This is another in our new series: Nerdy Notes: Science in Story & Verse In these posts, our Nerdy Girl scientists and clinicians will share personal stories, insights, poetry, and more. While these posts may be lighter in terms of numbers and figures, they will still be rooted in our tradition and commitment to providing Read more…

TL; DR: Self-care is a set of things people do to support their overall health and wellness (mental and physical). Self-care can support emotional, physical, and/or spiritual well-being among other areas of life. It is not something that you do only if you have time. It is important for your health. We talk a lot Read more…

Tl;dr: The Horn and Halo Effects are cognitive biases where our first impression influences our decision making and how we feel about someone. This impression can be based on a single characteristic that is not actually relevant, such as their race, gender identity, or even how attractive we find someone. To break this cycle, we Read more…

Get the Facts on Predatory Publishing and Fake Scientific Journals ❗️Misinformation Alert❗️ Predatory scientific publishing is a thing. There is an entire industry of essentially fake, for-profit “journals” that will publish just about anything for a fee. Academics get “invitations” to publish in these journals all the time. Most often they have humorous flaws like Read more…

To those who celebrate, Those Nerdy Girls wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. For many, these are precious days filled with family, friends, love, and rejoicing. It is our hope that you enjoy these times to the fullest. We well know, however, that it can also be a very difficult time of year Read more…

There have been over 6 times as many cases of whooping cough compared to this time last year. So yes, cases are up. Now is a good time to make sure you are up-to-date on this vaccine. Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is caused by infection with the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It causes respiratory symptoms such as runny or stuffy Read more…

How can I stay healthy as I celebrate the holidays with my family and friends this season? Signed, A concerned mom of teens in California To reduce your risk of getting sick while gathering with friends and family, use tried-and-true layers of protection. Vaccines, masking, ventilation, hand-washing, testing, and staying home all work together to Read more…

🌏 Across various cultures, light-filled festivals during the colder months are a shared experience rooted in astronomical, psychological, and cultural factors. These celebrations provide warmth, hope, and community bonding during the darkest times of the year. 🌄 Sun’s Trajectory & Seasonal Changes: Winter brings shorter days and longer nights (from December through March in the Read more…

We have a lot of data that shows that the rate of type 1 diabetes has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it’s not clear whether or not this increase is due in part (or entirely) to COVID-19. Studies of COVID and type 1 diabetes have found mixed results, so we need more information to Read more…

An eye care routine can improve symptoms of dry, itchy, or watery eyes. Routine eye care includes keeping your fingers out of your eyes, gentle cleansing, using sun protection, and seeking care with a health professional when symptoms do not improve. Blepharitis or eyelid inflammation is a common condition affecting all ages, though the prevalence Read more…

Although dairy cattle and poultry continue to get infected and there are several more human cases, the risk to the public is considered low. Scientists and authorities are monitoring this closely and more testing of animals, humans and milk is underway. (This information is correct as of December 16, 2024, 1 pm EST) Avian influenza, Read more…

According to the makers of Plan B®, this over-the-counter emergency contraception pill typically is good for four years when stored correctly. Think of a dry, dark place that stays around room temperature. (So not the bathroom 😉). Folks thinking about buying Plan B® for future use should check the expiration date on the outside of Read more…

Cancer screening is a critical tool to improve health. It helps to detect cancer early, before symptoms even appear, and can increase the chances of successful treatment. However, cancer screening does come with risks. One important and sometimes confusing risk is overdiagnosis. When we think about cancer screening, we really have two goals: to detect Read more…

What types of hormone therapy can help with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms? Medications that deliver estrogen into your bloodstream can help relieve bodywide symptoms related to menopause. You can take a pill or wear a patch, but those aren’t the only FDA-approved options. Menopause marks the one-year anniversary of your final menstrual period. Read more…

A: People who are at least 65 years old can get a flu shot specially developed for their age group, and it offers better protection from the flu. Influenza vaccines have been around for nearly 80 years, and have undergone a number of changes during that long history. One of the more recent changes is Read more…

A vaccine that prevents cancer? Yes, please! A recent study shows that rates of cervical cancer deaths in young US women have fallen dramatically for those coming of age since routine HPV vaccination was introduced in 2006. Among women younger than 25, there was an overall 65% decrease in cervical cancer deaths from 2012 to Read more…

We are so grateful for our community’s incredible support this Giving Tuesday. Thanks to donors like you, we’re standing strong for trusted, evidence-based health information on critical topics like mental health, vaccines, women’s health, and aging. This is just the beginning. Your generosity fuels our mission and encourages our work for the year ahead. Thank Read more…

No – it’s very unlikely that you are getting too much fluoride. Fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses have low amounts of fluoride relative to recommended daily levels. Fluoride helps support strong tooth enamel for fewer cavities and strong bones. Fluoride also helps stop and reverse tooth decay. Most adults in the US get some of Read more…