About The Study: The expanding use of unregulated psilocybin mushrooms, combined with high variability in composition and common co-use with other substances, raises urgent public health concerns. Existing clinical data are insufficient to guide harm reduction or policy. There is a pressing need to pivot from controlled efficacy trials to real-world research on psilocybin use, including public education, potency testing, and age-specific risk assessment. 

A new study reveals that school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile were associated with a sharp decline in reports of violence against children—highlighting the critical role schools play in child protection.

A new Hebrew University study reveals that while Israel could technically sustain itself through local vegetative food production, the economic price would be staggering. The model shows that complete self-sufficiency would demand massive farming subsidies and major shifts in agricultural output, making it an impractical goal. Instead, the researchers argue, a balanced approach, combining agricultural innovation, diversified import sources, and strategic food storage, offers the most sustainable path to national food security.

A Michigan State University–led study explored whether artificial intelligence can detect human deception. Researchers found that while AI can interpret context, it often misjudges honesty and performs worse than humans. The findings suggest AI is not yet reliable for identifying lies, underscoring the complexity of human communication and trust.

A pair of new studies examines two aspects of the colon cancer screening process: the preferences of patients and physicians for all currently available colorectal cancer screening options, and the impact of a 2023 federal policy change that eliminated out of pocket costs for those who get an abnormal result on a home-based stool test and then need a colonoscopy.