All the posts from our Those Nerdy Girls Facebook page dating back to May 1st, 2020, are currently archived here and can be searched for by category, key words, etc. Be sure to check back often as additional posts are being added each day.
Today is the 25th International Overdose Awareness Day. We ache with worry Lest ours be the next to die Thank G-d for NARCAN® Those Nerdy Girls would like to take time today to remember and honor those we’ve lost to opioid overdose. Today, let’s learn more and work to reduce the stigma of Read more…
Prior Authorization (PA) is an approval process for insurance coverage for certain services, treatments, and medications. There is some evidence that it can cut healthcare costs, but on balance, it seems to do more harm than good to both patient care and healthcare spending. PA emerged in the 1960s in response to spiraling healthcare costs Read more…
Some Nerds share what they’ve been reading over the summer, and we’d love to hear from you! Summer reading is a joy. And it’s also a privilege that many folks don’t have. Not everyone has easy access to books, which can be expensive, maybe a language someone speaks isn’t easily available in print. Maybe work Read more…
For many Gen Xers, unprotected kiddie pool days are now showing up as sunspots, wrinkles, and for some of us, skin cancer. Gen Zers face the same UV risks, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always listen. Community sun-safe habits that balance fun in the sun with future risk can make it easier for all of Read more…
UPDATE: Recently, the President signed an executive order involving childhood vaccines in the United States. This follows a January 2026 announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that changed the childhood vaccine schedule, but that change has been paused by the courts. This executive order is very similar to that January announcement. Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls trust vaccines and know they’ve saved many lives so we are taking a moment to celebrate them in August, since it is National Immunization Awareness Month. At Those Nerdy Girls, we argue that no breakthrough has been more important in keeping us healthy than the development of vaccines! Instead of hoping there Read more…
mFlusiva, or mRNA-1010, is a new type of flu vaccine made by Moderna to protect against flu. It has recently received final approval and will hopefully be available this fall for adults over 50. What is mFlusiva and how is it different from the other flu vaccines? This new type of flu vaccine is based Read more…
Yes, you can be depressed in the summer. Some people actually feel depressed every summer, and they may have summer seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 😥 But WHAT is summer SAD and why does it happen? People with SAD generally have depression that happens seasonally and for at least two years in a row. You might Read more…
Goodbye summer… Back-to-School season is almost here! Colder weather and being indoors mean more chances for kids to swap germs of all kinds. Along with shopping for back-to- school supplies, now is a good time to check that your child is well protected against preventable infectious diseases. Current recommendations according to the American Academy of Read more…
August is National Wellness Month, and it is a reminder that while our health is influenced by factors like access to healthcare, affordable nutritious food, and safe places to live and exercise, the everyday choices within our control can still make a meaningful difference. Our lives get busy, and healthy habits can easily take a Read more…
Maybe a little. It is difficult to tell if magnesium helps with mental health for most people. Why is magnesium important? Magnesium is a mineral that is present in the human body and generally taken in through food products. It is present in some medications and of course, can also be taken as a supplement. Read more…
There are a lot of rumors about negative health effects of hormonal birth control spreading on social media. While all medication can have side effects and potential risks, the reality is that birth control is safe and effective for most people. Let’s separate fact from fiction. What is hormonal birth control and how does it Read more…
Tl;dr: The bandwagon effect describes when we adopt beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors because we think other people are doing so. This type of cognitive bias causes us to make decisions based on what we think is popular, rather than what we think is right. Slowing down decision making, avoiding peer pressure, and keeping ourselves accountable 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…
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? 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
