Howard Liu, MD, MBA
@drhowardliu.bsky.social
Psychiatrist. Dad. Professor. Chair UNMC Psychiatry. Co-Chair World Psychiatric Assoc Med Student Interest Group. #HeForShe #MentalHealth #Leadership #psychiatry #Travel #Medsky #AAPI #MedEd #Foodie. Posts don’t represent UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, or WPA.
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“The whale shark, the largest fish species in the world and hunted for its fins, meat and skin, is now banned from commercial trade — a shift that will not only help the species recover but also help boost local tourism.”
Glad to hear it!
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
Glad to hear it!
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
What new protections will mean for these widely hunted sharks
The sharks and rays are widely hunted, their parts used in commercial products like makeup and moisturizers and in culinary delicacies.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:07 PM
“The whale shark, the largest fish species in the world and hunted for its fins, meat and skin, is now banned from commercial trade — a shift that will not only help the species recover but also help boost local tourism.”
Glad to hear it!
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
Glad to hear it!
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
“Gorbunova and her colleagues now say that they've found one such protection in the bowhead whale, a long-lived leviathan. These animals utilize a protein — which they produce in abundance — that excels at repairing broken DNA.”
Nature is amazing 🌱
www.npr.org/2025/11/24/n...
Nature is amazing 🌱
www.npr.org/2025/11/24/n...
A bowhead whale's DNA offers clues to fight cancer
Scientists searching for new ways to combat cancer think they may have uncovered a promising new lead in the DNA of the bowhead whale.
www.npr.org
November 29, 2025 at 11:51 AM
“Gorbunova and her colleagues now say that they've found one such protection in the bowhead whale, a long-lived leviathan. These animals utilize a protein — which they produce in abundance — that excels at repairing broken DNA.”
Nature is amazing 🌱
www.npr.org/2025/11/24/n...
Nature is amazing 🌱
www.npr.org/2025/11/24/n...
“A 2008 paper in the journal Ecological Economics found that between 1992 and 2007 the loss of vultures in India led to an estimated increase of about 5.5 million dogs, 38 million additional dog bites and more than 47,000 extra deaths from rabies.”
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Humans killed millions of vultures. Now people are paying the price.
The near-extinction of vultures in India has had severe consequences.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:48 AM
“A 2008 paper in the journal Ecological Economics found that between 1992 and 2007 the loss of vultures in India led to an estimated increase of about 5.5 million dogs, 38 million additional dog bites and more than 47,000 extra deaths from rabies.”
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
“We’re bound by being in something that gained notoriety pretty much overnight, but it all happened to us together. So if there’s ever some weird experience, we’ve got this gang of people we can bring it to, to be a little support unit.”
#StrangerThings
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
#StrangerThings
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
Saying Goodbye to ‘Stranger Things’
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
“We’re bound by being in something that gained notoriety pretty much overnight, but it all happened to us together. So if there’s ever some weird experience, we’ve got this gang of people we can bring it to, to be a little support unit.”
#StrangerThings
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
#StrangerThings
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
“A study by the Singapore Management University found that frequent interruptions to check our devices lead to more attention and memory lapses.“
As we gather with family or friends, practice intentional breaks from screen time to savor the moment.
www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/int...
As we gather with family or friends, practice intentional breaks from screen time to savor the moment.
www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/int...
Why constantly checking your phone can drain your focus and memory
Checking your phone 110 times a day could signal problematic use. See how smartphone habits shape daily life.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:53 PM
“A study by the Singapore Management University found that frequent interruptions to check our devices lead to more attention and memory lapses.“
As we gather with family or friends, practice intentional breaks from screen time to savor the moment.
www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/int...
As we gather with family or friends, practice intentional breaks from screen time to savor the moment.
www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/int...
“Patients exposed to music required lower doses of propofol and fentanyl. They experienced smoother recoveries, lower cortisol or stress-hormone levels and a much better control of blood pressure during the surgery.”
Music can be medicine after all 🙂
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Music can be medicine after all 🙂
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Indian study finds music helps patients heal under anaesthesia
A new study finds patients who listen to music during surgery wake faster and need fewer painkillers.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
“Patients exposed to music required lower doses of propofol and fentanyl. They experienced smoother recoveries, lower cortisol or stress-hormone levels and a much better control of blood pressure during the surgery.”
Music can be medicine after all 🙂
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Music can be medicine after all 🙂
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“We surveyed 552 Australian victims of data breaches. While financial impacts were reported by 29% of the respondents, many more—50%—reported emotional harm. Nearly one-third said a breach had affected their physical well-being.”
www.wsj.com/tech/cyberse...
www.wsj.com/tech/cyberse...
The Hidden Emotional Toll on Victims of Data Breaches
We all know there’s a potential financial impact when a company’s data is hacked. But victims’ suffering goes far beyond that.
www.wsj.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:56 AM
“We surveyed 552 Australian victims of data breaches. While financial impacts were reported by 29% of the respondents, many more—50%—reported emotional harm. Nearly one-third said a breach had affected their physical well-being.”
www.wsj.com/tech/cyberse...
www.wsj.com/tech/cyberse...
“Among those who treated their sleep apnea with positive airway pressure therapy — also known as CPAP — early in their diagnoses, Parkinson’s case numbers were ‘significantly reduced,’ the study stated.”
Another reason to take sleep apnea seriously!
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Another reason to take sleep apnea seriously!
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Study links obstructive sleep apnea to Parkinson’s disease
Researchers found veterans with the sleep disorder were nearly twice as likely to later develop Parkinson’s disease. But treatment with a CPAP machine could help.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:32 PM
“Among those who treated their sleep apnea with positive airway pressure therapy — also known as CPAP — early in their diagnoses, Parkinson’s case numbers were ‘significantly reduced,’ the study stated.”
Another reason to take sleep apnea seriously!
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Another reason to take sleep apnea seriously!
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
For all who are visiting loved ones this week, take a moment for yourself.
Whether it’s savoring a sunrise on a long drive or enjoying a coffee in a busy airport, lean into the moment.
Holidays can be stressful.
Small moments of joy can anchor us 🌱
Whether it’s savoring a sunrise on a long drive or enjoying a coffee in a busy airport, lean into the moment.
Holidays can be stressful.
Small moments of joy can anchor us 🌱
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
For all who are visiting loved ones this week, take a moment for yourself.
Whether it’s savoring a sunrise on a long drive or enjoying a coffee in a busy airport, lean into the moment.
Holidays can be stressful.
Small moments of joy can anchor us 🌱
Whether it’s savoring a sunrise on a long drive or enjoying a coffee in a busy airport, lean into the moment.
Holidays can be stressful.
Small moments of joy can anchor us 🌱
"Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care.”
Powerful reminder from Catherine, Princess of Wales, that we must change the dialogue about #addiction.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Powerful reminder from Catherine, Princess of Wales, that we must change the dialogue about #addiction.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Princess of Wales calls for end to 'stigma' around addiction
The message from the Princess of Wales comes on Addiction Awareness Week.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
"Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care.”
Powerful reminder from Catherine, Princess of Wales, that we must change the dialogue about #addiction.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Powerful reminder from Catherine, Princess of Wales, that we must change the dialogue about #addiction.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"This victory will encourage many women and many other persons with disabilities across India to pursue cricket and other sports," Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, told the BBC.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Blind Women's T20 Cricket World Cup: India celebrates historic win
India defeated Nepal by seven wickets in the final played in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday.
www.bbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
"This victory will encourage many women and many other persons with disabilities across India to pursue cricket and other sports," Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, told the BBC.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“On the silver screen, about half of all movies that made their debut last year included appearances of cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products, up 10% from the previous year.”
Concerning increase in smoking among celebrities may impact youth rates.
www.wsj.com/style/fashio...
Concerning increase in smoking among celebrities may impact youth rates.
www.wsj.com/style/fashio...
Celebrities Are Making Smoking Cigarettes Cool Again
Cigarettes are resurfacing in pop music and movies, raising fears that a yearslong decline in smoking rates could reverse.
www.wsj.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:36 AM
“On the silver screen, about half of all movies that made their debut last year included appearances of cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products, up 10% from the previous year.”
Concerning increase in smoking among celebrities may impact youth rates.
www.wsj.com/style/fashio...
Concerning increase in smoking among celebrities may impact youth rates.
www.wsj.com/style/fashio...
“The Times has uncovered nearly 50 cases of people having mental health crises during conversations with ChatGPT. Nine were hospitalized; three died. OpenAI acknowledged that its safety guardrails could ‘degrade’ in long conversations.“
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/t...
What OpenAI Did When ChatGPT Users Lost Touch With Reality
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
“The Times has uncovered nearly 50 cases of people having mental health crises during conversations with ChatGPT. Nine were hospitalized; three died. OpenAI acknowledged that its safety guardrails could ‘degrade’ in long conversations.“
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/t...
“An original copy of the June 1939 first edition on the Man of Steel's adventures, it was in a remarkably pristine condition.”
You never know what you’ll find in the attic!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
You never know what you’ll find in the attic!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Superman edition found in mum's attic is most valuable comic ever at $9.12m
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a new record after Man of Steel comic found in a California home is auctioned.
www.bbc.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:31 AM
“An original copy of the June 1939 first edition on the Man of Steel's adventures, it was in a remarkably pristine condition.”
You never know what you’ll find in the attic!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
You never know what you’ll find in the attic!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Lucky to receive a care package from my mom this week 🌱
As the holidays are upon us, this is a time of stress and loss for many.
Whether it’s food or coffee, a phone call or in-person, take time to check in with colleagues & loved ones.
A little ☀️ makes a big difference.
As the holidays are upon us, this is a time of stress and loss for many.
Whether it’s food or coffee, a phone call or in-person, take time to check in with colleagues & loved ones.
A little ☀️ makes a big difference.
November 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Lucky to receive a care package from my mom this week 🌱
As the holidays are upon us, this is a time of stress and loss for many.
Whether it’s food or coffee, a phone call or in-person, take time to check in with colleagues & loved ones.
A little ☀️ makes a big difference.
As the holidays are upon us, this is a time of stress and loss for many.
Whether it’s food or coffee, a phone call or in-person, take time to check in with colleagues & loved ones.
A little ☀️ makes a big difference.
“South African women's rights groups are calling for nationwide protests to demand that gender-based violence (GBV) be declared a national disaster in a country where attacks on women have become commonplace.”
Important in every country.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Important in every country.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
South African women call purple protest at G20 over gender violence
Nearly 1,000 women were raped and 137 murdered in the first three months of this year.
www.bbc.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
“South African women's rights groups are calling for nationwide protests to demand that gender-based violence (GBV) be declared a national disaster in a country where attacks on women have become commonplace.”
Important in every country.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Important in every country.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“The ‘how’ question shouldn’t be posed as a gotcha but with humility: I don’t know this stuff as well as you. How would it work?“
One strategy to defuse political tension at Thanksgiving - curiosity.
If that doesn’t work, it’s fine to take a break 🙂
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
One strategy to defuse political tension at Thanksgiving - curiosity.
If that doesn’t work, it’s fine to take a break 🙂
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Defuse political tension in your family with one simple question
This research-backed technique can increase open-mindedness and reduce political polarization, improving conversations at family gatherings and in daily life.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:07 PM
“The ‘how’ question shouldn’t be posed as a gotcha but with humility: I don’t know this stuff as well as you. How would it work?“
One strategy to defuse political tension at Thanksgiving - curiosity.
If that doesn’t work, it’s fine to take a break 🙂
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
One strategy to defuse political tension at Thanksgiving - curiosity.
If that doesn’t work, it’s fine to take a break 🙂
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
“The revised webpage says: ‘The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism. Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.’”
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
CDC Changes Webpage to Say Vaccines May Cause Autism, Revising Prior Language
The text on vaccines had been a focal point for both vaccine skeptics, who criticized it, and public health advocates, who wondered how far RFK Jr. would go to change it.
www.wsj.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:57 AM
“The revised webpage says: ‘The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism. Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.’”
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Howard Liu, MD, MBA
This simulation found that if people 50 & older did not use sleep medications, they would fall less frequently, have better cognition, live longer - and have better quality of life.
#medsky
#medsky
Sleep is essential to health, but health is no better with most sleep meds.
By avoiding benzos, z-hypnotics, trazodone after age 50, people will live a little longer, have fewer falls, better cognition:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41209816
Natural ways to improve sleep:
chrisaikenmd.com/brochures
By avoiding benzos, z-hypnotics, trazodone after age 50, people will live a little longer, have fewer falls, better cognition:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41209816
Natural ways to improve sleep:
chrisaikenmd.com/brochures
November 20, 2025 at 1:29 PM
This simulation found that if people 50 & older did not use sleep medications, they would fall less frequently, have better cognition, live longer - and have better quality of life.
#medsky
#medsky
“Younger Australian teenagers on Instagram, Facebook and Threads are being told their accounts will be shut down ahead of the country's social media ban for under-16s.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Instagram and Facebook-owner Meta notifies Australian teens of accounts shutdown
Under-sixteens will be banned from major social media plaforms from 10 December.
www.bbc.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
“Younger Australian teenagers on Instagram, Facebook and Threads are being told their accounts will be shut down ahead of the country's social media ban for under-16s.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“All of the platforms often failed to recognize signs of mental-health conditions. The platforms continued to offer general advice rather than directing teens to urgent professional help.”
Concerning about the limits of 4 leading AI platforms on teen mental health.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/teen...
Concerning about the limits of 4 leading AI platforms on teen mental health.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/teen...
Teens Seek Mental-Health Help From Chatbots. That’s Dangerous, Says New Study.
Research from Common Sense Media and Stanford finds “systematic failures” in how chatbots recognize psychiatric conditions.
www.wsj.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM
“All of the platforms often failed to recognize signs of mental-health conditions. The platforms continued to offer general advice rather than directing teens to urgent professional help.”
Concerning about the limits of 4 leading AI platforms on teen mental health.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/teen...
Concerning about the limits of 4 leading AI platforms on teen mental health.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/teen...
"I have a perspective not many of the athletes in the sport have," Liu said. "So many people, their goal is the Olympics, and when they get there and it's over, they don't know what to do. I'm really just doing this for fun."
Make your own goals 🌱
ketv.com/article/alys...
Make your own goals 🌱
ketv.com/article/alys...
'She's different': How a 2-year retirement helped renew Olympian Alysa Liu's joy in skating
Whoever said "quitters never win," never met Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu.
ketv.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:46 AM
"I have a perspective not many of the athletes in the sport have," Liu said. "So many people, their goal is the Olympics, and when they get there and it's over, they don't know what to do. I'm really just doing this for fun."
Make your own goals 🌱
ketv.com/article/alys...
Make your own goals 🌱
ketv.com/article/alys...
“Mandatory age checks will be introduced for accounts using chat features, starting in December for Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands, then the rest of the globe from January.”
Important to continue to address the risk of exploitation online.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Important to continue to address the risk of exploitation online.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Roblox blocks children from chatting to adult strangers
One of the world's most popular gaming platforms has faced criticism for its child safety record.
www.bbc.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:34 AM
“Mandatory age checks will be introduced for accounts using chat features, starting in December for Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands, then the rest of the globe from January.”
Important to continue to address the risk of exploitation online.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Important to continue to address the risk of exploitation online.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“The fact that chatbots are designed to be agreeable can make patients feel cared for, but it can also lead to potentially dangerous advice.”
In an era when doctors are in short supply, the availability of AI chatbots can be alluring.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/w...
In an era when doctors are in short supply, the availability of AI chatbots can be alluring.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/w...
Empathetic, Available, Cheap: When A.I. Offers What Doctors Don’t
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM
“The fact that chatbots are designed to be agreeable can make patients feel cared for, but it can also lead to potentially dangerous advice.”
In an era when doctors are in short supply, the availability of AI chatbots can be alluring.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/w...
In an era when doctors are in short supply, the availability of AI chatbots can be alluring.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/w...
"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.
My kids would agree 🙂
bbc.com/news/article...
My kids would agree 🙂
bbc.com/news/article...
KPop Demon Hunters star on how her life mirrored main character Rumi's journey
Korean-American actress Arden Cho tells BBC Global Women she struggled to feel accepted while growing up in Texas.
bbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:53 AM
"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.
My kids would agree 🙂
bbc.com/news/article...
My kids would agree 🙂
bbc.com/news/article...