During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been suggestions that various techniques could be employed to improve the fit and, therefore, the effectiveness of face masks. It is well recognized that improving fit tends to improve mask effectiveness, but whether these fit modifiers are reliable remains unexplored. In this study, we assess a range of common "fit hacks" to determine their ability to improve mask performance. Between July and September 2020, qualitative fit testing was performed in an indoor living space. We used quantitative fit testing to assess the fit of both surgical masks and KN95 masks, with and without 'fit hacks', on four participants. Seven fit hacks were evaluated to assess impact on fit. Additionally, one participant applied each fit hack multiple times to assess how reliable hacks were when reapplied. A convenience of four participants took part in the study, three females and one male with a head circumference range of 54 to 60 centimetres. The use of pantyhose, tape, and rubber bands were effective for most participants. A pantyhose overlayer was observed to be the most effective hack. High degrees of variation were noted between participants. However, little variation was noted within participants, with hacks generally showing similar benefit each time they were applied on a single participant. An inspection of the fit hacks once applied showed that individual facial features may have a significant impact on fit, especially the nose bridge. Fit hacks can be used to effectively improve the fit of surgical and KN95 masks, enhancing the protection provided to the wearer. However, many of the most effective hacks are very uncomfortable and unlikely to be tolerated for extended periods of time. The development of effective fit-improvement solutions remains a critical issue in need of further development.
To examine Pinterest pins to discern the content, messaging and claims, and engagement with pins regarding formula hacking and homemade formula. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourage formula hacking (ie, preparing formula not according to directions to extend its use) and making homemade infant formula due to its associated health risks. Yet, caregivers are using social media platforms to find information on these topics. This study conducted a content analysis of Pinterest pins related to formula hacking and homemade infant formula identified from the platform in January 2023 by using 14 search terms. A total of 63 pins were included in the sample. The topic of all (100.0%) pins was homemade formula. More than one-half (56.0%) of the 25 pins that provided a recipe included an unsafe ingredient, such as raw milk. The most frequently provided reasons to use homemade infant formula were in an emergency (38.2%) and when breastfeeding was not possible (38.2%). The most common claim was that homemade infant formula was healthy (59.6%). The total number of followers for the 63 pins was 861 636. Pinterest is widely used by caregivers to find feeding information for their infants. Credible organizations should utilize Pinterest to disseminate safe infant feeding practices supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The results will help nurses advocate for safe infant feeding and help them guide caregivers away from unsafe formula practices found on social media.
In 1977, self-proclaimed cancer doctor Milan Brych set up a clinic in the Cook Islands offering to cure 80 percent of terminal patients. Patients from Australia and New Zealand flew to Rarotonga to have the $12,000 treatment. Most died within months and were buried in the Rarotonga cemetery, locally known as the "Brych Yard": Brych had not discovered a cure for cancer but was a quack and con man. This article looks at this notable case of cancer quackery and examines the associations that facilitated Brych's activities. It argues that, given the late twentieth-century context of an established, influential medical profession well-policed by government regulation, the web of interests that facilitated Brych's activities was critical in enabling him to achieve the scope and influence that he did. Both modern quackery and its brethren misinformation can be considered as an activity of an interlinked network of diverse, but complementary, interests.
Obesity, a major modern health issue, currently has two approved therapeutic approaches: calorie-restricted diets and increased physical activity, both aimed at prompting the body to utilize fat stores. However, these strategies have not effectively addressed the global obesity epidemic, which continues to escalate. In addition to dieting and exercise, new pharmacological and surgical approaches to obesity treatment also face a significant issue: weight regain following initial weight reduction. The body seems to possess mechanisms that actively resist the loss of fat stores. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the body's resistance to long-term loss of excess adipose tissue; however, the main mechanism is often overlooked in clinical practice. In this review, we addressed the influence of adipose tissue on brain functions. Obesity is typically accompanied by mild to moderate systemic chronic inflammation. Various factors may contribute to obesity-induced inflammation, including hypoxia resulting from hypertrophic adipocytes, cell death, and adipocyte senescence. It is crucial to know that obesity-associated inflammation can easily develop in the central nervous system, disrupting normal brain functions, particularly those related to metabolism, appetite, and weight regulation. Neuroinflammation linked to obesity may be the most compelling mechanism to explain why the body resists weight loss and experiences weight regain, as well as why it is hard to follow a lifestyle change to lose weight. Obesity leads to a complex interplay of inflammation, hormonal imbalances, alterations in neurotransmitter function, and changes in brain structure and functions. These factors collectively contribute to impaired metabolic control, increased appetite, and difficulty managing weight.
Motor complications in Parkinson's disease (PD) are exacerbated by the pulsatile delivery of levodopa (L-DOPA). In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Padhi et al. engineer a microbiota-based therapeutic for sustained, non-fluctuating L-DOPA production, demonstrating therapeutic promise through stable dopamine signaling.
Poorly differentiated sinonasal small round cell tumors (SRCTs) are rare and heterogeneous, posing challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Recent advances in molecular findings and diagnostic refinement have promoted better understanding and management of these tumors. The newly defined and emerging sinonasal entities demonstrate diverse morphologies, specific genomic signatures, and clinical behavior from conventional counterparts. In this review of SRCTs, emphasis is placed on the diagnostic approach with the employment of a pertinent panel of immunohistochemistry studies and/or molecular tests, fine-tuned to the latest WHO 5 classification of sinonasal/paranasal tumors and personalized treatment. Specifically, this review focuses on tumors with epithelial and neuroectodermal derivation.
One of the greatest expenses in running a zebrafish laboratory is the aquatic systems used for housing. These critical pieces of equipment are essential and incorporate components undergoing constant activity in pumping water, monitoring, dosing, and filtration. The systems available on the market are robust, yet ongoing activity eventually leads to the need for repair or replacement. Moreover, some systems are no longer commercially available, impairing the ability to service this critical infrastructure. In this study, we demonstrate a do it yourself (DIY) method to re-engineer an aquatic system's pumps and plumbing, which hybridizes a system no longer commercially available with components used by active vendors. This transition from a two external pump Aquatic Habitat/Pentair design to an individual submerged pump Aquaneering-like plan saves funds by expanding infrastructure longevity. Our hybridized configuration has been in uninterrupted use for >3 years, supporting zebrafish health and high fecundity.
Mental health concerns among university populations are on the rise. Faculty and students report increasing levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. These mental health crises reduce overall wellness and inhibit the educational process. We identify uncertainty, financial stress, disruptions to social networks, burnout, and the contemporary social/political climate as key triggers for mental health crises for faculty and students. Faculty are in a position to provide support to one another and their students and as such, we provide strategies that attend to these triggers and complement other forms of intervention. We do not intend these "hacks" to supplant structural change or reputable medical advice; rather, they are intended to help focus attention on the importance and magnitude of mental health concerns in academia and to offer some strategies that faculty can implement.
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The need for protecting electronic health records (EHRs) in distant medical systems is discussed in the article, which also suggests using blockchain technology as a viable countermeasure to more conventional, less secure practices. The current approaches to managing EHRs in remote health care are frequently vulnerable to hacks and data theft, which impedes the advancement of telemedicine. Contrarily, due to its decentralized and immutable nature, blockchain technology offers greater security, guaranteeing patient data are kept private and unaltered. Additionally, it makes it easier for health care systems to communicate data seamlessly, improving patient care. For widespread adoption, however, issues like scalability and infrastructure needs must be resolved. An ecosystem for remote health care that is more secure and patient-focused can result from embracing blockchain-based EHRs.
River deltas are densely populated, ecologically vital landscapes threatened by rising sea levels. Distributary channel networks disperse sediment to build deltaic land, yet the relationship between the network organization and land building remains elusive. Inspired by Hack's law, which shows that watershed drainage area scales with channel length in tributary networks, we analyzed a global dataset of distributary networks and found a nearly identical scaling relationship between distributary channel length and nourishment area, the land-building counterpart to drainage area. Despite this apparent global scaling, we further identified two distinct local land-building patterns: uniform delta networks consistently follow Hack's law, whereas composite delta networks exhibit a scale break, transitioning from space-filling growth around the delta apex to quasi-linear growth near the coast. The unexpected growth patterns suggest that global simplicity and local variability coexist in how river deltas grow and organize.
LvL UP is a smartphone-based lifestyle coaching intervention aimed at improving health behaviours, mental well-being, and preventing noncommunicable diseases and common mental disorders. It features a ‘talk and tools’ approach, combining automated health literacy coaching via conversational agent with digital tools such as journaling, life hacks, and slow-paced breathing exercises. An ‘in-the-wild’ mixed-methods study was conducted in Singapore to evaluate LvL UP’s feasibility and acceptability to inform a future definitive trial. The app was available on iOS and Android from March to August 2023 and was promoted through online and offline strategies. Data collection included in-app surveys, usage metrics, and interviews, summarised using descriptive statistics and template analysis. The app was downloaded 307 times. Data from 99 active users were analysed. Most users were female and aged 21–35 years with mild to moderate vulnerabilities in physical activity, diet, and depressive symptoms. Engagement was highest during the first eight days, with 9% remaining engaged for up to 50 days. Users rated technology acceptance highly, finding the app enjoyable, easy to use, and informative. Suggested improvements included streamlined onboarding, fixing bugs, shortening dialogues, and adding rewards. The findings support LvL UP’s feasibility and have informed enhancements for future trials.
Masks reduce transmission of SARS-CoV2 and other respiratory pathogens. Comparative studies of the fitted filtration efficiency of different types of masks are scarce. To describe the fitted filtration efficiency against small aerosols (0.02-1 µm) of medical and non-medical masks and respirators when worn, and how this is affected by user modifications (hacks) and by overmasking with a cloth mask. We tested a 2-layer woven-cotton cloth mask of a consensus design, ASTM-certified level 1 and level 3 masks, a non-certified mask, KF94s, KN95s, an N95 and a CaN99. Closed rooms with ambient particles supplemented by salt particles. 12 total participants; 21-55 years, 68% female, 77% white, NIOSH 1-10. Using standard methods and a PortaCount 8038, we counted 0.02-1 µm particles inside and outside masks and respirators, expressing results as the percentage filtered by each mask. We also studied level 1 and level 3 masks with earguards, scrub caps, the knot-and-tuck method, and the effects of braces or overmasking with a cloth mask. Filtration efficiency for the cloth mask was 47-55%, for level 1 masks 52-60%, for level 3 masks 60-77%. A non-certified KN95 look-alike, two KF94s, and three KN95s filtered 57-77%, and the N95 and CaN99 97-98% without fit testing. External braces and overmasking with a well-fitting cloth mask increased filtration, but earguards, scrub caps, and the knot-and-tuck method did not. Limited number of masks of each type sampled; no adjustment for multiple comparisons. Well-fitting 2-layer cotton masks filter in the same range as level 1 masks when worn: around 50%. Level 3 masks and KN95s/KF94s filter around 70%. Over a level 1 mask, external braces or overmasking with a cloth-mask-on-ties produced filtration around 90%. Only N95s and CaN99s, both of which have overhead elastic, performed close to the occupational health and safety standards for fit tested PPE (>99%), filtering at 97-99% when worn, without formal fit testing. These findings inform public health messaging about relative protection from aerosols afforded by different mask types and explain the effectiveness of cloth masks observed in numerous epidemiologic studies conducted in the first year of the pandemic. A plain language summary of these findings is available at https://maskevidence.org/masks-compared.
Being deafblind means my perception differs profoundly from those who are conventionally sighted and have non-impaired hearing. A lot of hidden knowledge is to be found in the disparity between these differing experiences that could be of great value in developing assistive technologies that have a broad scope to engage with both disabled and non-disabled users. This article explores the balancing act between sensory loss and the potential inherent in all of us and how this should be part of the design process of haptic assistive technology.Facing the true impact of my sensory loss, I realised it held the unexpected gift of a-literally-different perspective. I am losing sights and sounds, but the world still reveals itself to me in many ways. Exploring my sensory potential, I combine daily life experiences and theoretical knowledge to better understand how to get the most out of my sensory processing systems. The goal is not to compensate what is lost, but stay connected in a way that enables me to live my life to the fullest.I undertake sensory life hacks based on the brain's unmatched capacity to adjust to circumstances and work with any kind of input. Both predicting processing and neuroplasticity offer an operating system of highly evolved flexibility that allows and even encourages creative solutions. I adjust my coping strategies to align them with these processes shaping my perceptual experience, balancing sensory loss and sensory gain.I believe there is great potential to enrich daily life experiences with haptic assistive technology, building on the natural sensory abilities we have as human beings, co-creating life. However, this comes with challenges: researchers who are not sensorily impaired should consider through experience that we all have limited perception in a way. At the edges of the familiar, you have to face your perceptual limits, pushing you out of your comfort zone and in doing so space is being created for growth; researchers used to the dominance of sight and hearing are less used to consciously experiencing the power of sensory proximity, such as touch and proprioception. These bodily tactile senses, however, are grounding senses in all of us and display a broad scope of sensations to be experienced.The hereditary disease that causes deafblindness forced me to explore the edges of my perception, and instead of devastating loss I discovered a richness of sensory abilities. This article is a plea to dive into this, using my lived experience and critical knowledge. Realising this potential can mean that inclusive research on assistive technologies might really do what it promises, co-creating technologies to enhance life experiences.
Adolescent sleep duration can substantially impact mood, behavior, and academic attainment. While hundreds of sleep-related apps are available to download, none have been cocreated with adolescents from underserved populations in the United Kingdom. This study aimed to explore adolescents' views, expectations, and experiences with a novel app to improve sleep, called Sleep Solved, to understand which features were perceived as positive and helpful, and to identify ways to further enhance its usefulness. Sleep Solved is part of a larger stepped behavior change study and was cocreated with adolescents from underserved groups to make the app accessible and engaging for this population. A total of 63 participants aged 16-18 years from across the United Kingdom completed semistructured interviews after trying the app. Interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke, with a particular focus on the views of individuals from underserved ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Participants perceived Sleep Solved as a useful tool that provides helpful advice regarding changeable behaviors to improve sleep hygiene. Cocreated features of the app, such as the Sleep Stars gamified rewards system and the easy-read, science-based "sleep hacks," were viewed positively by participants, who reported that they had a beneficial impact on their sleep and sleep schedule. Praise was given for the app's ease of use and how the science of sleep was explained at an appropriate level, without being overwhelming. Compared to sleep advice on social media platforms, Sleep Solved was considered more reliable and trustworthy. Participants described better sleep hygiene, such as a regular sleep routine and a longer sleep duration, and increased feelings of improved mood and energy. This study found that a cocreated sleep app, designed with input from adolescents in underserved UK populations, was perceived as accessible, reliable, and effective in supporting positive sleep behavior change. Although sleep duration was not objectively tested, participants, particularly those from low socioeconomic status backgrounds and diverse ethnicities, reported improved sleep routines and mood, highlighting the potential of co-designed digital tools to engage and benefit adolescent users.
TikTok has accrued over 3 million posts and 129 billion views under #acne, establishing itself as a popular platform amongst adolescents to access health information. We conducted an in-depth thematic analysis of acne videos on TikTok to determine how adolescents engage with acne content. The top 150 consecutive videos under #acne on TikTok were subjected to rigorous qualitative analysis by experienced researchers (Laxmi Iyengar, Susan Saldanha) until data saturation was reached, guided by SRQR (Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research) guidelines. Five themes were identified:(1) Pimple popping, (2) Acne education, (3) 'Acne transformation' depicting treatment success stories, (4) Acne positivity, normalising acne and (5) Acne reality, capturing the lived experience of acne. Overall, the top 150 videos under #acne accumulated almost 2 billion views and 102 million followers. The majority of acne content was uploaded by females (125/150; 84%). Medically trained clinicians represented only 11% of the content (17/150). Pimple-popping videos attracted the most significant viewership (804 million views; 44%; 17% of content) despite having a lower proportion of content than acne education videos, uploaded by patients and clinicians (324 million views; 34% of content). These videos included dietary hacks, miracle cures and narratives that antagonised the medical treatments. Acne reality videos demonstrating the mental health burden of acne were the least popular amongst TikTok viewers (79 million views; 4% of content). Thematic qualitative research of acne on TikTok bridges the gap between clinical expertise and the lived experiences of those navigating acne in the digital age. Based on the results of the study, strategies are proposed for dermatologists to engage in the TikTok platform on the topic of acne, including medicolegal precautions. Given the lack of content credibility on social media, this research urges dermatologists to redefine healthy skin care practices based on evidence-based principles.
User innovation lies at the core of a growing body of research, with a predominant focus on how individual user attributes can be associated with observed contributions to innovation. However, framing user innovation in terms of individual attributes risks neglecting important changes in behavior at the individual and community level over time. Here, our focus is on how the time that individual users spend in that community relates to innovation outcomes. We study innovation in a firm-hosted online user community for a 3D printer company, marked by their commitment to open-source hardware. We analyze a unique longitudinal dataset of 38,277 observations recording user posts to an open-access user forum from October 2011 to March 2015. We find that time spent in a user community is positively associated with contributions to innovation, as users migrate from identifying problems and needs, to contributing innovation-related modifications and hacks. Our finding emphasizes the value of user retention in open-source communities as our analysis shows that typical users can add value to firms' innovation activities over time. Our focus on open-hardware complements many existing studies on open-source software and advances our understanding of open innovation more generally.