Meeting My Younger Self for Coffee
Mental Health Nerdy Notes Videos
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
Meeting My Younger Self for Coffee This is another in our 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 Read more…
Mosquito season is upon us. What’s this West Nile Virus I hear about? I live nowhere near the Nile!
Infectious Diseases
Sandy Laping, MSc
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus that spreads when people are bitten by infected mosquitoes. Luckily, most folks have no symptoms, but it’s worth knowing about, especially during the summer months and as mosquitoes are expanding their reach. Wait, what? It’s called West Nile Virus, but I live nowhere near the Nile! Yes, West Read more…
What is the Air Quality Index? And how can you use it to stay safe?
General Health Staying Safe
Those Nerdy Girls
What is the Air Quality Index? And how can you use it to stay safe? The Index ranges between 0 and 500. 🟩 0-50 – Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. 🟨 51-100 – Air quality is acceptable for most people but for some, particularly those who are unusually Read more…
Does the national suicide prevention line (988) actually prevent suicides?
Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Yes! There is now excellent evidence that the national suicide prevention line, or 988, has been highly effective at preventing suicides. 988 is a nationwide 3-digit suicide prevention and crisis line, which launched in 2022. Since its launch, several studies have found that the introduction of this crisis line option has been associated with significant Read more…
What is an ad hominem attack?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Ad hominem attacks are used to insult a person’s motive or character rather than address the content of a specific idea or argument. This type of mudslinging is an intellectual fallacy that draws attention away from the issue at hand and creates distrust of the individual. Let’s look at how ad hominem attacks can Read more…
I keep hearing about New World Screwworm in the news. Can you tell me more about it?
General Health Infection and Spread
A parasitic fly called the New World Screwworm has recently been found in US animals for the first time in decades. Although the current risk to people in the US is very low, it’s worth knowing the signs, especially if you have pets and live in an affected area. What is New World Screwworm (NWS)? Read more…
What’s going on with this outbreak of diarrhea in the US?
Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases
Sandy Laping, MSc
There is an outbreak of cyclosporiasis happening. It’s a parasite that causes horrible diarrhea. Although we don’t know yet what the source is, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting infected. Although most cases have been reported in Michigan, more than 30 states are affected, so it’s worth knowing the symptoms and how Read more…
What is an asthma action plan?
General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
An asthma action plan is a form that you fill out with a clinician that details asthma medications, triggers, symptoms, and plans for asthma flares. An asthma action plan is a clinician-approved guide that covers medications, triggers, symptoms, and ER guidelines for people with asthma. You fill out the form with your clinician and it’s Read more…
What are heuristics, and why does this matter?
Data and Metrics
Those Nerdy Girls
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health Treatments
Heather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
Meeting My Younger Self for Coffee This is another in our 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 Read more…
Mosquito season is upon us. What’s this West Nile Virus I hear about? I live nowhere near the Nile!
Infectious DiseasesSandy Laping, MSc
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus that spreads when people are bitten by infected mosquitoes. Luckily, most folks have no symptoms, but it’s worth knowing about, especially during the summer months and as mosquitoes are expanding their reach. Wait, what? It’s called West Nile Virus, but I live nowhere near the Nile! Yes, West Read more…
What is the Air Quality Index? And how can you use it to stay safe?
General Health Staying Safe
Those Nerdy Girls
What is the Air Quality Index? And how can you use it to stay safe? The Index ranges between 0 and 500. 🟩 0-50 – Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. 🟨 51-100 – Air quality is acceptable for most people but for some, particularly those who are unusually Read more…
Does the national suicide prevention line (988) actually prevent suicides?
Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Yes! There is now excellent evidence that the national suicide prevention line, or 988, has been highly effective at preventing suicides. 988 is a nationwide 3-digit suicide prevention and crisis line, which launched in 2022. Since its launch, several studies have found that the introduction of this crisis line option has been associated with significant Read more…
What is an ad hominem attack?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Ad hominem attacks are used to insult a person’s motive or character rather than address the content of a specific idea or argument. This type of mudslinging is an intellectual fallacy that draws attention away from the issue at hand and creates distrust of the individual. Let’s look at how ad hominem attacks can Read more…
I keep hearing about New World Screwworm in the news. Can you tell me more about it?
General Health Infection and Spread
A parasitic fly called the New World Screwworm has recently been found in US animals for the first time in decades. Although the current risk to people in the US is very low, it’s worth knowing the signs, especially if you have pets and live in an affected area. What is New World Screwworm (NWS)? Read more…
What’s going on with this outbreak of diarrhea in the US?
Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases
Sandy Laping, MSc
There is an outbreak of cyclosporiasis happening. It’s a parasite that causes horrible diarrhea. Although we don’t know yet what the source is, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting infected. Although most cases have been reported in Michigan, more than 30 states are affected, so it’s worth knowing the symptoms and how Read more…
What is an asthma action plan?
General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
An asthma action plan is a form that you fill out with a clinician that details asthma medications, triggers, symptoms, and plans for asthma flares. An asthma action plan is a clinician-approved guide that covers medications, triggers, symptoms, and ER guidelines for people with asthma. You fill out the form with your clinician and it’s Read more…
What are heuristics, and why does this matter?
Data and Metrics
Those Nerdy Girls
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health Treatments
Heather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus that spreads when people are bitten by infected mosquitoes. Luckily, most folks have no symptoms, but it’s worth knowing about, especially during the summer months and as mosquitoes are expanding their reach. Wait, what? It’s called West Nile Virus, but I live nowhere near the Nile! Yes, West Read more…
What is the Air Quality Index? And how can you use it to stay safe?
General Health Staying SafeThose Nerdy Girls
What is the Air Quality Index? And how can you use it to stay safe? The Index ranges between 0 and 500. 🟩 0-50 – Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. 🟨 51-100 – Air quality is acceptable for most people but for some, particularly those who are unusually Read more…
Does the national suicide prevention line (988) actually prevent suicides?
Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Yes! There is now excellent evidence that the national suicide prevention line, or 988, has been highly effective at preventing suicides. 988 is a nationwide 3-digit suicide prevention and crisis line, which launched in 2022. Since its launch, several studies have found that the introduction of this crisis line option has been associated with significant Read more…
What is an ad hominem attack?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Ad hominem attacks are used to insult a person’s motive or character rather than address the content of a specific idea or argument. This type of mudslinging is an intellectual fallacy that draws attention away from the issue at hand and creates distrust of the individual. Let’s look at how ad hominem attacks can Read more…
I keep hearing about New World Screwworm in the news. Can you tell me more about it?
General Health Infection and Spread
A parasitic fly called the New World Screwworm has recently been found in US animals for the first time in decades. Although the current risk to people in the US is very low, it’s worth knowing the signs, especially if you have pets and live in an affected area. What is New World Screwworm (NWS)? Read more…
What’s going on with this outbreak of diarrhea in the US?
Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases
Sandy Laping, MSc
There is an outbreak of cyclosporiasis happening. It’s a parasite that causes horrible diarrhea. Although we don’t know yet what the source is, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting infected. Although most cases have been reported in Michigan, more than 30 states are affected, so it’s worth knowing the symptoms and how Read more…
What is an asthma action plan?
General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
An asthma action plan is a form that you fill out with a clinician that details asthma medications, triggers, symptoms, and plans for asthma flares. An asthma action plan is a clinician-approved guide that covers medications, triggers, symptoms, and ER guidelines for people with asthma. You fill out the form with your clinician and it’s Read more…
What are heuristics, and why does this matter?
Data and Metrics
Those Nerdy Girls
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health Treatments
Heather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
What is the Air Quality Index? And how can you use it to stay safe? The Index ranges between 0 and 500. 🟩 0-50 – Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. 🟨 51-100 – Air quality is acceptable for most people but for some, particularly those who are unusually Read more…
Does the national suicide prevention line (988) actually prevent suicides?
Mental HealthSara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Yes! There is now excellent evidence that the national suicide prevention line, or 988, has been highly effective at preventing suicides. 988 is a nationwide 3-digit suicide prevention and crisis line, which launched in 2022. Since its launch, several studies have found that the introduction of this crisis line option has been associated with significant Read more…
What is an ad hominem attack?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Ad hominem attacks are used to insult a person’s motive or character rather than address the content of a specific idea or argument. This type of mudslinging is an intellectual fallacy that draws attention away from the issue at hand and creates distrust of the individual. Let’s look at how ad hominem attacks can Read more…
I keep hearing about New World Screwworm in the news. Can you tell me more about it?
General Health Infection and Spread
A parasitic fly called the New World Screwworm has recently been found in US animals for the first time in decades. Although the current risk to people in the US is very low, it’s worth knowing the signs, especially if you have pets and live in an affected area. What is New World Screwworm (NWS)? Read more…
What’s going on with this outbreak of diarrhea in the US?
Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases
Sandy Laping, MSc
There is an outbreak of cyclosporiasis happening. It’s a parasite that causes horrible diarrhea. Although we don’t know yet what the source is, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting infected. Although most cases have been reported in Michigan, more than 30 states are affected, so it’s worth knowing the symptoms and how Read more…
What is an asthma action plan?
General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
An asthma action plan is a form that you fill out with a clinician that details asthma medications, triggers, symptoms, and plans for asthma flares. An asthma action plan is a clinician-approved guide that covers medications, triggers, symptoms, and ER guidelines for people with asthma. You fill out the form with your clinician and it’s Read more…
What are heuristics, and why does this matter?
Data and Metrics
Those Nerdy Girls
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health Treatments
Heather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
Yes! There is now excellent evidence that the national suicide prevention line, or 988, has been highly effective at preventing suicides. 988 is a nationwide 3-digit suicide prevention and crisis line, which launched in 2022. Since its launch, several studies have found that the introduction of this crisis line option has been associated with significant Read more…
What is an ad hominem attack?
Uncertainty and MisinformationSarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Ad hominem attacks are used to insult a person’s motive or character rather than address the content of a specific idea or argument. This type of mudslinging is an intellectual fallacy that draws attention away from the issue at hand and creates distrust of the individual. Let’s look at how ad hominem attacks can Read more…
I keep hearing about New World Screwworm in the news. Can you tell me more about it?
General Health Infection and Spread
A parasitic fly called the New World Screwworm has recently been found in US animals for the first time in decades. Although the current risk to people in the US is very low, it’s worth knowing the signs, especially if you have pets and live in an affected area. What is New World Screwworm (NWS)? Read more…
What’s going on with this outbreak of diarrhea in the US?
Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases
Sandy Laping, MSc
There is an outbreak of cyclosporiasis happening. It’s a parasite that causes horrible diarrhea. Although we don’t know yet what the source is, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting infected. Although most cases have been reported in Michigan, more than 30 states are affected, so it’s worth knowing the symptoms and how Read more…
What is an asthma action plan?
General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
An asthma action plan is a form that you fill out with a clinician that details asthma medications, triggers, symptoms, and plans for asthma flares. An asthma action plan is a clinician-approved guide that covers medications, triggers, symptoms, and ER guidelines for people with asthma. You fill out the form with your clinician and it’s Read more…
What are heuristics, and why does this matter?
Data and Metrics
Those Nerdy Girls
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health Treatments
Heather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
Tl;dr: Ad hominem attacks are used to insult a person’s motive or character rather than address the content of a specific idea or argument. This type of mudslinging is an intellectual fallacy that draws attention away from the issue at hand and creates distrust of the individual. Let’s look at how ad hominem attacks can Read more…
I keep hearing about New World Screwworm in the news. Can you tell me more about it?
General Health Infection and SpreadA parasitic fly called the New World Screwworm has recently been found in US animals for the first time in decades. Although the current risk to people in the US is very low, it’s worth knowing the signs, especially if you have pets and live in an affected area. What is New World Screwworm (NWS)? Read more…
What’s going on with this outbreak of diarrhea in the US?
Infection and Spread Infectious DiseasesSandy Laping, MSc
There is an outbreak of cyclosporiasis happening. It’s a parasite that causes horrible diarrhea. Although we don’t know yet what the source is, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting infected. Although most cases have been reported in Michigan, more than 30 states are affected, so it’s worth knowing the symptoms and how Read more…
What is an asthma action plan?
General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
An asthma action plan is a form that you fill out with a clinician that details asthma medications, triggers, symptoms, and plans for asthma flares. An asthma action plan is a clinician-approved guide that covers medications, triggers, symptoms, and ER guidelines for people with asthma. You fill out the form with your clinician and it’s Read more…
What are heuristics, and why does this matter?
Data and Metrics
Those Nerdy Girls
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health Treatments
Heather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
There is an outbreak of cyclosporiasis happening. It’s a parasite that causes horrible diarrhea. Although we don’t know yet what the source is, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting infected. Although most cases have been reported in Michigan, more than 30 states are affected, so it’s worth knowing the symptoms and how Read more…
What is an asthma action plan?
General HealthRebecca Raskin-Wish
An asthma action plan is a form that you fill out with a clinician that details asthma medications, triggers, symptoms, and plans for asthma flares. An asthma action plan is a clinician-approved guide that covers medications, triggers, symptoms, and ER guidelines for people with asthma. You fill out the form with your clinician and it’s Read more…
What are heuristics, and why does this matter?
Data and Metrics
Those Nerdy Girls
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health Treatments
Heather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
An asthma action plan is a form that you fill out with a clinician that details asthma medications, triggers, symptoms, and plans for asthma flares. An asthma action plan is a clinician-approved guide that covers medications, triggers, symptoms, and ER guidelines for people with asthma. You fill out the form with your clinician and it’s Read more…
What are heuristics, and why does this matter?
Data and MetricsThose Nerdy Girls
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health Treatments
Heather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
What do I need to know about daraxonrasib, the new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
General Health TreatmentsHeather Duncan, MPH, PhD
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients enrolled in a phase-3 clinical trial. That’s a big deal, because treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and survival rates at 5 years are very low. In 2002, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she was admitted to hospice, Read more…
