Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya, President Trump's pick to lead the National Institutes of Health, has vowed to defend freedom of speech in scientific research. He cited his own experience with censorship by the Biden administration during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that people with alternative ideas were suppressed and he was personally subject to social media censorship.
https://nypost.com/2025/03/05/us-news/trumps-nih-pick-recounts-censorship-by-biden-for-views-on-covid-science-needs-free-speech/The US Department of Veterans Affairs is considering a reorganization that could result in cutting 80,000 jobs, according to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press. The move has sparked concerns among veterans and their advocates, with Disabled American Veterans' national legislative director Joy Ilem warning that it could lead to lost trust and damage recruitment efforts. VA Secretary Doug Collins has stated that the effort is focused on identifying deficiencies, but critics point out that the department has rehired employees who were let go in previous layoffs while cutting others, including a trainer for a crisis hotline. The cuts are part of a broader effort by the White House to slash $2 billion worth of VA contracts, which could impact critical health services such as cancer care and toxic exposure assessments.
https://apnews.com/article/veterans-doge-va-trump-cuts-marines-opinions-370be785e1117ab0d82a58c95c639420The VA has experienced its highest-ever service levels, with over 9 million veterans enrolled and more than 127.5 million health care appointments delivered last year. However, former VA inspector general Michael Missal is warning that the agency's performance will suffer due to a lack of expertise as top officials leave or are shuffled around under President Trump's plans. Missal, who was fired along with seven other inspectors general, claims that Trump's actions against them have made it difficult for remaining officials to do their jobs. The VA has saved $45 billion during Missal's tenure, but he fears that veterans will be harmed by the changes. Congressional Democrats are criticizing the cuts at the VA and other agencies, while Republicans are watching with caution. Veterans groups are also expressing concern about layoffs and confusion over whether services will be affected, with some worrying that veterans may not receive the care they deserve.
https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712A recent study published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia found that prolonged use of anti-inflammatory medications may help protect against dementia. The study, which analyzed health data from over 130 million individuals, suggested that common dementias may be triggered by viral or bacterial infections. This finding supports a hypothesis that has been proposed before. According to the World Health Organization, there are nearly 10 million new cases of dementia every year, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form, contributing to 60-70% of cases.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/health/prolonged-use-of-anti-inflammatory-pills-can-prevent-dementia-study/Dr. Moskowitz's research suggests that emotional skills training can help individuals cope with significant life challenges, such as a cancer diagnosis or caring for a loved one with dementia. She notes that people can experience both positive and negative emotions simultaneously, but her studies indicate that this skillset can be learned to better manage stress.
https://whyy.org/articles/stress-reduction-skills-boost-mood-anxiety/John Setka, the former secretary of the CFMEU union, has been diagnosed with PTSD after a lifetime at the forefront of the union movement. He cites specific incidents such as death threats, being on the scene when three pedestrians died in a wall collapse outside his office in 2013, and facing blackmail charges that were later dropped in 2018 as contributing to his condition.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/john-setka-neil-mitchell-interview/9c5569f0-0cf1-4f74-8b1a-78742ba798beComedian Mo Gilligan has spoken publicly about struggling with depression in his twenties as his career took off. He credits therapy with helping him open up and connect with others, allowing his true personality to shine through. This openness was also reflected in his acceptance speech at the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards, where he spoke about mental health.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14463369/Mo-Gilligan-reveals-massively-depressed-twenties-career-snowballed-therapy-helped-learn-connect.htmlThe writer experiences anxiety and insomnia due to their tendency to ruminate on worries at night. A small disturbance can trigger a cycle of mental activity, including checking to-do lists, writing imaginary emails, and worrying about potential problems in the future. This spiral of thoughts makes it difficult for them to fall asleep.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-14460275/The-20-Amazon-buy-helped-tackle-3am-nighttime-anxiety.htmlA recent poll found that 70% of dog owners say their pets suffer from stress and anxiety, with 41% worrying about their pet's mental health. To cope with these issues, owners use various remedies such as special treats (68%), longer walks in the park (48%), extra belly rubs (48%), and snuggling on the sofa together (46%). Canine behaviourist Nathalie Ingham advises that understanding the root cause of anxiety is key to helping pets overcome their fears. The main signs of anxiety in dogs include increased barking, a low or tucked tail, pacing around, and trembling.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14457771/UK-dog-pooches-suffer-bouts-stress-anxiety.html