The Unlikely Buddha

The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report, released under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has ignited a firestorm of criticism from scientists, journalists, and public health experts.  What was intended as a landmark federal assessment of chronic disease in American children has instead become a case study in how not to conduct and present scientific research. **A Pattern of Misinformation** Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is already notorious for promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation, particularly regarding vaccines.  The MAHA report, commissioned by the Trump administration and released without clear authorship, follows this troubling pattern.  Despite claims of “radical transparency” and “gold-standard” science, the report’s credibility crumbled almost immediately upon review. **Fabricated Citations and Nonexistent Studies** Independent researchers and journalists quickly noticed that the MAHA report was ri...

In the evolving landscape of cancer therapy, a paradigm shift is underway—one that moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward treatments customized for each patient’s unique disease. At the heart of this revolution is the use of tumor DNA to guide decisions, design therapies, and, in some cases, even create individualized treatments. The Science Behind Tumor DNA Analysis Every cancer begins with genetic changes—mutations that drive uncontrolled cell growth. These mutations are as unique as fingerprints, varying from patient to patient and even within different parts of the same tumor. By extracting and sequencing DNA from tumor biopsies, scientists can map out the genetic landscape of a cancer, identifying the specific alterations that fuel its progression. Modern sequencing technologies allow researchers to sift through billions of DNA base pairs, pinpointing mutations, gene fusions, and other abnormalities. This genomic profile offers a roadmap for se...

For centuries, alchemists pursued the elusive goal of transmuting base metals into noble ones, most famously, turning lead into gold. This quest, rooted in both mysticism and early chemistry, was never realized with the tools available to the ancients. However, with the advent of modern particle physics and colossal machines like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), scientists have come closer than ever to realizing this dream—not by magic, but by harnessing the fundamental forces of nature. Lead and Gold: The Atomic Difference At the heart of the alchemist’s challenge lies the atomic structure of the elements. Lead (Pb) and gold (Au ) are distinguished by the number of protons in their nuclei. A stable lead atom contains 82 protons, while gold contains 79 protons . This difference of three protons is what separates these two metals at the most fundamental level. The ALICE Experiment at the LHC ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is one of the major detectors at t...

Consciousness —the experience of being, thinking, and feeling—remains one of the most profound mysteries of science and philosophy. For centuries, thinkers have wondered: What is consciousness? Where does it come from? And can it ever be fully explained? The Neuroscience of Consciousness In recent years, neuroscientists have tried to answer these questions by studying the brain. Two leading theories have dominated the discussion: - Integrated Information Theory (IIT): This theory suggests that consciousness arises when information is deeply interconnected within the brain, forming a unified whole. According to IIT, any system (not just brains) with enough "integrated information" could be conscious. - Global Neuronal Workspace Theory (GNWT): This idea argues that consciousness happens when information is broadcast widely across the brain, making it available to many different brain regions, especially the front (prefrontal cortex). Recently, a unique ...

Not in the clenched fist of certainty,   not in the bright, brittle coin of answers—   but in the open palm of seeking,   in the restless, reaching hands   that tremble with wonder,   truth stirs and awakens. Not in the silence of knowing,   but in the murmur of questions,   the midnight conversations with shadows,   the gentle undoing of old beliefs   like peeling back the petals of a dream. The real significance of truth   is not in its possession—   not in the cold, unyielding stone of fact—   but in the wild, luminous chase,   the wrestling with riddles in the dark,   the unmasking of masks we never knew we wore. To seek truth is to walk a winding path   where shadows shift and meanings shimmer,   where paradoxes bloom like night flowers,   opening only to those who dare to question,   who risk...

The deleterious effects on TikTok it's viewers. TikTok's algorithm has been criticized for potentially exposing viewers, especially young people, to harmful content that can negatively impact their mental health and well-being. Here are some key points: Promotion of Disturbing Content TikTok's personalized "For You" feed can inadvertently promote disturbing content related to self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, and other mental health issues to vulnerable users. The algorithm tends to serve more of the same type of content that a user engages with, potentially creating a harmful feedback loop. Normalization of Mental Health Struggles While TikTok allows users to share personal experiences, there are concerns that the platform may normalize or even glamorize mental health struggles, trauma, and harmful coping mechanisms like self-injury. This could lead to a distorted perception of these issues among impressionable viewers. Addictive Nature and Shortened At...

Serbia, a nation of 6.7 million in the heart of the Balkans, stands at a pivotal moment in its post-Yugoslav history. With a diverse population-predominantly Orthodox Serbs, but also significant Hungarian, Bosniak, Roma, and Albanian minorities-the country has long balanced East and West, tradition and modernity. Today, however, Serbia is defined by political turbulence, mass protest, and an increasingly authoritarian government. Aleksandar Vučić: From Populist to Strongman Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia’s president, has dominated the country’s political landscape for over a decade. His Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) controls parliament, the media, and key state institutions. Once seen as a pragmatic reformer, Vučić has consolidated power through a blend of populism, patronage, and centralized authority. He presents himself as the sole guarantor of stability, but critics accuse him of eroding democratic norms, suppressing dissent, and using state resources to entrench hi...