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Research suggests women living in states with abortion bans bear higher health insurance costs
Ten states with near-total abortion bans were compared with five states that did not implement bans, including Pennsylvania.
Microsoft is actively rebuilding Windows 11 Search. What does it mean? Our deep‑dive answers every major question.
Microsoft's new Windows 11 Search promises faster results, better query matching, and useful actions without requiring a Copilot+ PC.
AI-Generated Content Can Plant Fake Memories, Researchers Say
Human memory is suggestible, and AI is making it worse.
Woman allegedly hit business owner with a closed fist when he tried to stop robbery
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Regional Science Consortium Researching Harmful Algal Blooms
If you've noticed large buoys or boats out on the bayfront and wondered what they were, you're not alone. The Regional Science Consortium is collaborating with Princeton Hydro on a research project funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study ways to control harmful algal blooms. Dr. Jeanette Schnars, the Executive Director of the Regional Science Consortium, explained the goal of the research."We are researching different ways to control blue-green algae, which creates harmful algal blooms and releases toxins," Dr. Schnars said.The project aims to identify potential techniques for controlling harmful algal blooms in Presque Isle Bay.Schnars explained that people may notice circular floats in the water near Perry's Landing and Liberty Park. Those floats are part of the testing process."You might see a circular float, almost like a hula hoop, that is out in the bay, near Perry's Landing and Liberty Park area, and those limn corrals go all the way to the bottom. And what we will do are some treatments within the limn corral in the bottom," Schnars said.After samples are collected, they are brought back to the laboratory at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center for analysis."A lot of those samples are coming back here. We are going to test them for the harmful algal bloom toxins before, during, and after, and see how effective the testing was," Schnars said.Sarah Magyan, an aquatic biologist with the Regional Science Consortium, explained that the team also collects samples from locations throughout the region."We pull samples every week from 30 different sites, and then we bring those back here, we preserve them and run them through the ELISA test," Magyan said.Schnars said researchers hope the results will help them develop effective ways to reduce harmful algal blooms in the future."If we can do some treatments over space and time in upcoming seasons, we may be able to reduce the number of harmful algal blooms we have in this area," Schnars said.The research is also important for public and animal safety. Magyan explained that toxins produced by certain algae can affect the skin, nervous system or liver.While toxin levels may be low for people, she emphasized the importance of protecting pets that swim in local waterways."Toxins can either be skin toxins, nerve toxins, or liver toxins. While we have low levels for people, it is important that we are keeping our pets safe because we recreate with our animals in the water, and we see hundreds and hundreds of dogs on Presque Isle and the rest of the shoreline," Magyan said.Testing began in September, and Schnars said researchers expect to conduct at least another six to eight weeks of testing to better understand the effectiveness of the treatments.
Black Death had dramatic effect on species diversity as humans abandoned farmland, study finds
Researchers have found that during the Black Death, when a third of the population of Europe was wiped out, biodiversity fell. Understanding their farming practices could help us increase diversity in modern agriculture.
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.
Magic mushroom ingredient takes the fight out of aggressive fish
A psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms appears to have an unexpected effect: calming highly aggressive fish. Researchers discovered that low doses of psilocybin significantly reduced aggressive attacks in mangrove rivulus fish without disrupting their normal social interactions. The findings suggest psilocybin may selectively calm escalating aggression rather than simply suppressing all behavior.
Eating blueberries every day may have a surprising effect on your mood
Eating blueberries every day could have surprising effects on mood, according to a small study that found greater reductions in depressive symptoms among older adults who consumed the fruit for three months. Researchers also detected changes in gut microbial enzymes, suggesting a possible gut-brain connection, although the mood benefits were not statistically significant compared with a placebo.
Scientists Thought This Wolf Pack Was Too Inbred To Survive, Here’s What A New Study Found
Park officials gambled that bringing 19 wolves to a struggling island ecosystem would save a pack on the brink of collapse. Five years later, researchers got an answer, along with a new set of complic...
Scientists discover a surprising twist in Japan's 7,300-year-old volcanic apocalypse
A catastrophic volcanic eruption 7,300 years ago devastated Japan, but new research reveals that its impact on prehistoric populations was far more complex than previously believed. While some communities disappeared or declined, others unexpectedly flourished as survivors migrated, adapted, and found new ways to thrive.
Scientists Discover a Surprising New Effect of a Popular Blood Pressure Drug
A drug for high blood pressure could inspire future treatments for people with normal readings, thanks to an unexpected effect on the body’s energy-burning fat. Losartan already helps people control high blood pressure. New research suggests it could have a second use in activating brown fat, a tissue that burns energy to produce heat and
Qian Jiang, former Johns Hopkins’ eye institute expert, joins Chinese hospital
Chinese specialist leaves US for Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital to research eye transplants and work on virtual cells to test drug responses.
A Childhood Experience May Lower Mental Health Risk By 11%, New Research Finds
Small moments of support in childhood may have benefits that last into adulthood.
‘Astounded’: DOJ vets shocked by timing of Ilhan Omar search
The investigation into a longtime Trump target just weeks before the election broke long-standing Justice Department traditions
The 2 additives a processed-foods researcher and mom of 2 avoids at all costs
Elizabeth Dunford, a nutrition epidemiologist, studies additives in ultra-processed foods and their impact on health.
Danaher and NVIDIA Partner to Accelerate Autonomous Science
Danaher CEO Julie Sawyer Montgomery says the company's partnership with AI giant NVIDIA will help “researchers move faster to advance discoveries”
AI-assisted pricing tools increase US consumer apprehension
It’s unclear how widely retailers use AI to help set prices, but research suggests businesses across industries are adopting it.
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
China's 780 Trillion Won R&D Outpaces U.S. Cuts
Chinas 780 Trillion Won R&D Outpaces U.S. Cuts Corporate R&D leads 77% share as basic research funding surges 13.3%
New guided search tool helps Kentuckians navigate treatment, mental health and recovery resources
By Leah Dick University of Kentucky Finding the right support for substance use disorder treatment, mental health care, recovery housing or naloxone distribution can be an important step toward better…
Anthropic’s Jack Clark Sees AI Supercharging Science—and Governments Need to Prepare
Jack Clark outlines how AI-assisted scientific discovery could boost research and growth, with safeguards and human oversight.
Thousands rally with Bernie Sanders and Angie Nixon in rainy Ybor City
Their message was helping the working class deal with rising inflation, a lack of health care and unlimited campaign financing by "the oligarchy."
Scientists discover that male and female skin play by different rules
Scientists have uncovered a surprising difference in how male and female skin repairs and renews itself. By tracking individual skin stem cells in living mice for five months, researchers discovered that female cells work together in a highly coordinated way, while male cells operate more independently. This synchronization, driven by sex hormones, helps explain why wounds heal faster in female mice, especially during the first few days.
Scientists who discovered a third form of magnetism win major physics prize
Physicists have uncovered a hidden third form of magnetism that challenges more than 100 years of established physics. Called altermagnetism, the discovery could transform future computing and electronics while opening an entirely new frontier in quantum research.
Final plans for 250-foot triumphal arch omit Trump’s idea for military complex
The plans exclude key features of a military complex including drones and snipers that President Donald Trump used as justification for the controversial project.
Police search for two suspects after violent robbery in North Columbus
Two suspects are being sought after a violent robbery at a business on the city’s North Side that left an employee with a gunshot wound to the head.Columbus pol
VEDS Took Center Stage as the Marfan Foundation Convened the World’s Best Scientists in Barcelona
Scientists around the globe are working tirelessly on behalf of the VEDS community to advance research progress. And, they’re being convened by the Marfan Foundation and its division: the VEDS Movement - most recently in Barcelona at Science in Spain.
Scaler Wave (@scalerwave)
How’s that “science” workin’ out for ya? -“Outside of running, Yoo was a graduate student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, known as KAIST, where she researched AI semiconductors. She shared her training and race results online and built an audience of thousands who admired how she balanced demanding research with serious endurance running. In March, she completed the full Seoul Marathon in 2 hours, 56 minutes and 32 seconds, finishing under the three-hour mark. No cause of death has been made public.” Odd….
Arch Manning struggles, Colin Simmons injured as Florida scores 24 straight to upset No. 7 Texas
The Longhorns lost a 14-point lead and fell to an unranked Gators team quarterbacked by a backup making his first career start.
UT System's $60 million Laredo Center expansion begins
UT System officials broke ground on a new Laredo Center building that will expand educational access, research opportunities and health care training.
European Open Science Cloud opens first 13 research hubs
European Open Science Cloud hubs begin operations, expanding access to research data, digital services and computing resources across Europe.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY) - What Are Researchers Thinking About This Stock?
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY - Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of "Hold" from the nine analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a
How Light Rewrites Skin Biology: New Research Moves Beyond Sunburn Science
A new editorial in Frontiers in Photobiology argues that skin's response to light extends far beyond sunburn and DNA damage, encompassing inflammasome-driven inflammation, visible-light pigmentation, and photochemical therapies.
Scientists Found a Way to Upgrade the Powerhouses of Our Cells Without Shutting Them Down
Scientists have developed a new way to coat mitochondria, the tiny structures that power our cells, while preserving much of their function. Researchers at two Italian institutions found that coated m...
AI, Robots, and Jobs: Why Gardeners May Still Be Safe
Anthropic's robotics research puts more hands-on jobs in AI's path. But messy tasks such as gardening remain hard to automate.
China pours record $583 billion in research as US weighs science cuts
Beijing plans to strengthen research in semiconductors, AI, quantum technology and other strategic fields.
What Science Says About Tooth Loss and Your Brain
Studies link tooth loss to higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Here's what the research shows, the leading theories, and what you can do now.
Global survey links financial hardship to lower trust in science
Poor access to health care, limited local influence over research priorities and an unequal distribution of scientific benefits are undermining public confidence in science, experts warn, following the ...
There’s a Best Time to Eat Breakfast—And Science Says It Matters
A study shows a link between longevity and what time you eat breakfast. Here’s what the research shows.
Microplastics and water create free radicals, new study finds
When water comes into contact with plastic surfaces, a key chemical reaction does take place, new research indicates.
SpaceX Dragon Delivers Groundbreaking Science and Solar Arrays to ISS
SpaceX has delivered tiny brain models, 3D heart tissue, and artificial retina technology to the space station in a mission that could open new doors for medical research on Earth. SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully arrived at the International Space Station on October 15, docking at 10:27 a.m. EDT with the space-facing port of the station’s
Kings Conclude Preseason as Lone Winless Team in Road Loss
Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine couldn't overcome a rebounding deficit in San Antonio, leaving Sacramento to search for answers before their regular-season opener against the Clippers.
Islanders Gameday: Back to Toronto
The Islanders are back in Toronto for the second and final time in this young season, The Leafs are coming off a loss where they benched their first-overall pick Gavin McKenna, for reasons Justin Bourne is not feeling. Kirill Marchenko had a hat trick playing with John Tavares, who left the game with an injury […]
Why millennial women are 'leaning out' of the corporate world
Millennial women are increasingly leaving the corporate world, searching for more flexibility and balance in their careers.
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.
Jeffrey Archer: the politician and novelist jailed for perjury
Lord Archer defied convention – and the law – to cement a place as an unsinkable figure in British public life
Pope's health should not be taken 'for granted', says top Vatican diplomat
Archbishop Paul Gallagher tells the BBC there was no sign of the Pope's ill health prior to his operation this week.
Rep. Ilhan Omar challenges legality of Trump administration search of her home
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is fighting back against the Trump administration’s search of her home earlier this week – disputing its legality and demanding the return of her property seized by federal agents.
WKU celebrates CAYA Advancing Research and Community Health Institute
The Institute was made possible through a $1.375 million gift from CAYA Collaborative Care Inc., formerly LifeSkills
Science and Medicine Group (SMG) Names Jasen Holness Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing to Accelerate Customer Growth
Veteran market research and commercial leader will oversee sales and marketing across all of SMG's insights and digital media brands as the company unifies its portfolio.
Final plans for Trump’s arch appear to abandon his ‘military complex’ idea
Newly posted documents make no mention of drones, snipers or other military features announced by the president. A White House official disputed that plans had changed.
New details emerge in US probe of Chinese-American scientists over China ties
House committee on China releases results of investigations into some 30 scientists as chairman pushes for stricter research security rules.
The Moon Is Shrinking, and Scientists Say That Could Be a Problem for NASA
Researchers identified more than 10,000 lunar faults, raising concerns about moonquakes, landslides, and the safety of future lunar missions.
Modern Science: An Ohio University researcher is looking into how the chemicals in plastic are attaching to our bodies
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — New research out of Ohio University focuses on developing chemical tools to study and manipulate protein-to-protein interactions. Knowledge gained from this research can be us
Scientists turn cancer-promoting protein into a weapon against tumors
Researchers have discovered that a protein known to help cancer cells thrive can also make immune cells more effective at destroying tumors.
Layth Mula-Hussain: Announcing the First Issue of OncoIntelligence Journal!
Layth Mula-Hussain: Announcing the First Issue of OncoIntelligence Journal! / AI, cancer, Cancer research, Layth Mula-Hussain, OncoIntelligence Journal,
WKU celebrates CAYA Advancing Research and Community Health Institute
Western Kentucky University celebrated the newly established CAYA Advancing Research and Community Health (ARCH) Institute.
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.
Marián Janík Wins ESET Science Award For Quantum Dot Research
Marián Janík wins the ESET Science Award for his quantum dot research with fellowQUTE, helping to advance quantum technologies in Slovakia.
Archaeologists discover the oldest dwelling in the Western Hemisphere at a 13,800-year-old site in Alaska
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient base camp in Alaska that has evidence of the oldest dwelling and possibly the earliest domesticated dogs in the Americas.
What causes sleep paralysis; health indicators of Alzheimer's diagnosis; sober October; plus other stories with Vanderbilt Health sources
(iStock) Food and Wine interviewed Peter Martin, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, for a story about sober October. William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine, was quoted in CNN International’s Connect the World with Becky Anderson and NewsNation Morning in America for stories about the reported plague situation in Russia, after a laboratory worker at an institute in Siberia dedicated to studying the plague and other infectious diseases died of a mysterious illness. Prevention interviewed James McGuirk, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Sleep Medicine, for a story about what causes sleep paralysis. Modern Healthcare interviewed Daniel Fabbri, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Computer Science, for a story about how health systems are managing AI token costs. WNKY interviewed Ziv Beckerman, MD, Associate Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Surgical Director of Pediatric Heart Transplantation in the Golisano Pediatric Heart Institute at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt about rapid recovery with extended ultra oxygenated preservation (REUP) that is a new form of preservation for heart organs. Ray Romano, PhD, MPH, MSN, Nurse Practitioner, Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center, was quoted Prevention about research that found other health issues may be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s.
Banana Ball returning to Las Vegas Ballpark in March 2027
Banana Ball returns to Las Vegas Ballpark March 18-20, 2027, general admission lottery closes Oct. 31, 2026.
VRE7 TV, a Red-Carpet Entertainment Network, Opens Casting Call for Fans, Creators and Industry Insiders
The independent network pairs its celebrity interview archive with on-camera takes from fans in the new VRE7 Front Row documentary series.
National 2D materials research hub names new director
Stephanie Law, associate professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State, has been named director and principal investigator of the Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium-Materials Innovation Platform, a U.S. National Science Foundation-supported national user facility within Penn State’s Materials Research Institute.
Five Stones 20th Anniversary A Celebration Of People, Consistency
And those traits were cited Thursday at Five Stones Research’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Women with autoimmune diseases are more likely to be misdiagnosed with mental health conditions
More than 40% of women with autoimmune diseases are told they have psychiatric conditions, new research shows. That is only true of 33% of men.
It’s time to bring back science in campaign policy discussions
Despite the politicization of science, a majority of both liberals and conservatives feel that government investment in scientific research is worthwhile for society.
“Baby Brain” During Pregnancy: What Science Says About Forgetfulness
Discover new research into pregnancy-related forgetfulness, how hormones may affect memory and practical ways expectant parents can cope.
Scaling perinatal mental health care: Scientists assess home visiting programs in Midwest
Can reaching out to new mothers right at the outset of parenting set them on the right path? A new study published in BMC Health Services Research assesses home health visitation programs, which provide ...
Do workers stay quiet about their health conditions?
It’s a stressful situation, researchers from the Institute for Work and Health say.
The many barriers young adults must overcome to vote: A research-based reporting guide
This guide from SciLine offers insights, tips, and story ideas to help journalists report on Generation Z’s voting habits.
Does Being Circumcised Make Sex Better or Worse? Here’s What Science Says.
A study found small differences in sexual satisfaction and erectile function, but researchers say the results aren't definitive.
Hometown’s Best: Vote for your favorite Southwest Virginia live music, entertainment, or sports venue finalist in 2026
The search is on for Southwest Virginia’s favorite live music, entertainment, or sports venue, and the finalists for this year’s Hometown’s Best have officially been announced.
Hometown’s Best: Vote for your favorite place to watch sports in Southwest Virginia
The search is on for Southwest Virginia’s favorite place to watch sports, and the finalists for this year’s Hometown’s Best have officially been announced.
Hometown’s Best: Vote for your favorite Southwest Virginia pet care business finalist in 2026
The search is on for Southwest Virginia’s favorite locally owned pet care business, and the finalists for this year’s Hometown’s Best have officially been announced.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Shrink Their Hollywood Business as Layoffs Hit Archewell Productions
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been quietly cutting staff at Archewell Productions. “They cut staff over the last 12 to 18 months,” an insider told Page Six on Thursday, October 15. Th...
Long Beach student advances to national science competition finals
Long Beach student Hanna Heitefuss is the only New Yorker among 30 finalists in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, earning national recognition for her research on saltwater intrusion and its effects on plants and aquatic life.
This new theory on how AI 'thinks' could impact whether it kills us
We may be closer to understanding how AI models think, giving researchers new tools to ensure they don't go rogue.
Can social media bans protect young people's mental health? Early research suggests that bans aren't the answer
The year 2026 has been an expensive one for social media platforms. Since March, YouTube and Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, have settled or paid out in multiple lawsuits totaling ...
“Something Out of Science Fiction”: A Ghostly Green Star Has Been Revealed for the First Time
White dwarfs glow in a rainbow of colors, one recorded for the first time in new research showing how these stars can defy expectations.
Wildfires, heat waves and access to care among health-related problems facing Californians
The latest annual California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) offers a more precise look at how the 2025 wildfires affected Californians’ health and well-being. The data also reveal trends in the health of immigrants, low-income individuals, and transgender and gender-expansive communities. The 2025 CHIS data show: 500,000 more California adults said their mental health was harmed...
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, […]
Having insurance doesn’t mean you can get a mental health appointment
Americans with commercial insurance are generally told they have access to a strong network of mental health providers. But when researchers called providers listed in those networks, securing an appointment was usually difficult or impossible, according to a new study.Researchers, posed as “secret shoppers” looking for appointments for issu...
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.
What Science Changed Its Mind About in 2026
Bats were thought to have fixed, unmoving eyes. Starfish were assumed to feed passively. Queen bumblebees were considered helpless in water. New research in 2026 has quietly dismantled some of science's longest-standing assumptions about the animal kingdom.
Math Professor Secures National Science Foundation Grant to Advance Math Education
Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Dana Clahane, was recently awarded a federal grant of $499,893 by the National Science Foundation (NSF). A prestigious award, the grant will elevate undergraduate mathematics education in a project titled “Building Mathematics Research Communities at Two-Year Colleges” (BMRCTYC). Over the next three years, BMRCTYC will establish local Mathematics Research Communities at eight... Read more »
Mercedes Launches Statewide Search for New City Manager
The City of Mercedes has launched a search for its next city manager, seeking an experienced public administrator to oversee municipal operations, infrastructure improvements, and economic development initiatives.
Google revealed as company considering Roanoke County site
Google is considering Roanoke County’s Wood Haven Technology Park for a data center, with a due diligence period running through March 2027.
Sacramento health inspectors found 251 rodent droppings in this facility. Where?
Sacramento County Health Inspectors gave red placards to six eateries and cited 12 other facilities.
Beauty-from-within surges with new science, finished products
Beauty-from-within makes a comeback while ingredient research shows benefits for bone and gastrointestinal health.
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) Following Argus Focus Is The Digital Growth Story Undervalued
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) is back in focus after research provider Argus highlighted its mix of roughly 50 U.S. gaming properties and detailed 2024 EBITDAR contributions from Las Vegas and regional operations. Recent trading has been softer, with the share price slipping over the past week and month, and the 3-month share price return down 2.04%. However, Caesars Entertainment still carries a 24.15% year to date share price gain and a 34.61% 1-year total shareholder return, alongside a much...
Morocco health alert issued due to diphtheria: US Embassy
In the North African country of Morocco, the country’s Ministry of Health reported a small diphtheria outbreak with clusters in multiple regions in Morocco in late September. Moroccan health teams are tracing contacts and providing preventive treatment and vaccines. This has prompted the US Embassy to issue a health alert for U.S. citizens in Morocco. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. It spreads primarily from person to person through coughs and sneezes (respiratory droplets). Most Americans were vaccinated as children and have received Td or TdaP boosters as adults. The risk to U.S. citizens in Morocco remains low. U.S. Citizens may contact their local doctors if they would like immunizations. Embassy officials advise citizens to watch out for the following symptoms: Sore throat or hoarse voice, mild fever, a thick gray or white coating in the throat or nose, swollen neck and trouble swallowing or breathing. If you or a family member has trouble breathing or swallowing, please contact your local doctor. They also advise on the following actions concerning vaccines: Check your vaccination records and your family members’ records. Get a booster if you need one. Adults need a diphtheria booster (Td or Tdap) every 10 years. Make sure your children are up to date on their routine vaccines. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Science Missed the Giraffe’s Only Relative Until 1901
Science ignored the okapi for centuries while Indigenous communities in the Congo knew it well, and even after a skull reached London in 1901, researchers struggled to explain what they were looking a...
Science Missed the Giraffe's Only Relative Until 1901
Science ignored the okapi for centuries while Indigenous communities in the Congo knew it well, and even after a skull reached London in 1901, researchers struggled to explain what they were looking at. Today, this elusive giraffe relative faces threats that make it harder than ever to find, count, or protect.
Seoul National University of Science and Technology Researchers Show How Smartphones Can Help Detect Lung Problems in Children
/PRNewswire/ -- Respiratory disease in children is a major global concern. Although stethoscopes help clinicians detect abnormal lung sounds, access to...
HOMETOWN HEALTH: Epilepsy leading to greater risk of developing dementia before 65, study shows
Researchers said the overall risk of dementia is still low, and more study is needed to understand the link.
Can social media bans protect young people’s mental health? Early research suggests that bans aren’t the answer
Kids have found ways around most of the safeguards meant to keep them off social media platforms.
Renue by Science Launches Research Community to Bring Real-World Health Experiences Into Scientific Research
/PRNewswire/ -- People try supplements, track their sleep and experiment with wellness routines, but it is hard to know whether the changes they notice are...