PRESS RELEASES
FOUR WAYS BINGE-WATCHING HURTS YOUR BRAIN
Brittany Miller
Binge-watching your favorite television show might seem like a great way to relax after a long week, but spending hours on the couch can actually hurt your brain. “It's important to recognize that the brain is not an isolated organ – it responds to its environment,” said Randall Wright, M.D., a Houston Methodist neurologist.
FIVE FACTS YOUR OB-GYN WANTS YOU TO KNOW ABOUT IUDS
Brittany Miller
Intrauterine devices, or IUDs, are a great birth control option, but many women choose other forms of birth control because they have reservations about IUDs. A Houston Methodist OB-GYN answered common questions patients ask her about this very effective form of birth control. “The biggest advantage of IUDs is there is zero chance of user error,” said M. Kathleen Borchardt, M.D., a Houston Methodist OB-GYN.
STORIES
UT BEGINS RESEARCH ON ETHICS OF AI
The University of Texas at Austin is researching how to use artificial intelligence ethically and responsibly through funding AI-related research projects over an eight-year timeline. Hosted by the Media Ethics Initiative, the “Designing Ethical AI Technologies” event introduced the Good Systems Grand Challenge project. Ken Fleischmann, the inaugural chair of Good Systems, spoke Sept. 24 about how UT is approaching this challenge, why it’s an important conversation and the different research topics teams are undertaking.
UT MOMS SAY RESOURCES INSUFFICIENT
Despite the University of Texas at Austin’s efforts to support pregnant and nursing mothers on campus, many students, faculty and staff find the resources available to them to be inaccessible or insufficient. Diana Gutierrez, a UT doctoral student focusing on nutritional sciences, had to advocate for herself to find the resources she needed as a pregnant student.
ENMED STUDENT PROFILE
These profiles were a piece for the Houston Methodist's Methodology Magazine.
"Meet two students who offer insight into what it takes to place among EnMed’s first class of ”physicianeers.” While the inaugural class of 25 students brings a great variety of backgrounds and interests, they all share a commitment to serving others as they graduate with both an MD and master’s in engineering in 2023." (pages 20-21)
PITCHES
4 WAYS BINGE-WATCHING HURTS YOUR BRAIN
We don’t think of binge-watching is being unhealthy, but it turns out binge-watching for hours on end can affect our brain in four major ways – it disrupts our sleep cycle, delays exercise, leads to mindless snacking and can hurt our mental health. And all of these side effects can have serious health implications in the long run.
One of our neurologists has tips on how people can enjoy their favorite shows and avoid the side effects of binge-watching. He’s available for an interview if you’re interested.
Would you like more information?
HOW CAN A HALLWAY HELP PATIENTS HEAL?
I have been interning with Hannah at the Houston Methodist, and we thought you might be interested in this story!
Repainting a hospital hallway isn’t something people usually get excited about, but some creative people here at Houston Methodist wondered if we could turn an ugly hallway in to a functional place of healing.
The walkway that connects our West Pavilion building to the rest of our campus has been a bland, beige hallway for years, but its length and proximity to an inpatient rehab gym meant it was often visited by patients and therapists for gait and wheelchair training. When the walkway was due for a fresh coat of paint, our Center for Performing Arts Medicine, which helps integrate the medical benefits of the arts in to our hospitals, suggested adding soothing photos and inspiring words to refresh the space. Now the photos serve as “mile markers” for patients during rehab work, and the words can help encourage them during recovery. I’ve included before and after pictures below my signature.
I know it may seem odd to write a story about a hallway renovation, but this is just one example of how we are using arts and nature to enhance the hospital environment for the benefit of our patients.
Would you like more information on this?