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49ers, Jaguars Floated Trade Idea Involving $14.6 Million Player
The San Francisco 49ers appear to be one of the buyers ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline. So far this 2026 NFL season, the Niners have established themselves as a Super Bowl contender. Despite the impressive start to the campaign, San Francisco does have areas of concern such as the wide receiver position. During […] The post 49ers, Jaguars Floated Trade Idea Involving $14.6 Million Player appeared first on HEAVY.
Calcium-rich whey permeate improves bone health in postmenopausal women, study finds
AFI AFI COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Twice-daily supplementation with calcium-rich whey permeate supports the maintenance of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, according to a 12-month clinical study.[1] Declining oestrogen levels during menopause can accelerate bone loss and reduce bone mineral density, increasing osteoporosis risk. The findings come from the RENEW project, a research collaboration investigating how calcium-rich permeate from whey production
The political calculus of peace in Ukraine
In Ukraine, few words carry as much weight — or as much political risk — as peace. In early October, several prominent Ukrainian politicians publicly called for an end to Russia's war on terms many considered to be closer to the Kremlin's desires. Their proposals differed, but the public reaction revealed a deep-seated fear: that calls for peace could be a prelude to concessions to Moscow rather than a path to a just settlement. For years, Ukraine's leadership framed victory, not compromise, a
Low Testosterone Opens the Door to a Broader Health Conversation
Low testosterone can signal broader health concerns involving weight, metabolic health, sleep and lifestyle. Cleveland Clinic’s Mark Paulos, MD, explains why comprehensive evaluation and a whole-person treatment approach matter.
PS5 console jailbreak on latest 14.10 firmware shared before GTA 6 release date
PlayStation may have hoped it would take longer to compromise the current 14.10 firmware. However, a homebrew developer has found a way to exploit Sony's software. The PS5 console jailbreak could enable piracy of games like GTA 6 that require the update.
Generous paternal leave policies improve maternal and newborn health, family finances and workplace equality
Paternity leave benefits extend beyond dads, supporting maternal recovery, child health, family finances and a more equitable workplace.
Mike LaFleur: Jacoby Brissett's accuracy has been 'dynamite'
While Jacoby Brissett's box score doesn't look the flashiest, head coach Mike LaFleur was impressed with his performance in the Cardinals' win.
Spurs Roster: Carter Bryant Makes Strong Case for Bigger Role
Carter Bryant is making a case to be a normal rotational player on the Spurs roster. Against the Suns on October 14th, he had 16 points and hit four threes. With improved shooting and improved defense, his case for a lot more playing time is strong. The question becomes whether or not he can stay […] The post Spurs Roster: Carter Bryant Makes Strong Case for Bigger Role appeared first on HEAVY.
Could This Centuries-Old Seafood Delicacy Hold Clues to Better Brain Aging?
Sea pineapples, a type of sea squirt known as meongge in Korea and hoya in Japan, contain compounds with potential anti-aging benefits. A study found that plasmalogens extracted from these marine animals improved memory, reduced brain inflammation, and promoted black hair growth in aging mice. But could eating this seafood offer similar benefits to humans?
Scientists discover a surprising link between vitamin C and cancer survival
A surprising clinical trial suggests that taking vitamin C daily could improve survival in people with precancerous blood disorders and early-stage blood cancers. Patients receiving the supplement had fewer adverse events and showed a promising survival advantage, raising hopes that a common vitamin could help protect against leukemia-related complications.
Toppenish School District receives $7.5 million federal grant to expand mental health services for students
The BriefThe Toppenish School District has been awarded up to $7.5 million through Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education), a federal grant administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).The grant will provide up to $1.5 million annually over five years to expand mental health services, strengthen substance use prevention and intervention, and improve access to support for students.District officials say the funding will help address identified gaps in services, particularly drug and alcohol counseling at the high school level, and will allow the district to build capacity for long-term mental health support.TOPPENISH, WASHINGTON — The Toppenish School District has been awarded up to $7.5 million through Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education), a federal grant administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to expand mental health services and substance use prevention for students.District officials said access to mental health resources has been limited, making it difficult for some students and families to get the support they need. The federal Project AWARE grant will help address those challenges by bringing schools and local healthcare providers together to better support students.The grant will provide up to $1.5 million annually over five years to expand mental health services, strengthen substance use prevention and intervention, and improve access to support for Toppenish students. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jeff Camero said the district is focused on coordinating with service providers in the area to work as a unified team."We made the awareness with the grant. But looking at all the service providers in the area and how can we all together work as a team?" Camero said.Camero said the district wants to use those resources to reach students earlier and provide more support for those struggling with their mental health. The district plans to address a range of mental health challenges, from anxiety and depression to youth suicide risk. Camero emphasized the importance of supporting students in grades eight through twelve, where suicide rates are a particular concern."Making sure from anxiety to depression, making sure that we can help support our students at those levels, but also the youth suicide risk, looking at that as a top in this area, in our grades, you know, eight, for example, eight through 12, looking at suicide rate and looking at how whether we look at the ACES or whatever program we're looking at, that's federal, how that connects and how we can better serve our students with this extra funding," Camero said.The funding will allow the district to bring in additional staff, including mental health and substance use specialists, to work directly with students and connect families with community resources. The district is already posting positions, including a director role, with additional positions expected to follow.District officials are also thinking beyond the grant's five-year timeline. Brittany Kaple, Director of Public Relations for the Toppenish School District, said the intent is to build capacity and establish connections that will sustain mental health services even after the grant funding ends."We do have the director position already posted, with some of our other positions following really close behind that. But the intent is to, you know, it's a five-year grant, so those positions would be funded for that five years. But there's also the intent to build capacity and make those connections so that at the end of the grant, when that money, you know, if that money is not renewed," Kaple said.As student mental health needs continue to evolve, access to drug and alcohol counseling has become an important priority for the district. Kaple said teachers and staff have been raising concerns about the need for more support, especially at the high school level."And that was something that was also an identified need by our high school staff when the superintendent met with them last school year. They said that that was a really great need, something that they felt was a gap in services that we were providing for our students. And so this is going to be one way to help support that need," Kaple said.The Toppenish School District says its goal is to ensure students and families have access to the support they need, both now and in the years ahead. Additional positions, including drug and alcohol counselors and family engagement specialists, are expected to be posted in the coming weeks. News Sunnyside City Council navigates 2027 budget planning Monique Garcia News "Dancing with the Stars" champion J.R. Martinez shares message of resilience during Central Washington visit Tyler Wargo News Toppenish, Mattawa educators honored at state Educator of the Year Awards Erin Wencl News Kennewick educator named 2027 Washington Teacher of the Year Erin Wencl News Voters to decide the next Yakima County Sheriff Monique Garcia COPYRIGHT 2026 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
Advancing Women's Health to Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life
The Executive Order (“EO”) makes it federal policy to prioritize turning women’s health research into better clinical care at every life stage, and it directs HHS, through NIH, to set up a new Women’s Health Division within 90 days. In coordination with the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health, the Division will focus on, among other things, understudied women’s health conditions, greater inclusion of women and girls in clinical trials and grant recipients’ adherence to NIH's policy on sex as a biological variable. The EO also creates a White House Women’s Health Task Force, co-chaired by the Secretary of HHS and the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff and composed of officials from other departments and agencies.
President Trump signs executive order aimed at improving women's health. How could it impact you?
President Trump signed an executive order creating a women's health task force and a division at the National Institutes of Health to advance research, diagnostics, and treatments for women's health issues.
President Trump signs executive order aimed at improving women's health. How could it impact you?
President Trump signed an executive order creating a women's health task force and a division at the National Institutes of Health to advance research, diagnostics, and treatments for women's health issues.
First Lady announces NIH Women's Health Division
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announce an executive order establishing a new Women's Health Division at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a White House Women's Health Task Force, followed by an impromptu Q&A session with White House reporters on the South Lawn.
Scientists Create “Super Ice” That’s 10 Times Stronger and Rivals Concrete in Strength
A new form of reinforced ice could offer an unconventional building material for extreme polar environments, although questions about its long-term durability remain. Scientists have developed a new form of ice that approaches the compressive strength of conventional concrete while resisting the sudden fractures that make ordinary ice so brittle. Known as BioPykrete, the material
Ohio University Chemistry Professor Eric Masson develops open-source software to advance chemical research
New computational platform, Equilibrist, simplifies complex chemical data analysis and improves the reliability and reproducibility of scientific results.
President Trump Signs Historic Executive Order to Advance Women’s Health, Championed by First Lady Melania Trump
President Donald J. Trump, with the leadership and support of First Lady Melania Trump, signed an executive order, Advancing Women’s Health to Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life.
See your patient population more clearly with the UNOS SDOH Report
The UNOS Social Determinants of Health Report helps transplant programs better understand the social and economic factors affecting their patient populations through center-specific data and regional, peer and national comparisons. These insights can help programs identify trends, support quality improvement and advance more equitable access to transplantation.
BYU Alumna Combines AI, Healthcare, and Hope in Brazil
BYU alumna Isabella Roque is improving Brazil's healthcare system and providing internship opportunities for current life sciences students.
BYU Alumna Combines AI, Healthcare, and Hope in Brazil
BYU alumna Isabella Roque is improving Brazil's healthcare system and providing internship opportunities for current life sciences students.
New UI clinic pilots exercise treatments to improve health of cancer patients, survivors
A new exercise oncology research clinic at the University of Iowa is helping people dealing with cancer and its aftermath build back strength and trust in their bodies through exercise training.
HOMETOWN HEALTH: New menopause care guidelines aim to improve treatment options
Doctors say awareness of menopause is spreading, but so is misinformation.
eMazzanti Technologies Named NJBIZ 2026 Business of the Year Finalist
eMazzanti Technologies, a leading Hoboken, NJ-based Cybersecurity, managed services, and digital transformation provider with a national footprint, announced today that it has been selected as a finalist in the NJBIZ 2026 Business of the Year Awards program. The recognition highlights organizations that demonstrate sustained growth, innovation, leadership, and a positive impact on New Jersey's business community. An independent panel of judges comprised of previous program honorees selected the
Naples Comprehensive Health Collaborates with Publix Pharmacy to Launch Meds-to-Beds Service - Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report
New service will deliver discharge prescriptions directly to patients at the hospital, helping support medication access and continuity of care October 19, 2026 – Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) is collaborating […]
Green Bay's defense leads the way in Packers' 23-13 victory over Cowboys
Love went 23 of 41 for 276 yards to help the Packers improve to 11-1-1 in their last 13 meetings with the Cowboys.
13 Organizations Building Health and Community in Philadelphia
These Philadelphia organizations are improving food and nutrition security and advancing health-forward solutions rooted in community.
Industry Insights: Beauty, Science and the Boardroom
Beauty companies can make more of two high-value assets they already possess: their scientific organizations and their boards. The key is to connect them deliberately.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered on Switch 2 Gets Patch 5.01 With Sharper Visuals
The Witcher 3 Remastered on Nintendo Switch 2 has just received Patch 5.01, and it introduces major improvements to image clarity.
Gina Hinojosa Has Managed to Make Greg Abbott’s Reelection Bid a Real Race
The Austin Democrat’s campaign to unseat the three-term governor looked like a long shot. But she’s been able to capitalize on Texans’ anger on two major issues: data centers and schools.
Bengals Bye Week Awards: Defensive MVP
The defense has improved, but it also seems to be a feast-or-famine unit.
Nutex Health Schedules 2026 Third Quarter Financial Results Release and Conference Call
Nutex Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUTX), a physician-led, integrated healthcare delivery system comprised of 28 state-of-the-art micro hospitals and hospital outpatient departments in 12 states and primary care-centric, risk-bearing physician networks, today announced that it plans to file its Form 10-Q for the third fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30, 2026, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, after the market close. The Company will also issue a corresponding press release summarizing financial results on the same
Lamprey Health Care and Gather launch food bus partnership
Gather's fresh food bus, known as Gus the Bus, is now making regular visits to Lamprey Health Care in Newmarket.
IOPP and China Science Publishing & Media announce partnership
Collaboration will make IOP Publishing's journal metadata available through SciEngine, improving research discoverability in China
More needs to be done to help tackle maternal and child health
A senior Irish Government minister has called for more to be done to help further improve maternal and child health across the world. Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday (14 October), Neale Richmond said it was vital the issue remained a “priority” for policymakers at EU and member state level. Richmond, Minister of State for International […]
MGPI to rebrand as Sempreon
Move represents the next chapter for Atchison, Kan.-based company.
All That Matters 2026 put music discovery & entertainment’s big questions on the same stage
From the impact of AI on music-making to the ways fans connect across music, sport, and gaming, All That Matters 2026 brought the business of enter...
Steelers Complete Incredible Comeback to Beat Buccaneers in Overtime!
Aaron Rodgers Leads Pittsburgh to 26-19 Victory in Tampa Bay The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off an impressive comeback Sunday, overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers delivered another clutch performance, leading Pittsburgh to its second-half rally before connecting with rookie Germie…
Mosaic Health Launches Public Phase of Conners Campus Capital Campaign - The Source
Mosaic Community Health launched the public phase of its Conners Campus capital campaign on Tuesday, inviting neighbors, businesses and community members to help build a new primary hub for comprehensive health services on Bend’s east side. The launch event, held at the construction site at 2790 NE Conners Ave., brought together state legislators and Mosaic […]
South Texas Health System (@stxhealthsystem)
2 likes, 1 comments - stxhealthsystem on October 18, 2026: "Put Your Skills at the Heart of Innovation: South Texas Health System is seeking skilled and dedicated Cardiac Cath Lab Technologists to join the cardiovascular teams at STHS Heart and STHS Edinburg. In this vital role, you’ll support advanced cardiac procedures, help deliver potentially lifesaving care and make a meaningful difference for patients when it matters most. Join a team committed to clinical excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Ready to take your career to the next level? Explore opportunities with the Rio Grande Valley’s largest integrated healthcare network. STHS offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and an increased sign-on bonus for qualified applicants. Ready to make your next career move? View current openings and apply at the link in our bio.".
How Can New Blood Test Improve Early Liver Cirrhosis Detection? - National Cancer Centre Singapore
How Can New Blood Test Improve Early Liver Cirrhosis Detection? - National Cancer Centre Singapore / cancer, liver cancer, Liver cirrhosis, National Cancer
Scientists uncover 3 key brain pathways linked to lasting depression relief
Researchers have uncovered three brain pathways linked to lasting improvements in people receiving deep brain stimulation for severe, treatment-resistant depression. They also discovered that patients who failed to improve after two years shared a striking pattern: insufficient stimulation of a crucial brain connection. The findings suggest that millimeters in electrode placement could make a major difference in treatment outcomes.
7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for a Healthy Gut, Created by a Dietitian
If you’re looking for a way to support your gut health, look no further. Follow this Mediterranean-diet meal plan created by a dietitian.
Baba Miller is Set for a Promising Rookie Season
With the 36th pick in the 2026 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Baba Miller. Following his impressive showing in the Summer League and preseason, Miller is ready to capitalize at the NBA level. Get ready for a promising season from the rookie! The Clippers Have a History of Striking Gold With Second Rounders …
ConnectWise Suspends Cloud Backup After Attackers Compromise Microsoft 365 Tenants
ConnectWise disabled seven application identities and suspended Cloud Backup after attackers compromised Microsoft 365 tenants.
Chinese scientists develop nanoparticles to improve pesticide
In a study published in the Journal of Controlled Release, researchers mimicked gut bacteria pili-hair-like structures that function as hooks-to design hollow, rough-surfaced silica nanoparticles
Islanders 4 (EN), Maple Leafs 1: Costly but gritty win
The Islanders pulled off an impressive 4-1 win in Toronto despite losing two forwards for most of the game, with both Cal Ritchie and Matias Maccelli limping off to destinations unknown in the first period. Ritchie was the first to leave, on his first shift, but he was at least able to skate off after […]
Browns’ health improving in time for division showdown with Ravens
Browns head coach Todd Monken spent the previous three years as the offensive coordinator in Baltimore going against the Ravens’ defense daily in practice.
NVIDIA says RTX 5090 is not discontinued, but good luck finding one for $1,999
The RTX 5090 is still in production, according to NVIDIA. However, the company has not explained how it intends to improve availability as retail prices remain far above MSRP.
Major One UI update expected in 2027
Samsung introduced a major improvement to its smartphone and tablet experience with the launch of One UI in 2018, and the company has continued to refine it eve
Annual Rocco’s dinner to support emergency services in Ceredo
The Ceredo Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with restaurateur Rocco Muriale to raise money to improve local emergency services.
Opinion: Do social media bans protect teens' mental health? Research suggests bans aren’t the answer.
Opinion by Ari Lightman: I research digital media and marketing and measure the impact of new technologies, and I’m skeptical about whether prohibiting access to social media platforms will actually improve young people’s mental health.
Cleveland Browns Path To The Playoffs
Welcome to my weekly Cleveland Browns rooting guide looking at the best outcomes for the Cleveland Browns. With many of the top quarterbacks in the league not being selected in the first three picks, the Browns winning games isn't a bad thing, it shows the roster is loaded and able to continue improving with another offseason.What we will cover weekly in this article:- Current AFC Playoff Games-...
Hackers Use Compromised ConnectWise Credential to Sign In to 173 Microsoft 365 Tenants
Attackers used a compromised ConnectWise Cloud Backup credential for unauthorized sign-ins across 173 Microsoft 365 tenants.
Walking, Yoga, or Zumba? Which Exercises Help Relieve Menopause Mood Symptoms
A new review suggests that regular physical activity may help reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life during menopause.
Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying waiver is in U.S. national interest
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that puts on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national interest.
Improperly secured seats prompt Ford F-150 recall
Ford Motor Co. has issued a recall on thousands of 2025-27 F-150 pickup trucks after identifying improper securements for front-row seats to the vehicle. There are 2,276 vehicles included in
Texas Has Been Considering Selling a Beloved State Park to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Sources Say
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission had been scheduled to discuss selling Boca Chica State Park, Texas Monthly has learned.
Proposed AI Governance Framework: Risk-Mitigation Recommendations for Health Plans
Senator Maria Cantwell has outlined a comprehensive AI governance framework intended to drive legislative and executive actions addressing potential AI risks — and for health plans, this framework could determine how AI can be used in prior authorization and other consequential clinical and administrative decisions. The framework explicitly calls out AI-assisted prior authorization — including CMS's WISeR model — as an area where meaningful human oversight is required. Read our alert for six risk-mitigation recommendations health plans should take now.
ABC7 Sports Overtime with Dionne Miller: Oct. 16, 2026
On the latest ABC7 Sports Overtime, Dionne Miller discussed the Chicago Bears hoping to have Caleb Williams back to turn things around, as well as a recap of an impressive season for the White Sox.
Oklahoma City awarded $11.5M in federal grants to improve children's mental health care
Two federal grants totaling $11.5 million will help Oklahoma City expand mental health care for children in schools and communities, addressing growing needs and reducing emergency room visits.
New UI clinic pilots exercise treatments to improve health of cancer patients, survivors
Cancer patients and survivors are working with a new UI exercise oncology clinic to help with symptoms and health.
How laughter can help improve your mental health
They say laughter is the best medicine, but can adding a dose of humor to your life actually improve your mental well-being? According to the Journal of Psychiatric Research, the answer is yes.
Mountain Dreamers series aims to connect Summit County’s Latino business community
What began as an effort to help Summit County residents navigate their taxes has grown into a broader initiative to support local Latino entrepreneurs. Mountain Dreamers launched its first Café y Emprendimiento in August, inviting...
What Makes Your Cannabis Business Buyable Right Now?
It’s a fraught question for many operators: How attractive is my business to potential buyers in the current market? M&A experts offer 5 characteristics buyers are seeking for entrepreneurs considering or curious about their businesses’ potential in an exit. Plus, 5 ways to make your business more attractive to buyers.
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Price Increases 'Much More Striking' Than New Features
Daring Fireball's John Gruber shared his first impressions of the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 this week, and he concluded that the price increases the devices received are "much more striking" than any of the new features introduced. Prior to receiving price increases in late June, the previous Apple TV 4K started at $129 in the U.S., while the previous HomePod mini was priced at $99.
What Impresses Titans the Most About RB Nick Singleton
Coach Randy Jordan reveals why the Penn State rookie’s explosive physical tools offer a high-upside solution as Tennessee navigates looming contract decisions for its veteran backfield.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Is Finally Fixing One Of Its Most Frustrating Features
Alongside slowing its release cadence, trading and immersive cards are also getting improvements
From Snack Bags to Sports Drink Sachets: How PepsiCo Shares Packaging Science Across Foods and Beverages
PSV Secure Shuryjano Cornecion’s Future With New Contract Until 2031
Fresh off an impressive first-team debut, the teenage midfielder commits his long-term future to the Eredivisie giants as Peter Bosz looks to integrate the academy graduate permanently.
Red Bull New York Debuts New, Lower Prices on Fan Favorites at Sports Illustrated Stadium
Matchday just got better. Red Bull New York are always looking for ways to improve the experience at Sports Illustrated Stadium, and fan input is a big part of that. The latest step: lower prices on six fan-favorites, starting with the Saturday, October 17 match vs. Toronto FC. Crispy Fries
AtScale Finds Semantic Layer Boosts AI Accuracy on Enterprise Data by Up to 2.4x
A more powerful AI model isn’t necessarily the answer to unreliable business analytics. New research from AtScale found that leading AI models answered fewer than 40% of business questions correctly when querying databases directly. But when AtScale added its semantic layer, accuracy improved by 1.7x to 2.4x across all seven models tested. In one test, […]
ASUS ProArt P16 "RTX Spark" Laptop Review - NVIDIA's First Full PC Platform Brings Powerful AI & Gaming Capabilities
NVIDIA RTX Spark launches with ASUS ProArt P16, featuring N1X SoC, 6144 CUDA cores, & up to 128 GB memory for impressive gaming and AI.
Pope Leo to make first appearance since cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV is set for his first public appearance since cancer surgery as doctors report steady improvement in his recovery.
Turn Calf Health Records Into Herd Improvements
There is a cycle of incomplete calf health records and limited veterinary feedback. Breaking it requires practical recordkeeping systems and a commitment to turning data into management decisions.
Can AI solve our mental health access problem?
Last week I asked you what worries you most about AI in health. It was close, but your top answer was “AI giving bad health advice.” Last week’s poll results: You’re in good company. This concern was top of mind at a conference I joined at Stanford last week, where researchers, clinicians, and people who build AI systems spent a day debating trust and safety in health AI. Stepping back, I’m also hearing your emerging concerns about AI’s impact on our well-being generally. I see this as a matter of public health, and we’ll take it in pieces as we learn together. Today we’ll focus on AI chatbots used for therapy for mental health. Early this month, Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 903, California’s most ambitious attempt to regulate AI use for mental health. It’s at the center of active debate, and raises the questions patients, family members, citizens, and voters will face as AI moves deeper into health care. Let’s work through it. What is “AI-based therapy”? It’s really two things: purpose-built mental health apps designed to deliver structured support, and general chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini that people increasingly use for emotional support—even if they weren’t built for it. Spoiler alert: I don’t know whether the shift toward AI therapy is good or bad. The evidence isn’t there yet. But I do know it’s already happening, and I have some ideas about how we can roll it out with safety in mind. The therapy dilemma, in a nutshell Mental health challenges are common, and strain health and well-being across populations. Therapy (interactive dialogue with a trained, empathetic practitioner) helps many people heal. The demand for licensed therapists far exceeds the supply in California, and AI-based therapy can narrow that gap. AI-based therapy remains novel, unproven, and not well tested. Right off the bat, we can see we’re dealing with trade-offs here. Since the main driver of demand for therapy from a robot is lack of access to therapy from a human, we’ll start there. It’s too hard to find and afford a human therapist California is short roughly 55,000 licensed, non-prescribing therapists and counselors, about 40% of what we need. Psychiatrists, who rely on talk therapy as a complement to prescribed medications, are even more scarce. Eight counties have none, and density ranges from 1.7 per 100,000 residents in San Benito County, to 68.1 in Marin County. My wife is a psychiatrist in Marin, and even here access is tight. If it’s hard in the best-supplied county, imagine rural Sierra County, or the San Joaquin Valley. In 2024, more than half of Californians who tried to make a mental health appointment struggled to find a provider who took their insurance, compared with 14% for physical health care. When Senate staff posed as “secret shopper” patients and called 120 mental health providers in Medicare Advantage networks, they landed an appointment less than once for every five tries. Insurers pay behavioral health clinicians about 22% less than medical and surgical clinicians for comparable office visits. On top of that, billing denials and prior authorizations hit hardest at the solo and small practices common in mental health. Psychiatrists opt out of Medicare at the highest rate of any specialty. In many places, a cash practice for therapy fills quickly with patients paying $250 or more an hour, with no insurance paperwork at all. Families who can pay cash find providers more easily. Those who rely on insurance, including Medi-Cal enrollees, older adults, rural residents, and non-English speakers, compete for what’s left. So we can’t pretend the human system works, and we can’t blame people for turning to AI for support when they’re in distress. AI is filling the gap It’s estimated that roughly a quarter of AI users use it for mental health support. If you have internet, it’s available 24/7, it’s cheap, and it speaks your language. Uninsured adults are about twice as likely as insured adults to do it (30% vs. 14%). It feels anonymous in ways that may enable people to ask things they’re unsure or embarrassed about. The largely hidden, personal use makes it hard to study whether it’s actually helping people with their mental health issues, but researchers are trying. Does AI therapy work? A 2026 analysis of nearly 40 randomized trials found chatbots showed a real but small reduction in depression symptoms. But most of these trials were compared to an alternative of no therapy, not a human therapist. So the benefit of AI therapy is probably real, but modest, and mostly untested against the alternative of human contact. We need more studies. Serious concerns OpenAI’s own estimate is that more than a million ChatGPT users each week show signs of suicidal planning or intent. These are high stakes encounters, and AI doesn’t always get it right. That’s partly because a chatbot can sound like a therapist, but it has no license, no duty of care, and it’s not clear who to hold accountable when it gets things wrong. AI is also designed to help users in whatever task they’re seeking to accomplish. People may feel like they’re getting therapy, but they’re mainly getting a convincing conversation. It’s easy for an AI companion to wander into gray areas, like playing along with “creative writing” that may be about the user’s own suicidal intent. Courts are driving safety conversations A wave of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of families claiming that chatbots pushed people they loved toward self-harm, including teens who died by suicide. The first settlements came this year. OpenAI is headquartered in San Francisco, and dozens of cases alleging that ChatGPT drove users to suicide or self-harm are now before a San Francisco judge. Character.ai has filed for bankruptcy after several states brought lawsuits accusing the chatbot of pushing dangerous content to kids. But the technology seems to be improving. Last month, an independent evaluation found that newer AI models “almost never endorse suicide.” That’s progress, but our societal appetite for even one preventable death is very low. So how do we move forward? Finding a middle ground Earlier this month the governor vetoed Senate Bill 903, a bill designed to place guardrails on the use of AI for therapy. The bill would have prohibited any AI-based platform from being advertised as psychotherapy, and would have required a licensed professional to review and approve each encounter where AI was used to support therapeutic decisions. Newsom called it overly broad, since even routine screening questions would have needed clinician sign-off. Knowing we’re already short on mental health providers, requiring human review of AI encounters may not relieve our access problems. Still, the answer isn’t no oversight. Here’s one feasible short term solution. Rather than reviewing each encounter, a licensed clinician can design the guardrails: what counts as a crisis, what triggers an immediate handoff to a human, and what gets sampled for audit each month. The AI runs inside that structure. Conversations get checked, failures get reported, and a real clinician owns the framework. Medicine already has models to learn from. The FDA process for rolling out newly approved medications is an example. After a product reaches patients, we keep watching for adverse events. Patient-facing AI needs the same “digital pharmacovigilance”: systematic tracking of harms, near misses, and the types of groups that get hurt and why. It’s also critical that users know that they can reach a human if they’re in crisis. Most chatbots now include messages like these: Bottom line The rush to use unproven AI tools for mental health support is mostly a workaround, a sign of a health system people can’t get into. We need better access to proven care from licensed clinicians. That takes reimbursement that makes accepting insurance viable, and a bigger workforce. But, built and tested well, AI could be part of the answer. It could be the 2 a.m. check-in when no one else is awake, or a way for patients to practice skills their therapist taught them. It could be the first step to get someone the right level of care, and take paperwork off clinicians’ plates so they spend more time with patients. None of this is simple. The SB 903 veto doesn’t end the debate, and the legislature will be back. In the meantime, those of us using these tools need to stay informed, ask hard questions, and hold the companies building them accountable. I’ll try to do my part, and we’ll keep learning together. Love,Matt P.S. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988- you’ll reach a real person— or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Dr. Matt Willis is the author of Your Local Epidemiologist in California. A California native, he’s served as a primary care physician, CDC epidemiologist, and public health officer for Marin County, where he guided the pandemic response. He lives in Marin with his family and their dogs, Teddy and Ramona. Thank you Cynthia He, MD, PhD, and Parnika Saxena, MD, for their guidance in preparing this article. Cynthia works in an outpatient mental health clinic, treating patients who have Medi-Cal or, sometimes, no insurance. Parnika works in an inpatient psychiatric unit, treating patients with public or private insurance or self-pay ability. All opinions are their own and do not represent their employers.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Update 1.1 Adds Directional Animal Petting and Over 1,100 Other Improvements and Fixes
The Blood of Dawnwalker update 1.1 adds directional animal petting and over 1,100 other improvements and fixes.
Over 1,100 Improvements Promised in The Blood of Dawnwalker Patch 1.1
Coming to PS5 next week
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Plague is stoppable. The next health threat may not be.
The word plague is scary. Centuries ago, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people and changed the course of history. Plague still kills people around the world, and the word still evokes catastrophe. New fears of plague surfaced on October 2, when a lab worker in Irkutsk, Russia, died of pneumonia. Reports suggested that she may have contracted plague through a laboratory exposure. Understandably, people were alarmed. On October 7, the World Health Organization called for the Russian Federation to be transparent about what it knew. WHO issued an update on October 10. Russian authorities told WHO that testing did not identify plague and that investigations found no laboratory release. WHO said confidence in its risk assessment remained limited and that further clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information was needed. The cause of the woman’s illness remains unknown, and WHO says a laboratory-associated exposure cannot be excluded. As I explained in a recent interview, this incident is very unlikely to lead to a pandemic. Plague is still active, including in the U.S., which sees a handful of cases each year. But it is a disease we can prevent and treat. Plague doesn’t spread readily, and it responds to antibiotics. The standard response—isolate the patient, trace contacts, and administer antibiotics and monitor for symptoms among contacts for seven days—works. We have even planned for antibiotic-resistant plague. At CDC, we developed a playbook for antibiotic-resistant plague and ran exercises on how to find and stop it. CDC guidance anticipates engineered resistance and recommends two different classes of antibiotics if there’s reason to suspect it. There is no evidence that resistance—or even confirmed plague—is involved in this incident. We have thought through how to address plague, but we’re not ready for the next major health threat that emerges from a lab or from animal spillover to humans. What should concern people is how little stands between the world and the next pathogen to get loose. Since peak COVID, epidemic preparedness has fallen off the political agenda, but the risk is greater than ever. More labs handle dangerous pathogens with more ways to make those pathogens deadlier, and more people live and work in close contact with animals. There are actions we can take now: We need better lab safety in every country. The number of labs that work with dangerous pathogens has increased worldwide over two decades, but there’s no enforceable international standard and no inspection regime; the Biological Weapons Convention, fifty years on, still has no verification mechanism. Labs that study dangerous germs need strong safety systems, training, and oversight. We need to reduce spillover events. Three in four emerging human infections start in animals, and there’s a lot we can do to reduce spillover risk, but the world is doing very little of it. Live-animal markets are one place to act. For instance, closing live-bird markets helped control H7N9 influenza in China. Reducing opportunities for people to encounter infected animals can prevent infections before they become outbreaks. In The Formula for Better Health, which is now out in paperback along with the hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook versions, I argue that labs do too many risky experiments with too many dangerous pathogens in too many institutions, and that every experiment should first answer one basic question: Is the likely benefit greater than the risk? Spillover risk can also be reduced: In the book, I discuss how Brazil cut its deforestation rate by 70% from 2004 to 2012 while increasing agricultural production and reducing risky contact between people and forest animals. We need faster detection and response. Delay costs lives. Strong surveillance, good labs, and trained responders can turn a single case into a small cluster of infections instead of an epidemic. Resolve to Save Lives has worked for nearly a decade to help countries find and stop outbreaks faster. The 7-1-7 target, which Resolve to Save Lives developed with partners in Uganda and elsewhere, provides a clear standard: detect within 7 days, notify within 1 day and complete all essential early response actions within 7 days. In Uganda’s Kasese district, for example, a review of a measles outbreak using 7-1-7 identified shortages of accessible funds, fuel, and vehicles that delayed the response. District leaders established funds they could access quickly. When, a few months later, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever appeared, the district detected it in three days, notified authorities in one, and mounted an effective response in two. Only one case was confirmed, and the patient survived. Because funds were available before the emergency, authorities were prepared and able to act. This kind of preparation can’t wait until the next crisis begins. Plague is an old disease we that know how to stop. The next threat may be harder to recognize, harder to treat, and easier to spread. Safer labs, less risk of spillover, and faster outbreak detection and response need sustained investment now, while we still have time to prevent the next emergency. Share
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