Dagmawe Assefa

Are magic mushrooms becoming the new go-to for mental health? A recent study reveals a significant surge in psilocybin use across the United States since 2019, with a striking number of individuals turning to it, especially those grappling with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

The research, spearheaded by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety, paints a compelling picture:

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Ever wondered how you learn to avoid touching a hot stove or why some people are better at avoiding danger than others? New research from Northwestern University sheds light on the complex role of dopamine in learning from negative experiences. Forget the simplistic "dopamine detox" trend; this study reveals that dopamine is far more nuanced than just a "feel-good" chemical.

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Discover how new drugs targeting "zombie cells" offer a promising, non-surgical approach to treating chronic low back pain by addressing the root cause of inflammation and spinal damage.

Methane emissions from dairy cows are a significant environmental concern, but what if we could feed cows differently to reduce those emissions? Researchers at the University of Florida are exploring this very question, testing a new type of cattle feed that could help dairy cows release less methane gas from burps and flatulence. The innovative feed, made from flaxseed and pea protein, aims to not only cut down on methane but also help cows use nutrients more efficiently, potentially boosting milk production.

The study, published in the Journal of Dairy Science, highlights a "win-win" scenario, according to Antonio Faciola, associate professor at UF's Department of Animal Sciences. Every reduction in methane emissions translates to energy saved within the cow's body, which can then be used for milk production.

James Vinyard, a former UF post-doctoral student and now a research assistant professor at the University of Alaska, played a crucial role in the research. Vinyard simulated dairy cattle's digestion in the lab to measure methane production and explore ways to improve fermentation with the supplemental feed.

The results were promising. Adding flaxseed and pea protein to the dairy cattle's rumen in the lab reduced methane production and improved overall digestion. This is because the supplement is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins.

"This supplement has multiple potential benefits," Faciola said. "Not only could it reduce methane emissions, but it might also increase energy availability for cows, potentially leading to increased milk production."

Future studies will focus on feeding the supplement to live dairy cows to validate the lab results in real-world conditions. As global food security becomes an increasing concern, finding ways to feed cows more efficiently is crucial to meeting growing demands. The goal is to have cows producing more milk with the same amount of food, making dairy farming more environmentally friendly and sustainable. The study was funded in part by O&T Farms Ltd., a Canadian farm specializing in animal supplements, indicating the industry's interest in supporting such research.

Are you at high risk for flu complications? A new multi-state study is sounding the alarm: many high-risk adults diagnosed with influenza in emergency departments and urgent care centers are not receiving antiviral treatment quickly enough, or at all. This critical gap in care could lead to severe health issues, especially for older adults and those with underlying conditions.

The study, conducted by the Regenstrief Institute and utilizing data from the CDC's VISION Network, revealed that only slightly more than half of high-risk patients received antiviral prescriptions. Shockingly, of those prescriptions, only 80 percent were actually filled. This means a significant portion of vulnerable individuals are missing out on potentially life-saving treatment.

A rocky exoplanet, BD+05 4868 Ab, is shedding material equal to Mount Everest's mass every 30.5 hours as it orbits its star, 140 light-years away. This disintegrating world may vanish in 1-2 million years.

The war against bed bugs just got tougher! Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered a concerning gene mutation that could be fueling insecticide resistance in these persistent pests. This breakthrough, published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, reveals that bed bugs are evolving to withstand chemicals previously used to control them.

The fight against drug-resistant infections may have a new weapon in its arsenal: blue light. Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections, cancer, and other challenging gram-negative pathogens. The best part? This new method doesn't rely on expensive and environmentally harmful precious metals.

Currently, the creation of synthetic carbohydrates, vital components in many antibiotics used to combat gram-negative pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a common and deadly hospital-acquired infection), relies on precious metals like platinum and rhodium. However, these metals are not only expensive but also require harsh reaction conditions and pose environmental risks during mining.

The OU team, led by Professor Indrajeet Sharma, has found a way to replace these precious metals with either blue light or iron. This innovative approach, published in