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A gene variant triples the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease — fat buildup in brain cells may be to blame, study finds
A gene variant called APOE4 is the biggest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Scientists are finally figuring out how it works.
Scientists Create “Super Ice” That’s 10 Times Stronger and Rivals Concrete in Strength
A new form of reinforced ice could offer an unconventional building material for extreme polar environments, although questions about its long-term durability remain. Scientists have developed a new form of ice that approaches the compressive strength of conventional concrete while resisting the sudden fractures that make ordinary ice so brittle. Known as BioPykrete, the material
Ohio University Chemistry Professor Eric Masson develops open-source software to advance chemical research
New computational platform, Equilibrist, simplifies complex chemical data analysis and improves the reliability and reproducibility of scientific results.
A developer used AI to build 7 free Adobe alternatives, and subscription software has a new problem
A small team used AI to build free Adobe alternatives in days. The results are rough, but they could signal trouble for subscription software.
I needed to see the new Windows 11 Photos app in action to fathom how fast it is — it's like switching from dial-up to broadband
Microsoft rebuilt key parts of Photos, and the result appears dramatically faster than the sluggish app Windows users know today.
Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks Keeps Science Green at ECOS
Chief Executive Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks maintains a keen focus on sustainable manufacturing at ECOS, the company her father founded 60 years ago, building upon his initial idea to create non-toxic alternatives for cleaning. Van Vlahakis, a chemist, founded the manufacturer of green cleaning products at a time when no one was paying attention to ingredients. “He […]
Six years of SQMS: asking what limits quantum systems and building the answers
The founding director provides perspective on the first six years of a DOE National Quantum Information Science Research Center — the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center, led by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
FMOL Health, LSU partner to develop saliva-based concussion test
Researchers are working with up to 60 LSU football players this season to develop a non-invasive sideline test...
How a Monk, an Emperor, and Cave Beetles Built the Science of Underground Life
In the mid-nineteenth century, the study of life in caves was not the work of laboratories or universities but of monks, aristocrats, merchants, and soldiers, all bound together by the ambitions of an empire. A new historical study published in
LOVB Miami names Pri Shumate president, builds out business leadership
LOVB Miami has named former Dolphins CMO Pri Shumate president of business operations and former FIFA exec Meg Patten VP/fan experience & marketing, with sports management company Jett Sports serving as its commercial arm ahead of the expansion franchise’s inaugural 2026-27 season.
New UI clinic pilots exercise treatments to improve health of cancer patients, survivors
A new exercise oncology research clinic at the University of Iowa is helping people dealing with cancer and its aftermath build back strength and trust in their bodies through exercise training.
Michelle Murphy Named Business Person of the Year by Palisades Rotary Club - Palisadian-Post
The Pacific Palisades Rotary Club is proud to recognize Michelle Murphy as its 2026 Business Person of the Year, honoring her entrepreneurial spirit, community leadership and extraordinary commitment to helping Pacific Palisades recover and rebuild following the Palisades Fire. Traditionally, the Business Person of the Year award recognizes entrepreneurship, leadership and professional success. But in… Keep reading
'It's Just Not Worth It': Selena Gomez Opens Up About Vaping's Effect On Her Voice
The “Only Murders in the Building” star revealed that she’s quit vaping and hopes to keep it up.
Fire damages Appleton business
APPLETON, Wis. -- Fire damages a business in Appleton. Crews were called to a commercial building in the 200 b...
DIY VR: How to build your own headset, and why you probably won't want to
A primer on the joys and pains of building your own head-mounted display.
Colleges raced to build massive computer-science departments. Now the boom is turning to bust.
“Computer science isn’t the ticket to the American dream like people thought it was.”
Lord Abbett Unveils New Brand Reflecting a Firm Built with Intention
JERSEY CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 19, 2026--
Utah Democrats have been out of power for 50 years. As the state changes, here’s how they think they can win.
Utah seems poised to send its first Democrat to Congress in six years. Democrats and others say the state is nearing a potential turning point — and that outcry over data centers could be a sign of how to build progressive power in this longtime GOP stronghold.
13 Organizations Building Health and Community in Philadelphia
These Philadelphia organizations are improving food and nutrition security and advancing health-forward solutions rooted in community.
How Science Is Helping Coastal Communities Build Resilience to El Niño
The current El Niño may become the strongest in modern recorded history. The naturally occurring climate phenomenon, primarily associated with persistent, high ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, could have global-scale effects on weather and ocean conditions through 2027.
Step inside NextGen, the building designed to transform the future of health
See how Mizzou scientists are turning discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.
Huntington Bank Introduces The 1866 Studio, an AI-Powered Small Business Operating System Built with Google Cloud
New connected experience designed to help small business owners build and scale their businesses with access to financial, operational and business management AI tools and expertise COLUMBUS,...
Rural medical training is key to stronger health care in First Nations communities
Training doctors in rural and remote communities and embedding First Nations knowledge and leadership in medical education could be key to strengthening health care access, building a sustainable workforce ...
Oakridge mayor faces challenge from political newcomer who wants to rebuild
Mayor Bryan Cutchen says Oakridge is headed in the right direction and wants a second term to fix the ambulance deficit and failing pipes. Challenger Shawn Goddard, a first-time candidate, says the town needs a one-time, multimillion-dollar rebuild and a mayor who is a constant presence.
Building Business: Reveler, Avesta top off 201-unit affordable apartment complex in Portland
The ceremony marked the installation of the final structural component of the six-story, 166,000-square-foot building and the end of the first phase of construction.
Breaking Down the Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 Bullpen Stat Leaders
The Pittsburgh Pirates have building blocks in their bullpen following the 2026 season.
Clippers rebuild includes developing young core alongside veterans
With the Kawhi Leonard era over and James Harden departed, a healthy Darius Garland will be running point for a team blending youth with veterans.
Newcastle’s fundamental problems and how to fix them
Newcastle United have not started the season well and the boos that rang out after their home defeat by Aston Villa were an amalgamation of frustration and concern that has been building for weeks.
Exclusive: Donors fear the worst for Kennedy Center’s art amid renovations uncertainty
At the height of legal and political tumult at the Kennedy Center last summer, board members discussed moving the iconic eight-foot, 3,000-pound bronze bust of President John F. Kennedy from the Grand Foyer while the main building closed for renovations.
JD Bertrand recalls mentorship from Chiefs LB Drue Tranquill
During his interview with @EdEastonJr, Atlanta Falcons linebacker JD Bertrand recalled mentorship from Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill
Why Disney is courting creators to builder a deeper bond with fans
Disney is one of the many entertainment giants already investing big in the creator economy. Here's how it plans to scale its efforts.
Opinion: Ohio manufacturing needs permitting reform
Momentum on reform is building in Congress, with Ohio’s U.S. senators helping advance the conversation.
This family business survived 100 years to build on East TN's housing boom
Christmas Lumber nearly went under. Four generations and 100 years later, the Harriman family business is helping meet East Tennessee's housing demand.
Amazon's $220 billion AI bet tests the limits of its empire
Amazon's $220 billion AI buildout is draining cash as power shortages, costly Nvidia servers, and construction challenges pile up.
Kentucky Geological Survey to host annual earth science open house
The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kentucky will host its 26th annual open house 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, in and around the Mining and Mineral Resources Building on the UK campus, 310 Columbia Ave.
Latino influence grows, but representation lags in New Jersey
"Political power is not given. Political power is built by the community that demands it," said one strategist.
Atrium Health’s $340 million behavioral health initiative
The health system says it’s building a hospital and expanding virtual care to meet rising needs in Charlotte and beyond.
NJBIZ In the Lead 2026: Women-Owned Businesses
NJBIZ celebrates women entrepreneurs across industries who have built successful businesses, overcome funding challenges and contributed to their communities.
Agua Caliente tribe expands fuel business with third Coachella Valley station
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ new 24-pump Cathedral City station expands its fuel business to three Coachella Valley locations. (Courtesy photo)
Insurer AmTrust plans 300m City of London tower beside the Gherkin
Canary Wharf veteran Sir George Iacobescu is steering plans to swap the insurer’s London base for one of the tallest buildings in the Square Mile
100 women build 48 beds at inaugural Ladies of Lumber event
Sleep in Heavenly Peace — Utica's inaugural Ladies of Lumber event brought 100 women together in Yorkville to build 48 beds for children in need.
Champion Teal Knight FNCS Cup Zero Build in NA West: Session 1
Answer the call. Fight for glory. Compete in the Champion Teal Knight FNCS Cup for a chance to earn Champion Teal Knight cosmetic rewards. Put your skills to the test, rise to the challenge, and forge your path to victory. Good luck and have fun!
GTA 6: Can you cheat on someone with a video game character?
Grand Theft Auto VI lets you build and nurture a romantic relationship but some say dates with a fictional character are a step too far.
WVU Parkersburg launches Cloud Computing program connecting technical skills to business needs
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — WVU Parkersburg is launching a new Cloud Computing program designed to prepare students to build and manage cloud resources while understanding the costs and business decisions behind
Ruiling Yuan: Building Trust and Health Literacy to Expand Clinical Trial Participation
Ruiling Yuan: Building Trust and Health Literacy to Expand Clinical Trial Participation / cancer, clinical trial, clinical trials, Jennifer Clary, Joanna K.
Inaugural QAC Chamber Contractor Summit builds regional networks, showcases trades
WYE MILLS — Bringing together local tradespeople and regional business leaders, the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Contractor Summit Sept. 24 at Chesapeake College to build
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Veteran Business of the Month, Above Standard Building Maintenance - Clarksville Online - Clarksville News, Sports, Events and Information
Clarksville, TN - Above Standard Building Maintenance has been providing services like janitorial services and hard-surface stripping and waxing to folks in
Dealroom.co | Kompanion raises €800K seed to build AI business-management platform
What's the deal? Catalan startup Kompanion has raised €800,000 i…
Laurel House opens doors for independent business owners
COLUMBIANA - A business that lets beauty professionals run their own company, without the stress of owning a building, is now open in Columbiana.
Mosaic Health Launches Public Phase of Conners Campus Capital Campaign - The Source
Mosaic Community Health launched the public phase of its Conners Campus capital campaign on Tuesday, inviting neighbors, businesses and community members to help build a new primary hub for comprehensive health services on Bend’s east side. The launch event, held at the construction site at 2790 NE Conners Ave., brought together state legislators and Mosaic […]
Scientists Solve a Quantum Mystery Hidden Inside Crystals
Tiny flaws in crystals could become building blocks for quantum sensors, and scientists can now better predict how these imperfections lose energy. A laser can excite electrons at a tiny flaw in diamond or silicon carbide, but the energy does not always return as light. As the defect relaxes toward its lowest-energy, or ground, state,
New Nightclub Planned for Former Nectar's Building
Businessman Shawn Cliche has submitted applications for a new nightclub in the former Nectar's space in Burlington. Whether it would reopen as Nectar's is unclear.
Oblivion Remastered Mod Built Using Claude AI Boosts FPS By Over 40% And Drastically Reduces Stuttering Without Sacrificing Visual Quality.
AI-assisted mod Oblivion Remastered Performance Fix boosts FPS by over 40% while enhancing visuals on Ryzen 7 5800X/RX 9070 XT systems.
Microsoft is actively rebuilding Windows 11 Search. What does it mean? Our deep‑dive answers every major question.
Microsoft's new Windows 11 Search promises faster results, better query matching, and useful actions without requiring a Copilot+ PC.
Being the fun aunt is easy. Building real bonds takes intention.
Of course I take the role of being a fun aunt very seriously. I also know I have a larger responsibility to my nieces and nephews.
Brow: I've been a mom for nearly 10 years. I've never lied to my kid.
I've never lied to my daughter, even about Santa Claus. I believe being honest with kids builds trust, even when the truth is uncomfortable.
Is Universal Health Services (UHS) Fairly Valued Or Is More Upside Left?
Universal Health Services: Stock Performance Snapshot With no single headline event driving trading, Universal Health Services (UHS) has been moving on recent performance data, including a last close of US$185.10 and mixed short and longer term returns. Over the past week the share price gained 4.4%. The move builds on a gain of 4.8% over the past month and 22.9% over the past 3 months, set against a year to date decline of 15.8%. For investors tracking the bigger picture, Universal Health...
Torani CEO says layoffs are a choice
Melanie Dulbecco says layoffs are a financial exercise that doesn't build resilience or momentum.
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings (TSE:8725) Highlights Its US Business, Is The Upside Already Priced In?
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings (TSE:8725) put its U.S. operations in the spotlight at its recent Investor Relations Day, giving shareholders fresh detail on how that overseas unit fits into the wider insurance group. The recent Investor Relations Day lands after a strong run in the share price, with a 1-day share price return of 2.49%, a 7-day share price return of 5.05% and a 90-day share price return of 14.70% that points to building momentum. A 1-year total shareholder return of 63.73% and...
Banking on bricks: entrepreneur builds a business case for recycling plastic waste
Spirit of Hong Kong Awards finalist Shervin Sharghy left banking to build a business turning plastic waste into concrete paving and wall blocks.
Inside a reality show-style incubator for startup founders
A group of startup founders went to eastern Pennsylvania for a lesson in company building. They left with more followers.
Durand voters to decide $30.29M school bond this November
Durand Area Schools voters will decide on a $30.29 million bond proposal on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot that would pay for safety, infrastructure and building upgrades across the district,
Business Spotlight: Greenway Landscape Design & Build turns outdoor living spaces into true ‘bonus room’
In San Diego, the backyard has become more than a patch of grass — it’s where families gather, where friends connect and where homeowners invest in comfort and long-term property value. That shift has helped fuel the rise of outdoor living …
Benefit supports historic Versailles business months after fire
Community members gathered at a benefit car show on Oct. 17 to support the Wilson family as they plan to rebuild Wilson’s Pool Room following a devastating fire.
Scaler Wave (@scalerwave)
How’s that “science” workin’ out for ya? -“Outside of running, Yoo was a graduate student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, known as KAIST, where she researched AI semiconductors. She shared her training and race results online and built an audience of thousands who admired how she balanced demanding research with serious endurance running. In March, she completed the full Seoul Marathon in 2 hours, 56 minutes and 32 seconds, finishing under the three-hour mark. No cause of death has been made public.” Odd….
Meet the women honored for building businesses and strengthening Graham, Greenlee communities
Candice Garcia of Candice's Creations and Brandi Bodine of Stage Stop, Mt. Graham Market and 3-Way were recognized as the 2026 Small Businesswomen of the Year for Graham and Greenlee counties. The annual celebration at Eastern Arizona College also honored eight Graham County finalist entries representing businesses across the region.
Seattle hazmat crews respond to CO2 leak at Ballard business
Seattle firefighters are working to secure a carbon dioxide leak after an alarm activated in a commercial building in Ballard Saturday morning.The Seattle Fire
Quantum magic state cleanup cuts errors 40-fold in first successful hardware test
Qubits, the quantum equivalent of digital bits, are fragile and prone to errors. That makes building reliable quantum computers extremely difficult. One fix has been to use traditional magic state distillation, ...
Why Nancy Cartwright Says Science Has No Fundamental Laws
Nancy Cartwright argues science has no fundamental or universal laws, only local truths held together by nomological machines built for specific contexts.
AHN takes lifesaving training into western Pennsylvania classrooms
AHN's new Building Bridges program teaches students CPR, Narcan use and other lifesaving skills while introducing health care careers.
AHN takes lifesaving training into western Pennsylvania classrooms
AHN's new Building Bridges program teaches students CPR, Narcan use and other lifesaving skills while introducing health care careers.
UT System's $60 million Laredo Center expansion begins
UT System officials broke ground on a new Laredo Center building that will expand educational access, research opportunities and health care training.
What’s on the Sun’s hidden side? Scientists uncover new clues
A new study reveals how scientists can identify previously unseen solar activity and build more accurate models of the Sun's magnetic field.
ASUS Finally Builds An Intel Arc Graphics Card After Two Generations On The Sidelines, And It’s The Full 32 GB Big Battlemage Arc Pro B70
ASUS is releasing its first Intel Arc graphics card, which is powered by the Big Battlemage GPU, and aims at the lucrative AI segment.
I'm a real estate agent building an ADU. I still made these costly mistakes.
Even for a real estate agent, Shalini Karnani Bonjour says building an ADU has been hard. Here are the biggest mistakes she made and lessons learned.
Microsoft updates Windows 11 Xbox mode with easier access to desktop and power controls
Microsoft is making it easier to return to Windows from Xbox mode. The latest Insider builds introduce a refreshed Gaming Task View with desktop and power shortcuts.
Franciscan Health, Tonn and Blank planning Michigan City medical office building at former Marquette Mall
Press release, Franciscan Health: Project supports healthcare ministry’s regional approach to healthcare MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health, in partnership with Tonn and Blank Construction, is planning a medical office building on a portion of the former Marquette Mall property. Franciscan Health plans to operate a 120,000-square-foot medical office building through the renovation of the former J.C. Penney store at the northwest corner of U.S. 421 and U.S. 20. The land is just 2.5 miles north of Franciscan Health Michigan City, which sits at U.S. 421 and Interstate 94. The building will house more than 45 physicians, cost-effective imaging, an
Kid Chemist in Metro Detroit: Hands-On Science, Open Play, Classes & Birthday Parties
Kid Chemist offers classes and activities for students from Pre-K through high school, with programs designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and make science fun. Families can visit locations in…
Scientists discover how deep sleep builds muscle, burns fat, and boosts the brain
Scientists have discovered a surprising two-way relationship between sleep and growth hormone, revealing how the brain carefully balances physical recovery with wakefulness. The findings could help explain why poor sleep harms metabolism and brain health, potentially opening the door to new treatments for sleep and neurological disorders.
High school students pitch business ideas at 2nd annual Youth Shark Tank competition
High school students from New Hanover and Pender counties pitched original business ideas to a panel of judges Friday during the Genesis Block Foundation’s second annual Youth Entrepreneurship Shark Tank Competition at Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station Building.
Dreaming Big, Building Better: Hugg & Hall Reaches A Major Milestone
Hugg & Hall Equipment Co. celebrates 70 years in business, highlighting its Arkansas roots, family leadership, growth and innovation in construction equipment.
High school students pitch business ideas at 2nd annual Youth Shark Tank competition
The event is part of a two-part youth pitch series designed to introduce students to entrepreneurship, build their confidence and give them a chance to present ideas while receiving feedback from judges, according to the Genesis Block Foundation.
Historic Torrance building to be transformed into community health clinic
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn officially broke ground on the new Pathway Torrance Community Health & Wellness Center on Friday, Oct. 16.
From bowling alley handyman to business mogul: GOP candidate shares his American Dream story
Florida congressional hopeful Joe Strada explains how he built a half-billion-dollar business, why he entered politics and what matters more to him than money.
Build Stakeholder Trust Before You Need It
Preparing relationships for change deserves as much attention as preparing the business.
Airline High School students run their own store to build real-world business skills
Airline High School students are getting a hands-on lesson in business through the Viking Exchange, a student-run store designed to help prepare them for the workforce and life after graduation.
Vail turns up the volume for winter entertainment this season
With the first snowfall on Vail Mountain’s peaks this week and snowmaking efforts underway, anticipation for winter is building fast. This season, Vail is raising the bar with its most ambitious music lineup yet, bringing more live music, more venues...
New UNT science and technology building on track to open in spring 2027
The University of North Texas hosted a tour of its new four-story science and technology building on the Denton campus ahead of its spring 2027 opening.
Hackathon Welcomes STC Cybersecurity Students
For South Texas College Cybersecurity student Athena Vallejo, presenting to high school students at one of the college’s signature events is an opportunity to show them a future they can build for themselves.
Building the Business Beat from the Ground Up
With the U.S. economy facing the most complex and fast-changing environment in recent history, the business beat has never been more vital in newsrooms tasked with distilling a constellation of forces for local communities. Costly tariff policies, labor crises tied to immigration enforcement, and breaks in the global supply chain are testing both local businesses...Read More
LaMelo Ball Gives Timberwolves New Way to Use Rudy Gobert
The Minnesota Timberwolves have already seen how quickly a physical defense can disrupt actions built around Rudy Gobert's screens. Against Detroit, that pressure kept Minnesota from finding the offensive rhythm it had established against New York. LaMelo Ball Gives Timberwolves New Way to Use Rudy Gobert For a team with major ambitions, the problem extends …
This week in health care policy: October 8–15, 2026
Innovation watch Merck expects faster production of its personalized cancer vaccine. CEO Rob Davis told CNBC the six-week turnaround for intismeran autogene, built from each patient’s tumor and paired with Keytruda, will shrink over time. In August, Merck and Moderna reported that the vaccine delayed recurrence and spread in a 1,137-patient Phase 3 melanoma trial, […]
Can AI solve our mental health access problem?
Last week I asked you what worries you most about AI in health. It was close, but your top answer was “AI giving bad health advice.” Last week’s poll results: You’re in good company. This concern was top of mind at a conference I joined at Stanford last week, where researchers, clinicians, and people who build AI systems spent a day debating trust and safety in health AI. Stepping back, I’m also hearing your emerging concerns about AI’s impact on our well-being generally. I see this as a matter of public health, and we’ll take it in pieces as we learn together. Today we’ll focus on AI chatbots used for therapy for mental health. Early this month, Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 903, California’s most ambitious attempt to regulate AI use for mental health. It’s at the center of active debate, and raises the questions patients, family members, citizens, and voters will face as AI moves deeper into health care. Let’s work through it. What is “AI-based therapy”? It’s really two things: purpose-built mental health apps designed to deliver structured support, and general chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini that people increasingly use for emotional support—even if they weren’t built for it. Spoiler alert: I don’t know whether the shift toward AI therapy is good or bad. The evidence isn’t there yet. But I do know it’s already happening, and I have some ideas about how we can roll it out with safety in mind. The therapy dilemma, in a nutshell Mental health challenges are common, and strain health and well-being across populations. Therapy (interactive dialogue with a trained, empathetic practitioner) helps many people heal. The demand for licensed therapists far exceeds the supply in California, and AI-based therapy can narrow that gap. AI-based therapy remains novel, unproven, and not well tested. Right off the bat, we can see we’re dealing with trade-offs here. Since the main driver of demand for therapy from a robot is lack of access to therapy from a human, we’ll start there. It’s too hard to find and afford a human therapist California is short roughly 55,000 licensed, non-prescribing therapists and counselors, about 40% of what we need. Psychiatrists, who rely on talk therapy as a complement to prescribed medications, are even more scarce. Eight counties have none, and density ranges from 1.7 per 100,000 residents in San Benito County, to 68.1 in Marin County. My wife is a psychiatrist in Marin, and even here access is tight. If it’s hard in the best-supplied county, imagine rural Sierra County, or the San Joaquin Valley. In 2024, more than half of Californians who tried to make a mental health appointment struggled to find a provider who took their insurance, compared with 14% for physical health care. When Senate staff posed as “secret shopper” patients and called 120 mental health providers in Medicare Advantage networks, they landed an appointment less than once for every five tries. Insurers pay behavioral health clinicians about 22% less than medical and surgical clinicians for comparable office visits. On top of that, billing denials and prior authorizations hit hardest at the solo and small practices common in mental health. Psychiatrists opt out of Medicare at the highest rate of any specialty. In many places, a cash practice for therapy fills quickly with patients paying $250 or more an hour, with no insurance paperwork at all. Families who can pay cash find providers more easily. Those who rely on insurance, including Medi-Cal enrollees, older adults, rural residents, and non-English speakers, compete for what’s left. So we can’t pretend the human system works, and we can’t blame people for turning to AI for support when they’re in distress. AI is filling the gap It’s estimated that roughly a quarter of AI users use it for mental health support. If you have internet, it’s available 24/7, it’s cheap, and it speaks your language. Uninsured adults are about twice as likely as insured adults to do it (30% vs. 14%). It feels anonymous in ways that may enable people to ask things they’re unsure or embarrassed about. The largely hidden, personal use makes it hard to study whether it’s actually helping people with their mental health issues, but researchers are trying. Does AI therapy work? A 2026 analysis of nearly 40 randomized trials found chatbots showed a real but small reduction in depression symptoms. But most of these trials were compared to an alternative of no therapy, not a human therapist. So the benefit of AI therapy is probably real, but modest, and mostly untested against the alternative of human contact. We need more studies. Serious concerns OpenAI’s own estimate is that more than a million ChatGPT users each week show signs of suicidal planning or intent. These are high stakes encounters, and AI doesn’t always get it right. That’s partly because a chatbot can sound like a therapist, but it has no license, no duty of care, and it’s not clear who to hold accountable when it gets things wrong. AI is also designed to help users in whatever task they’re seeking to accomplish. People may feel like they’re getting therapy, but they’re mainly getting a convincing conversation. It’s easy for an AI companion to wander into gray areas, like playing along with “creative writing” that may be about the user’s own suicidal intent. Courts are driving safety conversations A wave of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of families claiming that chatbots pushed people they loved toward self-harm, including teens who died by suicide. The first settlements came this year. OpenAI is headquartered in San Francisco, and dozens of cases alleging that ChatGPT drove users to suicide or self-harm are now before a San Francisco judge. Character.ai has filed for bankruptcy after several states brought lawsuits accusing the chatbot of pushing dangerous content to kids. But the technology seems to be improving. Last month, an independent evaluation found that newer AI models “almost never endorse suicide.” That’s progress, but our societal appetite for even one preventable death is very low. So how do we move forward? Finding a middle ground Earlier this month the governor vetoed Senate Bill 903, a bill designed to place guardrails on the use of AI for therapy. The bill would have prohibited any AI-based platform from being advertised as psychotherapy, and would have required a licensed professional to review and approve each encounter where AI was used to support therapeutic decisions. Newsom called it overly broad, since even routine screening questions would have needed clinician sign-off. Knowing we’re already short on mental health providers, requiring human review of AI encounters may not relieve our access problems. Still, the answer isn’t no oversight. Here’s one feasible short term solution. Rather than reviewing each encounter, a licensed clinician can design the guardrails: what counts as a crisis, what triggers an immediate handoff to a human, and what gets sampled for audit each month. The AI runs inside that structure. Conversations get checked, failures get reported, and a real clinician owns the framework. Medicine already has models to learn from. The FDA process for rolling out newly approved medications is an example. After a product reaches patients, we keep watching for adverse events. Patient-facing AI needs the same “digital pharmacovigilance”: systematic tracking of harms, near misses, and the types of groups that get hurt and why. It’s also critical that users know that they can reach a human if they’re in crisis. Most chatbots now include messages like these: Bottom line The rush to use unproven AI tools for mental health support is mostly a workaround, a sign of a health system people can’t get into. We need better access to proven care from licensed clinicians. That takes reimbursement that makes accepting insurance viable, and a bigger workforce. But, built and tested well, AI could be part of the answer. It could be the 2 a.m. check-in when no one else is awake, or a way for patients to practice skills their therapist taught them. It could be the first step to get someone the right level of care, and take paperwork off clinicians’ plates so they spend more time with patients. None of this is simple. The SB 903 veto doesn’t end the debate, and the legislature will be back. In the meantime, those of us using these tools need to stay informed, ask hard questions, and hold the companies building them accountable. I’ll try to do my part, and we’ll keep learning together. Love,Matt P.S. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988- you’ll reach a real person— or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Dr. Matt Willis is the author of Your Local Epidemiologist in California. A California native, he’s served as a primary care physician, CDC epidemiologist, and public health officer for Marin County, where he guided the pandemic response. He lives in Marin with his family and their dogs, Teddy and Ramona. Thank you Cynthia He, MD, PhD, and Parnika Saxena, MD, for their guidance in preparing this article. Cynthia works in an outpatient mental health clinic, treating patients who have Medi-Cal or, sometimes, no insurance. Parnika works in an inpatient psychiatric unit, treating patients with public or private insurance or self-pay ability. All opinions are their own and do not represent their employers.
Math Professor Secures National Science Foundation Grant to Advance Math Education
Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Dana Clahane, was recently awarded a federal grant of $499,893 by the National Science Foundation (NSF). A prestigious award, the grant will elevate undergraduate mathematics education in a project titled “Building Mathematics Research Communities at Two-Year Colleges” (BMRCTYC). Over the next three years, BMRCTYC will establish local Mathematics Research Communities at eight... Read more »
Albania: Protesting students demand political change and resignation of longtime Prime Minister Edi Rama
Empty lecture halls, burning buildings and demands for change: Albanian students are spearheading a protest movement that has become the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama in years.
Humans were never built for tails. Here's why.
And 'Science Friday' host Flora Lichtman on why she (mostly) still wants one.
Evan Worrell builds on MAHA-inspired health push ahead of 2027 West Virginia session
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Expanding rural health care access, strengthening drinking water protections and addressing shortages of medical professionals are among the priorities House Health and Human Resources Committee Chairman Evan
Wizards Look to Build on Encouraging Preseason vs. Pelicans
The Washington Wizards aim to curb turnovers and sharpen defensive physicality against the Pelicans, while rookie Felix Okpara hopes to stand out again.