Chris Infotainment

Comprehensive Review of Autism Therapies Reveals Limited Evidence for Alternative Treatments A landmark review of autism therapies has revealed that there is no strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of alternative treatments, and many have not been adequately evaluated for safety. This comprehensive analysis, conducted by researchers from Paris Nanterre University, Paris Cité University, and the University of Southampton, examined a wide range of interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study identified several treatments that showed some promise, but the evidence supporting them remains weak. Among these, oxytocin therapy emerged with the strongest supporting data. This experimental treatment involves administering the hormone oxytocin, often through a nasal spray, to improve social and behavioral challenges. While it was found to produce a small reduction in repetitive behaviors among autistic adults, it proved largely ineffective for other symptoms such as soci...

The Hidden Messages in Body Odour Whether it's on a busy bus, in a sweaty gym, or on a crowded dancefloor, all of us have experienced an unpleasant whiff of someone's body odour. The pong might have you covering your nose, or reaching for the closest can of deodorant. But if you can bear to sniff it, scientists say the exact aroma can actually divulge a lot about someone. From the unmistakable pong of elevated stress levels, to the stale beer aroma of a tuberculosis infection, your body odour can reveal key clues to your health. And for some 'super-smellers', even complex diseases like early-onset Parkinson's can be detected with a simple sniff. Dr Bruce Kimball, a smell expert from the Monell Chemical Senses Centre, shared insights into how various diseases can alter bodily odours. He mentioned that there was a time when physicians would commonly sniff patients' urine to detect some conditions. This highlights the long-standing relationship between scent and ...

The Growing Use of AI in Medical Documentation and the Risks Involved As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into healthcare, medical professionals are being urged to remain vigilant about the accuracy of AI-generated content. General practitioners (GPs) are increasingly using AI tools to assist with medical documentation, such as summarizing patient consultations. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for these tools to produce inaccurate or even fabricated information. AI scribes, which automatically generate notes from conversations between doctors and patients, are becoming a common feature in many GP practices. These tools aim to reduce administrative burdens and improve efficiency. Yet, the Royal College of GPs has issued warnings that AI may misinterpret the subtle nuances of medical discussions, potentially leading to dangerous outcomes. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has also highlighted the risk of "hal...