Touchpoint 1
Novel Magnetic Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Depression Without Medication
What is it?
A group of scientists think a head-mounted device that emits magnetic fields may help with depression. Subjects wore the magnets two hours each day, at home, and reported feeling better.
Potential message to students:
Do you know someone depressed and would you recommend they join a clinical trial to see if the magnets would work? Do you think the magnets could be causing other problems in the brain, even if it’s helping depression?
Touchpoint 2
A Daily Drizzle of Olive Oil May Lower Your Dementia Risk
What is it?
Researchers think using olive oil instead of butter or other oils may reduce dementia risk. This is just an observation right now, but it could explain why the Mediterranean diet is so popular.
Potential message to students:
When a diet becomes popular, do you think it’s the best overall diet or it just happens to include what could be a “silver bullet,” like olive oil? Would you tell your grandparents about this story and encourage them to replace the butter with olive oil?
Touchpoint 3
Patients of New Doctors with High Board Certification Scores Have Higher Survival Rates
What is it?
Doctors take a test before they are officially doctors and if they score really well, it leads to better patient survival. Data showed an 8% reduction in death.
Potential message to students:
Do you think top scorers just get better jobs and it’s the overall hospital that helps them succeed? Do you think 8% is significant? Do you think top scorers are just more sure of their decisions?