einer berühmten offenen Vermutung des Mathematikers Paul Erdős (der Unit Distance Conjecture) durch ein KI-Modell wurde kürzlich der erste historisch bedeutsame, eigenständige Durchbruch erzielt. Ein renommierter Fields-Medaillenträger bestätigte, dass er diesen Beweis ohne Zögern zur Veröffentlichung in den hoch angesehenen Annals of Mathematics empfohlen hätte.Fazit: Der Wandel vom Spielzeug zum unersetzlichen Werkzeug und hin zum autonomen Entdecker vollzieht sich in einer atemberaubenden Geschwindigkeit – etwa viermal so schnell wie die Lernkurve eines menschlichen Schülers. Selbst ohne zukünftigen technologischen Fortschritt sind die bereits existierenden Modelle mächtig genug, um die Arbeitsweise in der theoretischen Physik fundamental zu revolutionieren.

Die Entwicklung von künstlicher Intelligenz in der wissenschaftlichen Forschung – insbesondere in der theoretischen Physik und Mathematik – lässt sich hervorragend durch die in den Quellen beschriebene Analogie der vier Epochen der Schachcomputer erklären. Der Übergang von der Spielzeug-Ära (Toy) zur Werkzeug-Ära (Tool) und die darauffolgenden Phasen stellen sich wie folgt dar:Schach-Analogie: In dieser Phase war es bereits eine Sensation, wenn ein Schachcomputer überhaupt einen regelkonformen und halbwegs sinnvollen Zug ausgeben konnte.LLMs in der Physik und Mathematik: Noch im Jahr 2019 agierten Large Language Models auf dem Niveau eines Vorschulkindes. Die größten Modelle hatten damals etwa eine Milliarde Parameter und konnten kaum kohärente Sätze oder logische Zusammenhänge bilden. Auf dem anspruchsvollen Highschool-Mathematik-Benchmark MATH erreichten die besten Modelle vor vier Jahren gerade einmal eine Genauigkeit von 6 %. Sie scheiterten vor allem daran, die menschliche Formulierung der Aufgaben überhaupt semantisch zu erfassen, und lagen damit auf dem Niveau von blindem Raten.Schach-Analogie: Computer wurden als nützliche, aber hochgradig spezialisierte Werkzeuge für eng umgrenzte Teilbereiche eingesetzt – beispielsweise zur Berechnung von Endspielen oder zum Abrufen von Eröffnungsdatenbanken.LLMs in der Physik und Mathematik: Durch das Entdecken von Skalierungsgesetzen (Scaling Laws) sowie massiven algorithmischen Fortschritt entwickelten sich LLMs rasant zu mächtigen Werkzeugen für Forscher. Als Werkzeuge übernehmen sie heute bereits unverzichtbare Teilaufgaben im wissenschaftlichen Alltag:Der Sprecher macht deutlich, dass wir die reine Werkzeug-Ära bereits hinter uns lassen und uns mitten in der Zentaur-Ära befinden. Das Konzept des Zentauren (halb Mensch, halb Maschine) beschreibt die kollaborative Forschung.Schach-Analogie: Die stärksten Akteure im Schach waren über Jahre hinweg menschliche Großmeister, die in direkter Interaktion mit der tiefen Rechensuche von Computern spielten.LLMs in der Physik und Mathematik: Ein konkretes Beispiel aus dem Jahr 2024 zeigt diesen Übergang: Ein Team aus professionellen Mathematikern, darunter der Präsident der American Mathematical Society, veröffentlichte eine wissenschaftliche Arbeit in Kooperation mit Gemini. Das Modell lieferte dabei völlig neuartige mathematische Argumente und Beweise, die über das bloße Reproduzieren hinausgingen. Der Mensch fungierte hierbei als Guide, der die vom Modell generierten Beweiskandidaten bewertete und die Richtung lenkte.Der finale Schritt der Analogie führt über den reinen Nutzen als Werkzeug hinaus zu autonomen Systemen, die menschliche Spitzenleistungen übertreffen.Benchmarks auf PhD-Niveau wie GPQA wurden innerhalb kürzester Zeit von Modellen gemeistert und sind faktisch „tot“, weil die KI-Systeme nahezu perfekte Scores erzielen.Mit der autonomen Lösung einer berühmten offenen Vermutung des Mathematikers Paul Erdős (der Unit Distance Conjecture) durch ein KI-Modell wurde kürzlich der erste historisch bedeutsame, eigenständige Durchbruch erzielt. Ein renommierter Fields-Medaillenträger bestätigte, dass er diesen Beweis ohne Zögern zur Veröffentlichung in den hoch angesehenen Annals of Mathematics empfohlen hätte.Fazit: Der Wandel vom Spielzeug zum unersetzlichen Werkzeug und hin zum autonomen Entdecker vollzieht sich in einer atemberaubenden Geschwindigkeit – etwa viermal so schnell wie die Lernkurve eines menschlichen Schülers. Selbst ohne zukünftigen technologischen Fortschritt sind die bereits existierenden Modelle mächtig genug, um die Arbeitsweise in der theoretischen Physik fundamental zu revolutionieren.

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene & Dr. Dennis Holmes discuss the article: "Cryoablation: A Minimally Invasive Alternative for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: 6-Year Outcomes of the FROST Clinical Trial" from the April 2026 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

Resources: Learn more about the Global Research into Intestinal Failure and Fistulae (GRIFF) Collaborative Contact Dr. John Monson, Ginny Hanchett, or the GRIFF team directly to learn how you can contribute: Dr. John Monson: jrtmonson@gmail.com Ginny Hanchett: ginny_Hanchett@urmc.Rochester.edu GRIFF Collaborative: griffcollaborative@gmail.com  Check out the WOCNext® 2026 session, “Complicated, Costly & Consequential: Rethinking Care for Enterocutaneous Fistula & Intestinal Failure in Fragmented Systems” Learn more about the inclusion of ostomy and urological devices in the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program   About the Speakers: Virginia (Ginny) Hanchett, APRN-BC, DCNP, COCN, CWCN, works as a senior nurse practitioner and has been practicing in the field of WOC nursing for over 26 years and is proudly employed at the University of Rochester. She runs a program called Ostomy Services which focuses on outpatient long term management of patients with ostomies and fistulae. In this practice there are over 2,000 active patients including those with chronic fistulae and she understands the barriers to providing comprehensive care and product reimbursement with this group of specialized patients. She joined the collaborative efforts of The Global Research into Intestinal Failure and Fistulae in 2025. John Monson, MD, FRCSI (Hon), FRCSEng, FRCSEd (Hon), FRCS Glas (Hon), FASCRS, FACS, MAMSE, is a Professor of Surgery and a colon and rectal surgeon, and fellowship trained in surgical oncology, vascular surgery and colon and rectal surgery. Dr. Monson served as the Director of the Intestinal Failure Program at North Shore University Hospital, Long Island. Before joining Northwell Health in 2024 Dr. Monson served as Chair of the Digestive Health and Surgery Institute and Chief of Colorectal Surgery AdventHealth, Central Florida and was a Professor of Surgery at Loma Linda Medical School and University of Central Florida. He was the founder and Clinical Director of the Surgical Health Outcomes Consortium (SHOC) at AdventHealth, Orlando. Prior to moving to Orlando in 2016, Dr. Monson became Chief of the University of Rochester, School of Medicine Division of Colorectal Surgery and Vice Chair of its Department of Surgery in 2008. He was the founder and Director of the Surgical Health Outcomes and Research Enterprise (SHORE) as well as Vice-Chairman for Research. Dr. Monson, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, served as a Professor of Surgery, Head of the Academic Surgical Unit, and Deputy Head of the School of Medicine at the University of Hull in England between 1993 and 2008 before relocating to Rochester, New York. A world-renowned Colorectal surgeon, Dr. Monson, is a key opinion leader in the field of cutting-edge treatments for bowel cancer and his expertise includes a vast experience of complex re-operative surgery for intestinal failure and enterocutaneous failure. Dr. Monson is a Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and served two terms as Chair of the ASCRS Research Committee and a member of the Foundation Board. He is also currently a member of the Rectal Cancer Committee having previously served on the IBD, International Relations, Membership, Standards and Public Relations Committees as well as the Executive Council. In addition, he was a co-founder of National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman. He is a Co-Editor for Diseases of Colon and Rectum and Digestive Surgery and serves on multiple editorial boards including Annals of Surgery and the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. He is a Fellow of all Four Royal Colleges of Surgeons in the British Isles (and Honorary Fellow of three) and is an Honorary Fellow of the ASGBI and the Society of University Surgeons. He has published more than 400 scientific papers, 150 book chapters and 8 books. His current research continues to focus on health care delivery and the implementation of change within health care systems with a particular emphasis on cancer care. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Mary Mallon became known as Typhoid Mary in the early 20th century. She has often been vilified in in modern references, though her story is actually quite complex. Research: "Mary Mallon." Encyclopedia of World Biography Online, vol. 21, Gale, 2001. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1631007781/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=23f34010. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026. Brooks, J. “The sad and tragic life of Typhoid Mary.” CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne vol. 154,6 (1996): 915-6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1487781/ Brooks, Janet. “The Sad and Tragic Life of Typhoid Mary.” Canadian Medical Association Journal. Vol. 154, No. 6. 3/15/1996. Cutter, Laura. “Typhoid Mary/Mary Mallon: An Asymptomatic Carrier of Salmonella typhi.” National Museum of Health and Medicine. 6/18/2020. https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/micrograph/index.cfm/posts/2020/typhoid_mary_mary_mallon_salmonella “Research Starter: Typhoid Mary.” https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/life-sciences/typhoid-mary Faherty, Anna. “The cook who became a pariah.” Wellcome Collection. 6/29/2017. https://wellcomecollection.org/stories/WsT4Ex8AAHruGfW_ Leavitt, Judith Walzer. “‘Typhoid Mary’ Strikes Back: Bacteriological Theory and Practice in Early Twentieth-Century Public Health.” Isis , Dec., 1992, Vol. 83, No. 4 (Dec., 1992). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/234261 Leavitt, Judith Walzer. "Typhoid Mary: Captive to the Public Health." Beacon Press. 1997. Mallon, Mary. Letter to Dr. William H. Park. June 1909. Via PBS NOVA. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/typhoid/letter.html Marineli, Filio et al. “Mary Mallon (1869-1938) and the history of typhoid fever.” Annals of gastroenterology vol. 26,2 (2013): 132-134. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3959940/ Mason, W.P. “Typhoid Mary.” Science. Vol. 30, No. 760. 7/23/1909. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1635174 Murtagh, Joseh. “David DeKok presents gripping, heartbreaking view into Ithaca’s 1903 typhoid outbreak.” Ithica.com. 4/11/2012. https://www.ithaca.com/visit_ithaca/david-dekok-presents-gripping-heartbreaking-view-into-ithaca-s-1903-typhoid-outbreak/article_943a556c-6b6d-11e0-92b9-001cc4c002e0.html New York Times. “Hospital Epidemic from Typhoid Mary.” 3/28/1915. New York Times. “HOSPITAL EPIDEMIC FROM TYPHOID MARY; Germ Carrier, Cooking Under False Name, Spread Disease in Sloane Institution. CAUGHT HIDING IN QUEENS Blamed for Twenty-five Cases of Fever Among Doctors and Nurses -- Now In Quarantine.” 2/28/1915. https://www.nytimes.com/1915/03/28/archives/hospital-epidemic-from-typhoid-mary-germ-carrier-cooking-under.html?eafs_enabled=false Ogan, ML. “Immunization in a Typhoid Outbreak in the Sloane Hospital for Women.” New York Medical Journal. 3/27/1915. 609-610. Othman, Amani and William W. Darrow. “The Wall, the Ban, and the Objectification of Women.” The International Journal of Social Quality, Winter 2019, Vol. 9, No. 2 (Winter 2019). https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26948452 Poczai P and Karvalics LZ (2022) The little-known history of cleanliness and the forgotten pioneers of handwashing. Front. Public Health 10:979464. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.979464 Prabhu, Maya. “The tragedy of Typhoid Mary.” Gavi. 6/18/2021. https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tragedy-typhoid-mary Pusey, Allen. “Precedents.” ABA Journal. Vol. 104, No. 3. March 2018. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26516280 Sawyer, Wilbur. “The Efficiency of Various Anti-Typhoid Vaccines.” Journal of the American Medical Association. Vol. LXV, No. 17. 10/13/2015. Soper, G A. “The Curious Career of Typhoid Mary.” Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine vol. 15,10 (1939): 698-712. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1911442/ Soper, George A. “The Curious Career of Typhoid Mary.” Read May 10, 1939 before the Section of Historical and Cultural Medicine. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine. Vol. 15, No. 10. October 1939. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1911442/ Soper, George A. “Typhoid Mary.” The Military Surgeon. Vol. XLV. No. 1. July 1919. Soper, George. A. “The Work of a Chronic Typhoid Germ Distributor.” Journal of the American Medical Association. Vol. XLVIII. No. 24. 6/15/1907. Teicher, Amir. “Typhoid Mary Was Not a Super-Spreader (and Super-Spreaders Are Not "Typhoid Marys").” American journal of public health vol. 113,12 (2023): 1249-1253. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2023.307434 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Patients have already told the market what they're willing to pay for a health outcome," CMT Editor-in-Chief Michael Tetreault said in an interview for this article. "A GLP-1 subscription and a concierge medicine membership now cost about the same, roughly $3,000 a year. The question isn't whether patients will invest in their health. It's who earns that investment." By Editorial Staff, Concierge Medicine Today, August 2026 (See full list of citations and sources and disclaimers at end of article) Please note, this is market and editorial analysis, not medical, legal, financial, or accounting advice, and it does not evaluate the clinical merits of GLP-1 medications, which is a conversation between a patient and their physician. Concierge medicine is not, and should never be marketed as, a treatment alternative to any prescription medication, including GLP-1s. That distinction matters enough that we're stating it plainly here, before we go any further, and readers should keep it in mind throughout. That said, let's unpack the topic. FULL ARTICLE: https://conciergemedicinetoday.org/2026/08/24/what-glp-1-marketing-reveals-about-concierge-medicines-opportunity/ A patient on a compounded GLP-1 and a patient enrolled in a concierge medicine practice are now spending almost exactly the same amount each year. Roughly $3,000. We put the real numbers next to each other: GLP-1 telehealth pricing, our own 2026 concierge medicine benchmark survey, direct primary care spend, urgent care, etc. The overlap doesn't stop at price. The age group spending the most on GLP-1s, 50 to 64, is also the core of the concierge medicine patient base. Patients have already decided they'll pay out of pocket for a health outcome. That part isn't up for debate anymore. What's still open is who earns that trust, and why. To be clear about what we're saying and what we're not: concierge medicine is not a substitute for any medication a patient and their physician decide is right for them. What it can be is the unhurried relationship where that conversation actually happens, something a fifteen-minute visit rarely allows. Full research, sourcing, and what this means for how practices market themselves are in the article. Disclaimer: This article is for informational and editorial purposes. It does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or accounting advice, and it takes no position on the clinical use, safety, or efficacy of GLP-1 medications or any other prescription treatment. Concierge medicine as described here, is a healthcare membership business model. It is not a treatment, and it should not be marketed or described as an alternative or substitute for any medication a patient and their physician have determined is appropriate. Physicians and practices using any messaging from this article in their own marketing are responsible for ensuring compliance with FTC truth-in-advertising standards and their state medical board's advertising rules, including avoiding any claim, direct or implied, that concierge membership treats, replaces, or competes with a specific medication or clinical intervention. Figures labeled as estimates reflect Concierge Medicine Today's own analysis of published per-unit data and are identified as such throughout. Readers should consult a licensed physician, attorney, or financial advisor for guidance specific to their situation. Sources glpchart.com. "GLP-1 Telehealth Price Report 2026." 2026. GLP-1 Telemedicine. "The Real Cost of Telehealth GLP-1 Programs in 2026: Subscription Fees, Hidden Charges, and What You're Actually Paying For." 2026. Chronos Body Health & Wellness. "The Real Cost of GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications in 2026: What You Should Know Before You Start." April 14, 2026. Concierge Medicine Today. 2026 Industry Pricing Benchmark. 2026. (cited via Concierge MD Finder, "How Concierge Medicine Pricing Works in 2026: A Real Cost Breakdown," May 30, 2026) Connectedly Health. "DPC Pricing Index by State (2026): Direct Primary Care Costs." February 15, 2026. Medical Economics. "Five surprising findings about the state of direct primary care," citing the Direct Primary Care Alliance 2026 physician survey. 2026. Mira Health (talktomira.com). "Urgent Care Visit Cost With and Without Insurance (2026 Update)." July 8, 2026. ClinicAds. "Telehealth Marketing in 2026: The Complete Guide to Compliant, Profitable Patient Acquisition." July 17, 2026. EMARKETER. "GLP-1 drugs dominate prescription TV ad spend," citing iSpot.tv data. 2025. EMARKETER. "Pharma linear TV ad decline in H1 driven by steep GLP-1 spending cuts." July 16, 2026. Foley & Lardner LLP. "GLP-1 Compliance: FDA Targets Telehealth Marketing in 30 New Warning Letters." March 12, 2026. Sheppard Mullin. "FDA's Focus Returns to Compounding and Telehealth: Another Wave of Warning Letters." June 18, 2026. Target Patients MD. "GLP-1 Provider Marketing That Works Right Now." May 12, 2026. KFF. "Poll: 1 in 8 Adults Say They Are Currently Taking a GLP-1 Drug for Weight Loss, Diabetes or Another Condition, Even as Half Say the Drugs Are Difficult to Afford." November 14, 2025. RAND Corporation. "New Weight Loss Drugs: GLP-1 Agonist Use and Side Effects in the United States." August 6, 2025. Concierge MD Finder. "U.S. Concierge Medicine Market Report 2026: 2,601 Practices, DPC vs Traditional, Pricing," citing the Concierge Medicine 2026-2030 industry report. May 30, 2026. Straits Research. "Direct Primary Care Market Size, Top Share, Demand" industry report. July 21, 2025. Drexel News Blog. "Q+A: Is the Growth of Direct Primary Care Expanding Health Care Access Where It's Needed Most?," citing Goldstein et al., Annals of Family Medicine. November 26, 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. "Urgent Care Center and Retail Health Clinic Use: United States, 2024." NCHS Data Brief No. 562. American Academy of Private Physicians (AAPP). 2026 concierge physician count estimate. (cited via Concierge MD Finder, "How Concierge Medicine Pricing Works in 2026," May 30, 2026)

LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED! References: Alam N, Oskam E, et. al. PHANTASi Trial Investigators and the ORCA (Onderzoeks Consortium Acute Geneeskunde) Research Consortium the Netherlands. Prehospital antibiotics in the ambulance for sepsis: a multicentre, open label, randomised trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2018 Jan;6(1):40-50. Jouffroy, R., Annane, D., et. al. (2026). A 1-hour resuscitation bundle for prehospital management of septic shock. Critical Care Medicine. Knack, S. K. S., Scott, N., Driver, B. E., et al. (2024). Early physician gestalt versus usual screening tools for the prediction of sepsis in critically ill emergency patients. Annals of Emergency Medicine. Kotnarin R, Sirinawee P, Supasaovapak J. Impact of Prehospital Antibiotics on in-Hospital Mortality in Emergency Medical Service Patients with Sepsis. Open Access Emerg Med. 2023 May 26;15:199-206. Poynter, M. J., Farrugia, A., Kelly, E., & Simpson, P. M. (2023). Prehospital administration of antibiotics in addition to usual care versus usual care alone for patients with suspected sepsis – A systematic review. Paramedicine, 21, 52–65. Scales DC, et. al. Prehospital antibiotics and intravenous fluids for patients with sepsis: protocol for a 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2025 May 27;15(5):e104257.

Get ready for the new school year with your behavior crystal ball: the research! In this episode, we dig into five behavioral challenges that show up more often in preschoolers with speech and/or language delays, and the five simple rules (with free flip cards!) you can start using today to get ahead of them. You'll learn: - Why children with developmental language disorder and speech sound disorders struggle with sustained attention and how to teach it - Why kids with communication delays are more likely to avoid answering questions (even ones they know!) and the social-pragmatic reason behind it - Why task persistence is harder for these children, and how to build in "working super hard" as a proactive rule - What recent research out of a 300-child clinic in Baghdad found about behavior + speech sound disorders and what it means for your therapy sessions - The connection between communication delays and self-regulation/physical aggression, and how to address it before it becomes a pattern - How to combine Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) + Universal Design for Learning (UDL), print, picture, gesture, and artifact, to reinforce these five rules without turning them into redirection cards Plus: how to use a "treasure box" the *right* way (hint: it's not a reward system) and why 80% positive reinforcement is the magic number.

Disclaimer: this podcast & article is educational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet, exercise routine, or any treatment plan, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or managing a chronic condition. The Thrive 120 Show reflects my clinical perspective — it isn't a substitute for individualized care.TLDR“Eat less, exercise more” assumes your metabolism is fundamentally intact — that it's a math problem. It's not. It's a biology problem, and biology has a hierarchy: upstream causes and downstream symptoms. Most conventional advice treats the symptoms.I organize the four real drivers of metabolic breakdown into a framework I call MESS²:* M — Muscle loss. Your metabolic engine. Crash dieting shrinks it further.* E — Endocrine disruption. Your control panel — insulin, thyroid, cortisol.* S — Sun exposure. The free, daily signal almost everyone is missing.* S² — Sleep, Stress, and Systemic inflammation. The silent wreckers that undo the other three.Diet and exercise aren't wrong — they're just in the wrong position in the sequence. Fix the foundation first, and they finally start working the way they're supposed to.If you want help figuring out where your own weak link is, check the show notes below for the Thrive 120 programs and the Metabolic Blueprint Session Your metabolism isn't a math problemYou go in for a visit. Labs show your weight creeping up, your blood sugar drifting higher, your energy in the tank. And you hear the familiar line: eat less, cut calories, exercise more.That advice isn't malicious — it comes from a good place. But it assumes your metabolism is fundamentally intact. That it's calories in, calories out, done.Here's the problem: what if the engine itself is damaged? What if the control panel is sending the wrong signals? Adding intense exercise on top of a body that's already inflamed and hormonally dysregulated isn't a fix — it's closer to pouring gasoline on a fire.Think about it the way you'd think about a car. If the engine light comes on and the car starts making a bad noise, you don't respond by pouring in more premium gas. You find out what's wrong with the engine first. Your body deserves the same order of operations.Left alone, your body doesn't just sit still — muscle drifts downward, hormonal signaling drifts off-schedule, inflammation creeps upward. None of that is a willpower problem. It's biology, and biology has an upstream and a downstream. Most people — and most conventional approaches — spend their time treating the downstream symptoms. Below is the upstream map.THRIVE 120 Substack with TriplePlayDoc is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The MESS² FrameworkM — Muscle: your metabolic engineMuscle is metabolically expensive. Your body burns calories just to maintain it, even while you're sitting on the couch doing nothing. The more muscle you carry, the higher your resting metabolic rate; the less you carry, the fewer calories your body needs — and the easier it becomes to store fat.After about age 30, you naturally lose muscle mass every decade — commonly cited figures put it in the 3–8% per decade range, accelerating further after roughly age 60 to 70.¹ ² ³ This gradual process is called sarcopenia, and because it happens slowly, most people don't notice until it's already reshaped their metabolic baseline.Here's where it gets worse: when most people try to “fix” their metabolism, they reach for a calorie-restricted diet. Yes, the scale moves. But a meaningful portion of that loss isn't fat — it's muscle. You've made the engine smaller and lowered your metabolic floor. Then you return to normal eating (because restriction isn't sustainable long-term), and your body — now running a smaller engine — needs fewer calories than it did before. The result is the yo-yo cycle, and each round tends to leave you carrying a little more than the last time.If that pattern sounds familiar, it's not a willpower problem. It's a muscle problem, and muscle problems have muscle solutions: protecting and building lean tissue before you fixate on how much you're eating.E — Endocrine disruption: your control panelIf muscle is the engine, your hormones are the control panel. When the control panel sends the wrong signals, it doesn't matter how good the engine is underneath — nothing runs right. Three hormones do most of the damage:Insulin. Insulin's normal job is to move glucose out of your bloodstream and into your cells. When cells are bombarded with insulin repeatedly — from a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar, chronic stress, poor sleep, or excess artificial light exposure — they start tuning it out. That's insulin resistance. Blood sugar stays elevated, your body compensates by producing even more insulin, and because insulin is a storage hormone, chronically elevated insulin locks you out of fat-burning mode. Fat oxidation requires insulin to be low — it's not optional.Thyroid. Your thyroid sets the pace for how fast or slow every cell in your body runs. The standard screening test — TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) — is just a signal sent from the brain to the thyroid. It doesn't tell you how much active thyroid hormone is actually circulating, whether it's converting properly, or whether something is blocking it at the cellular level. It's common to see patients with textbook hypothyroid symptoms — fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, feeling cold, constipation — while TSH reads “normal.”Cortisol. In short bursts, cortisol is your friend — it gets you moving and helps you respond to real threats. Chronically elevated cortisol is a different story. Your body reads sustained high cortisol as famine or threat, so it holds onto visceral fat (the fat around your organs) as an energy reserve and breaks down muscle tissue to convert into quick glucose. That's a double hit: your engine (muscle) shrinks while your fat stores grow. This is also why jumping straight into intense daily cardio when you're already exhausted and stressed tends to backfire — that kind of training spikes cortisol further, adding fuel to the exact hormone working against you. Exercise is medicine, but which exercise depends heavily on where you're starting from.S — Sun exposure: the signal almost everyone is missingThis is the piece most health-conscious people have never connected to their metabolism — and it goes well beyond “get sunlight for vitamin D.”Alpha-MSH. Ultraviolet light exposure triggers the release of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), produced via the pituitary–hypothalamic axis. Most people only know it as the hormone behind tanning, but alpha-MSH also acts directly on the hypothalamus — the brain region that governs hunger, body temperature, and energy expenditure. Through the melanocortin receptor system (MC3R/MC4R), alpha-MSH suppresses appetite and raises energy expenditure.⁴ ⁵ This is well-established endocrinology at the receptor level; most of the direct evidence for the light-triggered release piece specifically comes from animal and combined animal/human research, so treat “morning sunlight measurably curbs your appetite today” as a reasonable, biologically grounded hypothesis rather than a proven guarantee for every individual.Melanin. Most people think of melanin purely as sun protection. There's also a genuinely interesting — and genuinely early-stage — line of research suggesting melanin can absorb light energy and convert it into other forms of biological signaling.⁶ I want to be direct about where this stands: the clearest demonstrations of melanin's light-to-chemical-energy conversion come from turtle, avian, and in-vitro photoelectrochemical studies, not controlled human metabolic trials.⁷ It's a fascinating emerging area, not an established mechanism for human fat loss — I'm flagging it as something to watch, not something to build a protocol around yet.Melatonin. Most people file melatonin under “sleep supplement.” Its more fundamental role may be different: melatonin is one of the most potent antioxidants in the body, and a substantial body of research — much of it from melatonin researcher Russel Reiter's lab — supports it functioning as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that protects your cellular energy factories from oxidative damage.⁸ Melatonin production is directly regulated by light: it rises in darkness and is suppressed by light exposure, which ties it tightly to your circadian rhythm. When melatonin is disrupted — by artificial light at night, poor sleep, or insufficient daytime sunlight — your mitochondria lose one of their primary protectors, and cellular energy production can suffer as a result.Your morning light exposure sets your circadian clock, and that clock governs when cortisol should peak (morning) and fall (night), along with downstream thyroid output and insulin sensitivity. When the clock drifts, those downstream systems drift with it.S² — Sleep, Stress, and Systemic inflammation: the silent wreckersThese three are grouped together because they feed each other, forming what I'd call a metabolic wreckage loop.Sleep. One frequently cited controlled study found that cutting sleep from 8.5 to 5.5 hours a night — while holding calorie restriction constant — reduced the proportion of weight lost as fat by 55% and increased the loss of lean (muscle) mass by 60%.⁹ It's worth noting this came from a small trial (10 participants), though a separate free-living study found a similar shift in body composition over eight weeks.¹⁰ Sleep is also when your body releases growth hormone, the primary fat-burning, muscle-repairing hormone — cutting sleep short cuts those pulses short too. As for hunger hormones: classic research found sleep restriction lowers leptin (the “you're full” signal) and raises ghrelin (the “you're hungry” signal),¹¹ though it's fair to flag that more recent meta-analyses have found this effect isn't consistent across every study,¹² so treat it as a plausible contributor rather than a guarantee for any one person.Stress and inflammation. Chronic stress increases intestinal permeability — commonly called “leaky gut.” When the gut lining becomes more permeable, bacterial fragments and inflammatory particles can enter the bloodstream, and the immune system responds the way it would to an infection: with inflammatory cytokines. Those cytokines can interfere with insulin receptor signaling, contributing to insulin resistance that has nothing to do with what you ate that day.¹³ ¹⁴ Some early gut-microbiome research adds another wrinkle: in animal studies, mice with an “obese-type” microbiome extracted measurably more energy from identical food than mice with a “lean-type” microbiome, and this trait was transmissible via microbiota transplant.¹⁵ Human data shows a correlated shift in gut bacterial composition with obesity and weight loss, but the calorie-harvesting mechanism itself has been demonstrated most directly in mice — worth remembering before assuming it applies identically in people.So when do diet and exercise actually work?Diet and exercise are genuinely powerful tools — they're just not the starting point. They're amplifiers. If what's underneath is hormonal chaos, mitochondrial strain, and chronic inflammation, adding intense exercise and severe caloric restriction just amplifies that chaos. But once the foundation is addressed — light exposure is consistent, sleep is protected, inflammation is trending down, hormones are moving in the right direction — diet and exercise become the rocket fuel. It's the same idea as tuning a guitar before you play it: you wouldn't walk on stage with an out-of-tune instrument and just strum harder.The sequence: light and circadian rhythm first, then sleep, then inflammation, then hormones, then nutrition, then movement. Work from the foundation up, not the top down.Five things to start this week* Get morning sunlight. Within 30–60 minutes of waking, get outside for 10–20 minutes — no sunglasses, no sunscreen, no contacts if you can manage it. Face the direction of the sun without staring directly at it. This is free, takes 15 minutes, and is one of the most direct levers you have on circadian rhythm.* Protect melatonin at night. After sunset, start dimming household lights. Get off screens, or use blue-light-blocking glasses if you can't.* Ask for the right labs. Beyond a basic metabolic panel and TSH: fasting insulin, a full thyroid panel (free T3, free T4, reverse T3), a cortisol curve, and high-sensitivity CRP. These numbers point to which layer of MESS² to address first.* Remove one inflammatory food this week. Just one — refined seed oils (canola, soybean, vegetable) or ultra-processed snacks are a reasonable place to start.* Pause intense exercise if you're exhausted and inflamed. Counterintuitive, but if your body is in survival mode, a 20–30 minute walk lowers cortisol, improves insulin sensitivity, and moves your lymphatics better than another hard session would. Save high intensity for once the foundation is in place.The bottom lineYour metabolism isn't broken — it's very likely just misunderstood, and it's responding logically to signals it's been given: too little muscle to defend, a control panel sending mixed messages, a missing daily light signal, and a background hum of stress and inflammation. None of that is a character flaw. It's biology, and biology responds to sequence.Find your weak link in the framework above. Start at the foundation, and build from there — not the other way around.If this resonated and you want a structured way to work through the MESS² framework for your own situation, the Thrive 120 programs walk through it step by step, and a Metabolic Blueprint Session is a good next move if you want a second set of eyes on your specific labs and history. (Use THRIVER20 at checkout to get 20% off for the life of your membership)References* Preserve your muscle mass — Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/preserve-your-muscle-mass* Sarcopenia (Muscle Loss With Aging) — Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23167-sarcopenia* An Overview of Sarcopenia: Focusing on Nutritional Treatment Approaches — PMC: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11990658/* Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone-Mediated Appetite Regulation in the CNS — Neuroendocrinology, Karger: https://karger.com/nen/article/113/9/885/836595/Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating-Hormone-Mediated* Solar UVB radiation promotes α-MSH secretion via the pituitary–lung axis (human and mouse data) — PMC: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10497598/* Photoelectrochemical properties of melanin — Nature Precedings: https://www.nature.com/articles/npre.2007.1312.1.pdf* The Unsuspected Capacity of Melanin to Transform Light Energy into Chemical Energy (turtle/avian model) — ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282330655_The_Unsuspected_Capacity_of_Melanin_to_Transform_Light_Energy_into_Chemical_Energy_and_the_Surprising_Anoxia_Tolerance_of_Chrysemys_Picta* Melatonin as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant: one of evolution's best ideas — Reiter et al., J Pineal Res: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpi.12360* Insufficient Sleep Undermines Dietary Efforts to Reduce Adiposity — Nedeltcheva et al. 2010, Annals of Internal Medicine (PMID 20921542): https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/abs/10.7326/0003-4819-153-7-201010050-00006* Muscle Loss While Dieting Jumped With Less Sleep (summary including Wang et al. 2018 free-living replication) — FitChef: https://fitchef.com/shorts/sleep-keep-muscle-while-dieting/* Sleep Curtailment in Healthy Young Men Is Associated with Decreased Leptin, Elevated Ghrelin — Spiegel et al. 2004, Annals of Internal Medicine: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-141-11-200412070-00008* The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Hunger-Related Hormones: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review — MDPI: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4168/5/2/48* Gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and systemic inflammation: a narrative review — PMC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10954893/* Cytokines and intestinal epithelial permeability: A systematic review — PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37030338/* An obesity-associated gut microbiome with increased capacity for energy harvest (mouse model with human comparison) — Turnbaugh et al. 2006, Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature05414 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tripleplaydoc.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with Eren Berber, MD, MBA, FACS, a professor of surgery and director of robotic endocrine surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, about a recent article in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, Laparoscopic Versus Robotic Adrenalectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Dr. Berber and colleagues compared laparoscopic and robotic adrenalectomy for perioperative outcomes, including cost, as well as ergonomics and conversion from the original surgical plan.   Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings

Today, we are taking a deep dive into a medical truth thatsounds completely counterintuitive, almost upside down, based on everything you think you know about women's health. But here's the kicker: it's actually nothing new at all. For over two decades, ever since the landmark Women'sHealth Initiative (WHI) study made global headlines back in 2002, the blanket narrative surrounding menopausal hormone therapy has been clear and persistent: hormones equal breast cancer risk. But there is a massive asterisk in thatscience that got completely lost in the media noise. While combination therapy with conjugated equine estrogens paired with medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE +MPA) did show an increased risk, the story for estrogen-only therapy (mainly CEE) in women wh had a hysterectomy is entirely different. In fact, an overwhelming mountain of growing data shows that estrogen-only therapy is protectiveagainst both breast cancer incidence and breast cancer mortality. In this episode, we're unpacking the latest high-level evidence that cements this crucial distinction. We'll examine the broad statistical landscape, including a comprehensive meta-analysis by Qing et al. (officially set for the December 2026 issue of Annals of Medicine, following its ahead-of-print release in March 2026). Their work breaks down how randomized controlled trial data consistentlypoint to estrogen-only therapy having a protective effect, in stark contrast to combination therapy. We'll also dive into a brand-new Clinical Perspective published in mid-August 2026 in Obstetrics & Gynecology (the Green Journal) by Drs. Andrew Kaunitz and Jason Wright. They call urgent attention to this phenomenon, highlighting RCT meta-analyses that demonstrate a 23% reduction in breast cancer incidence with estrogen alone (RR = 0.77), alongside striking cohort data showing a dramatic risk reduction even in high-risk populations, like carriers of the BRCA mutation.  Listenin for details.1.     Wu Q, Shen L, Hu S, Yang R, Wang Y, Xue D, SunY, Ma H, Dai Z. Relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and incidencerisk of breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med. 2026Dec;58(1):2640244. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2640244. Epub 2026 Mar.2.     Kaunitz, Wright. Menopausal Estrogen Therapy andRisk of Breast Cancer. Obstet Gynecol. Aug 20263.     Chlebowski RT, Aragaki AK, Pan K, et al.Randomized Trials of Estrogen-Alone and Breast Cancer Incidence: AMeta-Analysis. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 2024. 4.     Writing Group for the Women's Health InitiativeInvestigators. (2002). Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthypostmenopausal women: Principal results from the Women's Health Initiativerandomized controlled trial. JAMA, 288(3), 321–333.

In part two of our deep dive into China (and part four of our socialist organization series), we break down how Mao attempted to dialectically sublate a national front and a united front. We explore the structural inclusion of the "patriotic national bourgeoisie" into the block of four classes (symbolized by the stars on the Chinese flag) and contrast it with classical Soviet developmental theory and orthodox Marxism.We also dive into:- The historical debate between Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, Lenin, and Trotsky.- Why modern "Hoxhaists" and Left Communists consider New Democracy to be revisionist.- The evolution of class structures under Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin's "Three Represents" doctrine (allowing billionaires into the Party).- The reality of modern China's development: Is it a transitioning socialist project, or an hyper-competent form of state capitalism and developmental liberalism?Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for Episode 5, where we pivot to National Frontism and National Bolshevism.Journal ArticlesDirlik, A. (1970). The ideological foundations of the Chinese Revolution. Journal of Contemporary History, 5(3), 39–54.Dittmer, L. (1977). Line struggle: Notes on its organizational context and theoretical development. Modern China, 3(3), 303–312.Fogel, J. A. (1980). Ai Siqi, establishment intellectual by Joshua A. Fogel. Modern China, 6(1), 23–47.Hammond, E. R. (1978). Marxism and the mass line [Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Berkeley]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.Korolev, A. (2017). De-ideologized mass line, regime responsiveness, and state-society relations. China Review, 17(2), 7–36.Lyman, S. V. (1970). The Chinese Communist Party in the United Front, 1937–1945 [Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Berkeley]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.Mazur, M. G. (1995). The United Front of the 1940s: A social and cultural perspective. Modern China, 21(4), 431–456.Selden, M. (1971). The Yenan Way in revolutionary China. The China Quarterly, (45), 263–294.Steiner, H. A. (1951). Current mass line tactics in Communist China. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 277(1), 422–436.Teiwes, F. C. (1978). The origins of rectification: Inner-party purgation in the 1930s. The China Quarterly, (74), 181–201.Tokuda, N. (1971). The mass line during the Yenan period. The China Quarterly, (47), 1–18.Townsend, J. R. (1967). Political participation in Communist China. University of California Press.Womack, B. (1980). The phase of de-Maoization in China. China Report, 16(1), 7–21.Womack, B. (1991). Mao Zedong and the sinification of Marxism. The China Quarterly, (126), 1–15.Young, G. (1980). On New Democracy and the transition to socialism. Modern China, 6(1), 3–22.Books & Primary SourcesCoble, P. M. (2023). The collapse of Nationalist China: How Chiang Kai-shek lost China's civil war. Cambridge University Press.Elbaum, M. (2018). Revolution in the air: Sixties radicals turn to Lenin, Mao and Che. Verso Books.Hirata, K. (2024). Making Mao's steelworks: Industrial Manchuria and the transnational origins of Chinese socialism. Cambridge University Press.Karl, R. E. (2010). Mao Zedong and China in the twentieth-century world: A concise history. Duke University Press.Li, H. (2024). Fighting on the cultural front: U.S.-China relations in the Cold War. Columbia University Press.Lin, C. (2019). Mass line. In C. Sorace, I. Franceschini, & N. Loubere (Eds.), Afterlives of Chinese Communism: Political concepts from Mao to Xi (p. 122). ANU Press.Lovell, J. (2019). Maoism: A global history. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.Lowe, D. M. (1966). The function of "China" in Marx, Lenin, and Mao. University of California Press.Mao, Z. (1940). On New Democracy. Marxists Internet Archive.Mao, Z. (1977). A critique of Soviet economics. Monthly Review Press.Moufawad-Paul, J. (2016). Continuity and rupture: Philosophy in the Maoist terrain. Zero Books.Schram, S. R. (Ed.). (2005). Mao's road to power: Revolutionary writings 1912–1949: Vol. VII. New Democracy, 1939–1941. M.E. Sharpe.Zheng, Q. (Ed.). (2020). An ideological history of the Communist Party of China (Vol. 2) (L. Sun & S. Bryant, Trans.). Royal Collins Publishing Group.Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer 

Do GLP-1 medications improve metabolic health as much as they support weight loss? A new observational study in the Annals of Internal Medicine raises an important question about semaglutide, insulin discontinuation, type 2 diabetes, and what meaningful metabolic improvement may require.In this episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down a real-world study of more than 9,000 veterans with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin and then added either a GLP-1 receptor agonist, SGLT2 inhibitor, or DPP4 inhibitor. Despite semaglutide's stronger association with weight loss, the study found similar insulin discontinuation rates across all three groups over three years.Dr. Scher covers:Why weight loss and metabolic health improvements may not always move togetherWhat insulin discontinuation can reveal about insulin resistance and beta cell functionWhy semaglutide did not outperform older diabetes medications in this studyThe limitations of observational research and real-world medication dataHow GLP-1 medications and therapeutic carbohydrate reduction may work through complementary mechanismsWhy combining GLP-1s with therapeutic carbohydrate reduction may be an important area for future research and clinical practiceThis conversation takes a closer look at what metabolic health means, and why the path from weight loss to insulin independence may be more complex than the scale alone can show.

You've probably heard both sides of this argument: that organic and conventional produce are nutritionally identical, and that homegrown vegetables blow store-bought out of the water. Which one is true? In this episode, I dig through the peer-reviewed research on three separate questions: whether organic farming produces more nutritious food, whether soil health itself changes the nutrient content of what we eat, and what happens to those nutrients in the days between harvest and the moment food lands on your plate. I'm treating this as a real meta-analysis, pulling together findings from major systematic reviews, long-term field trials, and postharvest storage studies, and following the data wherever it leads. The answer is more interesting, and more useful for your own garden, than either side of the argument usually admits. By the end, you'll know exactly which parts of the nutrient-density conversation hold up under scrutiny and which parts are oversimplified, plus what it means for the food coming out of your own backyard. Let's dig in! Get your bag of Larry's Coffee and a free gift from their fair-trade partners at https://LarrysCoffee.com/JustGrow Peer-Reviewed Sources Smith-Spangler et al. (2012), Annals of Internal Medicine — Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier Than Conventional Alternatives?: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-157-5-201209040-00007 Baranski et al. (2014), British Journal of Nutrition — Higher Antioxidant and Lower Cadmium Concentrations in Organically Grown Crops (343-study meta-analysis): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4141693/ Worthington (2001), Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine — Nutritional Quality of Organic Versus Conventional Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11327522/ Hunter et al. (2011), Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition — Evaluation of the Micronutrient Composition of Plant Foods Produced by Organic and Conventional Methods: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21929333/ Montgomery & Biklé (2021), Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems — Soil Health and Nutrient Density: Beyond Organic vs. Conventional Farming: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.699147/full Lehmann et al. (2014), Soil Biology and Biochemistry — Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Influence on Zinc Nutrition in Crop Plants: A Meta-Analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0038071713004045 Reganold et al. (2010), PLOS ONE — Fruit and Soil Quality of Organic and Conventional Strawberry Agroecosystems: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0012346 Helfenstein et al. (2016), PLOS ONE — Organic Wheat Farming Improves Grain Zinc Concentration: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0160729 Hepperly, Omondi & Seidel (2018), MOJ Food Processing & Technology — Soil Regeneration Increases Crop Nutrients, Antioxidants and Adaptive Responses (Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial): https://medcraveonline.com/MOJFPT/soil-regeneration-increases-crop-nutrients-antioxidants-and-adaptive-responses.html Davis, Epp & Riordan (2004), Journal of the American College of Nutrition — Changes in USDA Food Composition Data for 43 Garden Crops, 1950 to 1999: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15637215/ Marles (2017), Journal of Food Composition and Analysis — Mineral Nutrient Composition of Vegetables, Fruits and Grains: The Context of Reports of Apparent Historical Declines: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157516302113 Favell (1998), Food Chemistry — A Comparison of the Vitamin C Content of Fresh and Frozen Vegetables: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814697001659 Rickman, Barrett & Bruhn (2007), Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture — Nutritional Comparison of Fresh, Frozen and Canned Fruits and Vegetables, Part 1: https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.2825 Li, Pegg, Eitenmiller, Chun & Kerrihard (2017), Journal of Food Composition and Analysis — Selected Nutrient Analyses of Fresh, Fresh-Stored, and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889157517300418 Galani et al. (2017), Antioxidants — Storage of Fruits and Vegetables in Refrigerator Increases Their Phenolic Acids but Decreases the Total Phenolics, Anthocyanins and Vitamin C: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618087/ Jo, Shin & Lee (2003), Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry — The Effect of Post-Harvest and Packaging Treatments on Glucoraphanin Concentration in Broccoli: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf0203592 Just Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.com Gardening Courses: https://justgrowsomething.com/courses Just Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shop Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomething Feed my coffee habit: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomething Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Acts 11:26 we read that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. "Disciple" is the most used word in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus. It is used 261 times. The word "Christian" is used only 3 times in the New Testament. Brothers and sisters, believers, followers are also used but "disciples" is Jesus' favorite word to describe His followers.   Matthew 29:19-20 - the Great Commission - Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."   The other 2 uses of Christian: Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.   The New Testament word appears to be invented by the opposition, a derisive term patterned after the names of Roman political parties; Example those following Herod = Herodians, or followers of Pompe = Pompeians.   Christian = Christ followers. Or "Christ-ers."   Followers of Jesus accepted and reveled in the name.  In the writings of non-Christian people we see them embracing that term. "And the tribe of the Christians so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared." - Josephus, Antiquities, Book 18 (ca. 93A.D.)    Another example from an adamant unbeliever: "Consequently, to get rid of the reports, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilat…" Tacitus, The Annals, Book 15 (ca.118 A.D.)   Christian is all about the Messiah, the Christ of God, the Lord Jesus our Savior and the world's Savior.  It's also about our mission to bring others to Christ where there is healing, forgiveness, and hope of eternal life.     We are called to bear His Name with joy, confidence and power!!     Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.   View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class   For the full list of videos in this series, Dig Deeper, https://www.awakeusnow.com/dig-deeper   For more check out our Sunday series, God ACTS! https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now   Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service   Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos     Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Welcome to the latest episode (August 2026) of DOC Updates, where every month Neil Skolnik, MD and John Russell, MD review the most important articles on diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease. This month on DOC Updates: Hirsh Elhence, Jennifer L. Dodge, Stephen Fuest, et al. National Prevalence of Clinical Obesity by BMI Class: A National Cross-Sectional Study. Ann Intern Med. [Epub 2 June 2026]. doi:10.7326/ANNALS-25-05287 Eva Johnsen, et al. Achieving at Least 15% Weight Loss Within 2 Years of Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Is Associated With Lower Risks of Macrovascular and Microvascular Complications: A U.K. Cohort Study. Diabetes Care 20 July 2026; 49 (8): 1480–1489. doi.org/10.2337/dc26-0937 Carel W. le Roux, et al. Survodutide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Adults with Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine June 2026 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2600751 Yu Wang, Shichao Tang, Xilin Zhou, Ping Zhang. National Trends in Out-of-Pocket Cost for Glucose-Lowering Drugs Among U.S. Adults With Diabetes, 2000–2022. Diabetes Care 20 July 2026; 49 (8): 1414–1419. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc25-2040 Jelle M. Beernink, et al. Effect of Finerenone on Albuminuria in Type 1 Diabetes by Baseline HbA1c Level and Diabetes Duration: An Exploratory Analysis of the FINE-ONE Trial. Diabetes Care 20 July 2026; 49 (8): 1434–1441. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc26-0882 Welch M, Forst T, Jia W et al. Orforglipron compared with dapagliflozin in adults with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control with metformin (ACHIEVE-2): a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority, open-label, phase 3 trial. The Lancet, 2026; 408, 125-140 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00800-7 Presented by: Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health John J. Russell, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Chair-Department of Family Medicine, Abington Jefferson Health DOC Updates is a monthly podcast that presents and discusses the latest clinically relevant articles from the American Diabetes Association's three science and medical journals—Diabetes, Diabetes Care, and Diabetes, Obesity, and CardioMetabolic CARE. Intended for practicing physicians and health care professionals, DOC Updates discusses how the latest research is relevant in clinical practice. For information about the American Diabetes Association's scholarly journals, visit diabetesjournals.org. For more about this podcast, click here.

The 2025 measles outbreak in New Mexico cost that state an estimated $5.4 million. That's according to an analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine published on Aug. 3.

With increasing efforts to scale into international markets, what can we expect from China's drug development industry? Joining the podcast is Daphne Smyth, head of global regulatory programs at Veristat, who shares her experience at this year's BioChina and what to expect for drug development on a global scale. Smyth explains why North America and Europe have been attractive market destinations for the Chinese market now more than ever, the regulatory reforms, and the potential bumps on the road getting Chinese drugs to foreign markets. Plus, host Deborah Borfitz gives you the latest news on the quantified financial value of risk-based quality management, a shingles vaccine for lowering dementia risk, a Parkinson's disease drug for treating depression, an AI for treating neuroblastoma, a link between hormonal birth control and brain health in older age, and Bayer's first strategic alliance with an academic medical center focused on clinical trials collaboration. Financial value of RBQM Study in Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science News release from CluePoints Shingles vaccine may lower dementia risk Study in Annals of Internal Medicine  News on the Brown University website  Parkinson's drug for treatment-resistant depression Study in Nature Medicine  News on the Lund University website AI for improving neuroblastoma outcomes Research article in APL Quantum  News on the University of Utah website Brain-protecting effect of hormone therapies Study in NeuroImage News on the University of Kansas website  Bayer's alliance with academic medical center News on the University of Colorado Anschutz website Guest Daphne Smyth, head of global regulatory programs for Veristat  Article in Clinical Research News about opportunities in China The Scope of Things podcast explores clinical research and its possibilities, promise, and pitfalls. Clinical Research News senior writer, Deborah Borfitz, welcomes guests who are visionaries closest to the topics, but who can still see past their piece of the puzzle. Focusing on game-changing trends and out-of-the-box operational approaches in the clinical research field, the Scope of Things podcast is your no-nonsense, insider's look at clinical research today.  

Hosts Pastor Rico Basso and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Randy, email (2:56) - What does the Bible say about families serving together at church? Should we serve in the same ministry or different ministries? Joe, email (7:44) - Does my depression mean that I am not saved? Arthur, YouTube (10:08) - Should my friend still leave her boyfriend, even though he only goes to church for her? Sarah, NJ (13:52) - How do I know what voices to listen to when it comes to Bible teaching? Load Hauler, YouTube (17:35) - Where would you say the Book of the Annals is? William, SC (21:02) - If John the Baptist was the last prophet, how do you define or explain the role of a prophet described by Paul, or the modern prophets in prosperity churches? Jennifer, AL (27:58, continued after break at 33:23) - Should my boyfriend work? How do I convince him to help meet our needs? Dawn, NJ (38:34) - How should I handle my husband with his alcoholism and narcissism? Aisha, NJ (44:07) - Are random acts of violence, such as children getting killed, part of God's will? Arthur, YouTube (49:48) - How does the sin of covetousness destroy a person? Sandy, email (53:55) - What should or can I do to be an influence in schools against abortion as a teacher? Ask Your Questions: Call: 888-712-7434 Email: Answers@bbtlive.org

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene discusses with Dr. Sara Mansfield the article: "Surgical Management and Outcomes in Pediatric Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative Study" from the March 2026 Issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), a minimally invasive blood-based biomarker, has emerged as one of the most promising advances in cancer surveillance. Today, we will explore how ctDNA is transforming the management of colorectal cancer and anal squamous cell cancer across the disease continuum—from risk stratification and adjuvant therapy decision-making to surveillance and early detection of recurrence. Through landmark clinical trials, real-world applications, and emerging research, we will examine how ctDNA is helping move cancer care closer to the goal of truly personalized medicine.Hosts: ·       Dr. Janet Alvarez - General Surgery Resident at New York Medical College/Metropolitan Hospital Center·       Dr. Wini Zambare – General Surgery Resident at Weill Cornell Medical Center/New York Presbyterian·       Dr. Philip Bauer, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital·       Dr. J. Joshua Smith MD, PhD, Chair, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery at MD Anderson Cancer CenterGuests:Dr. Paul Romessor ·      Director of Colorectal and Anal Cancer, Department of Radiation Oncology·      Associate Attending Radiation OncologistMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterDr. Jeanne Tie ·      Medical Oncologist | Lower GI Unit ·      Lower GI Research Lead ·      Chair | Lower GI Working Party | GI Cancer TrialsPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre Dr. Takayuki Yoshino·      Professor, Global Center of Research Excellence for Advanced Medicine (G-CORE),Keio University School of Medicine·      Executive Advisor to Hospital East Director·      Director, Department of Global Oncology·      Chief, Department of Gastrointestinal OncologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastLearning Objectives:·      Describe the biological basis and clinical applications of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker of minimal residual disease (MRD) in colorectal cancer.·      Interpret the prognostic significance of postoperative and longitudinal ctDNA testing and its role in predicting recurrence risk across stages of colorectal cancer.·      Evaluate evidence from landmark clinical trials, including DYNAMIC and GALAXY, supporting ctDNA-guided treatment de-escalation and escalation strategies in colorectal cancer.·      Discuss emerging applications of ctDNA monitoring in personalized cancer care, including surveillance, treatment response assessment, and future clinical trial directions. References:·      Ando, K. et al. (2026). Molecular Residual Disease and Recurrence in Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Upfront Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study. Annals of Surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39854721/ (Note: If direct access is limited, the article is available via PMC: PMC12695342)·      Romesser, P. B. et al. (2026). Tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA stratifies recurrence risk and survival in anal squamous cell carcinoma. Nature Communications. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38347209/·      Tie, J. et al. (2025). Circulating tumor DNA analysis guiding adjuvant therapy in stage II colon cancer: 5-year outcomes of the randomized DYNAMIC trial. Nature Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39943485/·      Tie, J. et al. (2025). Circulating tumor DNA-guided adjuvant therapy in locally advanced colon cancer: the randomized phase 2/3 DYNAMIC-III trial. Nature Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39974258/Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.  If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listenBehind the Knife Premium: https://behindtheknife.org/premiumOral Board Review: https://behindtheknife.org/oral-boardOral Board Simulator: https://behindtheknife.org/oral-board/simulatorGeneral Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-reviewTrauma Surgery Video Atlas: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/trauma-surgery-video-atlasDominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkshipDominate Surgery for APPs: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Rotation: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-for-apps-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-rotationVascular Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/vascular-surgery-oral-board-reviewColorectal Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/colorectal-surgery-oral-board-reviewSurgical Oncology Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-oncology-oral-board-reviewCardiothoracic Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/cardiothoracic-surgery-oral-board-reviewDownload our App:Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049Android/Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.app&hl=en_US

What really helps you live a long, healthy life? Can healthy ageing be as simple as a few everyday habits? In this episode, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, world-leading oncologist, bioethicist and World Health Organization adviser, shares six rules from his book Eat Your Ice Cream that may help lower your risk of dementia, heart disease, cancer and early death.  Ezekiel explores the science of healthy ageing, longevity and disease prevention, and explains why many wellness trends distract us from what matters most. By the end of the episode, you'll have six practical habits that have the biggest impact on living well for longer. From building stronger relationships and staying mentally active to improving your diet, exercise and sleep, Ezekiel offers a simple framework designed to support health over decades, not weeks. If you want to live a longer, healthier life, are you focusing on the habits that matter most? 

Do you have trouble sleeping? An occasional late night or early morning is probably not dangerous, but too many people get too little sleep on a regular basis. How does that affect their health? Even more importantly, what can they do to change the situation? You'll want to listen to find out if you need a sleep reset. At The People's Pharmacy, we strive to bring you up to date, rigorously researched insights and conversations about health, medicine, wellness and health policies and health systems. While these conversations intend to offer insight and perspective, the content is provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medical care or treatment. How You Can Listen You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EST on Saturday, July 18, 2026, through your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can't listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on July 20, 2026. The podcast will be available on Monday (July 20, 2026) Do You Need a Sleep Reset? Why is sleep so important for good health? Our guest is a sleep medicine specialist who uses a metaphor of Disneyland. Crucial maintenance on the theme park happens at night, when there are no visitors. Streets are cleaned, flower beds are weeded, and rides are inspected and, if needed, repaired. None of that can happen while the park is open for business. Our bodies and brains also need time for maintenance and repair, and some of that happens while we are sleeping. When we don't get the rest we need, we may find ourselves at increased risk for diabetes, cardiovascular problems, cancer, cognitive challenges and even premature death. Unfortunately, anxiety about not sleeping can keep people awake all on its own. How can people break that cycle? We'll also discuss ways that people can get help avoiding screens at night. That is an important part of a sleep reset. Blue light from the screen signals the brain to be alert instead of relax. Scrolling social media can often be emotionally upsetting, which also makes it more difficult to fall asleep. Is Your Diet Keeping You Awake? Most of us recognize that a big midnight snack, á la Dagwood Bumstead of the Blondie comic, is probably not conducive to sleeping well. How does nighttime eating affect our circadian rhythm? Are there diets that we should avoid because of their impact on sleep? Dr. Seheult describes a study in which volunteers had their sleep stages monitored closely during the time they were consuming different diets (Obesity, July 2023). When they followed a high-fat, high-sugar diet, it disturbed the pattern of their brain waves during what should have been restorative sleep. How Do Sleep Problems Affect Eating Habits? A lot of us are aware that when we are sleep deprived, we are more inclined to become hangry and we may be less discerning about what we eat. A recent study shows that the sleep deprivation can have an effect even if it is fairly mild and short-term. Scientists recruited people who normally sleep seven to eight hours a night and asked them to stay up an extra hour and a half (Annals of Internal Medicine, July 7, 2026).  During the six weeks of that part of the experiment, people were less active during the day. They also ate more, so they gained about a pound, on average, during those six weeks. Presumably, disrupting sleep for a longer period of time would result in greater weight gain and metabolic disruption. Would a Ketogenic Diet Help with a Sleep Reset? A ketogenic diet, in which the body relies on ketones rather than glucose for energy production, may be helpful. In particular, fasting overnight for at least 14 hours helps the body do what it must during sleep time. To figure out when you should stop eating, identify when you usually start to feel sleepy. That should be your bedtime. Having your last meal of the day about three hours before that will generally offer enough time for digestion so that you don't experience reflux in the middle of the night. Morning Light and Afternoon Naps Your sleep reset may depend on getting your own circadian rhythm to synchronize with the rest of the world. That is where early exposure to morning light comes in. It's beginning to feel a bit like The People's Pharmacy is on repeat: get morning light exposure! It sets your system up for feeling awake and alert during the day and starting to feel sleepy as the light fades in the evening. Obviously, this is most helpful for people who work during daylight hours. Those working overnight shifts would have to organize their days differently. People who have trouble falling asleep may be tempted to take a nap in the afternoon to make up for the lost sleep. That could be a mistake, as it relieves the sleep pressure that helps people fall asleep without trying. Learning to Fall Asleep If you interact with parents of very young children, you may have heard of sleep training. People have strong feelings about this, both pro and con. Adults rarely need sleep training, though. What we are more likely to need is “not-sleeping un-training.” Too many people approach the bedroom as though it were a stage, and sleep is the performance. No wonder they may develop some performance anxiety about sleeping! Other individuals have learned to associate the bedroom with tossing, turning and watching the clock. Consequently, their bodies tense up instead of relaxing when they get between the sheets. There is no easy quick fix for this problem, but cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia has been proven effective for most people. How About PM Pain Relievers? Even though there isn't an easy fix for sleep troubles, many people want one. They reach for the PM pain reliever and hope it will offer them a good night's sleep without a prescription. The “PM” part of that pain reliever is an old-fashioned antihistamine called diphenhydramine. You might be more familiar with its brand name: Benadryl. You'll also find it in Tylenol PM, Advil PM and all the other PM meds because it tends to make people feel drowsy. What's wrong with that? To start with, it isn't clear that it remains effective after a week or two. In addition, people with restless leg syndrome often find that it makes their condition worse. Other folks report that diphenhydramine can result in an unpleasant “hangover” the next day, in which they feel drowsy though not asleep for a good part of their waking hours. What Wakes You Up at Night? If your sleep problem is waking in the wee hours and having trouble getting back to sleep, you should consider the possibility that you have sleep apnea. The REM sleep of those early morning hours is not as deep as some other sleep stages. Consequently, an alarm signal from your brain saying you haven't taken a breath for 20 or 30 seconds may be more likely to wake you. Sleep apnea may be treated by providing air so that the pressure props the collapsing airway open. We discuss this in greater detail along with a new alternative to a CPAP machine in the podcast for this week. This Week’s Guest Dr. Roger Seheult is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine and Allied Health at Loma Linda University. He is quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine. His current practice is in Beaumont, California. He is a critical care physician, pulmonologist, and sleep physician at Optum California. Dr. Seheult lectures routinely across the country at conferences and for medical, PA, and RT societies. He is the director of a sleep lab and the Medical Director for the Crafton Hills College Respiratory Care Program. He is co-founder and presenter for MedCram.com, a site that offers concise and easy-to-follow medical videos on a range of topics. Roger Seheult, MD, MedCram, Loma Linda, UC-Riverside Listen to the Podcast The podcast of this program will be available Monday, July 20, 2026, after broadcast on July 18. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free. Download the mp3, or listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

In this episode of VarnVlog, we are joined by Brandon Lightly to discuss the complex and often misunderstood history of Maoism. We dive deep into the theoretical underpinnings of the "mass line" and "new democracy," exploring how these concepts served as an internal critique of Marxism and a departure from Soviet-style bureaucracy.Key Topics Covered:Defining the Mass Line: Is it just populism, or a sophisticated leadership feedback loop?The Historical Origins: From the Hunan Report to the Long March and the second United Front.Theoretical Innovations: Mao's 1961 critique of Joseph Stalin and the rejection of the "Great Man" theory of history.Fragmentation: Why there are so many different Maoist tendencies (MLM, MIM, Third Worldism).Praxis: The rectification movement and the relationship between urban intellectuals and the rural peasantry.Journal ArticlesDirlik, A. (1970). The ideological foundations of the Chinese Revolution. Journal of Contemporary History, 5(3), 39–54.Dittmer, L. (1977). Line struggle: Notes on its organizational context and theoretical development. Modern China, 3(3), 303–312.Fogel, J. A. (1980). Ai Siqi, establishment intellectual by Joshua A. Fogel. Modern China, 6(1), 23–47.Hammond, E. R. (1978). Marxism and the mass line [Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Berkeley]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.Korolev, A. (2017). De-ideologized mass line, regime responsiveness, and state-society relations. China Review, 17(2), 7–36.Lyman, S. V. (1970). The Chinese Communist Party in the United Front, 1937–1945 [Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Berkeley]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.Mazur, M. G. (1995). The United Front of the 1940s: A social and cultural perspective. Modern China, 21(4), 431–456.Selden, M. (1971). The Yenan Way in revolutionary China. The China Quarterly, (45), 263–294.Steiner, H. A. (1951). Current mass line tactics in Communist China. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 277(1), 422–436.Teiwes, F. C. (1978). The origins of rectification: Inner-party purgation in the 1930s. The China Quarterly, (74), 181–201.Tokuda, N. (1971). The mass line during the Yenan period. The China Quarterly, (47), 1–18.Townsend, J. R. (1967). Political participation in Communist China. University of California Press.Womack, B. (1980). The phase of de-Maoization in China. China Report, 16(1), 7–21.Womack, B. (1991). Mao Zedong and the sinification of Marxism. The China Quarterly, (126), 1–15.Young, G. (1980). On New Democracy and the transition to socialism. Modern China, 6(1), 3–22.Books & Primary SourcesCoble, P. M. (2023). The collapse of Nationalist China: How Chiang Kai-shek lost China's civil war. Cambridge University Press.Elbaum, M. (2018). Revolution in the air: Sixties radicals turn to Lenin, Mao and Che. Verso Books.Hirata, K. (2024). Making Mao's steelworks: Industrial Manchuria and the transnational origins of Chinese socialism. Cambridge University Press.Karl, R. E. (2010). Mao Zedong and China in the twentieth-century world: A concise history. Duke University Press.Li, H. (2024). Fighting on the cultural front: U.S.-China relations in the Cold War. Columbia University Press.Lin, C. (2019). Mass line. In C. Sorace, I. Franceschini, & N. Loubere (Eds.), Afterlives of Chinese Communism: Political concepts from Mao to Xi (p. 122). ANU Press.Lovell, J. (2019). Maoism: A global history. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.Lowe, D. M. (1966). The function of "China" in Marx, Lenin, and Mao. University of California Press.Mao, Z. (1940). On New Democracy. Marxists Internet Archive.Mao, Z. (1977). A critique of Soviet economics. Monthly Review Press.Moufawad-Paul, J. (2016). Continuity and rupture: Philosophy in the Maoist terrain. Zero Books.Schram, S. R. (Ed.). (2005). Mao's road to power: Revolutionary writings 1912–1949: Vol. VII. New Democracy, 1939–1941. M.E. Sharpe.Zheng, Q. (Ed.). (2020). An ideological history of the Communist Party of China (Vol. 2) (L. Sun & S. Bryant, Trans.). Royal Collins Publishing Group.Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer 

Cash-Pay Generic Drugs Are a Functioning Market in Healthcare, and Policymakers Could Break It. Episode 520. Cash-pay generic drugs are one of the few corners of US healthcare where a real, functioning market already exists — which is why Stacey Richter argues policymakers need to tread carefully when trying to "fix" drug affordability. In this solo episode, Stacey explains why cash generic prices can run as low as $1 a prescription, then plays clips from four past guests — Ge Bai, PhD, CPA; Bryce Platt, PharmD; Benjamin Jolley, PharmD; and Luke Slindee, PharmD — showing how inserting a PBM extracts $41 out of every $100 spent, leaving patients paying more for the "privilege" of using their insurance. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ✅ Why cash-pay generic drugs are one of the few genuinely functioning markets left in US healthcare, with multisource manufacturer competition keeping prices as low as $1 to $18 per prescription ✅ Why using insurance/PBM coverage makes the 20 most prescribed generics more expensive 43% of the time overall, and up to 79% of the time in the deductible phase, per Ge Bai, PhD, CPA's research in Annals of Internal Medicine ✅ How PBMs extract $41 out of every $100 spent on generic drugs that cost roughly 47 cents to manufacture, largely through the administrative overhead of risk pooling ✅ How Most Favored Nation "lesser of" clauses in PBM-pharmacy contracts punish pharmacies for lowering their cash prices, and why Luke Slindee, PharmD, argues removing that single clause could unlock a more robust cash-pay market without pulling generics from insurance entirely ✅ Why generic drug adoption has slowed from about one month to six months to reach peak uptake, which Bryce Platt, PharmD, ties to PBM formulary control rather than reduced competition or prescriber resistance ✅ Four policy ideas Stacey floats for keeping generics affordable without wrecking the underlying market: eliminating MFN clauses, funded wallets or prepaid cards, pre-funded cash-pay pharmacy relationships, and removing generics from PBM adjudication entirely WHY THIS MATTERS Generic drugs are one of the only truly functioning markets left in US healthcare, and cash prices are already low because of it. But policymakers trying to make medications more affordable often reach for the same lever — routing everything through insurance/PBM adjudication — which the data shows frequently raises what patients pay while handing PBMs a 41-cent cut of every dollar spent. As Stacey puts it, "you have to be really careful what levers you push because you can't see what they're attached to," and the wrong fix could break the one part of healthcare that's actually working. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE EP444 with Ann Kempski: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps LinkedIn Post by Bryce Platt, PharmD EP495 with Mick Connors, MD: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps EP420 with Ge Bai, PhD, CPA: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps EP422 with Benjamin Jolley, PharmD: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps EP517 with Stacey: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps LinkedIn Post by Bryce Platt, PharmD EP439 with Luke Slindee, PharmD: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps LinkedIn Post by Patrick Moore EP465 with Chris Crawford: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps === LINKS ===

Cancer has long been associated with aging, but in recent years, doctors have seen an alarming rise in colorectal cancer and other cancers among younger adults. In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison speaks with Dr. Dorna Jafari, chief of colorectal surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, about what may be contributing to this growing public health concern. Dr. Jafari explains that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under age 50 and discusses the "birth cohort effect" researchers have identified among people born after 1960. She explores several factors that may be influencing cancer risk, including changes in diet, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, disruptions to the gut microbiome, antibiotic exposure, and the growing presence of microplastics in the environment. The conversation also focuses on prevention. Dr. Jafari shares practical steps people can take to support a healthy microbiome and reduce cancer risk, including increasing fiber intake, staying physically active, limiting sugary beverages, and making realistic lifestyle changes over time. Finally, she discusses the exciting advances changing the future of oncology. From targeted cancer therapies and immunotherapy to AI-assisted diagnosis and improved screening tools, Dr. Jafari explains why cancer outcomes continue to improve and why early detection remains one of the most powerful tools available—especially when it comes to colorectal cancer screening. Chapters 00:00 – Why Are More Young People Getting Cancer? Understanding the rise of early-onset cancers and why colorectal cancer rates are increasing in adults under 50 03:15 – Diet, Microbiome, and Environmental Risks How ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, antibiotics, and microplastics may influence cancer risk 07:20 – New Advances in Cancer Treatment The shift toward targeted therapies, immunotherapy, AI, and personalized cancer care 10:15 – Screening, Prevention, and Living Healthier Why colonoscopies remain the gold standard and the lifestyle habits that can help lower risk Key Topics Covered Early-onset colorectal cancer Rising cancer rates in young adults Colorectal cancer mortality trends Ultra-processed foods and cancer risk Sugar-sweetened beverages Gut microbiome health Antibiotic exposure and cancer Microplastics and potential health effects Fiber and digestive health Cancer prevention strategies Targeted cancer therapies Immunotherapy Artificial intelligence in oncology Colonoscopy screening Blood-based cancer screening tests Fertility preservation during cancer treatment Holistic cancer care Cancer survivorship and outcomes Key Takeaway While cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults, there are meaningful steps people can take to reduce their risk. Prioritizing screening, maintaining a healthy diet rich in fiber, limiting ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, staying active, and paying attention to symptoms can make a difference. At the same time, advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and AI-driven diagnostics are helping improve outcomes and offering new hope for the future of cancer care. Doctor Bio Dr. Mehraneh Dorna Jafari is chief of colorectal surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and associate professor of surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is the director of clinical research in the department of surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She is board-certified in general surgery and colon and rectal surgery. Dr. Jafari specializes in the comprehensive care of colorectal cancer patients, patients with peritoneal surface disease as well as those patients with benign colorectal disease. Dr Jafari works with a world-renowned group of multidisciplinary specialists to help promote a patient centered treatment plan for her patients, including radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists. Her goal is to provide precision medicine to patients that is safe and effective. Dr. Jafari has expertise in minimal access techniques, including laparoscopic, and robotic surgery. In addition, she has special interests in sphincter preserving surgery (helping rectal cancer patients avoid a permanent ostomy), maintaining fertility in cancer patients, and improving quality of life and bowel function after rectal surgery.  Dr Jafari has been at forefront of research with regards to improving outcomes using enhanced recovery and narcotic sparing protocols. Dr. Jafari is among a small number of surgeons who offers surgery for metastatic colon, appendiceal and peritoneal surface disease. She utilizes cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which involves heated chemotherapy applied directly within the abdominal cavity following removal of cancerous tumors. Dr. Jafari's clinical research focuses on quality of life and oncological outcomes for colorectal cancer patients. Her main area of expertise is starting chemotherapy earlier in cancer treatment to allow patients to recover their quality of life sooner. Dr. Jafari has written extensively and published in many major journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Annals of Surgery, and the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. She has led numerable courses teaching surgeons around the country how to perform minimal invasive surgery. Dr. Jafari is actively involved in many national surgical and oncologic societies, including the American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncologists, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and Association of Women Surgeons.

There's no shortage of health advice these days—but more information doesn't always lead to better results.Every day we're told to try a new diet, buy another supplement, follow the latest trend, or completely change the way we eat. The problem isn't that all of the advice is wrong. It's that most of it is just noise.In this episode, I break down one of the most important lessons I've learned on my own health journey: how to separate the signal from the noise. We also explore what decades of research on successful weight maintenance reveal about the habits that actually move the needle—and why consistency will always beat perfection.In this episode: What "signal vs. noise" means for your health  Why more information isn't always the answer  The common habits of people who lose weight and keep it off  Why quick recovery is more important than perfect consistency  How to stop letting one off-plan meal turn into weeks off track  The role of nutrition, movement, sleep, and self-monitoring  Why focusing on the fundamentals leads to lasting success Key Takeaways: Prioritize nutritious foods most of the time.  Move your body consistently.  Pay attention to your habits without becoming obsessive.  Protect your sleep and recovery.  When life happens, get back to your routine as quickly as possible. You don't need another diet, another supplement, or another health hack.You need a better filter.When you learn to tune out the noise and focus on the habits that truly matter, sustainable health becomes much simpler.References National Weight Control Registry. Long-term studies of successful weight-loss maintainers.Rena R. Wing & James O. Hill. Research on long-term weight-loss maintenance behaviors.Arlet V. Nedeltcheva et al. (2010). Insufficient Sleep Undermines Dietary Efforts to Reduce Adiposity. Annals of Internal Medicine.American College of Sports Medicine. Physical activity recommendations for adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult sleep and healthy lifestyle recommendations.Support the showGet Weekly Health Tips:  thrivehealthcoachllc.comJoin the Thrive Collective Facebook groupLet's Connect:@‌ashleythrivehealthcoach or via email: ashley@thrivehealthcoachingllc.comPodcast Produced by Virtually You!

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™   CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-493 Overview: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly managed in primary care—but are you up to date on the latest guidance? This episode reviews current clinical practice guidelines and standards of care to help you confidently diagnose and classify CKD, apply evidence-based management strategies, and know when nephrology referral is warranted. Episode resource links: https://doi.org/10.7326/ANNALS-25-03499 Diabetes Care. 2024;48(Supplement_1):S239-S251. doi:10.2337/dc25-S011 Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP   Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com  The views expressed in this podcast are those of Dr. Domino and his guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pri-Med.

Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™   CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-493 Overview: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly managed in primary care—but are you up to date on the latest guidance? This episode reviews current clinical practice guidelines and standards of care to help you confidently diagnose and classify CKD, apply evidence-based management strategies, and know when nephrology referral is warranted. Episode resource links: https://doi.org/10.7326/ANNALS-25-03499 Diabetes Care. 2024;48(Supplement_1):S239-S251. doi:10.2337/dc25-S011 Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP   Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com  The views expressed in this podcast are those of Dr. Domino and his guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pri-Med.

In this episode of Keeping Abreast, Dr. Jenn Simmons sits down with Ivy Harris, a homeschool mom of four, researcher, and soon-to-be certified homeopath behind the blog Done with Diligence, for part one of a two-part conversation on the hidden risks of mammograms and breast cancer screening. Ivy is not a doctor. She's a mom who decided she wasn't going to walk into her first mammogram without doing her own homework first, and what she found is the reason this episode exists.It started with one post, Ivy broke down what she'd learned about mammograms into five parts, shared it, and watched it split her audience in half, with some women thanking her and others telling her she was going to get people killed. Dr. Jenn picks up exactly where Ivy left off and does the math no one does at check-in: 40 million screening mammograms a year, and by the numbers in the study Ivy found, the radiation alone works out to tens of thousands of cancers and over a thousand deaths a year. This is the episode you'll want to send to every woman who's ever been told a mammogram is simply safe, simply necessary, and not worth questioning.What You'll LearnThe naming decision behind "mammogram" that Dr. Jenn says was never an accidentIonizing radiation is a classified carcinogen, and why radiologists won't apply that logic to their own testThe cross-country flight radiation comparison doctors use to reassure you, and why it doesn't hold upHow breast density and size can mean 10x more radiation for one woman than another in the same mammogramWhy younger breast tissue takes more damage from radiation as screening age keeps getting pushed lowerOverdiagnosis: the NIH's own number is as high as 1 in 2 women screenedWhy DCIS, diagnosed in 90,000 women a year, has no physical route to become life-threatening breast cancerHow standard DCIS treatment can raise heart failure and fracture risk higher than the diagnosis itselfFalse positives and the 80% benign biopsy rate hiding behind every mammogram callbackWhat a 2026 American College of Physicians paper found on mammograms and breast cancer mortality, at every ageWhy decades of mammography have increased mastectomies by 20%, the opposite of what screening promisedLead time bias: how a screening test can look life-saving on paper without changing when anyone actually diesThe UK surgeon forced to resign for telling women the truth about mammogram screeningEpisode Timeline:00:00 Introducing Ivy Harris and Done with Diligence02:27 Why Ivy researched mammogram safety before her first screening03:00 Going past the rumors to the actual breast cancer research04:13 Her viral mammogram post and the backlash that followed05:32 Standing firm on breast cancer screening controversy07:39 Radiation risks: why a mammogram is a breast x-ray09:12 The studies linking mammogram radiation to breast cancer11:14 How radiation damages younger breast tissue13:36 The math: 40 million mammograms and radiation-induced cancer deaths17:59 Overdiagnosis and unnecessary breast cancer treatment26:14 The train analogy for mammogram overdiagnosis28:12 How breast cancer actually progresses versus the screening myth32:29 The real harm of overdiagnosis and overtreatment34:54 Why mammograms don't reduce all-cause breast cancer mortality50:15 Lead time bias and misleading screening survival statistics52:04 Michael Baum, saving breasts, and a Part 2 previewResources Mentioned:American College of Physicians, Annals of Internal Medicine, April 2026: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M22-3424Guest: Ivy HarrisWhere to find her: Done with Diligence  & @donewithdiligenceTo talk to a member of Dr. Jenn's team and learn more about working privately with Dr. Jenn visit: https://calendly.com/stephanie-1031/clarity-callTo get your copy of Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/SmartWomansBreastCancerGuideTo purchase the auria breast cancer screening test go here https://auria.care/ and use the code DRJENN20 for 20% Off.Connect with Dr. Jenn:Website: https://www.jennsimmonsmd.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennSimmonsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons

Dr Nuno Castel-Branco is a Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford. He completed his Ph.D. in the history of science at Johns Hopkins University in 2021 after earning a Bachelor's and Master's in Physics at the University of Lisbon. Previously, he worked as a Research Fellow at Harvard University's Villa I Tatti in Florence and at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin. His first book, The Traveling Anatomist: Nicolaus Steno and the Intersection of Disciplines in Early Modern Science was published by the University of Chicago Press in October 2025. Dr Castel-Branco's research has been generously supported by institutions such as the Fulbright Program, the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the Royal Society and, more recently, the John Fell Fund from the University of Oxford. His writing has also appeared in publications such as Isis, Renaissance Quarterly and Annals of Science, as well as in the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and Scientific American.Substack "Stories of Science" https://nunocastelbranco.substack.com/Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Anatomist-Nicolaus-Intersection-Disciplines/dp/0226842290

LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!! References: Carunchio, M. (July 2020). Atypical Stroke Presentations. EMS World. Available: https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/emsworld/article/1224541/atypical-stroke-presentations Clawson, J. J., Scott, G., Gardett, I., et al. (2016). Predictive Ability of an Emergency Medical Dispatch Stroke Diagnostic Tool in Identifying Hospital-Confirmed Strokes. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 25, 2031-2042. Gardett, Olola, Scott, Broadbent, & Clawson. (March 22, 2017). Comparison of EMD Stroke Identification and Paramedic On-Scene Stroke Assessment. Annals of Emergency Dispatch & Response. Peter Antevy Substack Article on RQI. Available: https://handtevymd.substack.com/p/jalen-brunson-didnt-win-a-championship?r=khz4&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer&triedRedirect=true Prehospital Stroke ID Article: Caffarelli M, Wood AJ, Crowe RP, Amorim E, Kamel H, Kim AS, Guterman EL. PMID: 39398987.

Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Substackhttps://substack.com/@theoccultrejects?r=7auau0&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageCash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsPart 1 focuses on the drum as an ancient technology of altered consciousness. The argument is not that every beat causes trance, or that neuroscience has proven spirits. The stronger argument is that rhythm enters the human organism through hearing, motor prediction, breath, movement, attention, emotion, expectation, culture, and social synchrony. The drum becomes powerful when sound, body, group, ritual frame, and meaning converge. These sources support the archaeology, neuroscience, EEG research, shamanic studies, possession studies, Indigenous and culturally specific drum traditions, ritual theory, placebo and meaning-response research, ceremonial magic, and modern witchcraft material used in the episode.Core Academic and Scientific SourcesHuels, Emma R., Hyoungkyu Kim, UnCheol Lee, Tirsa Bel-Bahar, Ana V. Colmenero, Alexandra Nelson, Stefanie Blain-Moraes, George A. Mashour, and Richard E. Harris. “Neural Correlates of the Shamanic State of Consciousness.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 15 (2021): 610466.Gordon, Yoel, Golan Karvat, Noa Dagan, and Ayelet N. Landau. “Neural Tracking at Theta Predicts Drumming-Induced Altered States of Consciousness.” Scientific Reports 16, no. 1 (2026): Article 10204.Aparicio-Terrés, R., et al. “The Neurobiology of Altered States of Consciousness Induced by Drumming and Other Rhythmic Sound Patterns.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2025.Neher, Andrew. “Auditory Driving Observed with Scalp Electrodes in Normal Subjects.” Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 13 (1961): 449–451.Neher, Andrew. “A Physiological Explanation of Unusual Behavior in Ceremonies Involving Drums.” Human Biology 34, no. 2 (1962): 151–160.Maurer, R., V. K. Kumar, L. Woodside, and R. J. Pekala. “Phenomenological Experience in Response to Monotonous Drumming and Hypnotizability.” American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 40, no. 2 (1997): 130–145. Use for monotonous drumming, subjective altered experience, imagery, absorption, and hypnotizability.Maxfield, Melinda C. “Effects of Rhythmic Drumming on EEG and Subjective Experience.” PhD diss., Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, 1990. Use as older supporting context on drumming, EEG, imagery, body-image changes, and subjective altered experience. Do not make this the main scientific proof; use it as background.Nozaradan, Sylvie, Isabelle Peretz, and André Mouraux. “Tagging the Neuronal Entrainment to Beat and Meter.” The Journal of Neuroscience 31, no. 28 (2011): 10234–10240. Use for EEG evidence that the brain can track beat and meter. This supports the claim that the brain does not merely hear rhythm as background sound; it can represent rhythmic structure in measurable ways.Nozaradan, Sylvie. “Exploring How Musical Rhythm Entrains Brain Activity with Electroencephalogram Frequency-Tagging.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 369, no. 1658 (2014). Use as broader rhythm/EEG entrainment support. This helps explain frequency-tagging, beat tracking, meter, neural entrainment, and the measurable relationship between rhythmic structure and brain activity.Thaut, Michael H., Gerald C. McIntosh, and Volker Hoemberg. “Neurobiological Foundations of Neurologic Music Therapy: Rhythmic Entrainment and the Motor System.” Frontiers in Psychology 5 (2015). Use for rhythm as motor-system timing information. This supports the claim that a beat can become bodily instruction, not just sound for the ear. Especially useful when discussing rhythmic auditory stimulation, motor planning, gait, entrainment, and the auditory-motor bridge.Ross, Jessica M., John R. Iversen, and Ramesh Balasubramaniam. “Time Perception for Musical Rhythms: Sensorimotor Perspectives on Entrainment, Simulation, and Prediction.” 2022. Use for rhythm, timing, prediction, sensorimotor entrainment, and the way musical rhythm interacts with time perception.Hove, Michael J., and Jane L. Risen. “It's All in the Timing: Interpersonal Synchrony Increases Affiliation.” Social Cognition 27, no. 6 (2009): 949–960. Use for synchrony and social bonding. This helps support the group-body argument: moving or acting in time with others can increase affiliation.Wiltermuth, Scott S., and Chip Heath. “Synchrony and Cooperation.” Psychological Science 20, no. 1 (2009): 1–5. Use for the claim that synchronized movement can increase cooperation and attachment among participants.Tarr, Bronwyn, Jacques Launay, and Robin I. M. Dunbar. “Music and Social Bonding: ‘Self-Other' Merging and Neurohormonal Mechanisms.” Frontiers in Psychology 5 (2014): 1096. Use for music, synchrony, bonding, endorphin/social mechanisms, and why group rhythm can feel like more than private listening.Fancourt, Daisy, Rosie Perkins, Sara Ascenso, Louise Atkins, Fatima Kilfeather, and Aaron Williamon. “Effects of Group Drumming Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, Social Resilience and Inflammatory Immune Response among Mental Health Service Users.” PLOS ONE 11, no. 3 (2016): e0151136. Use for modern group-drumming research showing psychological and physiological effects, including anxiety, depression, social resilience, wellbeing, and inflammatory immune response. Use carefully: this does not make group drumming a cure-all. It supports the more grounded claim that embodied rhythm and group participation can affect mood, social connection, and body chemistry.Bittman, Barry B., et al. “Composite Effects of Group Drumming Music Therapy on Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune Parameters in Normal Subjects.” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 7, no. 1 (2001): 38–47. Use as older supporting material on group drumming and neuroendocrine-immune measures. Keep secondary. Fancourt is cleaner for the main script body.Archaeology and Deep History of DrumsLawergren, Bo. “Neolithic Drums in China.” In Music Archaeology in China. 2006. Use for clay drums in Neolithic China and the deep-history claim that drums are not just poetic symbols of antiquity. They appear in the archaeological record as instruments tied to early sound-making, ceremony, and social order.Both, Arnd Adje. “Music Archaeology: Some Methodological and Theoretical Considerations.” Use as general support for why ancient instruments should be treated as ritual and social evidence, not merely decorative objects.Anthropology, Ethnomusicology, Ritual, and TranceRouget, Gilbert. Music and Trance: A Theory of the Relations Between Music and Possession. Translated by Brunhilde Biebuyck. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. Essential source. Use for the caution that music does not mechanically or universally cause trance. Rouget helps keep the argument academically serious by emphasizing culture, ritual frame, meaning, and expectation.Becker, Judith. Deep Listeners: Music, Emotion, and Trancing. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2004. Use for music-linked trancing, emotional absorption, religious experience, and culturally trained ways of listening. This supports the “hearing versus entering” distinction.McNeill, William H. Keeping Together in Time: Dance and Drill in Human History. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1995. Use for marching, dance, drill, muscular bonding, synchronized movement, and rhythm as social glue. This is useful both for Part 1's group-body material and Part 2's war-drum material.Eliade, Mircea. Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1964. Use carefully. Eliade's phrase “archaic techniques of ecstasy” is powerful, but the episode should also note that later scholarship criticizes his tendency to universalize shamanism.Winkelman, Michael. Shamanism: A Biopsychosocial Paradigm of Consciousness and Healing. 2nd ed. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, 2010. Use for shamanism as a ritual technology involving altered consciousness, healing, social integration, symbolism, and body-brain processes.Winkelman, Michael. “Shamanism and Psychedelics: A Biogenetic Structuralist Paradigm of Ecopsychology.” European Journal of Ecopsychology 4 (2013): 90–115. Use as supplemental background on shamanism, altered consciousness, and comparative models of trance and visionary states.Kontouli, Athanasia, Michael J. Hove, Alexandre Lehmann, Peter Vuust, and Peter E. Keller. “The Rhythms of Trance: Cultural Phenomenology and Neural Mechanisms of Music-Induced Lewis-Williams, David. The Mind in the Cave: Consciousness and the Origins of Art. London: Thames & Hudson, 2002. Use cautiously for altered states, entoptic imagery, ritual vision, and the relationship between neuropsychology and symbolic culture.Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2026. Use for the bridge between cultural phenomenology and neuroscience. This supports the point that music-induced trance is not only acoustics; it involves body, training, expectation, culture, environment, and interpretation.Tart, Charles T., ed. Altered States of Consciousness. New York: Wiley, 1969. Use as classic altered-state background.Hultkrantz, Åke. “The Drum in Shamanism.” Use for classic comparative material on the shamanic drum, especially Arctic, SiberiAlso want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. A

What if one of the most important health crises affecting men today wasn't being caused by aging, but by the environment we live in? In this eye-opening solo episode, Darin Olien investigates the alarming decline in testosterone levels, fertility, and reproductive health among men worldwide. Drawing on decades of research, epidemiological studies, environmental science, endocrinology, and public health data, Darin examines the growing evidence connecting endocrine-disrupting chemicals, microplastics, sleep deprivation, chronic stress, poor lifestyle habits, and environmental toxins to declining testosterone levels across generations. From BPA, phthalates, atrazine, PFAS, and microplastics to sleep quality, circadian rhythms, cholesterol metabolism, cortisol regulation, and natural testosterone-supporting strategies, this episode explores what may be one of the most underreported public health issues of our time—and what men can do to take control of their health today.     What You'll Learn Why testosterone levels have been declining for decades The startling research on global sperm count decline How endocrine-disrupting chemicals interfere with hormone production Why BPA and phthalates may disrupt testosterone synthesis The role of atrazine, PFAS, and environmental toxins How chronic stress diverts resources away from testosterone production Why sleep may be the most important testosterone intervention The connection between cholesterol and hormone production How microplastics are being found throughout the human body The surprising relationship between statins and testosterone levels Natural lifestyle strategies that support healthy hormone production Practical steps to reduce environmental exposure and improve health     Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:33 – Sponsor: Fatty15 and cellular health 00:04:17 – The testosterone collapse explained 00:04:51 – Testosterone levels have been declining for decades 00:06:03 – Global sperm count decline and accelerating trends 00:07:02 – Why treating symptoms misses the root cause 00:07:27 – The hidden public health crisis 00:08:03 – Why low testosterone isn't just about aging 00:09:12 – Why hormone health affects longevity 00:09:53 – Low testosterone and increased mortality risk 00:10:35 – Testosterone's role in metabolism and cardiovascular health 00:11:27 – Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and hormone disruption 00:12:44 – BPA and its effects on testosterone production 00:13:59 – Phthalates and their impact on hormone pathways 00:16:00 – Glyphosate, atrazine, and pesticide exposure 00:17:07 – PFAS and reproductive health concerns 00:17:55 – Environmental toxins and population-wide effects 00:18:11 – Sponsor: Shakeology 00:20:02 – Cholesterol and hormone production 00:20:53 – Chronic stress and cortisol dominance 00:21:45 – Actionable solutions begin 00:21:56 – Why sleep is essential for testosterone production 00:23:07 – How sleep deprivation rapidly lowers testosterone 00:23:21 – Light pollution and circadian disruption 00:23:41 – Foods and nutrients needed for hormone health 00:24:23 – Microplastics and testicular tissue 00:24:53 – Statins and unintended hormonal consequences 00:25:39 – A practical testosterone sovereignty protocol 00:25:48 – Water filtration and reducing toxic exposure 00:26:13 – Eliminating plastics and fragrance chemicals 00:26:35 – Why organic food matters 00:26:45 – Sunlight and vitamin D 00:27:05 – Magnesium, omega-3s, and iodine 00:27:26 – Pine pollen and natural androgen support 00:28:01 – Tongkat Ali and ashwagandha 00:28:48 – Strength training and lifestyle interventions 00:29:10 – Habits that naturally support testosterone 00:29:27 – Darin's approach to healthy aging 00:29:37 – Plants, herbs, and common sense 00:29:51 – Reclaiming your health and sovereignty 00:30:00 – Final thoughts and closing message     Thank You to Our Sponsors Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout. Shakeology: Get 15% off with code DARINO1BODI at Shakeology.com.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness     Key Takeaway "The testosterone crisis may be about far more than aging. It may be a reflection of the modern environment itself—one increasingly saturated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals, chronic stress, poor sleep, circadian disruption, and toxic exposures. While many of these forces feel outside our control, the encouraging reality is that many of the most powerful interventions remain accessible: improving sleep, reducing toxic load, eating whole foods, getting sunlight, managing stress, exercising regularly, and reclaiming responsibility for our health. The goal isn't fear. The goal is awareness—and action."     Bibliography/Sources: The Decline — Primary Research Levine, H., Jørgensen, N., Martino-Andrade, A., et al. (2022). Temporal trends in sperm count: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of samples collected globally in the 20th and 21st centuries. Human Reproduction Update, 29(2), 157–176. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmac035 Lokeshwar, S. D., Patel, P., Fantus, R. J., et al. (2021). Decline in testosterone levels in men aged 15–40: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2016. World Journal of Urology, 39(2), 447–452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-020-03227-1 Spital Clinic. (2026, March). Declining testosterone levels by generation. https://www.spitalclinic.com Travison, T. G., Araujo, A. B., O'Donnell, A. B., Kupelian, V., & McKinlay, J. B. (2007). A population-level decline in serum testosterone levels in American men. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 92(1), 196–202. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2006-1375 Low Testosterone — Mortality & Disease Risk Muraleedharan, V., Marsh, H., Kapoor, D., Channer, K. S., & Jones, T. H. (2013). Testosterone deficiency is associated with increased risk of mortality and testosterone replacement improves survival in men with type 2 diabetes. European Journal of Endocrinology, 169(6), 725–733. https://doi.org/10.1530/EJE-13-0321 Shores, M. M., et al. (2006). Low testosterone associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(15), 1660–1665. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/410754 Yeap, B. B., Marriott, R. J., Dwivedi, G., et al. (2024). Associations of testosterone and related hormones with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and incident cardiovascular disease in men. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.7326/M23-2781 Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Associations between endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure and fertility outcomes: A decade of human epidemiological evidence. (2024). PubMed Central (PMC12299029). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12299029/ Hayes, T. B., Haston, K., Tsui, M., et al. (2002). Herbicides: Feminization of male frogs in the wild. Nature, 419, 895–896. https://doi.org/10.1038/419895a Mechanisms of testicular disruption from exposure to BPA and phthalates. (2020). Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(2), 471. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7074154/ Meeker, J. D., Calafat, A. M., & Hauser, R. (2014). Urinary phthalate metabolites and their biotransformation products: Predictors and temporal variability among men and women. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140814124330.htm Zhao, Q., et al. (2023). Male reproductive toxicity of microplastics: Head and tail of the sperm. Science of the Total Environment, 872, 162181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162181 Zhong, B., et al. (2024). Mixed EDC exposure associated with reductions in testosterone and free androgen index. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76972-z Cortisol, Stress & the HPG Axis Bielohuby, M., et al. (2012). Swiss military cadets prolonged stress study. Psychoneuroendocrinology. Preprints.org. (2025). Sleep deprivation: A modifiable cause. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202505.0580.v1 SiPhox Health. (n.d.). Summary of Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism data. https://www.siphoxhealth.com Viau, V. (2002). Functional cross-talk between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and -adrenal axes. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 14(6), 506–513. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2826.2002.00798.x Sleep & Testosterone Leproult, R., & Van Cauter, E. (2011). Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. JAMA, 305(21), 2173–2174. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1029127 Reiter, R. J., et al. (2021). Melatonin and male reproductive health: Relationship to oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and Leydig cell protection. Endocrine. Tan, D. X., Hardeland, R., Manchester, L. C., et al. (2023). Melatonin as a pleiotropic antioxidant hormone. Journal of Pineal Research. Nutrition — Zinc, Vitamin D, Cholesterol Corona, G., et al. (2010). Statin therapy and testosterone levels in men: A systematic review. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Daniell, H. W. (2002). Hypogonadism in men consuming sustained-action oral opioids. The Journal of Pain, 3(5), 377–384. https://doi.org/10.1054/jpai.2002.126790 Pilz, S., Frisch, S., Koertke, H., et al. (2011). Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 43(3), 223–225. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1269854 Prasad, A. S., Mantzoros, C. S., Beck, F. W., Hess, J. W., & Brewer, G. J. (1996). Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. Nutrition, 12(5), 344–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-9007(96)80058-X Natural Testosterone Support — Botanical Evidence Pine pollen impacts testosterone-related symptoms in men. (2024). ACMCR Case Reports, 14(5), 1–9. Chinnappan, S. M., George, A., et al. (2021). Effect of Eurycoma longifolia standardised extract Physta on testosterone levels in ageing males: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study. Food & Nutrition Research, 65. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v65.5647 Lazarev, A., & Bezuglov, E. (2021). Testosterone boosters intake in athletes: Current evidence and further directions. Endocrines, 2(2), 109–120. https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines2020011 Leisegang, K., et al. (2022). Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) improves serum total testosterone in men. Food & Nutrition Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36013514/ Leitão, A. E., et al. (2021). 6-month double-blind RCT: Eurycoma longifolia 200mg + concurrent training. Maturitas. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.10.005 Lopresti, A. L., Smith, S. J., et al. (2019). An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha extract. Medicine, 98(37), e17186. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000017186 Pandit, S., Biswas, S., Jana, U., De, R. K., Mukhopadhyay, S. C., & Biswas, T. K. (2016). Clinical evaluation of purified shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia, 48(5), 570–575. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12482 Saden-Krehula, M., Tajic, M., & Kolbah, D. (1971). Testosterone, epitestosterone and androstenedione in the pollen of Scotch pine Pinus sylvestris L. Experientia, 27(1), 108–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02137731 Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., et al. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today's edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses the G7 and ceasefire with Iran, the thwarted drone attack at the White House, the collision of the Giants Pride night with religious liberty, and the two documents signed by Abraham Lincoln that will be on display at the Lincoln Memorial for America's 250th birthday.Part I (00:14 – 06:36)The G7 and the Ceasefire with Iran: President Trump Claims Victory Before World Leaders, But the Next 60 Days are CrucialPart II (06:36 – 13:20)A Thwarted Drone Attack at the White House: The Big Problem of Disaffected Young Men in the Digital AgePart III (13:20 – 21:50)Pride Night Collides with Religious Liberty and the San Francisco Giants: Three Pitchers Exercise Religious Freedom on Pride Night, and LGBTQ Revolutionaries are Up in ArmsMLB issues warning to Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on Pride Night caps by The Athletic (Steve Berman)Hawley Demands Answers from MLB for Penalizing Christian Players by U.S. Senator for Missouri (Senator Josh Hawley)Part IV (21:50 – 27:56)The Importance of Words in the Annals of History: Two Documents Signed by Abraham Lincoln Will Be on Display at the Lincoln Memorial for America's 250th BirthdayA look at the rare historic documents heading to the Lincoln Memorial by The Washington Post (Michael E. Ruane)Sign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

Doctor Mau Informa ®️ #drmauinforma Durante medio siglo, la endocrinología consideró al glucagón como el "villano" del metabolismo: la hormona responsable de subir el azúcar en la sangre. Sin embargo, ¿qué pasaría si pudiéramos domesticar a este villano para activar la quema extrema de grasa de forma segura. En este episodio de Doctor Mau Informa, analizamos la fascinante evolución científica que nos llevó desde tumores pancreáticos hasta el desarrollo del Retatrutide, un revolucionario fármaco "triple agonista". Descubre cómo la ciencia logró combinar tres señales hormonales (Glucagón, GLP-1 y GIP) en una sola inyección semanal para alcanzar resultados de pérdida de peso metabólica que antes solo le pertenecían al bisturí de la cirugía bariátrica. En este episodio aprenderás: → La balanza de la pérdida de peso: Por qué los medicamentos anteriores solo te quitaban el hambre, y cómo la nueva generación también acelera tu gasto energético. → El secreto del Glucagón: Cómo esta hormona del ayuno saca la grasa del hígado y eleva el metabolismo. → La evolución del GLP-1: El papel protector de la insulina natural para contrarrestar el azúcar y permitir una pérdida de peso segura. → Cirugía vs. Fármacos: Por qué los resultados de los nuevos tratamientos crónicos están cambiando el paradigma médico para siempre. → La realidad clínica: Efectos secundarios, la importancia de la titulación médica y por qué esto no es una "dieta milagro".

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we've got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge.  So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below.  Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Substackhttps://substack.com/@theoccultrejects?r=7auau0&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageCash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsBiblioBernardi, Luciano, Peter Sleight, Gabriele Bandinelli, Simone Cencetti, Luciano Fattorini, Johanna Wdowczyc-Szulc, and Alfonso Lagi. “Effect of Rosary Prayer and Yoga Mantras on Autonomic Cardiovascular Rhythms: Comparative Study.” BMJ 323, no. 7327 (2001): 1446–1449.Benson, Herbert, John W. Lehmann, Mark S. Malhotra, Ralph F. Goldman, Jeffrey Hopkins, and Mark D. Epstein. “Body Temperature Changes During the Practice of g Tum-mo Yoga.” Nature 295 (1982): 234–236.Benson, Herbert, Mark S. Malhotra, Ralph F. Goldman, Gregory D. Jacobs, and Jeffrey Hopkins. “Three Case Reports of the Metabolic and Electroencephalographic Changes During Advanced Buddhist Meditation Techniques.” Behavioral Medicine 16, no. 2 (1990): 90–95.Bremer, Brandon, Lorenzo Wu, Zoran Josipovic, and colleagues. “Mindfulness Meditation Increases Default Mode, Salience, and Central Executive Network Connectivity.” Scientific Reports 12 (2022).Brewer, Judson A., Patrick D. Worhunsky, Jeremy R. Gray, Yi-Yuan Tang, Jochen Weber, and Hedy Kober. “Meditation Experience Is Associated with Differences in Default Mode Network Activity and Connectivity.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108, no. 50 (2011): 20254–20259.Britton, Willoughby B. and colleagues. Research associated with the “Varieties of Contemplative Experience” project on meditation-related challenges, adverse effects, and safety considerations in contemplative practice.Crowley, Aleister. Liber E vel Exercitiorum sub figura IX. In the A∴A∴ training corpus. Relevant sections include asana, pranayama, and dharana as foundational magical exercises.Dennison, Paul. “Insights From an EEG Study of Buddhist Jhāna Meditation.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 13 (2019).Fialoke, Shantala, Helen Weng, and colleagues. “Functional Connectivity Changes in Meditators and Novices During Yoga Nidra Practice.” Scientific Reports 14 (2024).Fox, Kieran C. R., Savannah Nijeboer, Matthew L. Dixon, James L. Floman, Melissa Ellamil, Samuel P. Rumak, Peter Sedlmeier, and Kalina Christoff. “Is Meditation Associated with Altered Brain Structure? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Morphometric Neuroimaging in Meditation Practitioners.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 43 (2014): 48–73.Hölzel, Britta K., James Carmody, Mark Vangel, Christina Congleton, Sita M. Yerramsetti, Tim Gard, and Sara W. Lazar. “Mindfulness Practice Leads to Increases in Regional Brain Gray Matter Density.” Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging 191, no. 1 (2011): 36–43.Kozhevnikov, Maria, Olesya Louchakova, Zoran Josipovic, and Michael A. Motes. “The Enhancement of Visuospatial Processing Efficiency Through Buddhist Deity Meditation.” Psychological Science 20, no. 5 (2009): 645–653.Kozhevnikov, Maria, John A. Elliott, Jennifer Shephard, and Klaus Gramann. “Neurocognitive and Somatic Components of Temperature Increases During g-Tummo Meditation: Legend and Reality.” PLOS ONE 8, no. 3 (2013): e58244.Laukkonen, Ruben E., and Heleen A. Slagter. “From Many to (N)one: Meditation and the Plasticity of the Predictive Mind.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 128 (2021): 199–217.Lomas, Tim, Juan Carlos Ivtzan, and Itai K. Fu. “A Systematic Review of the Neurophysiology of Mindfulness on EEG Oscillations.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 57 (2015): 401–410.Lott, James P., Richard J. Davidson, John D. Dunne, Thupten Jinpa, Antoine Lutz, and colleagues. “No Detectable Electroencephalographic Activity After Clinical Declaration of Death Among Tibetan Buddhist Meditators in Apparent Tukdam.” Frontiers in Psychology 11 (2021): 599190.Lutz, Antoine, Lawrence L. Greischar, Nancy B. Rawlings, Matthieu Ricard, and Richard J. Davidson. “Long-term Meditators Self-induce High-amplitude Gamma Synchrony During Mental Practice.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101, no. 46 (2004): 16369–16373.Lutz, Antoine, Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, Tom Johnstone, and Richard J. Davidson. “Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise.” PLoS ONE 3, no. 3 (2008): e1897.Matko, Karin, Peter Sedlmeier, and colleagues. “Adverse Effects of Meditation and Mindfulness in Clinical Practice.” 2025.Patanjali. Yoga Sutras. Especially Book III, traditionally describing dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.Riegner, Gretchen, Fadel Zeidan, and colleagues. “Disentangling Self from Pain: Mindfulness Meditation-Induced Pain Relief Is Driven by Thalamic-Default Mode Network Decoupling.” Pain 164, no. 2 (2023): 280–291.Tang, Yi-Yuan, Britta K. Hölzel, and Michael I. Posner. “The Neuroscience of Mindfulness Meditation.” Nature Reviews Neuroscience 16 (2015): 213–225.Vago, David R., and David A. Silbersweig. “Self-awareness, Self-regulation, and Self-transcendence: A Framework for Understanding the Neurobiological Mechanisms of Mindfulness.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 6 (2012): 296.Zeidan, Fadel, and colleagues. Research on mindfulness meditation, pain modulation, attention, and the neural mechanisms of pain relief.Slagter, Heleen A., Antoine Lutz, Lawrence L. Greischar, Andrew D. Francis, Sander Nieuwenhuis, James M. Davis, and Richard J. Davidson. “Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources.” PLOS Biology 5, no. 6 (2007): e138. Use for: Attentional blink, limited attention, and meditation changing how the brain allocates resources.Hölzel, Britta K., James Carmody, Mark Vangel, Christina Congleton, Sita M. Yerramsetti, Tim Gard, and Sara W. Lazar. “Mindfulness Practice Leads to Increases in Regional Brain Gray Matter Density.” Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging 191, no. 1 (2011): 36–43. Use for: Neuroplasticity, repeated practice leaving measurable marks on the brain, and the “practice writes itself into the practitioner” idea.Laukkonen, Ruben E., and Heleen A. Slagter. “From Many to (N)one: Meditation and the Plasticity of the Predictive Mind.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 128 (2021): 199–217. Use for: Predictive processing, the brain as a prediction machine, meditation loosening automatic models, and the “veil” argument.Lutz, Antoine, Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, Tom Johnstone, and Richard J. Davidson. “Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise.” PLOS ONE 3, no. 3 (2008): e1897. Use for: Compassion meditation, loving-kindness, emotional circuitry, and training compassion as a repeatable state rather than just a moral idea.Kok, Bethany E., Kimberly A. Coffey, Michael A. Cohn, Lahnna I. Catalino, Tanya Vacharkulksemsuk, Sara B. Algoe, Marc A. Brantley, and Barbara L. Fredrickson. “How Positive Emotions Build Physical Health: Perceived Positive Social Connections Account for the Upward Spiral Between Positive Emotions and Vagal Tone.” Psychological Science 24, no. 7 (2013): 1123–1132. Use for: Loving-kindness, social connection, vagal tone, and the cautious “social nervous system” bridge.Black, David S., and George M. Slavich. “Mindfulness Meditation and the Immune System: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1373, no. 1 (2016): 13–24. Use for: Immune-system caution, inflammation markers, cell-mediated immunity, biological aging, and why this material should be framed as tentative rather than miracle healing.Burić, Ivana, Miguel Farias, Jonathan Jong, Christopher Mee, and Inti A. Brazil. “What Is the Molecular Signature of Mind–Body Interventions? A Systematic Review of Gene Expression Changes Induced by Meditation and Related Practices.” Frontiers in Immunology 8 (2017): 670. Use for: Stress biology, inflammatory gene expression, NF-kB-related language, and the cautious claim that mind-body practices may affect biology below ordinary mood.Also want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. A

CardioNerds (Drs. Rawan Amir, Tripti Gupta, and Alysha Joseph) discuss the fundamentals of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) surgery with Dr. Elizabeth Stephens.  Audio editing by CardioNerds academy intern, Grace Qiu.  Using a case of a young adult undergoing a Ross procedure, the episode walks through what happens in the operating room—from induction and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), myocardial protection, and surgical repair. The discussion highlights key concepts including cardioplegia, cross-clamp and bypass times, hypothermic circulatory arrest, and the complexity of redo sternotomy. This episode provides learners with a practical framework to interpret operative reports, anticipate postoperative physiology, and better collaborate with surgical teams. This episode was produced by the CardioNerds ACHD Council and planned by Dr. Rawan Amir.  CardioNerds Adult Congenital Heart Disease PageCardioNerds Episode Page Pearls “LV distension kills patients.”Preventing left ventricular distension with appropriate venting and awareness of aortic insufficiency is critical to intraoperative safety.  TEE can change the surgical plan in real time.Findings such as underestimated aortic regurgitation, mitral pathology, or a PFO may directly alter cannulation and cardioplegia strategy.  Cross-clamp time = myocardial ischemic time; bypass time = systemic stress.Both are key predictors of postoperative complications including renal injury, bleeding, and ventricular dysfunction.  Redo sternotomy risk is driven by anatomy, not just number.Aorta adherent to the sternum, conduit position, and chamber pressurization define risk more than the number of prior surgeries.  Think longitudinally—ACHD surgery is lifetime planning.Surgical materials and strategies must account for future interventions, especially in younger patients. Notes: Notes drafted by Dr. Alysha Joseph, aided by generative artificial intelligence. What are the key steps in congenital cardiac surgery from incision to closure? Preoperative planning is multidisciplinary, involving surgeon, anesthesia, cardiology, and ICU teams; high-risk inductions (e.g., critical AS, Williams syndrome) are identified early TEE is performed immediately after induction to reassess anatomy and may reveal new findings (e.g., underestimated AI, mitral disease, PFO) Median sternotomy is performed, followed by creation of a pericardial well to optimize exposure Heparin is administered prior to cannulation; arterial and venous cannulas are placed for initiation of CPB Cross-clamp is applied and cardioplegia delivered to arrest the heart, allowing a still and protected operative field Surgical repair (e.g., Ross procedure) is performed, followed by de-airing, cross-clamp removal, and reperfusion Patient is weaned from bypass with TEE reassessment, hemostasis achieved, and chest closed What is cardioplegia and how is it delivered? Cardioplegia is a potassium-rich solution that arrests myocardial activity and reduces metabolic demand Most commonly used solution in the U.S. is Del Nido cardioplegia, originally developed for pediatric myocardium Delivery strategies include: Antegrade (via aortic root) – standard approach  Ostial (direct coronary delivery) – used when aortic root cannot be relied upon  Retrograde (via coronary sinus) – useful in severe AI or coronary disease NOTE: Severe aortic regurgitation can impair antegrade delivery and requires alternative strategies and LV venting  What do cross-clamp time and bypass time represent clinically? Cross-clamp time = duration of myocardial ischemia while the heart is arrested Bypass time = total duration on CPB, reflecting systemic exposure to non-physiologic circulation Prolonged cross-clamp time (>2–3 hours) increases risk of myocardial dysfunction, especially with poor baseline function Longer bypass time is associated with increased risk of renal injury, coagulopathy, and bleeding These metrics often reflect both case complexity and intraoperative challenges What is hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) and when is it used? HCA involves complete cessation of blood flow to allow a bloodless surgical field Typically used in complex aortic arch repairs Patients are cooled to ~18°C to reduce metabolic demand and protect organs Duration is ideally limited to

Welcome to this week's Midlife Minute. Today, I'm focusing on all the questions I received about gallbladder health, including HRT-provoking symptoms, supplements that improve gallbladder health, and evidence-based food interventions. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why the risk of gallstones and gallbladder inflammation increases during the menopause transition How estrogen and progesterone HRT have different effects on gallbladder functioning The differences in risk between transdermal and oral HRT How the progesterone in HRT can cause gallbladder issues in some women What TUDCA is, and how it supports gallbladder health The value of TUDCA for women who have had their gallbladders removed How various nutrients and supplements support bile flow and gallbladder health What can contribute to gallstone formation Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Gallbladder Research: Cabrera D, Arab JP, Arrese M. UDCA, NorUDCA, and TUDCA in liver diseases: a review of their mechanisms of action and clinical applications. Seminars in Liver Disease. 2019;39(4):397–404. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1696799  Vang S, Longley K, Steer CJ, Low WC. The unexpected uses of urso- and tauroursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of non-liver diseases. Global Advances in Health and Medicine. 2014;3(3):58–69. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.017  Bai M, Yang L, Liao H, et al. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid improves nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2024;72(41):22655–22668. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04630  Simon JA, Hudes ES. Relation of serum ascorbic acid to serum vitamin B12, serum ferritin, and kidney stones in US adults. *Archives of Internal Medicine.*1999;159(6):619–624. doi:10.1001/archinte.159.6.619  Walcher T, Haenle MM, Kron M, et al. Vitamin C supplement use may protect against gallstones: an observational study on a randomly selected population. BMC Gastroenterology. 2009;9:74. doi:10.1186/1471-230X-9-74  Tsai CJ, Leitzmann MF, Willett WC, Giovannucci EL. Long-term intake of dietary fiber and decreased risk of cholecystectomy in women. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2004;99(7):1364–1370. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2004.30281.x  Leitzmann MF, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC, Spiegelman D, Colditz GA, Giovannucci EL. Coffee intake is associated with lower risk of symptomatic gallstone disease in women. Gastroenterology. 2002;123(6):1823–1830. doi:10.1053/gast.2002.37085  Moerman CJ, Smeets FW, Kromhout D. Dietary risk factors for clinically diagnosed gallstones in middle-aged men — a 25-year follow-up study. Annals of Epidemiology. 1994;4(3):248–254. doi:10.1016/1047-2797(94)90099-x Association between dietary magnesium intake and gallstones: the mediating role of atherogenic index of plasma. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2024;23(1):82. doi:10.1186/s12944-024-02074-4  Pitt HA, Doty JE, Murphy MM, Schwarz MB. Progesterone alters biliary flow dynamics. Annals of Surgery. 1999;229(2):205–209. doi:10.1097/00000658-199902000-00008