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Stop Squeezing So Hard: The Case for Rethinking Mammography

There’s a reason so many women dread mammograms—and it’s not just the awkwardness or exposure. It’s the pain. The compression is intense, bruising for some, traumatic for others. But what if the discomfort isn’t just a downside? What if it’s part of the problem? Emerging research is now suggesting something far more alarming: that the mechanical forces applied during traditional mammograms might actually contribute to cancer progression. A 2025 study in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology found that solid stress—compression like that applied during a mammogram—can cause aggressive breast cancer cells to become more invasive . The pressure activated inflammatory and migratory pathways inside the tumor, increasing the expression of IL-6 and SNAI1, proteins associated with metastasis. In other words, squeezing a tumor might not just hurt—it might help it spread. This is not just a laboratory concern. In a harrowing case report published by the BMJ Case Reports , a woman with n...
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Rethinking Education for the Age of AI: How a Human-Centered Curriculum Can Empower All Students

Introduction: Two Crises in the Classroom Education today faces twin, interrelated crises. On one hand, the advent of artificial intelligence is challenging the very foundations of our curriculum: what knowledge should students learn when machines can instantly retrieve facts, solve equations, and write essays? On the other hand, a growing body of research shows that boys, particularly in Western education systems, are falling behind academically, with lower levels of engagement, higher dropout rates, and declining college enrollment. These trends may seem distinct, but they share a common root: a misalignment between what school asks of students and what today’s world demands of human beings. This blog post argues for a shift toward a more human-centered curriculum—one that emphasizes philosophical reasoning, practical life skills, and project-based learning. Not only would this better prepare students to thrive alongside AI, but it could also re-engage boys and other students who str...
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Fractured Trust: How Undermining Contractual Obligations Threatens U.S. and Global Prosperity

The strength of the United States economy has long rested on more than just its natural resources or innovative spirit. At its core, American prosperity is undergirded by the credibility of its institutions: the rule of law, contract enforcement, fiscal reliability, and a reputation for honoring agreements. These mechanisms don't just ensure the smooth functioning of markets at home—they also serve as the backbone of the global economic system, which relies heavily on U.S. financial instruments, norms, and institutions. In this light, the Trump administration's track record of treating federal obligations as negotiable or revocable risks not only domestic economic stability but also the trust-based architecture of global commerce. The Trump Administration and Contractual Reliability Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump has frequently treated financial commitments made by the federal government as conditional or voidable. Whether it was renegotiating trade deals, questioning ...
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