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The AI expert who says artificial general intelligence is nonsense

Artificial intelligence has more in common with ants than humans, says Neil Lawrence. Only by taking a more nuanced view of intelligence can we see how machines will truly transform society




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Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles

Two important barriers to a stable, powerful fusion reaction have been leapt by an experiment in a small tokamak reactor, but we don’t yet know if the technique will work in larger devices




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Why we are finally within reach of a room-temperature superconductor

A practical superconductor would transform the efficiency of electronics. After decades of hunting, several key breakthroughs are inching us very close to this coveted prize




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Sunlight-trapping device can generate temperatures over 1000°C

A solar energy absorber that uses quartz to trap heat reached 1050°C in tests and could offer a way to decarbonise the production of steel and cement




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Atoms at temperatures beyond absolute zero may be a new form of matter

Physicists have coaxed a cloud of atoms into having a temperature beyond absolute zero and placed them in a geometric structure that could produce an unknown form of matter




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Nerve fibres in the brain could generate quantum entanglement

Calculations show that nerve fibres in the brain could emit pairs of entangled particles, and this quantum phenomenon might explain how different parts of the brain work together




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Ocean thunderstorms generate the most intense lightning ever observed

An analysis of satellite observations has identified some extreme thunderstorms over the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Mexico with lightning flashes so frequent that the sky would appear continuously lit




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War-era sugar rationing boosted health of UK people conceived in 1940s

People conceived during the UK's 1940s and 50s sugar rationing have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure than those conceived after rationing ended




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Biden to Sign Bill That Helps Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits

Title: Biden to Sign Bill That Helps Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits
Category: Health News
Created: 8/10/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/11/2022 12:00:00 AM




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Sham Acupuncture for Knee Arthritis as Effective as the Real Therapy

Title: Sham Acupuncture for Knee Arthritis as Effective as the Real Therapy
Category: Health News
Created: 8/20/2010 8:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 8/23/2010 12:00:00 AM




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For Some, Moderate Drinking May Prolong Life

Title: For Some, Moderate Drinking May Prolong Life
Category: Health News
Created: 8/25/2010 11:09:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/25/2010 11:09:17 AM




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Talk Therapy May Help Adults With ADHD

Title: Talk Therapy May Help Adults With ADHD
Category: Health News
Created: 8/25/2010 11:23:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/25/2010 11:23:18 AM




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In Early Trial, Targeted Therapy Fights Advanced Melanoma

Title: In Early Trial, Targeted Therapy Fights Advanced Melanoma
Category: Health News
Created: 8/25/2010 6:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2010 12:00:00 AM




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Report: Vaccines Generally Safe, Cause Few Health Problems

Title: Report: Vaccines Generally Safe, Cause Few Health Problems
Category: Health News
Created: 8/26/2011 11:01:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2011 12:00:00 AM




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Health Tip: If Your Thyroid is Overactive

Title: Health Tip: If Your Thyroid is Overactive
Category: Health News
Created: 8/27/2012 8:05:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/27/2012 12:00:00 AM




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Breast Cancer Drug Might Help Men on Prostate Cancer Therapy

Title: Breast Cancer Drug Might Help Men on Prostate Cancer Therapy
Category: Health News
Created: 8/28/2012 10:05:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/28/2012 12:00:00 AM




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Vitamins, Minerals May Help Older Men's Sperm Stay Healthy

Title: Vitamins, Minerals May Help Older Men's Sperm Stay Healthy
Category: Health News
Created: 8/28/2012 4:05:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 8/29/2012 12:00:00 AM




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Parents Deliberately Making Child Ill Can Be Deadly

Title: Parents Deliberately Making Child Ill Can Be Deadly
Category: Health News
Created: 8/26/2013 9:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2013 12:00:00 AM




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Mexico Farm Tied to Stomach Bug Back in Operation

Title: Mexico Farm Tied to Stomach Bug Back in Operation
Category: Health News
Created: 8/27/2013 4:36:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 8/28/2013 12:00:00 AM




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Neutering Project Curbed Feral Cat Population

Title: Neutering Project Curbed Feral Cat Population
Category: Health News
Created: 8/22/2014 2:36:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 8/25/2014 12:00:00 AM




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Light Therapy a Good Option for Pre-Cancerous Skin Lesions, Study Says

Title: Light Therapy a Good Option for Pre-Cancerous Skin Lesions, Study Says
Category: Health News
Created: 8/27/2014 4:35:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 8/28/2014 12:00:00 AM




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Veterans' Painkiller Abuse Can Raise Odds for Heroin Use

Title: Veterans' Painkiller Abuse Can Raise Odds for Heroin Use
Category: Health News
Created: 8/23/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/24/2016 12:00:00 AM




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Average Lifespan Longer for Twins

Title: Average Lifespan Longer for Twins
Category: Health News
Created: 8/23/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/24/2016 12:00:00 AM




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Music Therapy Helps Preemie Babies Thrive

Title: Music Therapy Helps Preemie Babies Thrive
Category: Health News
Created: 8/25/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/25/2016 12:00:00 AM




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As Temperatures Fall, Heart Attacks May Rise

Title: As Temperatures Fall, Heart Attacks May Rise
Category: Health News
Created: 8/29/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/30/2017 12:00:00 AM




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Many Parents Don't Tell Doctor About 'Complementary' Therapy Use in Kids

Title: Many Parents Don't Tell Doctor About 'Complementary' Therapy Use in Kids
Category: Health News
Created: 8/29/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/30/2017 12:00:00 AM




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First Gene Therapy Approved in U.S.

Title: First Gene Therapy Approved in U.S.
Category: Health News
Created: 8/30/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/31/2017 12:00:00 AM




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Oxygen Therapy Doesn't Boost Heart Attack Survival

Title: Oxygen Therapy Doesn't Boost Heart Attack Survival
Category: Health News
Created: 8/30/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/31/2017 12:00:00 AM




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Federal Prisons Must Now Make Free Tampons, Pads Available

Title: Federal Prisons Must Now Make Free Tampons, Pads Available
Category: Health News
Created: 8/31/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/1/2017 12:00:00 AM




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Monitoring System for Underage Tobacco Sales Falls Short: Study

Title: Monitoring System for Underage Tobacco Sales Falls Short: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 8/29/2018 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/30/2018 12:00:00 AM




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Malaria Eradication Not Currently Possible: WHO

Title: Malaria Eradication Not Currently Possible: WHO
Category: Health News
Created: 8/23/2019 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2019 12:00:00 AM




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Alex Trebek Back Hosting 'Jeopardy!' After Completing Chemotherapy

Title: Alex Trebek Back Hosting 'Jeopardy!' After Completing Chemotherapy
Category: Health News
Created: 8/30/2019 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/30/2019 12:00:00 AM




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Major Study Gives Women More Guidance on Hormone Therapy During Menopause

Title: Major Study Gives Women More Guidance on Hormone Therapy During Menopause
Category: Health News
Created: 8/29/2019 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/30/2019 12:00:00 AM




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Polio Eradicated in Africa: WHO

Title: Polio Eradicated in Africa: WHO
Category: Health News
Created: 8/26/2020 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2020 12:00:00 AM




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Gene Therapy Makes Inroads Against a Form of Hemophilia

Title: Gene Therapy Makes Inroads Against a Form of Hemophilia
Category: Health News
Created: 7/22/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/22/2022 12:00:00 AM




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For Back Pain, Earlier Is Better for Physical Therapy

Title: For Back Pain, Earlier Is Better for Physical Therapy
Category: Health News
Created: 8/9/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/10/2022 12:00:00 AM




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AHA News: Newborn Was 'Very Sick Little Boy' Despite Several Normal Prenatal Ultrasounds

Title: AHA News: Newborn Was 'Very Sick Little Boy' Despite Several Normal Prenatal Ultrasounds
Category: Health News
Created: 8/25/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/25/2022 12:00:00 AM




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Disability Payments Can Help Keep Veterans With Diabetes Out of the Hospital

Title: Disability Payments Can Help Keep Veterans With Diabetes Out of the Hospital
Category: Health News
Created: 7/8/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/8/2022 12:00:00 AM




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Here's How New Federal Legislation Might Cut Your Drug Costs

Title: Here's How New Federal Legislation Might Cut Your Drug Costs
Category: Health News
Created: 8/12/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/15/2022 12:00:00 AM




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What Therapeutic Options Are Available for Treating an Antiretroviral Naive Patient?

Title: What Therapeutic Options Are Available for Treating an Antiretroviral Naive Patient?
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 6/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/16/2022 12:00:00 AM




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MS (Multiple Sclerosis) vs. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Title: MS (Multiple Sclerosis) vs. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 6/16/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/4/2022 12:00:00 AM




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Prehistoric People Drank Animal Milk, Despite Lactose Intolerance

Title: Prehistoric People Drank Animal Milk, Despite Lactose Intolerance
Category: Health News
Created: 7/27/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/28/2022 12:00:00 AM




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The effect of graded exercise therapy on fatigue in people with serious respiratory illness: a systematic review

Background

In adults with serious respiratory illness, fatigue is prevalent and under-recognised, with few treatment options. The aim of this review was to assess the impact of graded exercise therapy (GET) on fatigue in adults with serious respiratory illness.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) testing GET (involving incremental increases in exercise from an established baseline) in adults with serious respiratory illness. The primary outcome was fatigue and secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse events. Two authors independently screened for inclusion, evaluated risk of bias and extracted data.

Results

76 RCTs were included with 3309 participants, most with a diagnosis of COPD or asthma. Reductions in fatigue measured by the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire fatigue domain score were demonstrated following GET consisting of aerobic with/without resistance training (mean difference (MD) 0.53 points, 95% CI 0.41–0.65, 11 RCTs, 624 participants) and GET using resistance training alone (MD 0.58 points, 95% CI 0.21–0.96, two RCTs, 82 participants) compared with usual care. Although the mean effect exceeded the minimal important difference, the lower end of the confidence intervals did not always exceed this threshold so the clinical significance could not be confirmed. GET consistently improved HRQoL in people with a range of chronic respiratory diseases on multiple HRQoL measures. No serious adverse events related to GET were reported.

Conclusion

GET may improve fatigue alongside consistent improvements in HRQoL in people with serious respiratory illness. These findings support the use of GET in the care of people with serious respiratory illness.




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Dynamic dysregulation of retrotransposons in neurodegenerative diseases at the single-cell level [RESOURCES]

Retrotransposable elements (RTEs) are common mobile genetic elements comprising ~42% of the human genome. RTEs play critical roles in gene regulation and function, but how they are specifically involved in complex diseases is largely unknown. Here, we investigate the cellular heterogeneity of RTEs using 12 single-cell transcriptome profiles covering three neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. We identify cell type marker RTEs in neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells that are related to these diseases. The differential expression analysis reveals the landscape of dysregulated RTE expression, especially L1s, in excitatory neurons of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Machine learning algorithms for predicting cell disease stage using a combination of RTE and gene expression features suggests dynamic regulation of RTEs in AD. Furthermore, we construct a single-cell atlas of retrotransposable elements in neurodegenerative disease (scARE) using these data sets and features. scARE has six feature analysis modules to explore RTE dynamics in a user-defined condition. To our knowledge, scARE represents the first systematic investigation of RTE dynamics at the single-cell level within the context of neurodegenerative diseases.




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Systematic identification of interchromosomal interaction networks supports the existence of specialized RNA factories [METHODS]

Most studies of genome organization have focused on intrachromosomal (cis) contacts because they harbor key features such as DNA loops and topologically associating domains. Interchromosomal (trans) contacts have received much less attention, and tools for interrogating potential biologically relevant trans structures are lacking. Here, we develop a computational framework that uses Hi-C data to identify sets of loci that jointly interact in trans. This method, trans-C, initiates probabilistic random walks with restarts from a set of seed loci to traverse an input Hi-C contact network, thereby identifying sets of trans-contacting loci. We validate trans-C in three increasingly complex models of established trans contacts: the Plasmodium falciparum var genes, the mouse olfactory receptor "Greek islands," and the human RBM20 cardiac splicing factory. We then apply trans-C to systematically test the hypothesis that genes coregulated by the same trans-acting element (i.e., a transcription or splicing factor) colocalize in three dimensions to form "RNA factories" that maximize the efficiency and accuracy of RNA biogenesis. We find that many loci with multiple binding sites of the same DNA-binding proteins interact with one another in trans, especially those bound by factors with intrinsically disordered domains. Similarly, clustered binding of a subset of RNA-binding proteins correlates with trans interaction of the encoding loci. We observe that these trans-interacting loci are close to nuclear speckles. These findings support the existence of trans-interacting chromatin domains (TIDs) driven by RNA biogenesis. Trans-C provides an efficient computational framework for studying these and other types of trans interactions, empowering studies of a poorly understood aspect of genome architecture.




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Chromatin interaction maps identify oncogenic targets of enhancer duplications in cancer [RESEARCH]

As a major type of structural variants, tandem duplication plays a critical role in tumorigenesis by increasing oncogene dosage. Recent work has revealed that noncoding enhancers are also affected by duplications leading to the activation of oncogenes that are inside or outside of the duplicated regions. However, the prevalence of enhancer duplication and the identity of their target genes remains largely unknown in the cancer genome. Here, by analyzing whole-genome sequencing data in a non-gene-centric manner, we identify 881 duplication hotspots in 13 major cancer types, most of which do not contain protein-coding genes. We show that the hotspots are enriched with distal enhancer elements and are highly lineage-specific. We develop a HiChIP-based methodology that navigates enhancer–promoter contact maps to prioritize the target genes for the duplication hotspots harboring enhancer elements. The methodology identifies many novel enhancer duplication events activating oncogenes such as ESR1, FOXA1, GATA3, GATA6, TP63, and VEGFA, as well as potentially novel oncogenes such as GRHL2, IRF2BP2, and CREB3L1. In particular, we identify a duplication hotspot on Chromosome 10p15 harboring a cluster of enhancers, which skips over two genes, through a long-range chromatin interaction, to activate an oncogenic isoform of the NET1 gene to promote migration of gastric cancer cells. Focusing on tandem duplications, our study substantially extends the catalog of noncoding driver alterations in multiple cancer types, revealing attractive targets for functional characterization and therapeutic intervention.




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Wonca Europe 2023 Definition of General Practice/Family Medicine: New Needs New Content




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The Priority Updates from the Research Literature (PURLs) Methodology




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Impact of Point of Care Hemoglobin A1c Testing on Time to Therapeutic Intervention

Without compromising accuracy, point of care testing (POCT) provides immediate results at the time of in person patient consultation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate time until therapeutic intervention with POCT HbA1c versus venipuncture, where venipuncture was considered standard of care.

The primary outcome was time (hours) to implementation of a therapeutic intervention based on POCT HbA1c result, as compared with most recent venipuncture HbA1c before the study and its associated therapeutic intervention. A total of 94 POCT HbA1c tests were included in the primary analysis.

For the POCT HbA1c, the mean time to therapeutic intervention was 1.6 ± 3.14 hours. For the previous venipuncture HbA1c, the mean time to therapeutic intervention was 1376.66 ± 3356.6 hours (P < .001). Overall, this trial showed that POCT HbA1c results in a significantly faster time to therapeutic intervention than venipuncture in a primary care clinic that serves a rural population.




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Be SMART About Asthma Management: Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy

Single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) is an asthma treatment approach that utilizes combined inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β-agonists for maintenance and quick relief therapy. Despite the evidence for its benefits in asthma treatment and its adoption into American and international asthma guidelines and recommendations, SMART remains a practice of some debate. This article reviews the available evidence for SMART and offers guidance for its integration into comprehensive asthma management. Overall, short-acting β-agonist-only asthma therapy regimens should be avoided, regardless of condition severity (SOR A Recommendation). Family medicine clinicians should start SMART for patients requiring either GINA Step 3 or 4 therapy, especially if they have signs of poor adherence (SOR B Recommendation). Finally, use budesonide-formoterol over other inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β-agonist combinations when implementing SMART (SOR B Recommendation).