Signs that an individual might be on the verge of self-harm are often found in their online actions, but can word choices in posts indicate who is at particular risk and when?

A new study published July 8 in the Nature journal npj Mental Health Research by Dr. Ryan L. Boyd at The University of Texas at Dallas and Dr. Charlotte Entwistle of the University of Liverpool demonstrates that online support community posts indicating decreased social connectedness and heightened negative emotions can predict self-harm behaviors weeks before their occurrence in people with borderline personality disorder.

In a Policy Forum, Mateo Aboy and colleagues argue that, instead of turning immediately to rigid regulation to govern emerging quantum technologies, the community should apply a standards-based governance approach tailored to the early, technically focused stage of development. Quantum technologies are poised to revolutionize everything from computing to medicine, offering performance leaps that far surpass the limits of current systems. Yet, this promise comes with complex governance challenges, as these powerful tools may be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes, such as improving medical diagnostics or undermining global cybersecurity as an encryption-breaking tool. Rather than relying on rigid regulation, Aboy et al. advocate for a different approach to governance. According to the authors, international standards, such as those developed by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), could provide a governance framework that ensures safe and fair innovation and use. Drawing on these examples, Aboy et al. recommend establishing a Quantum Technology Quality Management System (QT-QMS) to oversee the design, implementation, and full lifecycle of quantum technologies. This framework would incorporate well-established standards, such as ISO 27001 for information security and ISO 42001 for AI governance, while proactively addressing emerging challenges like post-quantum cryptography and quantum-AI convergence. Although standards are not a complete solution on their own, the authors note that when combined with focused regulatory measures and global collaboration, they could serve as a robust foundation for guiding responsible and inclusive advancement in quantum technology.

In a newly released special issue of the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, a journal of the American Counseling Association (ACA), counseling researchers focus on what professional counselors can do to more effectively serve the counseling needs of African Americans with disabilities.

Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and can spread to people from a variety of foods, including beef. Understanding how and why cattle become infected with Salmonella is an important part of fighting this major public health concern.

Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) are addressing this problem from a new angle by studying how diet and feeding schedule impact Salmonella infections in cattle.

The evidence supporting the health benefits of breastfeeding is overwhelming, yet many women taking medications are being advised to stop – often unnecessarily – according to a new study from the University of Bath in the UK. This has parallels with a broader trend of misinformation in maternal health. In the US especially, there appears to be a growing movement to discourage pregnant women from taking important medications to manage chronic conditions like depression. While such advice may be well-meaning, urging women to stop taking prescription medications during pregnancy or breastfeeding – or encouraging them to stop breastfeeding altogether – can ultimately jeopardise the health of both mother and baby.