When you visit a doctor, you assume the diagnosis and treatment will be based entirely on your symptoms and medical history. But there is another factor that can quietly influence what happens in the exam room and the quality of the care you receive. And it has nothing to do with your health. ⁠https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/26/1/13⁠ (more…)

What if becoming smarter had less to do with intelligence and more to do with a handful of everyday habits? Researchers are discovering that many of the things that most influence brain performance are surprisingly simple—and often completely within your control. (more…)

Most parents think the key to getting kids to eat healthy food is explaining why it’s healthy. Unfortunately, research suggests that strategy can backfire spectacularly. In fact, telling children a food is “good for you” may be one of the fastest ways to make them reject it. Fortunately, there is a much better approach. ⁠https://www.chicagobooth.edu/review/kids-can-have-their-cake-and-their-broccoli-too⁠ (more…)

Have you ever held a pet up to a mirror and wondered why they don’t seem to recognize themselves? Humans usually figure it out very young, but most animals never do. Yet a surprising handful of species appear capable of recognizing their own reflection—a clue that scientists use to explore one of the most fascinating questions in biology: self-awareness. ⁠https://www.livescience.com/4272-elephant-awareness-mirrors-humans.html⁠ (more…)

Every medication has an expiration date—but what exactly happens when that date passes? Does the medicine suddenly stop working? Does it become dangerous? The answer is more complicated than most people realize and depends greatly on the medication itself. ⁠https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/expiration-dating-extension⁠ (more…)