Michael Brennan

Worked a decade as a nurse practitioner before turning to health writing. Covers preventive care and everyday habits.

Articles by Michael Brennan

Latest Posts

Science

Timing of Eye Contact: Key to Social Signals

A groundbreaking study has, for the very first time, uncovered the precise mechanisms and moments involved in making eye contact, demonstrating that these elements—beyond the simple occurrence of the gaze itself—are pivotal in shaping our comprehension and reactions to others, even including robotic entities. Under the leadership of cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Nathan Caruana, a team […]

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Science

Optimizing Medical Device Packaging to Minimize Risks

In the highly regulated world of healthcare, ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical devices hinges significantly on the quality and reliability of their packaging. Proper control over medical device packaging plays a pivotal role in reducing various risks associated with product integrity, patient safety, and regulatory compliance. This comprehensive approach not only safeguards the […]

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Nutrition

Can Chilling Carbs After Cooking Boost Weight Loss?

Grains of uncooked jasmine rice are shown in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 24, 2008. Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File Social media influencers frequently tout a straightforward method for transforming rice, pasta, and potatoes into lower-calorie options: simply allowing them to cool down after preparation. Is there validity to these claims? Not entirely, though a growing […]

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Science

HPV Vaccine Delivers Long-Term Protection Against Cervical Cancer

Swedish Research Demonstrates Enduring HPV Vaccine Efficacy A comprehensive study conducted in Sweden and published in The BMJ reveals that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine significantly lowers the risk of developing invasive cervical cancer. This protection remains robust even after up to 18 years post-vaccination, showing no signs of diminishing effectiveness over time. HPV stands […]

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Lifestyle

Make 2026 Your Best Year Ever

Transform 2026 into Your Best Year Yet While I don’t think transformation should be limited to specific dates like New Year’s, this time of year often sparks a unique feeling of possibility. It delivers a wave of fresh perspective, drive, and optimism that suggests real shifts might finally happen in our lives. However, as the […]

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Nutrition

Cocoa Flavanols Show Anti-Aging Benefits Against Inflammation

Might supplements derived from cocoa extract, packed with cocoa flavanols, help lower inflammation levels and thereby ward off chronic conditions linked to aging? Researchers from the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), conducted by experts at Mass General Brigham and their collaborators, examined shifts in five key inflammation markers associated with aging. Their analysis […]

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Science

Medicare Picks Botox, Trulicity & 13 Drugs for Price Talks

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has chosen 15 medications for the upcoming phase of price negotiations, marking the third iteration of this initiative. Among these selections are the widely used type 2 diabetes treatment dulaglutide, known by its brand name Trulicity, as well as botulinum toxin, commonly recognized as Botox, alongside therapies […]

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Lifestyle

Endocrinologist’s PATHWEIGH Method Halts Weight Gain

Endocrinologist Leigh Perreault, MD, had long been troubled by the conventional methods employed in everyday medical practices for managing patient weight. Frequently, individuals were dismissed with generic recommendations to improve their diet and increase physical activity, despite these suggestions proving insufficient for meaningful progress. There came a pivotal moment when Perreault, a distinguished professor in […]

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Science

Hemochromatosis: Iron Overload Signs, Organ Harm, Phlebotomy Therapy

Hemochromatosis, a condition involving excessive iron buildup, represents a serious metabolic disorder where the body absorbs far more iron from food sources than it requires, resulting in a progressive accumulation within various organs and tissues throughout the system. Without appropriate medical intervention, this surplus iron can inflict substantial harm on critical organs, potentially leading to […]

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