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An affordable <keyword id="9107118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tuberculosis-testing" source="Orion">tuberculosis testing</keyword> technology that can detect the disease using a patient's sputum for just Rs 35 has been developed by apex medical research body <keyword id="19918794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICMR" source="keywords">ICMR</keyword>'s regional centre in Assam's Dibrugarh. The 'A <keyword id="19986036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CRISPR" source="keywords">CRISPR</keyword> case-based TB detection system' is light, portable and involves three steps of testing. Over 1,500 samples can be tested in one single run in around two-and-half hours, ICMR sources said. Conventional diagnostic techniques for TB commonly rely on culture, which requires 42 days to confirm as TB negative, microscopy, and nucleic acid-based methods. These are also time-consuming and may require sophisticated equipment. An official said, "<keyword id="19992404" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tuberculosis" source="keywords">Tuberculosis</keyword> (TB) remains a global health challenge, necessitating the development of accurate and rapid diagnostic tools for effective disease management. Current <keyword id="22921102" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diagnostic-methods" source="keywords">diagnostic methods</keyword> often exhibit limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, speed and cost, emphasising the need for innovative approaches". Additionally, some molecular diagnostic methods, while offering improved sensitivity, may lack the desired specificity or face challenges associated with cost and ease of handling. "Considering these problems, the CRISPR-Cas12a-based molecular diagnostic system 'GlowTBPCRKit' coupled with an amplification step (using thermal cycler) and the '<keyword id="22921103" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RapidGlow-device" source="keywords">RapidGlow device</keyword>' provides a promising solution," the official said. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has now invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from eligible organisations, companies, manufacturers for undertaking 'Transfer of Technology' for commercialisation of the 'A CRISPR case-based TB detection system' for the detection of <keyword id="20115212" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mycobacterium-tuberculosis" source="keywords">Mycobacterium tuberculosis</keyword>. The ICMR-RMRCNE institute will provide expert guidance and technical support for the production of 'A CRISPR Cas based TB detection system' in all phases. Such technical oversight by the institute would accelerate the development of the product and its commercialisation. The ICMR would also provide technical support through its team of experienced scientists in study, planning, product development, development of study protocol, results or data analysis, outcome assessment, safety and efficacy assessment, product improvement, etc., if deemed fit upon the mutual understanding between ICMR and collaborative company. The apex health research body through its institutes would provide support and facilitation to conduct the research and development or clinical study of new technology or product in India through its affiliates or institutes, in collaboration with the company and institutions in a professional and mutually agreed upon manner and timelines.

ICMR's regional centre develops technology that can test for tuberculosis in just Rupees 35!

A sperm or <keyword id="22773682" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="egg-donor" source="keywords">egg donor</keyword> has no legal right on the child, and cannot claim to be its <keyword id="22773683" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="biological-parent" source="keywords">biological parent</keyword>, the Bombay <keyword id="19900812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="high-court" source="keywords">High Court</keyword> held on Tuesday, while allowing a 42-year-old woman visitation rights to her five-year-old twin daughters. The woman, in her plea, said her daughters, born via <keyword id="20302787" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="surrogacy" source="keywords">surrogacy</keyword>, were living with her husband and younger sister, who was the egg donor. The petitioner's husband had claimed since his sister-in-law was the egg donor, she had a legitimate right to be called a biological parent of the twins, and that his wife had no right over them. A single bench of Justice Milind Jadhav, however, refused to accept this contention, citing that though the petitioner's younger sister was the egg donor, she has no legitimate right to claim that she is a biological parent of the twins. The court said the role of the younger sister is that of an egg donor, rather, a voluntary donor, and at the most, she may qualify to be a genetic mother and nothing more. An advocate appointed to assist the court in the matter informed it that since the estranged couple's surrogacy agreement took place in 2018, when the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021 had not come into force, the guidelines issued by the <keyword id="19914690" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Council-of-Medical-Research" source="keywords">Indian Council of Medical Research</keyword> (ICMR) in 2005 would regulate the agreement. As per a rule of the guidelines, the donor and the surrogate mother have to relinquish all parental rights, the court noted, adding that in the present case, the twins would be the daughters of the petitioner and her husband. "Under the guideline, it is clearly stated that the sperm/oocyte (egg) donor shall not have parental rights or duties in relation to the child and in that view of the matter, the younger sister of the petitioner can have no right whatsoever to intervene and claim to be the biological mother of the twin daughters," the high court said. As per the plea, the couple could not conceive naturally, and the petitioner's sister volunteered to donate her eggs. In December 2018, the babies were conceived by a surrogate woman and the twin girls were born in August 2019. In April 2019, the sister and her family met with a road accident, and her husband and daughter were killed. The petitioner lived with her husband and twin daughters from August 2019 to March 2021. Following a marital discord in March 2021, the husband moved into another flat with the children without informing his wife. The man claimed that his wife's sister (the egg donor) had been depressed after the road accident and started living with him to take care of the twins. The petitioner filed a police complaint and an application before a local court, seeking interim visitation rights to her daughters. The local court rejected her application in September 2023, following which she approached the high court. The wife said her sister had only donated her eggs and was not the surrogate mother, and hence, she had no legal right or role in the lives of the twins. The high court, in its order, noted that the surrogacy agreement of 2018 between the intending parents, the surrogate mother and the doctor is signed by the petitioner, her husband and the doctor. "It is seen that the petitioner (wife) and Respondent No. 1 (husband) are recognised as the intending parents. At least to a naked eye, there is no ambiguity whatsoever while observing and even concluding that it is the petitioner along with Respondent No. 1 who signed the surrogacy agreement as intending parents," it said. Justice Jadhav held that the lower court order denying visitation rights to the wife was passed without proper application of mind and is unsustainable and quashed it. The court directed the husband to give physical access and visitation rights of the twins to the petitioner for three hours every weekend.

Sperm or egg donor has no legal right on child, can't claim to be biological parent, says high court

<ul class="summary-list"><li>You can make thousands of dollars by donating some time or body parts to science.</li><li>But these procedures are not all painless, and not everyone can participate.</li></ul>Get dysentery. Play cards with someone who <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/clinical-trial-participant-pay-erase-credit-card-debt-2024-2">has the flu</a>. Or, spend 45 days trapped in a tiny apartment with three total strangers.These are just a few of the many ways you can get paid for helping out with scientific research. If you want to aid the science community and potentially save some lives while making a little extra cash, there are some unconventional options to consider.Below is a short list, though be warned: these strategies aren't all exactly easy money.<h2 id="3c59b846-ed49-45b2-96d6-5bed88659c4a">Sell your blood plasma</h2><div type="image" title="A woman wearing a white lab coat and hair net works in a laboratory examining bags of plasma from blood." height="1361" width="1815" msid="110573073" hostid="261" sizebytes="147044"></div>Payout (per donation): around $50Plasma is the largest component in human blood. It's a protein-rich liquid that contains mostly water but is also filled with enzymes, antibodies, and salts. This gooey, sticky yellow-ish stuff can be used to create therapies that treat people with blood clotting disorders, autoimmune diseases, and even burn victims. Donating plasma is often called "the gift of life" since treatments for some conditions can't be made synthetically and require this kind of human contribution.During plasma donation, blood is drawn and an automated machine separates the plasma from other blood components, which are returned to the donor. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/is-donating-plasma-good-side-hustle">Plasma donation pay</a> varies from site to site, but the average payout is typically around $50 per donation. You can donate safely roughly once a month, according to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/types-donations/plasma-donation">American Red Cross</a>, and a typical session takes less than two hours. Find a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.donatingplasma.org/donation/find-a-donor-center">licensed and certified plasma center</a> near you.<h2 id="c299f302-a1f6-4b10-85f3-00c047a47a65">Donate your sex cells</h2><div type="image" title="A woman wearing a blue medical gown crosses her legs and covers her crotch with her hands." height="720" width="960" msid="110573074" hostid="261" sizebytes="28336"></div>Payout for eggs (per donation): usually $10,000 to $12,000;Payout for sperm (per donation): typically $35-$150Egg and sperm donation can allow couples who have trouble conceiving naturally to become parents by using a donor's sex cells. But the time commitment and risk involved in a woman's egg donation is far steeper than what a man goes through donating his sperm.In the United States, egg donors generally net around $10,000-$12,000. Weill Cornell outlines the standard <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://eggdonor.weillcornell.org/whats_involved/">steps for egg donation</a>, which requires about a four-week time commitment.During the egg donation cycle, patients are injected with fertility drugs so that the ovaries make more mature eggs than normal. (Eligible women are generally between the ages of 21 and 30). The egg retrieval procedure takes about 20 minutes but may require several days of recovery. Donors should be aware of the risks involved (largely related to the hormones used) before signing up.Men are generally paid anywhere from $35 to $150 per sperm donation, according to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://donors.thespermbankofca.org/">The Sperm Bank of California</a>, but sperm donation can really start to add up if you regularly donate samples (many programs require a six-month or one-year donation commitment).Donors should bear in mind that even if they choose to donate anonymously, sperm and egg donation is never really 100% incognito. Your DNA always knows who you are.<h2 id="c30eb745-1d1a-4ae6-a518-d5c1bfffb975">Spend 45 days on a fake spaceship</h2><div type="image" title="A man and woman work inside NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog, a capsule designed to simulate a spacecraft" height="586" width="1041" msid="110573075" hostid="261" sizebytes="75320"></div>Payout: $160/dayNASA will pay you to spend 45 days traveling in space. Well, sort of.You'll actually be on the ground the whole time in Houston, Texas, but you'll be locked inside a model space capsule (650 square feet) along with three strangers. This simulation is designed to study what being cooped up for a very long time inside a spaceship might do to a person, both physically and mentally. NASA wants to check this out thoroughly before they start sending astronauts on missions to Mars, or to explore faraway asteroids.Participants in NASA's human research program share a capsule with each other that includes some workspace for doing lab experiments, a little kitchen table for eating meals that are just like what's served aboard the International Space Station, plus an exercise bike and some free weights. There's no internet, but you do get your own little cozy sleeping pod on the top floor.The fake astronauts "on board" the capsule in May and June of 2024 include an aerospace engineering professor, a US Air Force Reserve member, a commercial pilot, and a biomedical engineer.And that mission is nothing compared to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-mars-simulation-job-pay-qualifications-application-chapea-mission-2024-2">NASA's CHAPEA Mars simulation</a>, which keeps recruits in a simulated habitat of the red planet for 378 days. (NASA declined to comment on how much CHAPEA pays).<h2 id="7f0066f1-ade8-4f6a-a3cd-7c5383d36e88">Take part in a clinical trial</h2><div type="image" title="A woman in a purple shirt smiles as another woman draws blood from her arm." height="657" width="500" msid="110573076" hostid="261" sizebytes="27978"></div>Payout: Varies by programThe National Institutes of Health run a searchable database, <a target="_blank" href="http://ClincalTrials.gov">ClincalTrials.gov</a>, that rounds up human clinical studies ongoing around the world. Participants may be guinea pigs for new medical products, like drugs to treat high blood pressure, or they take part in observational research, like a study that records the effects of different lifestyles on heart health.Subjects are generally paid to participate in such clinical trials, and most of the time, the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. For example, a participant in one study in which participants were exposed to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/man-drank-smoothie-that-gave-him-dysentery-for-vaccine-trial-2022-4">dysentery-causing bacteria</a> was paid over $7,000, while a single blood draw or lab visit for a more straightforward study may only be worth $100 or so.If you do decide to enroll in a study, choose wisely and carefully because <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/about-site/disclaimer">not all of the studies on the site are regulated</a> or evaluated for safety by the US Food and Drug Administration.<h2 id="9e5d70cb-4b97-4a29-920d-493bf19a1739">Enroll in a psychological study</h2><div type="image" title="Two friends sit on an orange couch playing video games." height="1321" width="1761" msid="110573077" hostid="261" sizebytes="278668"></div>Payout: Varies by programPaid psychological studies, such as those that examine human behavior and brain function, may not generate as high of a return as clinical trials, but they are generally lower risk and require a shorter time commitment.Most research universities keep an online database of studies so people can easily sign up. For example, here's a list of the most recent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://as.nyu.edu/psychology/research/participate-in-research/paid-studies.html">paid research studies offered by New York University</a>. At NYU, you can make $12 an hour playing video games, and receive a $50 bonus if you're good at it.<h2 id="fdff9d09-8115-44a3-a5c5-4e0c10b1bfd1">Give your dead body to science</h2><div type="image" title="A man in a white lab coat, safety goggles, and purple medical gloves dissects a tissue sample from a cadaver." height="2498" width="2966" msid="110573078" hostid="261" sizebytes="219708"></div>Payout: free cremationThis last idea is sort of morbid, but if you're worried about being a bother when you're dead, you can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-working-at-a-body-donation-center-is-like-2019-12">donate your body to science</a>. This helps with various types of research and education.Places like <a target="_blank" href="http://biogift.org/">BioGift</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sciencecare.com/whole-body-donation-faq/">Science Care</a> will cover the costs of cremation, which can run upwards of $2,000.

How to make money from medical research and donations

The Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl on Monday criticised a recently published study on the long-term safety analysis of the <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword> in adults and adolescents for its poor methodology and design, and clarified the article misleadingly and erroneously "acknowledges" <keyword id="19918794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICMR" source="keywords">ICMR</keyword>. Dr Bahl said the study had no control arm of unvaccinated individuals for comparing the rates of events between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Hence, the reported events in the study cannot be linked or attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. He added that the ICMR is not associated with the study and has not provided any financial or technical support for the research. The ICMR DG has written a letter to the authors of the paper and Editor of the journal to immediately remove the acknowledgement to ICMR and publish an erratum. A research paper, titled 'Long-Term Safety Analysis of the BBVl52 <keyword id="21730391" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-vaccine" source="keywords">Coronavirus Vaccine</keyword> in Adolescents and Adults: Findings from a l-Year Prospective Study in North India' stated that nearly one-third of the 926 participants in the study who received Bharat Biotech's anti-Covid vaccine Covaxin reported 'adverse events of special interest,' or AESI. Dr Bahl said that ICMR was acknowledged for research support without any prior approval of or intimation to ICMR, which is inappropriate and unacceptable. He stated that ICMR cannot be associated with this poorly designed study which purports to present a "safety analysis" of Covaxin due to several critical flaws. He said the study does not even provide background rates of observed events in the population, making it impossible to assess the change in incidence of observed events in the post-vaccination period. Baseline information of study participants is missing. The study tool used is inconsistent with 'Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESI)' as defined in the reference provided in the paper for AESI. The method of data collection has a high risk of bias, he said. Study participants were contacted telephonically one year after vaccination and their responses were recorded without any confirmation with clinical records or by physician examination, he pointed out. Dr Bahl also noted that similar acknowledgements to ICMR have been made in previous papers without permission, raising concerns about the authors' practices. "The authors have been urged to immediately rectify the acknowledgment to ICMR and publish an erratum. Additionally, they are asked to address the methodological concerns raised. Failure to do so may prompt ICMR to consider legal and administrative action," he said. The Editor has been asked to retract the paper which implicitly makes conclusions on <keyword id="21495684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine-safety" source="keywords">vaccine safety</keyword> which are not supported by evidence. The study, conducted by researchers from the Banaras Hindu University from January 2022 to August 2023, stated that nearly 50 per cent of 926 study participants in the study complained of infections during the follow-up period, predominated by viral upper respiratory tract infections. Serious AESI, which included stroke and Guillain-Barre syndrome, were reported in one per cent of individuals, the study, which looked at long-term safety of the BBV152 (Covaxin) vaccine in adolescents and adults, claimed. The study involved 635 adolescents and 291 adults, who received the BBV152 vaccine.

BHU study on Covaxin side effects poorly designed, critically flawed: ICMR Director General

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some Americans have seen success when negotiating for a lower medical bills.</li><li>Medical billing offices might be willing to offer a discount to collect an immediate payment.</li></ul>For the last two years, Erin Duffy has studied a little-known strategy some people use to save money: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/itemized-bill">negotiating </a>their medical bills.Initially, she just had anecdotal evidence of this strategy in action, Duffy, a research scientist at the University of Southern California who specializes in health policy and economics, told Business Insider.One of her more recent anecdotes came from a colleague who received a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-save-money-on-medical-bills-insurance-tips-2024-4">medical bill</a> they thought was "wildly high." The person said they called the billing office and were immediately given three options.Option No. 1 was to apply for financial aid if they were low-income, but they didn't qualify. Option No. 2 was to set up a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/personal-loans/medical-loans">payment plan</a>, which would spread out the cost over time but not reduce the amount. Option No. 3 was more to their liking: If they paid that day over the phone with a debit or credit card, then they'd get a discount."They paid less than half of the original bill amount, just because they were paying right away over the phone," Duffy said, adding that this is sometimes called a "prompt pay."While Duffy was intrigued by these stories, she said she found little research on the experiences of people who tried to reduce their medical bills. So, two years ago, she started creating a survey to help fill that void.Americans are no strangers to negotiation. Every year, people negotiate their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-money-to-ask-for-in-a-salary-negotiation-2015-5">salaries</a> and how much they pay for things like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-i-negotiated-my-cable-bill-2015-7">cable</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-you-can-negotiate-to-save-money-2018-7">internet</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-to-lower-your-bills-script-to-negotiate-2019-6">cellphone</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/useful-tips-that-will-help-you-negotiate-better-car-insurance-prices-1001903253">car insurance</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-negotiate-lower-rent-tight-rental-market-2024-4">rent</a> bills. But when it comes to medical bills, many people just accept the cost, despite the fact that Americans collectively have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inaccurate-medical-bills-trap-americans-doom-loop-credit-reports-cfpb-2022-3">billions</a> of dollars in medical debt and spend <a target="_blank" href="https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/health-spending.html">more</a> on healthcare than any other developed country.Duffy's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://mann.usc.edu/news/its-worth-challenging-that-troubling-medical-bill-study-finds/">survey</a> through USC, which was published in August, asked more than 1,000 US adults last year whether they'd recently received a "problematic" medical bill that they thought they couldn't afford, was unfairly high, or contained a mistake. The USC survey found that less than two-thirds of people who received a problematic medical bill decided to challenge it.However, healthcare experts told BI that trying to negotiate medical bills — while far from a guaranteed strategy — is worth a shot.Among the survey respondents who reached out to a billing office about an unaffordable bill, 49% said they received some form of price relief — including financial aid, bill cancellation, or a price drop. The survey also found that 62% of respondents who contacted the billing office to try to negotiate a lower bill — whether because they couldn't afford or it because they thought the bill was unfairly high — were able to get the cost dropped."We don't normally think about medical bills as something that you can negotiate, but it seems that sometimes you can," Duffy said.To be sure, most people Duffy surveyed didn't have an issue with their bills — and many of those with an issue didn't bother challenging the bills. Therefore, the sample size of people who contacted a billing office and pushed for a lower cost was small: Duffy said much more research is needed before any larger conclusions can be drawn.However, the survey's findings aligned with what Duffy and other <a target="_blank" href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-do-if-i-cant-pay-a-medical-bill-en-2125/">healthcare</a> industry experts have been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2023/03/24/1165953653/medical-bills-debt-negotiation-forgiveness">hearing</a> for years. If you're persistent and a bit lucky, you might be able to negotiate a lower <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/how-to-get-financial-help-for-expensive-medical-bills-1030237702?miRedirects=1">medical bill</a>.<h2 id="54b411b8-d1b7-43fc-b72f-878e053b5ad7">"It's always worth it to ask"</h2>Patricia Kelmar, senior director of healthcare campaigns for the consumer advocacy organization PIRG, regularly hears from Americans about their frustrations with healthcare costs. She said that trying to negotiate a medical bill sometimes pays off."Based on the dozens of conversations I have with patients who reach out to us with their medical bill problems, I know that negotiating prices works," Kelmar told Business Insider, adding, "People do get discounts just by asking to pay less."Kelmar recalled an anecdote from a colleague who called a billing office two years ago after they received a medical bill that they thought would be challenging to pay off. The billing office came back with a proposal."They said, 'We have a sale today,' and they gave him like 20% off his bill," Kelmar said, which amounted to a couple hundred dollars.Offering people a discount could sometimes be in the best interest of billing offices. Their objective is to get people to pay their medical bills, but many people — whether it be for financial reasons or otherwise — don't pay them in a timely manner. As of June 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-finds-15-million-americans-have-medical-bills-on-their-credit-reports/#:~:text=As%20of%20June%202023%2C%20about,from%2014%25%20in%20March%202022.">about 5%</a> of Americans, about 15 million people, had unpaid medical bills."I suspect that billing offices are willing to offer you a discount if you pay on the spot in person or on the phone because it's so hard for them to collect patient payments," Duffy said.Healthcare centers rely on more predictable insurance payouts, rather than patients' payments, to support their finances. However, some are beginning to demand patients <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-hospitals-corporations-charge-upfront-surgery-healthcare-2024-5">pay in advance</a> before performing certain procedures.In the years ahead, Kelmar said increasing consolidation in the healthcare sector could reduce the amount of "individual decision-making" in medical billing offices, potentially making them less likely to dole out discounts. But for now, she said encouraging people to try to negotiate their medical bills is still worthwhile."Patients should have the confidence to ask for a lower price because we know that some people are getting a lower bill," she said, adding "It's always worth it to ask."<h2 id="bdbb4acb-3620-436e-97fd-35f52002bb30">How to negotiate a medical bill</h2>Before anyone tries to negotiate a medical bill, Kelmar said they should do everything they can to ensure it's accurate. This includes asking for itemized bills and appealing denied insurance claims."People should realize that AI is doing a lot of the denials and appealing gets human eyeballs on that denial," she said.Next, Kelmar said people should check if they qualify for financial assistance through a hospital policy or government program like Medicaid."That might actually eliminate your bill or give you a big discount," she said.If this doesn't work, it might be worth trying to ask for a lower cost. Medical bills from healthcare providers tend to include a phone number for the billing office."They should just say, 'I can pay this much today or by the end of the month — do you want me to pay that and forgive the rest?'" Kelmar said.Kelmar said a billing office might be willing to reduce the bill if you put the payment on your credit card that day. She said this option could work for some people, but it's worth being cautious. That's because medical debt is subject to certain consumer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thirdway.org/memo/states-lift-the-weight-of-medical-debt-from-american-families#:~:text=Effective%20in%20March%202024%2C%20a,of%20a%20patient's%20monthly%20income.">protections</a> that could be lost if one pays their medical bill with a credit card.If negotiating doesn't work, Kelmar said people should ask if they can be put on a payment plan to give them more time to pay their bills, adding that they should push for a low or no-interest plan.<h2 id="a9c47a33-7812-493d-a27c-a4da2286b12f">Why some people don't negotiate their medical bills</h2>Duffy and Kelmar have a few theories about why some people don't bother trying to negotiate their medical bills.First, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/big-corporations-unitedhealth-optum-cvs-walgreens-taking-over-healthcare-industry-2024-4">US healthcare system</a> is quite complicated, so it can be difficult for many people to understand their medical bills — much less have the confidence to challenge them. Some people might not be aware that challenging their medical bills is something they can even do or do not know how to go about it.Additionally, negotiating a bill sometimes requires more than a single call — Kelmar said it can be a time-consuming process that requires persistence. Finding the time and energy can be difficult, particularly for people who are still recovering from a medical surgery or treatment.Lastly, it could come down to one's personality. Duffy said her survey found that people who are more extroverted — according to a standardized personality assessment — were more likely to challenge a problematic medical bill.Kelmar wishes US healthcare costs were lower so fewer people would be stuck with steep medical bills, but until things change, she recommends people continue to advocate strongly for themselves."Be confident in asking for what you need and you may very well see your bill go down," Kelmar said. "This isn't a great system. We need to fix it."

Medical bills are more negotiable than you think

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russia enacted a new decree on Wednesday that limits payouts for injured soldiers based on their wounds.</li><li>Soldiers with less severe wounds now have their $30,000 payout knocked down to $10,000, or even $1,000.</li></ul>The Kremlin introduced new restrictions on Wednesday to medical payouts for Russia's wounded troops, swiftly enacting a decree that allows only those with severe injuries to receive a promised $30,000.Previously, Russia had pledged at the start of its war on Ukraine that those wounded in the fighting were to <a target="_blank" class="" href="http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/67903">each be given</a> a one-time payout of 3 million rubles, or about $30,000.But Russian leader Vladimir Putin's <a target="_blank" class="" href="http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202411130002">new instruction</a> on Wednesday reduces that payout to $10,000 for less severe injuries and $1,000 for other cases.The decree was approved by Russia's prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, who leads the country's parliament, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="http://government.ru/news/53298/">put into law</a> at 4 p.m. on the same day.By the Kremlin's new guidelines, soldiers will only receive the full $30,000 if they suffer "Section I" injuries, or those that endanger their life or health or may cause significant damage to their organs.These include severe spinal injuries, brain damage, rupturing of genitalia, rib fractures, broken limbs, or damage to organs such as the lungs or kidneys.Less severe injuries that qualify a soldier for $10,000 are listed under "Section II." These are deemed temporary wounds such as minor fractures, concussions, first- and second-degree burns to the eyes, ankle fractures, and gunshot wounds that don't affect organs.Russia still holds to a law signed by Putin in March 2022 that entitles those who die in the war to about 7.4 million rubles, or $75,000, as well as 5 million rubles, or $50,000, to their families.Those wounded and deemed "unfit for duty" are also entitled to another 2.96 million rubles on top of their injury payout.The new decision comes about a week after Russian media reported that authorities had been discussing revising injury compensation.Anna Tsivileva, a Russian deputy defense minister, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.rbc.ru/politics/05/11/2024/672a11d59a794786953f7d8d">told reporters on November 5</a> that doctors and hospitals had said the payouts didn't account for the severity of soldiers' injuries.Meanwhile, mounting casualties from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-hoped-force-russia-pick-between-2-fronts-chose-both-2024-11">Russia's grinding advance in Ukraine's east</a> have likely ballooned the cost of the payouts to the wounded and the families of those killed. The UK estimated that as many as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-suffered-1500-average-casualties-a-day-october-uk-official-2024-11">1,500 Russian soldiers</a> were killed or wounded on average for every day of October.In July, two Western-based researchers estimated that Russia would have to spend about <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russias-payouts-war-casualties-takes-6-percent-annual-budget-researchers-2024-7">2.3 trillion rubles</a>, now worth about $23 billion, in payouts for the dead and wounded. That was about 6% of the country's entire budget for 2024.The Kremlin's press service did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Wounded Russian troops had their medical payouts cut back in one swift move from the Kremlin

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A tech recruiting firm left the personal information of roughly 216,000 people exposed, a researcher said.</li><li>The information included partial Social Security numbers, email addresses, and visa statuses.</li></ul>An IT researcher found that the unsecured files from a tech recruiter's database included personally identifying information of an estimated 216,000 job seekers — including data like names, phone numbers, passport numbers, visa information, and partial Social Security numbers. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cvs-database-of-1-billion-data-points-inadvertently-leaked-2021-6">Jeremiah Fowler</a>, the security researcher who co-founded the consulting firm Security Discovery, said he didn't know how long the data had been exposed but told Business Insider that the database was soon locked once he contacted the recruiter in September. He said New Jersey-based <keyword id="23993132" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alltech-Consulting-Services" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Alltech Consulting Services" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Alltech Consulting Services">Alltech Consulting Services</keyword> never responded to his notices. Fowler on Monday published his <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.websiteplanet.com/news/alltechconsultinginc-breach-report/">security report</a> indicating that Alltech left its database of job candidate information unsecured without a password. That left the personal identifying information of about 216,000 tech job candidates exposed. Because the door was essentially left unlocked, someone trying to steal identities wouldn't have needed to hack into Alltech's database — or even search that hard — to find the information, Fowler said. Alltech says on its website that "more than 1,000 companies" rely on its services to connect them with tech professionals. Business Insider hasn't been able to verify this independently. BI also contacted the company by calling its main phone number, sending direct LinkedIn messages to its executives, and emailing its main email address. When contacted through its public email and phone number, Alltech didn't respond to requests for comment from BI. Two Alltech executives, listed as the company's owner and vice president on LinkedIn, told Business Insider in direct messages they weren't aware of anyunsecured data or a breach. Fowler said the data exposed included email addresses, passport numbers, the last four digits of SSNs, and information on work visas. "The records also contained internal notes about their experience, qualifications, and type of job they are looking for," Fowler said. Business Insider has reviewed the message Fowler sent to three Alltech email addresses on September 10 disclosing the unprotected data. Fowler has previously flagged <keyword id="19906883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cybersecurity" source="keywords">cybersecurity</keyword> issues with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51682280">Wi-Fi provider</a> at UK rail stations, a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wired.com/story/us-school-shooter-emergency-plans-leak/">software</a> company used by more than 5,000 US school districts, and a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wired.com/story/confidant-health-therapy-records-database-exposure/">virtual medical</a> provider, among others. Justin Miller, an ex-Secret Service agent and associate professor of practice of cyber studies at the University of Tulsa, told Business Insider that leaving a database unprotected by a password or any encryption means "anybody could potentially access the database." It's unclear, though, if any other unauthorized parties accessed the Alltech data. Miller and Fowler said that the type of information left exposed by the database, including the last four digits of a Social Security number, could allow a cybercriminal to impersonate a person. "You're looking toward identify theft," Miller said. "Details like names, work history, your visa status, passport numbers, even parts of your Social Security number, allow for bad actors to piece together enough information to steal identities and create fraudulent profiles." Fowler added that incidents like Alltech's — and others he investigates — highlight how important it is for companies to protect their data. "It also serves as a wake-up call to the industry to review their data security practices and identify vulnerabilities to protect their internal systems and the personal information of the individuals they serve," Fowler said. Alltech's website says it was founded in 1998. It's unclear why Alltech collected job seekers' Social Security or passport information. Fowler said job candidates should be "skeptical" of recruiters who ask for personal information as a condition of applying for a job. Have a tip? Contact the reporters at lloydlee@businessinsider.com and ktangalakislippert@businessinsider.com

Nearly 216,000 job seekers had their personal data left unsecured on a tech recruiter's database, a security researcher says

A team of researchers has uncovered an array of <keyword id="20447061" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="medicinal-plants" source="keywords">medicinal plants</keyword> at <keyword id="22748801" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Brahmayoni-Hill" source="keywords">Brahmayoni Hill</keyword> in <keyword id="27908" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gaya" source="Orion">Gaya</keyword>, <keyword id="30033" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar" source="Orion">Bihar</keyword>, with Gymnema sylvestre (commonly known as <keyword id="22748802" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gurmar" source="keywords">Gurmar</keyword>) one of the notable findings of a study published in the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT). The country's premier research agency, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has already utilised this medicinal herb in developing the anti-diabetic drug BGR-34, the researchers noted. Gurmar is known for its unique ability to reduce blood sugar levels due to the presence of gymnemic acid, which works by occupying receptor sites in the outer lining of the intestine, thereby curbing cravings for sweetness. As a result, the intestine absorbs fewer sugar molecules, which results in low blood sugar levels. In addition, the plant contains flavonoids and saponins, which help regulate lipid metabolism. Flavonoids have antioxidant properties, while saponins help lower cholesterol levels, said the Professors from Magadh University, in the study published in the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT). Gurmar is one of the three medicinal plants found on the Brahmayoni Hill, a treasure trove for natural remedies on which traditional healers have been relying for diverse medicinal herbs for centuries. Gurmar, or Gymnema sylvestre, is particularly known for its anti-diabetic properties. Also, the researchers noted that the "Gurmar plant recently came to light as one of the important ingredient of the medicine BGR-34 which was developed by the CSIR and is marketed by Aimil Pharma as an anti-diabetic ayurvedic formulation. " In 2022, a study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, also validated that the herbal formulation BGR-34 is effective in reducing obesity along with blood sugar levels. It also improves the body's metabolic system. Dr Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director of Aimil Pharma, said that BGR-34 in addition to Gurmar includes phyto-ingredients such as Daruharidra, Giloy, Vijaysar, Manjishtha, and Fenugreek to manage <keyword id="6359018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diabetes" source="Orion">diabetes</keyword>. He added that herbal-based Ayurvedic medicines are seeing a surge in popularity, driven by the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases linked to lifestyle changes and an increasing focus on preventive health. Researchers also noted in their study 'Ethnobotanical research on certain therapeutic plants found on Gaya's Brahmayoni Hill' that, like BGR-34, the first <keyword id="20037810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diabetes-drug" source="keywords">diabetes drug</keyword> Metformin was also derived from a medicinal plant, Galega. Therefore, they have called for more in-depth research on Gymnema i.e. Gurmar to provide the new generation with another effective therapeutic option. Researchers stressed involving local populations in the cultivation of the most regularly used medicinal herbs found on the hill to prevent their extinction. This collaborative approach would ensure the sustainability and availability of these valuable medicinal resources for future generations, they said.

Researchers discover anti-diabetic herb on Brahmayoni Hill in Gaya, Bihar

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Weight-loss injections may slow down the biological aging process, researchers have said.</li><li>Studies found that semaglutide reduced inflammation regardless of whether users lost weight, The Times of London reported.</li></ul>The viral <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ozempic-healthcare-weight-loss-stocks-investment-opportunity-wegovy-pharmaceutical-industry-2024-8">weight-loss drug</a> semaglutide, which is available under the commercial names <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/ozempic">Ozempic</a> and Wegovy, may help slow down the biological aging process, researchers have said.A number of studies presented on Friday at the European Society of Cardiology conference found that the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weight-loss-drugs-ozempic-cost-more-in-america-than-uk-2023-5">pricey drug</a>, which was initially marketed as a diabetes treatment, reduced inflammation regardless of whether users lost weight, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/ozempic-weight-loss-drug-fix-heart-problems-7tzlbfrp9">The Times of London</a> reported.According to the report, Harlan Krumholz, a professor of medicine at Yale University who edits the Journal of the American College of Cardiology where the studies were published, said that the drug was "somehow quieting inflammation," adding that the benefit was "broad… there's not a group that doesn't seem to be benefiting.""Is it a fountain of youth… I would say if you're improving someone's cardiometabolic health substantially, then you are putting them in a position to live longer and better," he continued."It's not just avoiding heart attacks. These are health promoters. It wouldn't surprise me that improving people's health this way actually slows down the ageing process," he added.Experts also suggested that the drug could be used to treat a number of conditions linked to inflammation, including cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, per The Times of London.The studies were part of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.novonordisk.com/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=166301">Select trial</a> that tracked 17,604 adults aged 45 years or older for up to five years as they were given a once-weekly injection of 2.4 mg of semaglutide or a placebo.The participants were overweight or obese and had cardiovascular disease but no history of diabetes.Researchers found that those who took the drug died at a lower rate from all causes, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce81j919gdjo">BBC</a> reported.Danish company Novo Nordisk, the maker of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-faster-growth-ozempic-glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-2024-2">Ozempic and Wegovy</a>, had already announced headline results from the study in August last year, saying that semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 20% in overweight or obese adults in the trial.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/semaglutide-wegovy-ozempic-weight-loss-healthcare-airlines-economy-productivity-2023-11">Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic</a>. It functions by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone produced by the gut that helps balance blood sugar and that makes you feel full.Weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic come with a risk of severe <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ozempic-wegovy-semaglutide-weight-loss-drug-side-effects-pooping-pants-2023-5">side effects</a>, including vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.Some physicians have warned against buying and taking such drugs without medical supervision.Vicky Price, an acute physician and president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, previously said that some of the more dangerous potential side effects of weight-loss drugs bought online included "serious, life-threatening complications" such as "inflammation of the pancreas gland and alterations in blood salt levels," per <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/young-women-buying-ozempic-beach-body-ready-end-up-a-and-e-9rjjrpghn">The Times of London</a>.Stephen Powis, the National Health Service (NHS) England medical director, also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-doctor-warns-against-taking-ozempic-get-beach-body-ready-2024-6">warned people against using such drugs</a> as a "quick fix" to get "beach body ready.""We know these new drugs will be a powerful part of our arsenal dealing with obesity, but they should not be abused. Buying medication online without a doctor's supervision can lead to complications and dangerous consequences," he said in June.

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic could help slow biological aging, researchers say     

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Researchers at MIT say it's possible to train AI to be a reliable financial advisor.</li><li>But it would need to be able to understand emotions to build trust with users.</li></ul>Arynton Hardy, a wealth manager in Los Angeles, uses artificial intelligence daily."Almost every single meeting I have with a client, I utilize an AI summarizer that gives me notes, gives me follow-ups, gives me to-dos," Hardy said. His employer, Savvy Wealth, is a tech startup focused on providing AI innovations to its growing roster of financial advisors and high-net-worth clients.Hardy said AI tools regularly save his team hours on data entry, portfolio monitoring, and other back-office tasks, giving him more time to meet with clients.He's not alone: A report that the data-analytics firm Escalent shared with Business Insider said that nearly 40% of financial advisors used generative-AI tools on the job, primarily to boost productivity, generate content, and market to or prospect new clients.<div type="image" title="Arynton Hardy smiling and wearing a sweater in a headshot" height="1627" width="1627" msid="112934769" hostid="261" sizebytes="137514"></div>Soon generative AI may have the power to fulfill a financial advisor's most important role: giving people trustworthy money advice.While the uptake of ChatGPT and other large language models has been swift across industries including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-fashion-trends-artificial-intelligence-style-brands-2024-2">fashion</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-artificial-intelligence-is-used-in-marketing-strategy-2024-5">marketing</a>, financial services have hit regulatory roadblocks.But MIT researchers believe there's a clear path to training AI models as subject-matter experts that ethically tailor financial advice to an individual's circumstances. Instead of responding to "How should I invest?" with generic advice and a push to seek professional help, an AI chatbot could become the financial advisor itself."We're on our way to that Holy Grail," said Andrew Lo, a professor of finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management and the director of the Laboratory for Financial Engineering. "We think we're about two or three years away before we can demonstrate a piece of software that by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/interp/2019/ia-5248.pdf">SEC regulatory guidelines</a> will satisfy fiduciary duty."<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/fiduciary-duty">Fiduciary duty</a> refers to the set of legal responsibilities that implore financial and investment advisors to act with the highest degree of care when handling a client's money. It's the gold standard in financial planning, and it has so far proved difficult to replicate in direct-to-consumer AI tools.<h2 id="5d8112e5-10b2-4f20-a2df-7a2a0f133e79">AI is 'inherently sociopathic'</h2>Financial advisors often develop client recommendations through a behavioral-finance lens, as research suggests that people don't always make rational or unbiased financial decisions but are error-prone and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9701716/">emotionally driven</a>.An average investor, for instance, might panic when the stock market plummets and decide to sell their stake in a mutual fund rather than wait for the market to recover, as it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mfs.com/content/dam/mfs-enterprise/mfscom/sales-tools/sales-ideas/mfse_resdwn_fly.pdf">almost always does</a>.Knee-jerk reactions like this can often be avoided or corrected under the guidance of a skilled financial advisor whom the investor trusts. Lo said that trust can be developed in part through empathy and small talk.<div type="image" title="Andrew Lo smiles and wears a suit and tie." height="3600" width="2400" msid="112934772" hostid="261" sizebytes="1371890"></div>"When you start talking to somebody, almost immediately you develop feelings for that person," Lo said. "That's the kind of process that needs to happen with large language models. We need to develop an ability to interact with humans not just on an intellectual level but on an emotional one."But the glaring problem with publicly available AI tools is that they're "inherently sociopathic," Lo and his coauthor wrote in a <a target="_blank" href="https://mit-genai.pubpub.org/pub/l89uu140/release/2?readingCollection=9410b119">research report</a> exploring the challenges of widespread adoption of AI-powered financial advice."This sociopathy seems to cause the characteristic glibness of LLM output; an LLM can easily argue both sides of an argument because neither side has weight to it," they wrote. It may be able to role-play as a financial advisor by relying on its training data, but the AI needs to have a deeper understanding of a client's state of mind to build trust.One way to accomplish this is by requiring the machine to ask the user simple questions, starting with "How are you doing?" before dispensing personalized financial advice.In addition to analyzing the text, advanced AI may be able to solicit audio or video from the user to identify emotional cues, such as stress or fear, in their voice or facial expressions, Lo said. Think of it like a doctor displaying the kind of bedside manner that's lauded in the medical field."Trust is not something that will automatically be given to a generative AI," Lo told BI. "It has to be earned."<h2 id="6024e1f3-af39-4bc5-afb1-38a8e88d6d56">Planning for optimization</h2>Conquest Planning, a Canadian startup, has developed financial-planning software that uses an AI architecture known as a blackboard system.Ken Lotocki, its chief product officer, said the "blackboard" stores essential information about tax rules, cash-flow mechanics, retirement-account structures, fiduciary rules, and more.Clients input their personal and financial data so the system can learn their preferences, parameters, and goals. Using this information, Lotocki said, the system "looks at all of the permutations and options that are available" and then recommends a course of action.<div type="image" title="Ken Lotocki smiles wearing a suit jacket over a button-up." height="2307" width="2753" msid="112934783" hostid="261" sizebytes="425492"></div>Advisors can toggle between a list of strategies to measure the effects of various decisions on the client's estate and goals, such as claiming retirement benefits at different ages.Mark McGrath, a financial planner and portfolio manager at PWL Capital in Canada, said the software saved him time and provided clients with better financial plans than he could create manually."I've been doing this for a long time — I assure you, no financial planner is going into that level of depth and spending that amount of time on optimization," McGrath said. "That means clients are not always provided with an optimal financial plan."He added, "The analogy I've used in the past is that with Conquest, I'm driving a professionally tuned Ferrari, while my competition is getting around on a pair of roller skates."<div type="image" title="Mark McGrath, smiles and wears a suit jacket in a headshot." height="997" width="1773" msid="112934768" hostid="261" sizebytes="35334"></div>Lotocki estimated that Conquest's software is used by 50% to 60% of the financial-advisor market in Canada through partnerships with banks and independent advisory firms. The software is available in the US on Pershing X's wealth-management platform, Wove.While it's sophisticated, the software isn't a direct-to-consumer solution. Lotocki and his associates hope to help make financial-advisory AI accessible to people across the wealth spectrum, perhaps free of charge.<h2 id="61f3b55e-3add-4e2c-8185-2d69885e320d">Financial planning 3.0</h2>Many financial advisors are eager to use generative AI as an assistant, but few are ready for it to replace them.Lo said he believes that a world in which people rely on AI advisors rather than human advisors is within view. But he said a smooth transition would require retraining advisors for new careers, possibly with government support."What I worry about, and what I think policymakers need to be really focused on, is if a large body of human employees become displaced in a very short period of time. That could cause tremendous social unrest and dislocation," Lo said. "So the speed of the displacement is something we need to pay attention to."

MIT researchers say that AI is 'inherently sociopathic' — but that it can be trained to give ethical financial advice

It’s not every day that a beloved doll-turned-movie star leaves an audience with questions that have them Googling <keyword id="20071779" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="medical-specialists" source="keywords">medical specialists</keyword>. But that’s exactly what happened after the <keyword id="20068788" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Barbie-movie" source="keywords">Barbie movie</keyword> hit theatres. Let’s dive into the curious case of why Barbie, of all things, sent the internet into a frenzy of <keyword id="22061992" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gynaecologist" source="keywords">gynaecologist</keyword> searches. But be warned, there might be some mild spoilers ahead. It all started with a cheeky line delivered right at the end of the Barbie <keyword id="6356021" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="movie" source="Orion">movie</keyword>. The film, which had already packed a punch with its social commentary and humour, closed on a note that caught everyone off guard. As Barbie herself stepped into a real-world scenario, the movie’s creators dropped a final joke: Barbie, with her classic pink flair and forever-young appearance, was off to see a gynaecologist. Cue the laughter, a few raised eyebrows, and then — wait, what? That was it. No more context, just the credits rolling and audiences left in a state of amused confusion. <h2>Spike in gynaecology-related searches</h2>That single line sparked a curious chain reaction. Within days of the movie’s release, Google saw a noticeable spike in searches for the term "gynaecologist." According to data from <keyword id="20126148" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Trends" source="keywords">Google Trends</keyword>, searches for "gynaecologist" and related queries such as "what does a gynaecologist do?" spiked by over 500% globally in the week following the film’s release. This surge was particularly notable in regions where the Barbie movie saw the most viewership, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. In the United States, the spike in searches was particularly dramatic, with a 400% increase in searches for "first time gynaecologist visit." In the United Kingdom and Australia, similar spikes were recorded. Notably, the search for "first time gynaecologist visit" saw a significant increase, suggesting that the film may have prompted people to consider aspects of their health they had previously overlooked. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112474200" title="Susan Wojcicki, YouTube CEO, died at 56 from a type of lung cancer that is often diagnosed late" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Interestingly, the spike in searches wasn’t just limited to general terms. Specific queries like "importance of regular gynaecologist visits" and "why women should see a gynaecologist" also saw significant increases. The movie had, in its quirky and comedic way, made the topic of women’s health more accessible and less taboo. <h2>Social and actual realities</h2>For many, the joke was a nudge toward an overlooked truth: Barbie, despite being an icon for decades, never had the anatomy to warrant a trip to a gynaecologist. This paradox was both hilarious and thought-provoking, prompting viewers to question their understanding of the doll’s physicality and, by extension, what it means to grow up with certain expectations about bodies and adulthood. Despite the noticeable spike in <keyword id="22539296" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-searches" source="keywords">online searches</keyword> for gynaecology-related information however, translating this curiosity into real-life healthcare actions appears more nuanced. According to insights from a study that examined these trends, while the movie successfully sparked interest and raised awareness about gynaecological health, there isn't conclusive evidence that this surge in searches led to an increase in actual appointments or visits to gynaecologists. The study’s authors noted that their research didn't track whether people who Googled these terms ultimately followed up with healthcare providers. Additionally, trends in other related search terms suggest that while many viewers were interested in learning more, this didn't necessarily translate into scheduling appointments or seeking medical consultations. This highlights a common phenomenon where increased awareness or interest, especially prompted by media, doesn't always result in immediate real-world actions. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112410033" title="&amp;#39;It Ends With Us&amp;#39; screenwriter on why Blake Lively&amp;#39;s character&amp;#39;s obsession with Ellen DeGeneres is left out of the movie" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, the real-life healthcare effect of the Barbie movie might still be unfolding. Even if immediate actions weren't taken, the film may have planted a seed of awareness that could influence future decisions. Sometimes, it takes repeated exposure to a health-related topic before individuals take concrete steps, and Barbie's joke might be just one of many influences that eventually lead people to prioritise their gynaecological health. But it is certainly irrefutable that the Barbie movie did more than entertain — it got people thinking, talking, and, yes, Googling. It’s not every day that a <keyword id="22805725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cultural-icon" source="keywords">cultural icon</keyword> sparks a public health discussion, but leave it to Barbie to do just that, all with a smile and a wink. The findings of this research have been published in JAMA Network Open and can be accessed <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2821491">here</a>.

Why did the Barbie movie make the internet start searching for gynaecologists?

It's a familiar experience: You wake up feeling a little off with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/covid-summer-surge-relaxed-precautions-masking-vaccines-doctors-2024-7">a slight headache and some sniffles</a>. Or maybe you started on a new medicine, and you've noticed a small rash developing. Looking for some quick answers, you fire up your browser and waltz over to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/webmd-parent-company-defends-return-to-office-video-2024-1">WebMD</a>. This isn't always an advisable move, of course — you're better off consulting your doctor about health questions than you are a website and randos on the internet — but listen, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-googling-your-symptoms-isnt-bad-idea-according-study-2021-3">sometimes you just need a quick reassurance</a> that you're not falling apart. Regardless of what brought you there, if you do land in the comments section looking for some minor medical advice, here's one weird trick for getting decent insights: Look at what women are saying, and ignore the men. Seriously.A <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10591478241256644">recent study</a> on gender and drug recalls found that WebMD reviews from women were an early predictor of quality issues with drugs that later led to a product recall. When women have negative things to say about medications, that can wind up being a sign that something is amiss enough to eventually cause a drugmaker to act. What men say, on the other hand, isn't at all telling."We find that the more negative the drug review sentiment, the greater the hazard of a serious recall on that drug," the researchers wrote. "This relationship is completely explained by drug reviews written by females; reviews written by males have no explanatory power."George Ball, an associate professor of operations and decision technologies at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business who was one of the researchers behind the paper, put it more succinctly: "The male comments are completely meaningless."The researchers posit that the gender divide in online health advice is because <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-impact-of-apple-health-on-womens-health-startups-2022-11">women are generally more in tune</a> with their bodies and how a drug might affect them. They're more mindful of their health and have greater care for other people's health, too. They're more expressive in their communications, and they're <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/online-health-hims-young-men-prescriptions-doctors-shame-fears-2024-7">more comfortable sharing their experiences</a>, particularly on social media and elsewhere online. In their analysis, women tended to be more articulate and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-weight-loss-drugs-affect-couples-relationships-spouses-2023-12">detailed in their drug reviews and experience</a>, while men were vaguer. Guys would say something like, "Drug works good so far, I'll keep everyone updated." Sure, that may very well be their experience, but it doesn't really do much in terms of communicating the actual effects. Women, on the other hand, were more detailed, like in this example from the research: "My lymph nodes swelled in my armpits and under my ear on the left side. Headache for 4 days then went to urgent care and told to quit taking the med. I was shaky, extremely tired, and very emotional. So glad that is over. Unlikely I will try this one again. Was on it for 4 days." The review has it all: specific ailments, duration of the issues, and even an emotional bent."If you think about it, women tend to be a little bit more health-conscious and a little bit more aware of their experiences on how things affect them physically," said Kaitlin Wowak, an associate professor of business analytics at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business and one of the other researchers behind the project. "Men might just not write comments, or they might not be as explanatory about exactly how this affected me. Whereas women might say, it affected me as X, Y, and Z much more precisely in their comments. And men might just be saying things such as it didn't make me feel good, or I felt lethargic, or I felt bad after taking the drugs."This wasn't because men and women were having different experiences with the drugs. Doctors reported adverse events, such as hospitalization, disability, unexpected side effects, or death, to the Food and Drug Administration at similar rates for men and women. (Though women self-reported adverse events more than men.) That's important to note because drug development is often more focused on men, and women tend to be underrepresented in clinical trials. It could have been the case that women were just having a worse experience because the drugs hadn't been tested on them to the same extent as men. Given this reality, the researchers had to make sure they weren't just picking up that the drugs didn't work well on women. But that's not what was going on. It was really that women were just … better and clearer at communicating the problem with a drug."What female consumers are able to do is they're able to kind of sniff out, sometimes literally, something's not right here with this product," Ball said. Separate research he's done found <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gender-inequity-drug-industry-little-progress-on-diverse-female-ceos-2021-4">having women on boards of directors</a> resulted in swifter action on recalls, too. This isn't to say that all <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/3-reasons-negative-online-reviews-can-be-great-for-business-2023-2">online reviews</a> written by men are useless, but the way different genders communicate their experiences — and the trust others put in them — is different. One 2023 study looking at <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/yelp-listing-shaming-restaurants-businesses-paying-positive-suspicious-fake-reviews-2023-9">Yelp reviews</a> found that the persuasiveness of reviews by gender depended on product category. People saw reviews from women in areas such as arts and entertainment, nightlife, and home and garden as more pertinent, while they believed men more in areas like car-repair services."Women are more authentic. They write more-authentic reviews and more-emotional reviews," said Prashanth Ravula, an assistant professor of business administration at Morgan State University and one of the paper's authors. "When it comes to men, they write more analytical reviews compared to women."The irony is that many people who read online reviews may still be less likely to listen to the ones posted by women. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8777126/">Some research has found</a> it depends on what's being evaluated — reviews from women are perceived as less helpful on electronics and computers but more helpful in areas like clothing. <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=a06aec70a6ca37b8da5f4da22e97467ec8a86d9804e183b92718dcc9f41cfe49&amp;postID=66a7b2f1220fcb2243b580d8&amp;postSlug=women-men-medicine-drug-reviews-online-health-medical-advice-webmd-2024-7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41599-023-01504-5%23%3A~%3Atext%3DHowever%252C%2520there%2520was%2520no%2520significant%2Cproducts%2520typically%2520associated%2520with%2520women.">Other research</a>, however, suggests that even for areas stereotypically seen as being in women's realm, women's reviews aren't perceived as more valuable than men's.Even when maybe people should, you know, believe women, they don't. It's not the end of the world when they're looking at a review for a new TV or a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-restaurants-in-the-us-ranked-yelp-2024-2">local restaurant</a>, but for something that could affect their health, who the commentary is coming from might be extra valuable to keep in mind. If the anonymous lady on the internet says a product is making her sick, it's something to pay attention to. The anonymous guy, not so much.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/emily-stewart">Emily Stewart</a> is a senior correspondent at Business Insider, writing about business and the economy.

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