In a previous blog post, I talked about how traumatic childhood experiences can contribute to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Children with ADHD have trouble paying attention (hence, “attention deficit”) and are overactive (hence, “hyperactivity”). Furthermore, children with ADHD are impulsive; they have trouble controlling their behavior. Usually, teachers are the ones that see… Continue reading Can we treat ADHD with electric pulses?
Author: Patricia Shelton
Opioid use during pregnancy: What effects does it have and how can we stop it?
We are all familiar with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). When alcohol from the mother’s blood passes to a fetus through the umbilical cord, it reaches the fetus’s brain, inhibiting development. FAS impacts from 0.2 to 1.2 infants in every 1,000 births, causing learning disabilities, kidney and liver problems, and abnormal facial features. FAS is life… Continue reading Opioid use during pregnancy: What effects does it have and how can we stop it?
What is AI bias and how can we stop it?
Tech is biased. Time and time again, algorithms have pumped out results that perpetuate societal biases. Take the case of the LAPD. They used artificial intelligence to assign people “points” based on past offenses and whether they have been stopped by the police before. Then, police officers monitored areas containing people with more points. This… Continue reading What is AI bias and how can we stop it?
The drawbacks of tech
In the fast-moving, always changing society that we live in today, technology is ubiquitous. It allows us to connect with people across the globe with the touch of a finger and helps us diagnose diseases. And yet, technology is not without its inner demons — demons that we planted ourselves. This is the subject of… Continue reading The drawbacks of tech
What’s that? Semi-identical twins?
We know about identical twins; most of us have a fascination with people who look exactly the same. We know about fraternal twins– they share the same womb but they only resemble each other as much as normal siblings. But now, we’re learning about a new, extremely rare type of twins: semi-identical. First, let’s review… Continue reading What’s that? Semi-identical twins?
Adverse childhood experiences tied to kindergarten difficulties, even ADHD
Our childhood experiences shape who we become. I was lucky enough to be exposed to science at a young age, which spurred a biology college education and hopefully, a career. But, adverse experiences can shape us too, in devastating and lifelong ways. Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, such as abuse, neglect, or having an incarcerated… Continue reading Adverse childhood experiences tied to kindergarten difficulties, even ADHD
Do children with autism hear mom differently?
A main characteristic of autism (formally known as autism spectrum disorder) is difficulty with social interaction. Unlike what usually comes to mind when we think of social interaction, this is not limited to large group settings — it includes interacting with family and friends as well. In fact, new research from Stanford School of Medicine shows… Continue reading Do children with autism hear mom differently?
A new finger-prick test for the Cat Poop Parasite
Whenever a woman becomes pregnant, she receives unusual advice: don’t change cat litter. While cat litter may seem relatively innocuous (well, except for the gross factor), it poses a real danger to a developing fetus. Hiding in cat poop are the eggs of a parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is usually not a problem for… Continue reading A new finger-prick test for the Cat Poop Parasite
Science On Tap 