Have you ever noticed something missing during a doctor’s visit? For many, it's the iconic white lab coat. According to a study in BMJ Open, patients still associate the white coat with professionalism and trust. However, the research also highlights a downside: female doctors wearing white coats are more frequently mistaken for nurses or medical assistants.
Meanwhile, a new COVID-19 variant is making the rounds in the U.S. this summer. Known as Variant XFG or "Stratus," it was first detected in Southeast Asia earlier this year. The CDC reports it's now responsible for about 14% of current cases. Thankfully, there's no indication that it's more severe than earlier strains.
And if you've ever woken up with a brilliant idea, science may explain why. A study published in PLOS found that nearly 71% of participants experienced breakthrough moments—those classic "aha" ideas—after waking from deep sleep. So yes, “sleeping on it” might actually help solve your toughest problems.