CONGRESS OKAY’S PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY.

Congress recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes funding for research on psychedelics as treatments for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries in U.S. military members. The bill, approved by both the Senate and the House, now awaits President Biden’s decision. The NDAA requires the Department of Defense to initiate a $10 million research program on psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA for treating PTSD and TBI, with a 180-day deadline to establish this program. This initiative is part of an amendment introduced by Texas Representative Morgan Luttrell, aligning with the Douglas Mike Day Psychedelic Therapy to Save Lives Act, initiated by Representative Dan Crenshaw in honor of a Navy SEAL who suffered from PTSD. Crenshaw’s legislation, supported by both parties including Representatives Ro Khanna and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, highlights the need for new mental health treatments for service members. The NDAA, expected to be signed by the President, marks a significant move in exploring alternative therapies for veterans. (High Times)

EU TAKES AIM AT DISINFORMATION ON X.

The European Union (EU) has formally launched proceedings against X (previously known as Twitter), suspecting it of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA) regulations. This includes issues related to managing illegal content and disinformation. EU Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton outlined the alleged breaches on the social media platform, focusing on X’s obligations regarding transparency and content moderation. Owned by Elon Musk, X responded, affirming its cooperation with the regulatory process and commitment to a safe, inclusive environment while safeguarding free speech. These proceedings are the first under the new DSA, which demands large tech firms protect users from extreme content, subjecting violators to severe fines or suspension. The EU’s probe, announced by spokesperson Johannes Bahrke, will investigate X’s policies and systems, particularly examining the effectiveness of its Community Notes system against misinformation. The inquiry follows previous concerns about content moderation on X, especially after Musk’s acquisition and subsequent staffing changes, which have escalated disinformation issues and led to significant controversy and financial challenges in the U.S. (BBC)

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SEQUENCING COMPANY HEARS LOUD OBJECTIONS.

Orchid Health announced a new service for fertility clinics: sequencing whole genomes of IVF embryos, priced at $2500 per embryo. This test expands beyond identifying single-gene disorders, assessing gene variants related to complex conditions like neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric issues. However, this initiative drew criticism from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC), which accuses Orchid of inappropriately using its data, meant to aid mental health research, not for embryo screening. PGC’s objection, shared on social media, marks a stand against commercial misuse of academic data. Orchid’s response to these allegations is unknown, and PGC, being an academic group, has limited options for recourse. The situation highlights the challenge for researchers in controlling data use post-publication, particularly when used for commercial purposes. This advancement in IVF technology, allowing for extensive embryo DNA screening, raises ethical concerns, with some fearing it could lead to eugenics-like practices. It also questions the effectiveness of polygenic risk scores in disease prediction, signaling the need for a broader societal conversation about the implications of such screenings. (Science)

CONTROVERSIAL TONGUE-TIE PROCEDUERS ON RISE IN U.S.

Tess Merrell, after experiencing breastfeeding difficulties with her fourth child, hired lactation consultant Melanie Henstrom. Henstrom diagnosed the baby, Eleanor, with a tongue-tie and recommended a laser procedure. However, post-surgery, Eleanor refused to feed and became dehydrated, spending Christmas on a feeding tube. This incident highlights a growing trend in the U.S. where lactation consultants and dentists are increasingly recommending tongue-tie procedures, often using lasers, for infants. These procedures are promoted as solutions for various health issues, despite minimal evidence supporting their efficacy and slight risks of serious complications. Many of these tongue-ties are harmless, and the surge in surgeries, which can be expensive and not covered by insurance, has raised concerns among pediatricians. The popularity of such procedures, sometimes resulting in severe pain and feeding refusal in babies, has led to warnings from healthcare practices about overuse. Despite these concerns, the industry, including companies producing the lasers, continues to thrive with little oversight, causing distress for families and ethical debates in the medical community. (New York Times)

EXPERTS SAY ‘NOT SO FAST’ TO OLDEST BUILDING CLAIMS.

In 2023, researchers claimed that Gunung Padang in West Java, Indonesia, could be the world’s oldest pyramid, potentially dating back over 25,000 years. This assertion, if true, would surpass the age of Stonehenge, Egypt’s pyramids, and Turkey’s Göbekli Tepe. The team, led by geologist Danny Hillman Natawidjaja, used ground-penetrating radar and dated soil samples to support their conclusion. However, the claim has sparked significant controversy in the scientific community. Many archaeologists have criticized the study, arguing that the evidence doesn’t support such ancient origins, suggesting the site is likely only 6,000 to 7,000 years old. Critics like Flint Dibble of Cardiff University have expressed surprise at the paper’s publication, questioning the interpretation of the data. This backlash led the journal Archaeological Prospection to launch an investigation into the paper. Adding to the controversy, the paper was proofread by Graham Hancock, known for his theories about ancient, sophisticated cultures. Hancock’s involvement and Natawidjaja’s acknowledgment of his ideas as a “reasonable working hypothesis” have further fueled skepticism. Critics argue that such claims oversimplify history and disregard the development of indigenous cultures. Despite Natawidjaja’s defense of the study, many in the scientific community remain unconvinced, calling the leap from data to conclusion enormous and weak. (The Guardian)

BIRDS SEEN DUNKING FOOD TO MODIFY TEXTURE.

Researchers at the Goffin Lab in Vienna have observed a novel behavior in Goffin’s cockatoos, where some birds have started dunking hard, dry rusk in water before eating it. This behavior, akin to humans dipping biscuits, is seen as an innovative form of food preparation by the cockatoos, suggesting their ability to modify food texture. This finding, which emerged accidentally, contrasts with the lab’s structured experiments that usually test the birds’ problem-solving skills. Out of 18 observed cockatoos, seven engaged in this dunking behavior, primarily with rusk. The study highlighted the birds’ selective dunking and varying techniques, indicating a level of impulse control and patience. This behavior, not yet seen in wild cockatoos, raises questions about its origin – whether developed independently or learned through observation. The researchers, intrigued by this unexpected discovery, plan to further explore this behavior, providing a new line of inquiry in their studies of bird intelligence. (New York Times)

Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

IMAGE CREDIT: Kendall Hoopes.