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  • People Are Trying to ‘Deprogram’ Their MAGA Parents Through Book Clubs

    People Are Trying to ‘Deprogram’ Their MAGA Parents Through Book Clubs

    The idea of starting a book club came to Valeen Heinle late one night in July. She was having a particularly bad argument with her Trump-supporting dad over Israel’s war in Gaza and its devastating impacts on children.

    “I’m begging you to just try and learn something that isn’t from Facebook, Fox, or Newsmax,” Valeen, a 38-year-old registered Democrat who works as a pet sitter in Denver, wrote to her dad via Instagram DM after they exchanged a series of posts about Gaza. “Read a book on the history there. I have tons I can suggest but I know you would never because you’d rather sit in your confirmation bias, and that makes me so sad.”

    “I spend too much time worrying about my children. What the future will bring for them,” he replied. “So when my kids are safe and [taken] care of then maybe I could give a shit about other kids.”

    Gaza isn’t the only issue that has left Americans—and Valeen and her dad—divided. They’ve argued about the Covid-19 vaccine, climate change, gun laws, the results of the 2020 election, the January 6 riot at the Capitol, and more. “Ever since 2016, he seems to be pulled more and more to the far right, and he’s become clouded by hatred and anger—things that just aren’t him,” says Valeen. “It’s gotten harder and harder, and it’s not just difficult to debate with him, but it’s painful, and some of the things he says really just takes me aback.”

    But Valeen said his response to their discussion on Gaza was a breaking point. It upset her so much that when her partner returned home that evening, he found her crying on their Ikea sofa in the living room. They had a long talk, and in an attempt at distraction, they gathered animal crackers and Chips Ahoy cookies and fired up an anime episode on her laptop.

    When the anime episode ended at around 3 am, Valeen sent her dad, who now lives in central Florida, a message. “Alright. I’ll make you a deal: you read three books of my choosing—all the way through—and prove you actually read and understood them,” she wrote. “And I’ll go back to church for a month after.”

    Reddit is full of stories from people who, like Valeen, say the current political environment has challenged their relationships with their Trump-supporting parents. In some cases, people have compared their families’ involvement in the MAGA movement and blind loyalty to Trump to being part of a cult—a comparison that’s also been made by cult experts.

    But some think they can potentially salvage their relationships with their loved ones and even “deprogram” their MAGA parents—by starting de facto “book clubs.”

    One Reddit user posted on a popular subreddit r/suggestmeabook, asking for suggestions of “good reading materials for someone who may need some help being nudged back towards reality and morality”—their dad. They asked specifically for recommendations of fantasy books, a genre that their dad had enjoyed in the past. “I’ve always felt fantasy books have ‘progressive’ values, and I’m hoping to find some that don’t beat you over the head with that message!” they wrote. In another subreddit, someone else asked for book recommendations that they could send to their father “in pursuit of deprogramming him from the cult of Trump.”

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  • Scientists Prepare to Study Mars Rock With Signs of Ancient Life – extremetech.com

    1. Scientists Prepare to Study Mars Rock With Signs of Ancient Life  extremetech.com
    2. This Martian Rock’s Mysterious Spots May Reveal Clues to Ancient Life  SciTechDaily
    3. JPL Is Ready To Test Mars Samples – If They’re Ever Returned  Universe Today
    4. Earth rocks help hone techniques for future Mars samples  Phys.org
    5. Strange spotted rock on Mars could reveal signs of ancient life  ScienceDaily

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  • Doctors who use AI may ‘forget’ some skills : Shots

    Doctors who use AI may ‘forget’ some skills : Shots

    Artificial intelligence has proven effective at helping doctors screen for abnormalities in the colon.

    Sorbetto/Getty Images


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    Sorbetto/Getty Images

    Artificial intelligence is beginning to help doctors screen patients for several routine diseases. But a new study raises concerns about whether doctors might become too reliant on AI.

    The study looking at gastroenterologists in Poland found that they appeared to be about 20% worse at spotting polyps and other abnormalities during colonoscopies on their own, after they’d grown accustomed to using an AI-assisted system.

    A man with his back to the camera uses a laptop and wears headphones.

    The findings, published in the journal Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, suggest that even after a short period of using AI, experts may become overly dependent on AI to do certain aspects of their jobs.

    “We were quite surprised,” says Marcin Romańczyk, an M.D.-Ph.D. gastroenterologist at H-T Medical Center in Tychy, Poland, who led the study.

    But not everyone is convinced that the paper proves doctors are losing critical skills because of AI.

    AI could help doctors make better diagnoses

    “I think three months seems like a very short period to lose a skill that you took 26 years to build up,” says Johan Hulleman, a researcher at Manchester University in England who has studied human reliance on artificial intelligence.

    Hulleman believes statistical variations in the patient data might be part of the explanation for why the numbers appear to drop. Factors such as the average age of the patients used in different sections of the study might explain the variation, he says.

    AI in medicine

    Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly common for a number of routine medical scans. The next time you get a scan for your eyes, breast cancer, or colon disease, there’s a decent chance that AI might be analyzing the images.

    Light enters the compound eye of the fly, causing the photoreceptors to send electrical signals through a complex neural network, enabling the fly to detect motion

    “AI is spreading everywhere,” Romańczyk says. At the same time, many doctors are playing catch-up, because learning how to use the technology wasn’t part of their training.

    “We’ve been taught from books and from our teachers,” he says. “No one told us how to use AI.”

    A few years ago, four clinics in Poland tried out an AI system to detect polyps and other abnormalities during colonoscopies. The AI works in real time, analyzing video from a camera inside the colon.

    A decoder that uses brain scans to know what you mean — mostly

    If it spots something, it will highlight the area for the clinician to see.

    “In this particular one there’s a green box, showing where the polyp might be,” he says.

    In the box

    The clinics were collecting data on whether the AI system worked. It turns out it did, but when Romańczyk and his colleagues reanalyzed the data, they found something else: After the system was introduced, doctors became significantly worse at detecting possible polyps when the AI was switched off.

    As Artificial Intelligence Moves Into Medicine, The Human Touch Could Be A Casualty

    According to their analysis, after doctors got AI, detection rates of possible polyps fell from 28.4% to 22.4% when their new AI system was switched off. In other words, the doctors seemed to become quickly dependent on AI systems catching the polyps. Romańczyk says he’s not quite sure why it’s happening, but he has some theories.

    “We are subconsciously waiting for the green box to come out to show us the region where the polyp is and we’re not paying so much attention,” he says.

    There are other examples that support that idea: A similar study has shown that nonexperts do a worse job scanning mammograms if they know they can get an AI system to help them with the push of a button.

    Johan Hulleman, who helped lead that mammogram study, describes it as a “safety-net effect.” He says these latest results could be interesting, but he’s skeptical. The study of colonoscopies took place over three months, and the doctors participating had decades of experience. He thinks statistical variations due to a number of factors, such as age of the patients, might be behind the apparent drop.

    Additionally, he says, “We don’t know how many polyps there really were, so we don’t know the ground truth.” By that he means it’s unclear how many of the possible polyps that doctors supposedly missed were actually medically important.

    The study’s author, Romańczyk, does believe the drop is real — though he admits that studying AI in a clinical setting like this can be tricky. There are a lot of variables the researchers couldn’t control.

    An image that was likely created with artificial intelligence tools that purported to show a young survivor of Hurricane Helene. The image got millions of views online, even after its provenance was questioned.

    He’s not against using AI. He actually thinks the little green boxes help him to do better colonoscopies. But he thinks that there should be more studies like these examining how AI might be changing the way doctors work in the real world.

    “Because look what’s happening,” he says. “We have AI systems that are available, but we don’t have the data.”

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  • Constructing South Asian reproductive risk

    As a South Asian women’s health researcher with reproductive health concerns and a family history shaped by similar conditions, my body feels inscribed with risk of infertility (typically defined as difficulty conceiving). This sense of risk is due to the fact that in biomedicine, ‘South Asian’ — a vague racial or ethnic variable — is considered to be a clinical risk factor across various reproductive health conditions and treatment pathways, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

    However, reading the article by anthropologist Sandra Bärnreuther made me realize that biomedical knowledge practices do not simply reflect reality. Rather, they actively produce race as a clinical risk factor. That is, racialization is not a passive representation of demographic realities but a dynamic process that produces racial meaning through statistical techniques, inclusion criteria and research designs.

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  • Fast X-ray transient EP240315A from a Lyman-continuum-leaking galaxy at z ≈ 5

    Fast X-ray transient EP240315A from a Lyman-continuum-leaking galaxy at z ≈ 5

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  • The origin of hypervelocity white dwarfs in the merger disruption of He–C–O white dwarfs

    The origin of hypervelocity white dwarfs in the merger disruption of He–C–O white dwarfs

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  • Diamond magnetic field sensor to transform cancer detection

    Diamond magnetic field sensor to transform cancer detection

    Researchers at the University of Warwick have unveiled a diamond-based magnetic field sensor that promises to revolutionise cancer detection and treatment.

    This compact, ultra-sensitive device is designed to track magnetic fluids injected into the body, allowing surgeons to identify tumours and trace the spread of cancer more accurately.

    One of the greatest challenges in cancer diagnosis is identifying when tumours have metastasised – spread from their original site to other organs, often through the lymphatic system.

    Detecting whether cancer cells have lodged in the lymph nodes is crucial for planning effective treatment. Current methods, however, rely heavily on radioactive tracers or dyes, each carrying limitations.

    Diamonds at the heart of the breakthrough

    The Warwick team’s innovation lies in harnessing the unique properties of diamonds. These crystals contain nitrogen vacancy centres – defects that enable them to sense tiny changes in magnetic fields.

    This property allows the diamond-based magnetic field sensor to detect magnetic tracer fluids made of iron oxide nanoparticles. Once injected into a tumour, the tracer fluid travels to the lymph nodes, mirroring the path of migrating cancer cells.

    By pinpointing where this fluid accumulates, the magnetic field sensor helps surgeons identify which lymph nodes need removal, reducing the risk of cancer spread while sparing healthy tissue.

    Compact, safe, and surgical-friendly

    Unlike bulky equipment or radioactive tracers, Warwick’s diamond device is small enough for keyhole and endoscopic surgery.

    The sensor head, measuring just 10 millimetres, houses a 0.5 mm³ diamond and a small

    Diamond containing NV colour centres on a blue background. Credit: Karishma Gokani / University of Warwick

    permanent magnet. This streamlined design removes the need for heavy electronics, making it portable and practical for clinical use.

    Crucially, the system is non-toxic and non-radioactive, avoiding the risks associated with traditional methods.

    Radioactive tracers require strict handling and are not available in every hospital, while blue dyes can trigger allergic reactions in a small percentage of patients.

    The diamond sensor sidesteps both problems, providing a safer alternative without compromising accuracy.

    Sensitivity that sets a new standard

    One of the standout features of the Warwick magnetic field sensor is its extraordinary sensitivity.

    It can detect just one-hundredth of a typical clinical dose of magnetic tracer fluid, giving clinicians far greater flexibility in how they approach tumour mapping.

    This sensitivity is expected to improve further as quantum sensing technology advances.

    Wider applications beyond breast cancer

    While the current focus is on breast cancer surgery, the technology has far-reaching potential.

    The same approach could be applied to lung, liver, colorectal, and oesophageal cancers, offering new hope for early detection and targeted treatment across multiple tumour types.

    The researchers also believe the diamond magnetic field sensor could extend beyond medicine. Because diamonds respond to incredibly small shifts in magnetic fields, they may one day be used in spacecraft navigation or monitoring fusion power systems.

    A game-changer in cancer care

    The development of this diamond-based sensor marks a major step forward in non-invasive cancer diagnostics.

    By replacing radioactive tracers and allergenic dyes with a safe, precise, and handheld device, Warwick’s innovation could reshape how surgeons trace tumours and stop cancer from spreading.

    With clinician support already behind it and further research underway, this technology may soon move from laboratory breakthrough to standard hospital practice, potentially transforming outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.

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  • Punjab to Introduce Japan-Like Healthcare Management System

    Punjab to Introduce Japan-Like Healthcare Management System

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has decided to introduce Japan’s advanced healthcare and treatment management system in the province.

    During her visit to Japan, she toured the world-renowned National Center for Global Health, a leading hospital specializing in infectious disease treatment.

    Under this initiative, modern Japanese high-tech equipment, medical devices, and treatment methods will be integrated into Punjab’s public healthcare system. It has also been decided to develop the Nawaz Sharif Medical District along the lines of Japan’s health model.

    Maryam Nawaz announced plans to introduce a health insurance scheme in Punjab similar to that in Japan. Both sides also agreed to benefit from Japanese research in the treatment of diabetes, liver diseases, and infectious illnesses.

    The Chief Minister and her delegation received detailed briefings on Japan’s medical practices for diabetes, liver conditions, and infectious diseases. Maryam Nawaz visited various hospital departments, reviewed the facilities and equipment, and held discussions with Japanese medical experts. She was also briefed at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine about advanced liver treatment methods and modern approaches to managing infectious diseases.


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  • Major Bristol music festival organisers 'very sad' as headliner pulls out days before event – here's who – BristolWorld

    1. Major Bristol music festival organisers ‘very sad’ as headliner pulls out days before event – here’s who  BristolWorld
    2. Music fans devastated as ‘incredible’ act cancels All Points East gig  The Independent
    3. American rapper Doechii pulls out of All Points East performance at last minute  Yahoo News UK
    4. Doechii Pulls Out Of All Points East, Forwards Festival  clashmusic.com

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  • Jaroslav Klimes aims for elusive Worlds title on home soil    

    When the Para Trap World Championships takes place in Brno, Czechia, this September, many athletes will arrive with a mix of pride and the weight of expectations.

    Czech Republic’s Jaroslav Klimes will be one among them. 

    The Granada 2024 PT1 bronze medallist is the host nation’s biggest medal hope, with his Para trap journey starting in the city six years ago. 

    In these past years, Klimes has gone from aiming for prey in the woods to hunting glory on the sport’s world stage.

    Back then, Para Trap was only beginning to take shape in Czechia, and Klimes was more interested in aiming for prey in the woods than chasing glory on the sporting stage. But that all changed after he attended a demonstration event in Brno — a moment that sparked his journey into the sport.

    “Looking back today, it was quite amusing,” Klimes said. “I had been a hunter before that, so I already had a close connection to firearms and shooting.”

    The decision marked the start of a new sporting chapter for the 43-year-old, who had previously competed internationally in Para athletics, throwing shot put, javelin and discus in the F56 class.

    With Para trap, he saw a chance to take his sporting career to the global stage.

    “I didn’t have the performance level to compete internationally in Para athletics,” Klimes said.

    “But I already had experience of shooting clay targets when I was able-bodied, and it’s such an action-packed discipline.”

     

    Building on firm foundations

    Following in the footsteps of his father, Klimes began hunting in the Czech woods at the age of 23. 

    “I mostly hunted common game found in the Czech Republic — roe deer, wild boar, hares, and ducks. I hunted in the foothills of the Jeseniky Mountains, often with my brother,” he said.

    “What I enjoyed most about hunting was the patience it requires and the connection with nature. Many times, I would go into the forest just to see wildlife.”

    Apart from learning how to aim and handle a gun, Klimes said his hobby has “improved his patience and breathing”— qualities that have proven vital in high-pressure situations.

    He continues to compete in shot put at the national level and believes that his background in athletics has given him a strong advantage — particularly in developing discipline. 

    “I was already used to regular training and had physical strength,” he said.
    But when it comes to his quick progress in Para trap, Klimes, credits his strong commitment before anything else.

    “I put more into it than others,” he said. “I train two to three times a week and have a coach (Petr Hrdlicka, CZE) who is a 1992 Olympic trap shooting champion. He has taught me patience and helped me get rid of some bad shooting habits,” he said.

    “The key to success in Para trap shooting is simple — training, competitions, training, competitions, over and over again – and realising you are only competing against yourself.”

    In the middle of the Pandemic, in 2021, Klimes started to compete internationally in Para trap. Three years later, he made history winning Czechia’s first world championship medal.

    Jaroslav Klimes, who took the bronze at Granada 2024 Worlds, says the real challenge isn’t the competition — it’s pushing himself beyond limits to claim that
    elusive gold.

    Taking it to the next level

    Alongside his own development over the past four years, Klimes has seen the discipline (that joined World Shooting Para Sport in 2018) evolve in his home country.

    “Everything has changed – from the equipment to the organisation, which is now at a professional level. We now have professional management,” he said.

    Staging the seventh edition of the Para Trap World Championships, the Olympic Shotgun Skeet and Trap Brno Shooting Range has been a familiar venue on the World Shooting Para Sport Grand Prix circuit since 2020.

    The event, that kicks off with a pre-event training on 12 September followed by two intense competition days, will be the first major WSPS championships to take place in Czechia.

    With a chance to claim his country’s first world title, in front of friends and family on home soil, Klimes aims to make the event a special one.

    “For any athlete, it’s a great honour when such a big competition is held in their home country,” he said, keen to improve the colour of his 2024 bronze.

    “I’m committed to deliver the best possible performance. I don’t just go to take part – my goals are the highest.”

     

    Turning bronze into gold

    At the previous edition of the competition, held in Spain’s Granada in June last year, home star Pedro Gomez Albendea had the chance to celebrate his PT1 Mixed Trap Seated SG-S gold with his home supporters. 

    Albendea clinched the title on 33 points, defeating Germany’s Thomas Hoefs (27). 

    Klimes, who completed the podium on 25, says the real challenge isn’t the competition — it’s pushing himself beyond limits to claim that elusive gold. 

    “Any athlete can deliver an outstanding performance, so I don’t have a specific rival,” he said.

    Preparing for one of the biggest competitions of his life, Klimes has found inspiration in David Kostelecky, the two-time Olympic trap medallist from Czechia who is also the ambassador for the World Championships. 

    Klimes has known the 50-year-old Beijing 2008 champion, who also has a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, since he started playing the sport.

    “David is a huge sporting icon in trap shooting, and yet he is very humble. Our first meeting left me with a lot of positive energy,” he said.

    “From him (Kostelecky), we can learn a lot about humility towards the sport and he, in turn, gets a better understanding of us (seated shooters).”

     


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