Science

Computed tomography (CT) scans are among the most powerful diagnostic tools in modern medicine. From detecting strokes and tumors to guiding emergency trauma care, CT scans have revolutionized how doctors see inside the body. But alongside these benefits, a new large-scale study published in JAMA Internal Medicine raises an alarming concern: CT scans may be contributing to over 100,000 new cancer cases each year in the United States, accounting for roughly 5% of all cancer diagnoses. This revelation highlights the importance of balancing the life-saving benefits of imaging with the risks posed by radiation exposure. The Scope of the Problem: CT Scans on the Rise In 2023 alone, U.S. hospitals and clinics performed a record 93 million CT scans. Usage has skyrocketed o...

For more than a century, the appendix was considered nothing more than a medical nuisance. Textbooks described it as a vestigial remnant—an evolutionary leftover from our plant-eating ancestors. Surgeons routinely removed it, often alongside unrelated abdominal procedures, believing it served no function. If it became inflamed, it was immediately cut out, its removal deemed inconsequential. But groundbreaking research out of Duke University and other medical institutions is rewriting that narrative. The appendix is not useless at all. In fact, it may be one of the most underrated organs in the human body, playing a crucial role in immunity, digestion, microbiome health, and even brain function. Far from expendable, the appendix may be a guardian of your gut and an important node in the gu...