health anxiety is emerging as a significant social phenomenon in modern society. Fueled by easy access to online health information, it has led to "cyberchondria"—excessive symptom searching that escalates anxiety rather than relieving it. The COVID-19 pandemic markedly increased its prevalence, with studies showing heightened rates globally due to uncertainty and media exposure. Social media, information overload, and societal pressures further amplify this trend, affecting mental well-being and healthcare utilization.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9101818/ https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cyberchondira-Searching-Symptoms-and-Self-Diagnosis.aspx https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000120 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/health-anxiety
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Yes, tech companies are increasingly becoming significant forces in global governance. Giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft wield immense influence over digital infrastructure, AI standards, data flows, and even conflict zones (e.g., Starlink in Ukraine). They shape policies through lobbying, self-regulation, and expertise, often rivaling nation-states in a "technopolar" world. This shift challenges traditional sovereignty, prompting calls for accountability and new multilateral frameworks.https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2025/10/corporate-geopolitics-when-billionaires-rival-states?lang=en https://warontherocks.com/2025/02/with-great-power-comes-great-responsibility-how-to-make-big-tech-accountable-for-its-global-influence/ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15396754251359961 https://academic.oup.com/policyandsociety/article/44/1/52/7636223
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Medical robots are on track to become standardized equipment in healthcare. Driven by AI, machine learning, and regulatory approvals—like the UK's NICE endorsing 11 new surgical systems in 2024—they're evolving from niche tools to routine aids for precision surgery, drug delivery, and disinfection. Challenges remain, including high costs and the need for global HTA frameworks, but adoption is surging: over 60% of U.S. hospitals use them, reducing errors and recovery times. By 2030, expect widespread integration, akin to MRI machines today, enhancing efficiency without replacing clinicians.https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/robots-medical-industry-healthcare/ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1672583/full https://ep.jhu.edu/news/robots-making-a-difference-in-healthcare/
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