Latest news with #NetworkOpen
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
White House blames 'formatting' for errors in RFK Jr.'s MAHA report. Authors push back.
Citation errors and phantom research used as scientific evidence to bolster Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s landmark 'Make America Healthy Again' commission report were apparently due to 'formatting issues,' according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish a commission that was tasked with investigating chronic illnesses and childhood diseases, which culminated in the 'Make Our Children Healthy Again' assessment that was published May 22. However, researchers listed in the report have since come forward saying the articles cited don't exist or were used to support facts that were inconsistent with their research. The errors were first reported by NOTUS. 'I understand there were some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated,' Leavitt told reporters May 29. 'But it does not negate the substance of the report.' She also didn't say whether the report was generated by artificial intelligence, or AI, as some have questioned. Although it's difficult to determine whether scientific articles are generated or 'touched up' by AI, there are telling signs, said Yuan Luo, professor and chief AI officer at Northwestern University's clinical and translational sciences institute. Some of those signs may include citation gaps, factual inconsistencies and irrelevant conclusions derived from random research. MAHA report: RFK slams processed foods, pesticides, vaccines as harmful to kids The MAHA report erroneously said an article on the impact of light from computer monitors was published in the journal Pediatrics when it wasn't, according to the study's author Mariana Figueiro, a professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The report also cited Figueiro's research as evidence that electronic devices in children's bedrooms disrupted sleep onset. However, she said the study was on college students and researchers measured melatonin suppression, not sleep. 'The study is ours, but unfortunately, the conclusions in the report are not accurate and the journal reference is incorrect,' Figueiro told USA TODAY via email. 'We have other papers on the topic… but again, none of them were performed with children.' The MAHA report also cited Columbia University epidemiologist Katherine Keyes as first author of a study on anxiety in adolescents. As first reported by NOTUS and confirmed by USA TODAY, Keyes said she did not write the paper cited by the MAHA report. 'I was surprised to see what seems to be an error in the citation of my work in the report, and it does make me concerned given that citation practices are an important part of conducting and reporting rigorous science,' Keyes told USA TODAY via email. Keyes has studied the topic and published a recent study in JAMA Network Open that adolescent girls had higher levels of depressive symptoms than boys, but her study's figures did not match what the MAHA report cited. She said her earlier research on depression and anxiety symptoms yielded results 'that are generally in the ballpark of the MAHA report, although I'm not sure where their exact ranges are drawn from.' Keyes said she would be happy to send information to the MAHA committee to correct the report, but she doesn't know where to reach the report's authors. Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch, a site that tracks retractions in scientific journals and research, said the MAHA report seemed to share characteristics similar to other AI-generated work. AI papers 'tend to hallucinate references,' he said. 'They come up with references that share a lot of words and authors and even journals, journal names, but they're not real." HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said the report has been updated to correct "minor citation and formatting errors." "But the substance of the MAHA report remains the same - a historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nation's children," he said. "Under President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, our federal government is no longer ignoring this crisis, and it's time for the media to also focus on what matters." Oransky noted the MAHA report comes as Kennedy said he may prohibit government scientists from publishing research in major peer-reviewed medical journals such as JAMA, Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine 'because they're all corrupt.' Kennedy proposed an HHS publication where government scientists could publish research findings. "When scientific reform is weaponized to only denigrate science and scientists whose studies contradict your beliefs or your wishes, we get to a very dark place,' Oransky said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr.'s MAHA report errors: Was it AI or 'formatting issues?'
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
RFK Jr.'s MAHA report errors: Was it AI or 'formatting issues?'
However, researchers listed in the report have since come forward saying the articles cited don't exist or were used to support facts that were inconsistent with their research. The errors were first reported by NOTUS. "I understand there were some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated," Leavitt told reporters May 29. "But it does negate the substance of the report." She also didn't say whether the report was generated by artificial intelligence, or AI, as some have questioned. Although it's difficult to determine whether scientific articles are generated or "touched up" by AI, there are telling signs, said Yuan Luo, professor and chief AI officer at Northwestern University's clinical and translational sciences institute. Some of those signs may include citation gaps, factual inconsistencies and irrelevant conclusions derived from random research. MAHA report: RFK slams processed foods, pesticides, vaccines as harmful to kids The MAHA report erroneously said an article on the impact of light from computer monitors was published in the journal Pediatrics when it wasn't, according to the study's author Mariana Figueiro, a professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The report also cited Figueiro's research as evidence that electronic devices in children's bedrooms disrupted sleep onset. However, she said the study was on college students and researchers measured melatonin suppression, not sleep. "The study is ours, but unfortunately, the conclusions in the report are not accurate and the journal reference is incorrect," Figueiro told USA TODAY via email. "We have other papers on the topic... but again, none of them were performed with children." The MAHA report also cited Columbia University epidemiologist Katherine Keyes as first author of a study on anxiety in adolescents. As first reported by NOTUS and confirmed by USA TODAY, Keyes said she did not write the paper cited by the MAHA report. "I was surprised to see what seems to be an error in the citation of my work in the report, and it does make me concerned given that citation practices are an important part of conducting and reporting rigorous science," Keyes told USA TODAY via email. Keyes has studied the topic and published a recent study in JAMA Network Open that adolescent girls had higher levels of depressive symptoms than boys, but her study's figures did not match what the MAHA report cited. She said her earlier research on depression and anxiety symptoms yielded results "that are generally in the ballpark of the MAHA report, although I'm not sure where their exact ranges are drawn from." Keyes said she would be happy to send information to the MAHA committee to correct the report, but she doesn't know where to reach the report's authors. Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch, a site that tracks retractions in scientific journals and research, said the MAHA report seemed to share characteristics similar to other AI-generated work. AI papers "tend to hallucinate references," he said. "They come up with references that share a lot of words and authors and even journals, journal names, but they're not real." HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said the report has been updated to correct "minor citation and formatting errors." "But the substance of the MAHA report remains the same - a historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nation's children," he said. "Under President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, our federal government is no longer ignoring this crisis, and it's time for the media to also focus on what matters." Oransky noted the MAHA report comes as Kennedy said he may prohibit government scientists from publishing research in major peer-reviewed medical journals such as JAMA, Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine "because they're all corrupt." Kennedy proposed an HHS publication where government scientists could publish research findings. "When scientific reform is weaponized to only denigrate science and scientists whose studies contradict your beliefs or your wishes, we get to a very dark place," Oransky said.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Losing just 6 kg in your 40s could lower your risk of disease and add years to your life: Study
You might think that once you hit your 40s, it's too late to lose weight and make a real difference but a massive Finnish study tracking over 23,000 people for up to 35 years says otherwise. The research found that adults who lost weight naturally during their 40s without surgery or weight-loss meds lived longer and enjoyed better health than those who stayed overweight. Even small amounts of weight loss had a positive impact, proving it's never too late to take control of your health. (Also read: What women should really eat: Nutritionist busts 16 common diet and weight loss myths every woman should know ) A recent study published in JAMA Network Open revealed that people who moved from being overweight to a healthy weight during midlife experienced a 48% lower risk of chronic diseases and a 19 percent lower risk of death in the following decades. The weight loss didn't have to be drastic either, on average, participants lost just 6.5 percent of their body weight, which is about 13 pounds for someone weighing 200 pounds. This study tracked participants for 22 to 35 years, using data from British and Finnish workers. They were grouped by weight changes in their 40s: healthy weight, weight loss, weight gain, or staying overweight. Although small, the weight loss group showed significant health benefits. Over time, losing weight lowered risks of heart disease, cancer, strokes, asthma, and lung disease, even when diabetes was excluded, compared to those who stayed overweight. The study's timing is key, conducted when surgical and drug-based weight-loss options were rare, participants relied on diet and exercise alone, proving these accessible methods work. Lead author Dr. Timo Strandberg noted the benefits of midlife weight loss may take decades to show, echoing similar long-term findings from Chinese research. Those who lost weight also saw lower blood pressure and cholesterol and kept up their physical activity, unlike other groups whose activity declined. Maintaining weight loss over time is tough, in these studies, over 1,200 participants stayed overweight, while only a small fraction managed to lose weight and keep it off. Many research reports highlight how challenging long-term weight management really is for adults. However, the findings mostly apply to white European populations, so their relevance to other ethnic groups might vary. The researchers also couldn't confirm whether the weight loss was intentional, though it likely was given the participants' age and health. Many expect weight loss benefits to show up quickly and dramatically, but this study says otherwise. The biggest health gains from losing weight in midlife may take decades to appear. Knowing this can encourage those starting their journey now while helping set realistic expectations. For those in their 40s carrying extra weight, the message is clear: it's never too late to make a change. Even modest, steady weight loss can bring lasting health benefits, adding years and vitality to life. Instead of seeing midlife as too late for change, it could be the ideal time to invest in your future health. Though losing weight can become harder with age, the potential rewards in disease prevention and longevity make the effort well worth it.
Montreal Gazette
25-05-2025
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Fitness: Yoga pays hOMage to your knees
Maybe it's the age group I hang with, but sore knees are a constant complaint. For some the ache is persistent. Others find going up or down stairs the most challenging. And we all agree aging knees make getting down and off the floor more challenging then it used to be. But perhaps the worst thing about sore, stiff knees is it affects the enjoyment of day-to-day life, including keeping you from doing the things you love. How do you get some life back in your knees? Physical activity if often touted as a good option, but there's little consensus on what type of exercise is best. Strength training is a popular choice mainly because of its ability to strengthen the supporting structures around the joint. Added stability puts less stress on the knee, which usually translates into less pain. Also important is stretching, which can improve range of motion and reduce stiffness, making it easier to perform the movements of everyday life. But how do stretching and strength training compare when it comes to improvements in knee pain, function and stiffness? Should you spend more time in the weight room or on a yoga mat? An article published in the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Network Open reported on a study gauging the efficacy of both interventions in a group of 117 Australians (32 men, 85 women) with knee osteoarthritis. 'Multiple international clinical practice guidelines recommend strengthening exercise for the management of knee and hip osteoarthritis, however, to our knowledge, no studies have directly compared yoga with an evidence-based strengthening exercise program,' said lead author, Benny Antony. The study subjects were randomly placed in either a yoga or strength-training program, both of which lasted 24 weeks. The first half of the study featured two group-based instructor-led sessions per week and one home-based session. The last 12-weeks included three home-based sessions per week without the resources of a trained instructor. The strength training protocol focused primarily on lower body exercises delivered by physiotherapists in a circuit format. The yoga was led by trained professionals who put the study subjects through a series of poses, breathing, meditation and relaxation exercises. Check-ins were performed at the end of 12 and 24 weeks. Halfway through the study, both the yoga and strength training groups reported less pain and improved function with no significant difference between the two groups. At the end of 24 weeks, yoga proved slightly more effective than strength training at reducing pain and joint stiffness and improving function and quality of life. It also offered an added benefit not usually associated with strength training. 'The observed reduction in depression in the yoga group over 12 weeks shows the potential mental health benefits of yoga compared with strengthening exercise, as depression is a common comorbidity in knee osteoarthritis and yoga may be well-suited for patients with both conditions,' Antony said. That's great news for anyone who finds strength training too challenging to be done solo or has limited access to strength-training equipment and or the space it requires. Yoga needs little equipment beyond a mat and is easily performed in small spaces. There are plenty of on-line yoga classes, many of which can be accessed for free or for a nominal fee, making it both affordable and accessible. In fact, adherence to the home-based program offered in the last 12-weeks of the study was better among the yoga group than the strength-training group, which the study suggests could be partly responsible for the superior results among the yogis. Affordability, accessibility and autonomy are three important elements when it comes to long-term adherence. Yoga is often seen as less challenging than strength training, both in intensity and technical elements. But the most important finding of this study isn't that one form of exercise outperformed the other, but that both options offered similar positive results. That means anyone who prefers the weight room over a yoga mat can be assured their efforts will result in healthier knees that function with less pain. The same goes for yoga lovers, who would rather perform a series of sun salutations than multiple sets of lunges or squats. And then there's the mind-body connection that clearly made a difference among knee pain sufferers. The meditative aspect of yoga offers an often under-appreciated benefit to quality of life that, in this study at least, had a positive effect. But again, it would be unduly limiting to view these results as an either-or equation. It could be that the best results come from combining yoga and strength training as complementary not competing options. There's value in mixing things up, especially when it comes to knees that have endured years of wear and tear. 'Overall, these findings suggest that integrating yoga as an alternative or complementary exercise option in clinical practice may help in managing knee pain,' Antony said.
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
New clues point to why colorectal cancer is rising in young people
In a study recently published in Nature, scientists unveiled a link between the rise in young colorectal cancers and a toxin called colibactin. For years, we've known that colibactin, produced by certain strains of bacteria like E. coli, can mutate our DNA and potentially cause colorectal cancer. Related : Advertisement Colibactin is only one of the many known triggers for colorectal cancer. But what researchers recently discovered is that people with colorectal cancer who are under age 40 are far more likely to have colibactin-linked mutations in their tumors compared with older adults — more than 3.3 times more likely. Here's where the plot really thickens. Thirty to 40 percent of healthy adults have colibactin-producing bacteria in their microbiomes, the trillions of bacteria inside our gut that help with digestion and support the immune system. Only a fraction of those people will get colorectal cancer. So something else is reacting with colibactin and paving the way for cancer. It turns out that X factor may be your childhood diet. How fiber can protect our gut In a separate study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers found that fiber may impact colibactin's role in the gut. They found that the guts of mice fed a low-fiber diet became colonized with higher numbers of colibactin-producing bacteria. Their colons also developed chronic low-grade inflammation, which accelerated colorectal tumor production. Advertisement But when scientists fed the mice a fermentable soluble fiber each day, their microbiomes transformed: That inflammation subsided, and they became resistant to colonization by colibactin-producing bacteria. In other words, fiber prevented colibactin-producing bacteria from causing cancer. This tracks well with data in human studies. With every 10 grams of fiber you eat each day — that's about the amount in a cup of beans — there's a 10 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer can take years to fully blossom, so the idea is that when these processes take hold in early childhood, cancer manifests at a younger and younger age. In fact, research has shown that colibactin can start setting the stage for cancer before we turn 10 years old. This is why I tell my patients to eat a diversity of fiber-rich plants - and to make sure their children do the same. A parent's role in shaping the microbiome Our microbiome is most malleable during early childhood. It's heavily shaped by things like our mother's health, whether we were born by a cesarean or vaginal birth, our exposure to animals and, of course, our diets. For instance, a recent study in JAMA Network Open found that girls born via cesarean delivery had greater odds of developing colorectal cancer before age 50 compared with those delivered vaginally (for reasons that are still unclear, this does not appear to be the case for boys, but scientists speculate that this may be due to how sex hormones influence the microbiome). And the Nurses Health Study II revealed that for each serving of a sugary beverage - such as soft drinks or sports drinks - consumed daily in adolescence, participants had a 32 percent higher risk of developing colorectal cancer before age 50. Related : Advertisement Childhood risk factors are notoriously difficult to study, and there are many remaining questions about how different factors - including the environment, chemical exposures in daily life and our mother's health - may influence the risk of colorectal cancer. But scientists are developing experiments to collect information and samples — like stool or blood — early in life and plan to track them into adulthood. Those will take time to give us answers, but it's a payoff we really need. Many of my patients worry about how antibiotics might disrupt the microbiome. This isn't usually a concern for adults: Antibiotics might disrupt the microbiome temporarily, but it usually bounces back. It's more complicated when antibiotics are given to people who are pregnant or babies because these affect a developing microbiome at a very impressionable time. However, antibiotics — in infancy or otherwise — have not been shown to 'cause' cancer in any study. While you shouldn't take antibiotics unnecessarily, you should use them if your doctor recommends them. Lowering your risk of colorectal cancer Besides increasing your overall fiber intake, here are three things you can do to reduce the risk for you and your family: Make simple healthier food swaps: Sugar-sweetened beverages, processed and red meats, refined grains and Trade out sedentary activity for physical activity: Small steps, like exercising a half hour each week instead of sitting on the couch, can build to a big impact. In one study of almost 90,000 female nurses, those who spent about two hours per day watching TV had a 69 percent increased risk of getting colorectal cancer at a young age compared with people who watched less than one hour of TV per day - even after controlling for factors like BMI, family history, smoking and diet. Stay up-to-date on screenings: Colonoscopies are a great screening tool, but they also prevent colorectal cancer by removing polyps — small, abnormal growths — before they turn into cancer. If you're between the ages of 45 and 75, then you should be screened. What I want my patients to know It worries me that fewer than 20 percent of people ages 45-49 are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening. The most common symptom of colorectal cancer among younger people is rectal bleeding. While blood in your poop can be due to any number of less worrisome causes such as hemorrhoids, which are incredibly common, it's never normal. If you see blood, inform your physician. Advertisement
