AI can tailor dietary advice to your unique genetics, lifestyle, and health—making nutrition more precise than ever. A new review explores how AI could transform personalized nutrition, its potential to improve health, and the challenges ahead. #AI #PersonalizedNutrition #HealthTech

Emergency departments are high-risk environments for adverse events but current safety standards overlook the wellbeing of emergency physicians. Addressing shared factors like staffing, teamwork, rest, and administrative burden benefits both doctors and patients. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40762764/

A review found that lifestyle-focused digital interventions—like apps, websites, and text messages—were linked to greater reductions in blood pressure compared to usual care. Study differences mean more research is needed to see which lifestyle changes work best. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40764400/

Calling all early-career researchers! Hopelab is offering a $10,000 Early Career Research Grant—alongside access to exclusive youth well-being datasets—to accelerate equitable research on technology, mental health, and well-being among Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ youth!

Negative comments on social media aren't just hurtful—they impact mental health. In a study of adults, exposure to negative online feedback significantly increased anxiety and lowered mood—especially for younger users. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Virtual reality isn't just for gaming—it’s helping patients in emergency departments. A new meta-analysis of 16 RCTs found that VR significantly reduces: pain, anxiety, and fear. VR may offer a powerful, non-invasive way to ease distress in the ED. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39988506/

A RCT tested a mindfulness-based CBT app (Rover) to support perinatal dads facing depression, anxiety, and stress. While no significant group differences were found, both Rover and the control app improved anxiety, stress, and relationship quality. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40280428/

A new study shows Grief Coach—a text-based program—may help. 86% stayed enrolled, 73% found it very helpful, and 74% felt more supported/ A promising tool for hospice bereavement care. #GriefSupport #HospiceCare #DigitalHealth pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36867525/

Robotics and VR are transforming neuromotor rehabilitation—but how do patients and therapists really feel about them? A recent study found both groups reported positive experiences with usability and impact, though therapists noted some device-specific challenges. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40684667/

Mobile health tools like smartphones and wearables can help track pain flares in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Daily symptom tracking revealed that worsening mood and fluctuating sleepiness predicted flares the next day. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40690663/

Semaglutide is trending on social media for weight loss, but key medical information is often missing. Side effects, costs, and proper use are rarely mentioned, especially on TikTok and Instagram. Misleading posts, AI-edited videos, and false claims are common. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40682686/

Teens who engage with vaping content on social media are more likely to want to quit—but feeling like “everyone’s doing it” or having supportive peers lowers quit intentions. Social media can help or hurt—let’s use it to promote quitting. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39912206/

Professional Development Opportunity! Check out this summit: Reimagining STEMM Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Career Development.

Apps targeting both depression & anxiety had small but meaningful effects and performed just as well as disorder-specific ones—especially when based on CBT or waitlists. These broad-focus apps could play a key role in accessible, scalable mental health care. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

This new systematic review shows that VR is a safe, well-accepted, and promising tool to reduce stress and anxiety in the ICU—with participants reporting comfort, immersion, and enjoyment. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40663866/

Can AI reduce diabetes complications—like foot ulcers, retinopathy, and amputations—in marginalized communities? We're investigating how to integrate AI into community care to improve early intervention and reduce health disparities. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40664423/

A systematic review of 27 studies found that using health information technology (HIT) in emergency departments—like e-prescribing, protocols, and health info exchange—improved communication, documentation, handoffs, and reduced errors. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40626191/

A team-based telemedicine program for hypertension showed high engagement among Black patients, with strong BP monitoring and self-care support. Social needs like food and meds were addressed—but housing remains a challenge. Community-driven care is key. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40624567/

A study found that when primary care clinicians or autism experts using telehealth were confident a toddler had autism, they were often right. These findings support a tiered diagnostic approach—speeding access to services for many children. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40629680/

A study explored how caregivers who use languages other than English & pediatric clinicians view using AI for translation & interpretation. While participants appreciated the potential of AI, they raised concerns about accuracy, privacy, and loss of empathy. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40623593/

Can a simple text message improve diabetes care? A new trial of DiabeText, a mobile health tool for people with type 2 diabetes, shows promising results: Better self-reported medication adherence, Improved self-efficacy, Higher quality of life pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39362693/

New research shows a persistent gender gap in scholarly self-promotion on Twitter. Women scientists are ~28% less likely than men to promote their own research—even in gender-balanced fields. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

A study found that since the pandemic, trust in official sources has dropped, while misinformation has surged. The takeaway? We need more health professionals online and better public education to navigate health info safely. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40237641/

Caring for a loved one with dementia is incredibly challenging. A new study tested telephone-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (tbACT) for family caregivers—and found it helped reduce depression, improve coping, and boost well-being. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39169671/

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 Here’s to fireworks, freedom, and a little extra sunshine. Stay safe, celebrate big, and don’t forget the snacks! 🎆🌭 #IndependenceDay #July4th

Get your academic career on track! 🎓 Northeastern’s ADVANCE office—alongside Harvard Med, BU, and Bay Path—is hosting a free, virtual Future Faculty Workshop on Aug 6–7, 2025. Check it out: faculty.northeastern.edu/advance/facu...

Your Fitbit might catch an irregular heartbeat—but that’s just the beginning. 🕒 New research shows over half of people had another episode within 3 months, and longer ECG monitoring = way better odds of confirming AFib (up to 61%). More sleep, fewer surprises. www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/...

🧠💬 Likes ≠ Memory Boost New research shows that social media likes and follower counts make users seem more popular and trustworthy—but don’t help people *remember* their posts any better. Negative content and likable users? Much more memorable. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40549971/

New Stanford study: ChatGPT often fails as a therapist—missing red flags and reinforcing harmful thoughts. 🤖🧠 AI isn’t a substitute for real mental health support. www.sfgate.com/tech/article...

A new review highlights AI’s growing role in biomechanics, coaching, rehab, helping athletes move smarter, train better, and recover faster. But challenges like data privacy and ethics remain. The future? Smarter, more personalized, and inclusive sport worldwide. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40518658/

Can virtual reality improve memory and thinking in Parkinson’s? This trial found that a 4-week immersive VR cognitive training boosted prospective memory & executive function in people with Parkinson’s and mild cognitive impairment—and benefits lasted for 2 months pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40250092/

Can mindfulness help reduce smartphone addiction in kids? This pilot study tested a 4-week school-based mindfulness program. Results showed improved resilience and early signs it may help reduce addiction risk. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40528865/

Can emotional eating be managed without focusing on weight loss? The SATISFY pilot program—a 12-week virtual intervention using Appetite Awareness Training and Diabetes Prevention tools—helped participants reduce emotional eating and maintain weight. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

What can EHRs tell us about tirzepatide use? A new study used real-world data from a large U.S. electronic health record (EHR) and claims database to track tirzepatide use in adults without type 2 diabetes. Check it out:

Can AI replace your therapist? A new paper says: Not so fast. Researchers reviewed therapy standards and tested leading language models. They found that while LLMs can sound helpful, they often miss the mark—sometimes reinforcing delusions or showing bias. arxiv.org/abs/2504.18412

This study explored how SMS reminders, combined with nutritional education, impacted weight loss in women. While both groups saw weight reduction, daily texts didn’t lead to significantly more weight loss—but they did seem to boost motivation for healthier eating. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40462559/

Teens feeling lonely? Their screen habits might be part of the picture. A review of recent studies finds a meaningful link between loneliness and smartphone or internet overuse in adolescents. Read more here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37261719/

Can generative AI be used safely in digital health care? A trial suggests yes—with the right guardrails in place. Over two weeks, participants using an AI-powered intervention reported similar experiences to those using a rules-based version. www.jmir.org/2025/1/e67365

New research shows EMDR is effective for treating PTSD in veterans—whether delivered in person or via telehealth. Both groups saw improvements in symptoms, with in-person treatment showing slightly greater gains. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40424141/

Can VR improve teamwork in emergency medicine? This study explores how to adapt teamwork assessment tools for use in virtual reality. By using the TeamSTEPPS framework, they aim to evaluate whether teamwork can be effectively trained in VR emergency scenarios pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40424618/

Can fitness influencers boost physical activity? While findings show promise, there are risks too, like misinformation and unrealistic body standards. More research is needed, but influencer content could be a low-cost tool to promote healthier behaviors. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

A digital intervention was developed to support safer alcohol and cannabis use among young adults.They created a brief online program plus supportive text messages over 8 weeks. It’s designed to improve the quality and consistency of protective behavioral strategies pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40410939/

Post-pandemic research shows that while patient satisfaction with telehealth remains high, usage has dropped. Why? Patients report concerns like limited physical exams, reduced trust in specialists, and unfamiliarity with the tech. Read more here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40387617/

New research highlights how smartphone tech—combined with AI—can revolutionize eating disorder treatment by making care more personalized, timely, and accessible. From passive sensing and language analysis to adaptive, real-time support, the tools are here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40396625/

Call for Papers! The Hawaii International Conference on System Science invites you to submit papers across multiple tracks in digital health!

Was your grant terminated? This journal wants to publish your data in their Terminated Public Health Science Issue Check it out here: acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:...

"Meta decided to stop working with U.S. fact-checkers at the same time as it’s revamping a program to pay bonuses to creators with high engagement numbers, potentially pouring accelerant on the kind of false posts the company once policed." www.propublica.org/article/face...

Hello Bluesky! The UConn Center for mHealth and Social Media is excited to be here! Would you like the latest digital health research and news in your inbox? Sign up for our weekly Digital Health Research Roundup! mhealth.inchip.uconn.edu/research-rou...