OCA

Dec 11 2024POLITICS

Vote Day Tomorrow: What's on the Ballot?

Hey, everyone! Tomorrow is election day for the December ballot. There's a lot to vote on, so let's break it down. In East Baton Rouge, there's a big deal about a 2% sales tax. It's not new, but it might move from the parish to the City of St. George. That could mean about $50 million for city serv

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Dec 10 2024HEALTH

Understanding FCD Lesions in the Brain: A Closer Look

Scientists set out on a mission to classify lesions known as focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in the insulo-opercular region of the brain. This brain area, located deep within the brain structure, can be tricky. The study's goal was to map the exact spots and extents of these FCD lesions and understan

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Dec 10 2024HEALTH

A New Approach to Detecting Alopecia Areata Without a Scalpel

Have you ever heard of alopecia areata incognita? It's a tricky type of hair loss that mostly affects women between 20 and 40. The tough part? It looks like other hair loss conditions, making it easy to mix up. Doctors often have to rely on their clinical instincts, trichoscopy (using a special micr

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Dec 08 2024POLITICS

Weekly Wrap-Up: Big News and New Faces in Chicago

Phew! December is here, and it's been quite the week in the news. Let's start with the big one: President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, who was in some hot water with the law. Despite promising not to use his presidential powers in his son's criminal cases, Biden went ahead and did it anyway.

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Dec 07 2024HEALTH

Esophageal Cancer Spreading to the Brain: A Rare and Serious Complication

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that can sometimes spread to the brain, leading to a condition called leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. This isn't very common, but it's really serious when it happens. Doctors usually find it using MRI scans and by testing the fluid around the brain and sp

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Dec 04 2024POLITICS

Cannabis Groups Pressure New York Governor for Industry-Savvy Leaders

Eighteen cannabis industry groups in New York are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to bring in new leadership for the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). They feel the current regulators haven't been effective in running the state's cannabis market. The groups, including the NAACP and Drug Policy Allia

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Dec 02 2024ENTERTAINMENT

Sci-Fi Show Changes Up Apocalyptic Story

Ever seen a show that looks like it's from the same world as something else, but it's totally different? That's what's happening with this new sci-fi series. It's based on a book that inspired The Stand by Stephen King, but don't expect it to be like that. King's The Stand is a big deal, with two TV

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Dec 01 2024HEALTH

Helping Stroke Survivors Get Back to Work: A Comparison Study

Stroke survivors often struggle to return to work, with only about half managing to do so. But how can we best support them? A recent study compared early vocational rehabilitation with the usual care to see what works better. Vocational rehabilitation encourages stroke survivors to start thinking

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Nov 30 2024HEALTH

Cancer's Global Impact: The Long View

Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death worldwide. Understanding its incidence, death rates, and how it affects people's lives is crucial for better prevention and healthcare planning. A recent study explored the cancer burden and risks across 204 countries and territories over a 41-year s

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Nov 28 2024SCIENCE

Coastal Spider Lily: Hidden Power in its Petals

Hymenocallis littoralis, known as the Coastal Spider Lily, is a beautiful plant from the Amaryllidaceae family. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Scientists have recently discovered some amazing things about this plant. They found five new chromones, a new benzopyran, and

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