A new study went to prove that gender-based brain differences are not a myth.

STATES CHRONICLE – The differences between males and females physically can’t be denied. Now, scientists are finding gender-based brain differences are just as evident.

Generalizations, like the notion that women over-think things can be met with opposition today, but there’s emerging evidence that gives this stereotype validity. Scientists discovered through the largest imaging survey ever conducted that the brain differences of women show more activity than those of men.

Brain Differences in Between Genders, Useful in Studying Disease Patterns?

A significant difference lies in women’s increased activity in the cerebral cortex, where most focus and impulse control originates. More activity was also shown in areas that control anxiety and emotion, while men demonstrated higher activity levels in visual and coordination parts of the brain.

The lead author of the study, Amen Clinics founder Daniel Amen, put together a team of researchers that examined around 35,000 brains. Specifically, the scientists looked at the brain scans of 119 healthy volunteers and compared them with 26,683 patients. These exhibited a variety of psychiatric conditions, including ADHD and bipolar disorder.

To determine a basis for where the brain is active while doing concentration tasks, the study examined 128 brain regions. Amen and his team observed the test subjects doing cognitive tasks while 46,034 tests were measured with SPECT or the single photon emission computed tomography. This helped determine the amount of blood flow to the brain.

The results showed striking differences in gender-based brain differences. Males had a higher propensity for problems in conduct and ADHD. In contrast, females showed higher rates of anxiety disorders and depression, which is a warning sign for Alzheimer’s. Presently, women were noted to be more likely to develop this disease.

“The results of the study could lead to a better understanding of Alzheimer’s and of our partners in general,” according to George Perry, editor in chief of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, in which the research paper was published.

The study may prove to be quite useful in understanding differences in gender regarding other psychological disorders, according to its team.

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A doctor from Oklahoma was charged with second-degree murder after prescribing her patients dangerous opioid combinations

STATES CHRONICLE – On Friday, a doctor from Oklahoma was charged with second-degree murder after five of her patients suffered deadly overdoses from taking painkillers and other dangerous medicine. Investigators claimed the combination of these drugs proved deadly for the patients.

Increasing opioid epidemics in the US

This case is one of the state’s many attempts to solve the opioid crisis, so many other doctors and medical professionals were charged with murder and sentenced to prison after their patients overdosed. A judge from the County of Oklahoma issued a warrant for the arrest of Regan Nichols, after several of her patients died while she was working at a clinic in Midwest City.

In 2015, around 33,000 deaths in the United States were caused by opioids, mostly heroin and prescription painkillers. Since 2000, the number of these deaths increased greatly, and determined the authorities to do something to stop this opioid epidemic.

The doctor prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs

Mike Hunter, the Attorney General in Oklahoma, declared that Nichols prescribed way too many opioid drugs, which put the lives of her patients in danger. The investigation revealed that, between 2010 and 2014, she prescribed over 3 million doses of dangerous medicine.

For instance, in 2010, a 47-year-old patient received a prescription from Nichols for anti-anxiety drugs, muscle relaxants, and opioid painkillers. This combination is regarded as deadly by both investigators and other medical experts. As a result, the patient was dead after six days.

The same case occurred in 2012 but, this time, the patient hadn’t received a thorough examination since 2008. Surprisingly, this patient survived for one month, despite having taken a worrying amount of narcotics which should have worked as a red light for Nichols.

Investigators claim that Nichols prescribed the patients drugs they didn’t need. Also, she combined three dangerous types of medicine, which most often lead to deadly overdose. Therefore, she was charged with second-degree murder.
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People shouldn’t rely only on BMI when measuring their health risks

STATES CHRONICLE – Obesity rates are on the rise all over the world, causing around 4 million deaths. This condition is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, which are the leading causes of mortality. One way to prevent them is to know who is exposed to a higher risk, and measuring the BMI of a person might not be the best indicator.

People don’t need a high BMI to suffer from metabolic problems

You might notice that a layer of fat has accumulated around your waist, but your BMI is still among normal lines. However, this doesn’t mean you are perfectly healthy, or you are free from all risks. Keep in mind that a normal body mass index does not account for all problems you might experience, so a more effective method of monitoring should be found.

So far, people see obesity in terms of a high BMI, and it’s hard to think otherwise, since most studies rely on it to characterize obese people. However, this indicator is related only to weight, and does not account for other possible health problems. Indeed, they can arise from being overweight, but certain issues can appear even when the indicator is lower.

BMI does not account for the distribution of body fat

What is at fault about BMI is that it correlates weight and height, and doesn’t take into account body fat in general. Therefore, it would be more advisable to look at waist size when determining possible future problems. This is important, since a person with a normal index but more fat concentrated in the abdominal area has twice the risk of an obese person.

Moreover, many obese people are metabolically healthy, while others are not, even though they have a normal weight. Therefore, instead of using BMI as a shortcut to identify risk factors, we should divert our attention to other indicators.

May Clinic proposed a new indicator, BVI (body volume indicator). This should be more effective, since it uses a software which scans your body and determines the fat distribution across your body. However, it is quite difficult to implement, but at least some medical experts have realized BMI is not enough to account for all health risks.
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A four-year-old from Texas is suspected of dry drowning

STATES CHRONICLE – On June 3^rd, a four-year-old boy from Texas died several days after going for a swim. His parents watched him helplessly how he experienced vomiting and diarrhea, and then suddenly took his last breath. Doctors are not sure of the cause of death, but they suspect dry drowning.

The boy died several days after going swimming

In the Memorial Day weekend, Frankie Delgado III went with their parents at the Texas City Dike to play in the water. It was only knee deep, so his parents found it safe to let the child splash in it and have fun. However, shortly after this, the boy started vomiting.

On June 3^rd, Frankie complained that his shoulder hurt. Then, he fell asleep and, after some time, suddenly woke up and took his last breath. His parents called 911 and the boy was immediately rushed to the emergency room, but the doctors could not save him.

They performed an autopsy on the boy and are currently waiting for the results, but doctors have already made some suppositions. They suspect that Frankie was the victim of dry drowning. This happens when liquid remains trapped in a person’s respiratory system even after he got out of the water.

What is dry drowning?

Dry drowning can occur several hours after the person got out of the water, and sometimes even days. Since water remains trapped in the respiratory system, the larynx tries to prevent it from reaching the lungs. This stops the oxygen as well, which reaches neither the lungs and the rest of the body.

Doctors discovered water the lungs and heart of Frankie, which indicates either dry drowning or secondary drowning. In secondary drowning, water enters the respiratory system, and causes spasms in the lungs, which makes it difficult for the person to breathe.

Frankie’s parents agreed to make their story public to raise awareness of dry drowning, and warn other parents about it. Even when you think your child seems perfectly safe, he might still be the victim of this mysterious condition.
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Despite a decline in teen pregnancy rates in the US, Texas still struggles with this issue

STATES CHRONICLE – The teen pregnancy rate in the US has been on a general decline lately, but the situation is not the same in all states. In Texas, this rate has not been declining to rapidly as it has in other parts of the country. To blame is the sex education in the area or, more precisely, the lack of it.

Texas still has high teen pregnancy rates

In 2014, the pregnancy rate among teenage girls reached its lowest point, with only 24 births per 1,000 girls. At the time, there was a decrease of 9 percent among girls who had babies between the ages of 15 and 19. However, the situation is not so bright in all states.

Reports show that teen pregnancy rates in Texas are between 40 and 50 percent higher than they are in the rest of the country. Gwen Daverth from the Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy explained the cause of this situation. Teenagers in the area do not receive proper sex education.

The state needs better sex education and access to contraceptives

The state promotes a type of education which encourages teens to practice abstinence, and opts for not informing them on everything they need to know about sex. The association supports proper sex education and the enforcement of mirror policies, just like in California.

This type of education is not always medically accurate, and it fails to inform teenagers on contraception. Therefore, the association, together with the CDC, want to promote birth control methods among youngsters, and teach them how to take care of themselves. This will contribute to lower dropout rates among girls due to pregnancies, and an overall better health situation.

Also, they want to make birth control more accessible to teenagers. The law of Texas does not allow underage purchase of contraception without a parent’s permission. This is applicable even if the teenager in question is already a parent. These regulations are not practical and they need to be changed.
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Scientists monitored 60 participants and tested 7 fitness trackers

A new study conducted by scientists at Stanford University shows that fitness trackers can be good at measuring heart rate, but don’t measure burned calories accurately. Since this trend became more and more popular among people who work out, researchers warn them not to rely on these devices to to settle for a diet.

To conduct this study, scientists monitored 60 participants who tested 7 fitness trackers. The fitness trackers that were tested included Fitbit Surge, Microsoft Band, Apple Watch, MIP Alpha 2, Basis Peak, PulseOn, and Samsung Gear S2. The volunteers were asked to perform several types of exercise, including running, cycling, and walking.

Measuring Burned Calories

Researchers noticed that 6 out of 7 fitness trackers were great at measuring heart rate, showing an error rate smaller than 5 percent. Samsung Gear S2 was the only one with a rate of almost 7 percent. When it came to measuring burned calories, the devices showed a high error rate. The rate exceeded 20 percent, which is extremely inaccurate. PulseOn displayed the highest inaccuracy.

This is problematic, especially for those who use fitness trackers to lose weight. These people can be misled by the high number of burned calories and eat more than they should. Therefore, people are advised to consider the limitations of fitness trackers.

Don’t Base your Diet on Consumed Calories

People also need to be aware of the fact that everybody burn calories differently. For instance, walking 10,000 steps can burn from 400 to 800 calories. The number of burned calories depends on the weight and height of the person who performs the exercises. Therefore, don’t base your diet on the results from your fitness tracker.

Fitness tracker producers should be more transparent when it comes to their algorithms, and be aware that not all bodies work the same. However, such devices still have a positive effect on people. They are motivated by these fitness devices to do more and more physical activity.

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