Pelvic Scans Offer New Understanding Of Women’s Sexual Function, Anatomy
Researchers say they have created the first 3D scans of the entire network of clitoral nerves. The insight could provide crucial information about the organ's role in sexual arousal and orgasm and also is likely to help with reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation. The work has not yet been peer-reviewed, The Guardian noted.
The Guardian:
Full Network Of Clitoral Nerves Mapped Out For First Time
Almost 30 years after the intricate web of nerves inside the penis was plotted out, the same mapping has finally been completed for one of the least-studied organs in the human body – the clitoris. As well as revealing the extent of the nerves that are crucial to orgasms, the work shows that some of what medics are learning about the anatomy of the clitoris is wrong, and could help prevent women who have pelvic operations from ending up with poorer sexual function. (Simms, 3/29)
In other health and wellness news —
CNN:
Kratom Poisoning Calls At Record High, Study Finds
Calls to poison centers in the United States about the widely available herb kratom increased more than 1,200% between 2015 and 2025, new research has found. (Rogers, 3/27)
ABC News:
'Public Health Crisis': Experts Weigh The Stakes Of Youth Gambling In America
Rob Minnick was a New Jersey high school student scooping ice cream for minimum wage when he started gambling through a bookie. The draw, he recalls, seemed obvious. "When I saw this concept that I could make $100 on a Phillies game versus working two days at the store, it was like, 'Why would I ever work again?'" said Minnick, now 27. Over the next six years, Minnick went into debt six times. As his gambling habit grew, he took on a second job to support his addiction. He says he placed wagers, on average, for at least eight hours a day. (Bruggeman and Simpson, 3/27)
NBC News:
'Mentally Active' Sitting May Reduce Dementia Risk, Study Finds
Sitting for hours on a regular basis can be bad for your body and brain. A new study suggests that keeping your brain engaged helps counteract some of the harms of sedentary behavior. Engagement means activities such as knitting or solving a puzzle, instead of mindlessly scrolling or passively watching a screen. (Ozcan, 3/29)
CIDRAP:
Kids’ Cognitive Skills Declined During COVID-19 Pandemic, Studies Show
A growing body of research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the development of key cognitive skills that help children make plans, control their impulses, and adapt to new situations. Several long-term studies conducted before, during, and after the pandemic have found significant declines in children’s executive functioning, a set of mental skills that help people set goals, focus, and get things done. Executive function skills include flexible thinking, inhibition control, and working memory, which allows people to remember information without losing track of what they’re doing—such as when working on math problems. (Szabo, 3/27)
The New York Times:
Chromebook Remorse: Tech Backlash At Schools Extends Beyond Phones
Inge Esping, the principal of McPherson Middle School, has spent years battling digital devices for children’s attention. Four years ago, her school in McPherson, Kan., banned student cellphones during the school day. But digital distractions continued. Many children watched YouTube videos or played video games on their school-issued Chromebook laptops. Some used school Gmail accounts to bully fellow students. In December, the middle school asked all 480 students to return the Chromebooks they had freely used in class and at home. Now the school keeps the laptops, which run on Google’s Chrome operating system, in carts parked in classrooms. (Singer, 3/29)
