When does stress become toxic?

+ 'ghost streams' increase flood risk in low-income neighborhoods US Edition - Today's top story: How much stress is too much? A psychiatrist explains the links between toxic stress and poor health − and how to get help [View in browser]( US Edition | 20 March 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Most of us have probably experienced a doctor’s visit or even dental checkup where a provider has asked, “Are you experiencing stress?” − or some version of that question to address a health care concern. My thought has always been, “Ummm … is that a real question?” The truth is, everyone is under varying amounts of stress. Stress, to a certain degree, is a normal part of life and can even be beneficial for meeting deadlines and bringing out the best in us. But when does everyday stress become toxic, and how much is too much? Researchers are gaining a clearer understanding of how high levels of chronic stress translate to disease risk and other health challenges, as well as how stress speeds up natural aging. In fact, [toxic stress is a common denominator]( in nearly all of the chronic diseases and mental health conditions that have been on the rise for decades, explains psychiatrist Lawson R. Wulsin, who studies the connections between psychological conditions and physical illnesses. But new approaches in the form of “lifestyle medicine” offer promise for reining in chronic stress, Wulsin writes. “Adopting these lifestyle changes is not quick or easy, but it works.” Also in this week’s science news: - [How to reduce GHG emissions from cattle]( - [Lift is the reason planes can fly – an engineer explains]( - [What to know about cataract surgery]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Amanda Mascarelli Senior Health and Medicine Editor Toxic stress increases the risks for obesity, diabetes, depression and other illnesses. Klaus Vedfelt/Digital Vision via Getty Images [How much stress is too much? A psychiatrist explains the links between toxic stress and poor health − and how to get help]( Lawson R. Wulsin, University of Cincinnati No one can escape stress, but sometimes it takes a physical and emotional toll that translates to disease and other health effects. The good news is that there are new approaches to treating it. The Detroit River inundated Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood in 2021. AP/Corey Williams [How ghost streams and redlining’s legacy lead to unfairness in flood risk, in Detroit and elsewhere]( Jacob Napieralski, University of Michigan-Dearborn Mapping where water once flowed is important for managing flood risk today in Detroit and elsewhere. Scientists have designed a solar panel-like pacemaker that can precisely control heartbeats. Eugene Mymrin/Moment via Getty Images [Pacemaker powered by light eliminates need for batteries and allows the heart to function more naturally − new research]( Pengju Li, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering Researchers designed an ultrathin pacemaker that can be implanted via minimally invasive techniques, potentially improving recovery time and reducing the risk of complications. [AI vs. elections: 4 essential reads about the threat of high-tech deception in politics]( Eric Smalley, The Conversation Using disinformation to sway elections is nothing new. Powerful new AI tools, however, threaten to give the deceptions unprecedented reach. [COVID-19 vaccines: CDC says people ages 65 and up should get a shot this spring – a geriatrician explains why it’s vitally important]( Laurie Archbald-Pannone, University of Virginia As you get older, you’re at higher risk of severe infection and your immunity declines faster after vaccination. [Climate-friendly beef? Argentina’s new ‘carbon-neutral’ certification could help reduce livestock emissions – if it’s done right]( Paul Winters, University of Notre Dame Cattle are major producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. But there are methods that can reduce their climate impact – if ranchers have incentive to use them. [Proteins in milk and blood could one day let doctors detect breast cancer earlier – and save lives]( Danielle Whitham, Clarkson University Identifying proteins that are only present in bodily fluids when a patient has breast cancer could provide a way to screen healthy people for the disease. - [City mouse or country mouse? I collect mice from Philly homes to study how they got so good at urban living]( Megan Phifer-Rixey, Drexel University An evolutionary biologist is studying what these resilient urban pests can teach us about adaptation and evolution. - [Chilling out rather than blowing off steam is a better way to manage anger − new review of 154 studies reveals what works]( Sophie L. Kjaervik, Virginia Commonwealth University; Brad Bushman, The Ohio State University Activities such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, yoga and meditation help people manage their anger, according to a meta-analysis of studies involving more than 10,000 participants. - [Female mosquitoes rely on one another to choose the best breeding sites − and with the arrival of spring, they’re already on the hunt]( Kaylee Marrero, Florida International University; Andre Luis da Costa da Silva, Florida International University; Matthew DeGennaro, Florida International University Female mosquitoes don’t want to lay their eggs alone, but they don’t want sites that are too crowded either. Understanding what guides their choice could inform new control strategies. - [Building fairness into AI is crucial – and hard to get right]( Ferdinando Fioretto, University of Virginia Bias in AI has been getting a lot of attention lately, but it’s just one aspect of the larger – and thornier – problem of fairness in AI. - [AI can help predict whether a patient will respond to specific tuberculosis treatments, paving way for personalized care]( - [How do airplanes fly? An aerospace engineer explains the physics of flight]( - [Are you one of the millions about to have cataract surgery? Here’s what ophthalmologists say you need to know]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? 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