Joe Giordano, surgeon who helped save President Reagan's life after assassination attempt, has died
He died on June 24 at a hospital in Washington, D.C. from an infection related to a lengthy illness, his family said.
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Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Billionaire Reid Hoffman Bets $12M On This AI Brain Scanner To Rival Neuralink — Without Surgery Or Drugs
Sanmai Technologies, a stealthy neurotechnology startup, has raised $12 million in a Series A round led by LinkedIn co‑founder Reid Hoffman, who will also join its board of directors, Bloomberg reports. Sanmai is developing a non‑invasive, AI‑guided focused ultrasound headset to treat mental health disorders and improve cognitive function. The device is designed to sell for under $500, making clinic‑grade brain stimulation accessible at home. According to Bloomberg, this funding aligns with growing interest from billionaire investors in cutting‑edge brain science, such as Coinbase co‑founder Fred Ehrsam's Nudge and Elon Musk's Neuralink. Don't Miss: Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. GoSun's Breakthrough Rooftop EV Charger Already Has 2,000+ Units Reserved — Sanmai's headset uses low-intensity transcranial-focused ultrasound to target specific brain regions associated with conditions such as anxiety, depression, pain, epilepsy, and tremors, Bloomberg says. According to a LinkedIn post by neurotechnology research scientist and first employee at Sanmai Sharena Rice, an integrated AI companion guides treatment and helps determine which protocols are most effective, adapting the stimulation to each user's skull structure and brain activity. The system compensates for skull variations and dynamically adjusts ultrasound parameters to maximize efficacy and safety. Rice confirmed in the LinkedIn post that combining AI with focused ultrasound enables precise deep‑brain stimulation without surgery. Sanmai has developed an early clinical prototype of its device for generalized anxiety disorder. Bloomberg says that the company is also in discussions with the Food and Drug Administration as it prepares for formal clinical trials and regulatory review. Sanmai aims to validate its technology in clinical settings before expanding toward broader consumer availability. "I thought it was very cool that it gives you a new instrument for dealing with a whole wide variety of brain things which are otherwise very difficult to deal with," Hoffman told Bloomberg. "Your toolset for dealing with things that are going wrong in the brain is very limited." Trending: Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — Sanmai's low-intensity focused ultrasound system is designed to deliver energy through the skull, reaching precise areas of brain tissue without breaking the skin. According to Bloomberg, the technology, which stimulates neural activity by directing sound waves to specific targets, reflects more than ten years of academic research now transitioning into regulated clinical testing. Sanmai founder Jay Sanguinetti began exploring brain stimulation as a graduate student, observing its effects on Parkinson's patients during invasive procedures. That experience laid the foundation for his pursuit of a safer, scalable alternative. "I saw every patient's life changed," he told Bloomberg. "But I got kind of bit by the bug of like, 'How do you do this but non-invasively and at scale?'" The company's eight-person team, operating largely in stealth until now, is preparing for broader trials after initial testing began at a Sunnyvale, California clinic for patients with generalized anxiety disorder. While Sanmai's goal is to create a home-use device priced below $500, Bloomberg says that the path forward requires individualized calibration, including magnetic resonance imaging scans and real-time adjustments to ultrasound dosage, before moving beyond clinical settings. "The way to do this safely and at scale is to first go through the clinics," Sanguinetti told Bloomberg. "Then leverage that data to go out to the consumer."Hoffman's investment in Sanmai comes at a time when private funding is playing an increasingly critical role in neuroscience innovation. With the U.S. government reducing its support for biomedical research, wealthy individuals like Hoffman are stepping in to advance technologies aimed at treating mental health disorders and neurological conditions, Bloomberg reports. At a recent neuromodulation conference near Washington, dozens of scientists and clinicians voiced concern over federal funding cuts, including proposed reductions to the National Institutes of Health and the departure of more than 143 staffers from its neurological division. In this tightening environment, Bloomberg says that investors like Hoffman, who previously backed OpenAI, are becoming central to the development of next-generation brain technologies. "Non-invasive is a much less risky approach for a significant benefit," Hoffman told Bloomberg. "The risk and difficulties in invasive strike me as very difficult to navigate and will take years, decades maybe." Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Billionaire Reid Hoffman Bets $12M On This AI Brain Scanner To Rival Neuralink — Without Surgery Or Drugs originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 weird ways to keep your brain healthy — one you can do in the shower
No need to overthink brain health! Our noggins take a floggin' with age, leading to reduced brain volume, less effective communication between neurons and decreased blood flow. These changes can affect learning, memory, processing speed and other cognitive functions. Now, you probably already know that eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, managing stress and staying socially connected can help keep brains young. There are also some offbeat strategies to engage your brain — you can learn an instrument, use your non-dominant hand for tasks and take a different route home. Harvard-trained neuroscientist Kevin Woods — director of science at a music streaming service designed to influence brainwave activity — has three other simple suggestions to complement healthy routines. No brainstorm required. Chewing gum can feed the brain in a number of ways, though the exact mechanisms are unclear. Some studies propose that chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain, which means more oxygen and glucose for the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, areas vital for memory and learning. This increased blood flow can also enhance focus and attention and reduce stress and anxiety. As for types of gum, Woods told The Post that 'it should be a gum with decent flavor that doesn't fade too quickly — and one that doesn't fall apart over time.' A dentist might recommend a sugar-free gum that doesn't harm teeth. There could be an even better, if not unconventional, option. A recent study found that chewing hard substances like a wood pencil can boost levels of the antioxidant glutathione in the brain — chewing gum did not provide the same effect. If you're worried about splinters, tooth damage and digestive issues with wooden material, leave it to beavers. 'Backward walking enhances brain health by challenging the brain, focusing attention and strengthening neural connections while potentially forming new pathways,' Woods said. 'Studies have found that backward walking increases cognitive control and even memory recall,' he added. Also known as retro walking, this practice can improve balance, coordination and posture, strengthen certain muscles, reduce lower back pain and burn more calories than walking forward. Experts recommend starting slowly, choosing a path free of obstacles and uneven pavement, keeping the head and torso upright, engaging the core, stepping toes first and being mindful of surroundings. Humming can ease stress and promote relaxation by stimulating the vagus nerve, a complex network of over 200,000 fibers that connects the brain and major organs. Research indicates that humming can also increase nitric oxide levels in the nasal cavity, potentially improving blood flow to the brain and elevating mood. 'Studies on choir singers show enhanced heart rate variability and cognitive function,' Woods explained. 'Plus, the breath control required for sustained notes exercises the same neural networks involved in attention regulation.' Woods recommends doing these three activities often, finding a consistent routine that works for you. Since the brain is the control center for thinking, feeling and acting, taking care of it is crucial for overall health and well-being. 'While science can tell us useful things to try, to some extent, different brains need different things to focus best,' Woods said. 'What you find helpful, someone else may find distracting,' he added. 'So don't be afraid to test what works best for you!'
CNET
19 minutes ago
- CNET
8 Hobbies That Can Boost Your Mental Wellness This Summer
Trying new hobbies or revisiting activities you once loved is an excellent way to boost your mental wellness, and the summer is the perfect time to expand your horizons and give a new hobby a chance. Whether you're looking for an activity to do as a family while the kids are on summer break, or something to give yourself a bit of "me time," we've found plenty of hobbies worth exploring this season. Hobbies aren't a replacement for professional help, but they do offer mental health benefits such as improved mood, a sense of accomplishment and a redirection for negative thoughts. For inspiration, we outlined some great hobbies you can start now to improve your happiness. Why are hobbies good for mental health? Hobbies make you feel good. They help you relax and unwind from your day, with the added benefit of lowering your stress levels and blood pressure. Hobbies can help ease existing depression symptoms and decrease your risk of developing depression by up to 30%. Ways that hobbies improve your mental health: Improve neuroplasticity: According to StatPearls, neuroplasticity describes our brain's ability to adapt its activity and structure by forming and using new synaptic connections. You can think of your brain as a big map -- there are many ways to get to your destination, and sometimes you have to change which way you're going. Hobbies and habits require you to form new neural pathways, which provide new reference points for the brain to recognize. According to StatPearls, neuroplasticity describes our brain's ability to adapt its activity and structure by forming and using new synaptic connections. You can think of your brain as a big map -- there are many ways to get to your destination, and sometimes you have to change which way you're going. Hobbies and habits require you to form new neural pathways, which provide new reference points for the brain to recognize. Reduce stress: Many people use hobbies to decompress from stressful days. When you do something you like, you're allowing your body to relax and cortisol levels to drop, which lowers your heart rate and blood pressure while your mood increases. Many people use hobbies to decompress from stressful days. When you do something you like, you're allowing your body to relax and cortisol levels to drop, which lowers your heart rate and blood pressure while your mood increases. Help self-esteem: Everyone likes to complete things. It brings a self of accomplishment that feels great. As you master your hobby more and more, your confidence and self-esteem build. Everyone is busy. It's nearly impossible not to feel like you're bouncing from one thing to the next. But when you feel like you don't have time to dedicate to your hobbies, remember, they're good for hobbies are the best for boosting mental health? There is no one reigning champ of hobbies for mental health. We're all different, so we will choose different things to help us relax. What works for you may not yield the same results for someone else. It's about finding the right hobby that you find value in. Here are some common options people use to elevate their mental health and why it works. 1. Journaling Regularly journaling is a powerful tool that allows you to work through feelings and reflect on events you experience. It's often recommended for those with anxiety, depression and PTSD. You don't have to write a novel; research has shown that journaling for as little as fifteen minutes daily can help reduce anxiety. Read more: iOS 17.2: What You Should Know About Apple's Journal App You don't have to search to solve a problem while journaling. It's also something you can do just for fun. The benefits come either way. Common types of journaling include reflective journaling -- which involves writing about your day and what you thought about it -- and gratitude journaling. No matter what type of journaling you choose, it's a great hobby that allows you to highlight your wins and challenge negative thoughts and feelings. 2. Cooking Everyone knows that eating can be therapeutic. But so can cooking. Besides the benefits that can affect your physical health, like being in control of the ingredients, there are several reasons why cooking is one of the best hobbies for mental health. It offers a level of emotional relief that other hobbies may not. According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, cooking can help you relax and boost your happiness. It's not hard to see why. With each dish, you feel more self-reliant and confident, not to mention the social connections you can make when serving it to others. And for the record, yes, baking counts too. 3. Spending time in nature Hobbies that involve going outside -- like hiking or gardening -- can be great for mental health. Studies show that being in sunlight can help boost the body's serotonin production. Serotonin is the naturally occurring neurotransmitter that plays a part in regulating our moods, according to Harvard Health Publishing. It's called the "feel-good" chemical for a reason. When our body produces the right amount of serotonin, we feel happy and calm. Lower levels of serotonin are associated with mood disorders like depression. So if you're someone who goes outside, you're helping your body combat depression without even knowing it. Being outside in nature can also reduce stress and lower your heart rate. 4. Art When I say art, I'm talking about everything creative you can think of -- painting, drawing, sculpting, embroidery and woodworking. The list goes on. No matter where your hobbies fall in the lineup, you get tangible mental health benefits from them. Art lets you express your feelings and channel your creativity. You may also use it as a way to work through things that are tough to talk about. It's a tactic used often in art therapy sessions. Art may also relieve stress and improve self-confidence. You do not need to be "good" at painting to do it. There is no bar to meet for quality. The only thing that matters is that you enjoy what you're doing. 5. Music You get a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from playing an instrument. Making something feels good, and your body responds to those positive feelings. But if you're not musically inclined, don't worry; listening to music also derives similar benefits by lowering stress and anxiety levels. It also can boost your mood. Getty Images/Westend61 6. Reading Reading is the ultimate form of escapism. You can jump into a whole new world and live a thousand different lives -- or as many books as you can read. It also happens to be a great hobby if you have anxiety. Reading can help distract you from negative or intrusive thinking you may be experiencing. It also can help lower your heart rate and help you relax. You'll get the same benefits from listening to books too. So if you can't carve out the time to read, try listening while walking your dog or cleaning your house. 7. Strategy games Strategy games and puzzles -- like chess, crosswords and sudoku -- are other hobbies that are good for your mental health. Studies have found that strategy games improve brain functioning, problem-solving skills and memory. Puzzle games also can help those with ADHD hone their concentration. Given their ability to strengthen cognition, strategy games and puzzles may also reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's in older adults. However, experts are divided on whether they are truly a preventative measure or if they help cope with the disease. More research is needed to determine strategy games' role in age-related cognitive decline. 8. Exercise Whether you work out alone or participate in team sports, exercise is one of the best hobbies to have -- both physically and mentally. When we exercise, our brains flood with endorphins that boost mood, per Johns Hopkins Medicine. Exercise is an outlet to let out frustrations and navigate emotions. By exercising, you're lowering your risk for anxiety and depression. Team sports give you the extra edge by filling up your social meter while moving your body.
