Today: September 08, 2024
Today: September 08, 2024

Latest From Harlow Calloway

Entertainment|WrittenByLAPost

What's behind males' Roman fixation? TikTok's latest viral craze explains it all

A new and amusing trend is grabbing women’s attention on TikTok – their male partner’s obsession with the “Roman Empire”. This viral trend began after Swedish influencer Saskia Cort asked her followers to check in with their boyfriends and husbands to see how often they think about this ancient civilization. Her prompt came up again last August thanks to Gaius Flavius, a fellow history buff – sparking many videos of puzzled women realizing just how often the men in their lives daydream about Caesar’s exploits, the beauty of aqueducts, and the brutality of ancient warfare. Views have skyrocketed into the

February 16, 2024
What's behind males' Roman fixation? TikTok's latest viral craze explains it all
Entertainment|WrittenByLAPost

Duped by Dinner- How One Girl Got Catfished by an East Village Eatery

Taylor Paré entered the small East Village restaurant, expecting to meet the handsome suitor she had matched with on a popular dating app. After primping all evening before the highly-anticipated date night, Ms. Paré arrived eager to see if this digital match could transfer into real-world chemistry. But following 15 minutes alone at the table checking her phone, it became clear she had been stood up. Or so it seemed. The man had suddenly unmatched her on the dating app as she waited. Suspicions arose about the restaurant’s possible involvement when Ms. Paré later saw other women report similar experiences

November 29, 2023
Duped by Dinner- How One Girl Got Catfished by an East Village Eatery
Entertainment|WrittenByLAPost

Have Barbie and Dorothy Been Separated at Birth? See the Startling Proof

Little has emerged about the plot of Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated “Barbie” film, sparking fans to advance their own theories based on trailers and casting news. Margot Robbie plays the Mattel icon in her first live-action film, joined by Ryan Gosling as Ken and a star-packed ensemble. With the comedy arriving July 21st, a recent preview offered clues towards a “Wizard of Oz” parallel storyline. Multiple TikTok users spotted possible homages in costumes, set designs and motifs. If correct, Robbie’s Barbie could embark on a self-discovery journey not unlike Dorothy’s Technicolor trip from Kansas to Oz. April’s second trailer shows

November 21, 2023
Have Barbie and Dorothy Been Separated at Birth? See the Startling Proof
Economy|WrittenByLAPost

The unsettling cult signs that could be lurking in your community

We picture cults as something from movies – twisted leaders controlling mindless followers. But the shocking truth is these destructive groups are lurking in towns across America, ruining lives through mental manipulation and abuse. From draining your savings to stripping your freedom, falling into a cult’s clutches can have a devastating toll. Knowing the cult signs and their red flags is key to avoiding these insidious traps – or escaping their grip before it’s too late. Don’t think it could happen to you? The most unsuspecting people get lured into these groups’ web of control. Defend yourself by learning to

March 27, 2024
The unsettling cult signs that could be lurking in your community
Economy|WrittenByLAPost

How this former burglar cased neighborhood will disturb you

Jennifer Gomez spent nearly ten years in a Florida prison for repeatedly targeting homes in burglary sprees. Now reformed, she candidly shares her past methods on TikTok, hoping to help homeowners better secure their properties. “I’m just telling you guys what my life was like because maybe it’ll help somebody,” Gomez explained in a video that has drawn almost 2 million views. Gomez would start by checking the weather, preferring rainy days that kept people indoors. “The nastier it was, the better off I was,” she admitted. Sunny days led her to more isolated houses with fewer eyewitnesses. She knew

January 31, 2024
How this former burglar cased neighborhood will disturb you
Economy|WrittenByLAPost

California Eviction Law Firm Draws Heat for AI-Laced Court Filing

A prominent California eviction law firm has come under fire after submitting an AI-generated court document containing fictitious case law, spurring debate on ethical AI use in legal proceedings. Dennis P. Block & Associates, the self-proclaimed “leading eviction law firm” in the state, was recently sanctioned by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge for a filing crowded with fabricated citations.   The incident raised concerns about accountability and integrity in eviction cases, where outcomes have major consequences for vulnerable renters. While AI tools like ChatGPT hold the potential for efficiency gains, experts warn they require diligent supervision to prevent factual

December 20, 2023
California Eviction Law Firm Draws Heat for AI-Laced Court Filing
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Doctors treat conditions tied to ultra-processed foods

Imagine you’re walking through the grocery store. All around are bright, colorful ultra-processed foods and packages trying to grab your attention. They make easy promises about saving time, being happy, and tasting really yummy. It’s a familiar scene, one that we’ve all experienced countless times. But as you reach for that bag of cookies, that can of soda, or that tray of ready-made meals, pause for a moment and consider the hidden truth lurking beneath the attractive exterior. Lots of proof shows these man-made eats are truly bad news. They may seem tasty but these factory foods put our health

March 26, 2024
Doctors treat conditions tied to ultra-processed foods
Health|WrittenByLAPost

"Everything is great!" but is it? The truth behind smiling depression

Mary Johnson consistently starts her workday by kindly greeting her coworkers with a energetic “Good morning!” Her demeanor at meetings is characterized by laughter and humor, praising others, and offering positive motivation. Following work, she joins friends for supper and a movie, engaging in lively conversation and expressing joy while discussing the film. She enjoys cozying up with her children at home, reading them bedtime stories with a joyful expression on her face. At times, after the children have gone to bed, Mary finds solace in the bathroom, where she spends hours shedding tears, overwhelmed by a profound melancholy. She

March 06, 2024
"Everything is great!" but is it? The truth behind smiling depression
Health|WrittenByLAPost

The invisible trauma: Self-harm by teens kept secret

There is a youth mental health disaster going on underneath the surface because of the alarming rise in self-harm among American teens in the past few years. As more parents deal with the heartbreaking news that their child is hurting themselves on purpose, fear, anger, and a lack of control are common emotions. According to new information, up to 20% of teens now hurt themselves in some way, like cutting, burning, pulling out their hair, or something else. This scary number shows a big rise over the last ten years, which mental health professionals say is because of the stress

February 16, 2024
The invisible trauma: Self-harm by teens kept secret
Health|WrittenByLAPost

When Social Feeds Bring More Harm Than Good

Do those scenic vacation photos filling your feed spark joy or leave you depleted? Mounting clinical research reveals social media’s double-edged impact on mental health. Behind the veil of likes and filters lies a complex psychological chain reaction that both connects and isolates users. As you mindlessly scroll through the highlight reels of acquaintances living their best lives, a slither of envy turns to inadequacy before cascading into full-blown anxiety. Yet moments later a new notification alerts you to an old friend reaching out across the distance thanks to the very same platforms facilitating FOMO fueling your funk. The takeaway?

January 05, 2024
When Social Feeds Bring More Harm Than Good
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Self-Googling for Disorders Harms Teen Wellness, Experts Warn

Erin Coleman grew alarmed as her 14-year-old daughter increasingly used TikTok and Instagram not for entertainment or memes but to search for videos about mental health conditions. Over months of scrolling, the teen became convinced social media clips matched her own struggles and she likely had depression, ADHD, autism, extreme germophobia, and more. “Each week, she would come up with another diagnosis,” Coleman recalled. “If she perceives any resemblance between herself and someone else, she believes she possesses the same qualities.” Ultimately medical testing revealed Coleman’s daughter suffered mainly from severe anxiety rather than the entire catalogue. “Even now, she

December 13, 2023
Self-Googling for Disorders Harms Teen Wellness, Experts Warn
Health|WrittenByLAPost

TikTok’s Sweet Anxiety Hack: How Sour Candy May Short-Circuit Panic. Watch the Video.

If you’re having a panic attack, TikTokers say sour candy may help calm your nerves. This advice seems to have some scientific backing, with mental health experts confirming that sour candies like Warheads can serve as an effective distraction during moments of high anxiety. When anxiety begins to spike and panic sets in, eating an intensely tart candy can offer “faster relief” by giving the brain something else more immediate to focus on, says therapist Catherine Del Toro. This redirects the brain’s attention away from the anxiety, providing a brief respite in which symptoms can subside. The key seems to

December 05, 2023
TikTok’s Sweet Anxiety Hack: How Sour Candy May Short-Circuit Panic. Watch the Video.
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Navigating the Nuances of Hot New Weight Loss Drugs

“Ozempic” has become shorthand for a new class of injectable diabetes and weight loss drugs flooding social media and dominating conversations. But use of the brand name overlooks meaningful distinctions between Ozempic and its sister drugs Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. Understanding the nuanced differences in approval, dosing, mechanisms and results can empower patients to make informed choices about these potentially life-changing medications. Ozempic (semaglutide) was first approved by the FDA in 2017 for managing type 2 diabetes at doses of 0.5mg and 1mg, and received approval for a 2mg dose in 2022. Critically, it is not approved for weight loss

November 13, 2023
Navigating the Nuances of Hot New Weight Loss Drugs
Health|WrittenByLAPost

When Antidepressants Rob You of Sex—Permanently

Millions take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac and Celexa to treat depression and anxiety. But for some, once the drugs are stopped, permanent sexual side effects persist, devastating romantic lives. Now a vocal movement is speaking out about post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD) – a little-known condition where severe sexual problems continue even after quitting the medication. Patients report genital numbness, eliminated libido, and inability to orgasm or feel intimacy. “My clitoris feels like a knuckle. It’s not a normal thing to have to come to terms with,” said Emily Grey, who took Celexa at age 17-23 but still

November 10, 2023
When Antidepressants Rob You of Sex—Permanently
World|Environment|WrittenByLAPost

Scientists Unleash Millions of Mosquitoes to Block Disease

In an ambitious global experiment, scientists are unleashing millions of engineered mosquitoes carrying virus-blocking bacteria upon dense urban landscapes as an ecological solution to infectious diseases transmitted by the insects’ bites. Initial trials suppressing dengue spread by up to 80 percent bolster hopes of harnessing evolution to vanquish humankind’s most lethal animal foe, responsible for nearly a million annual deaths. But realizing lasting impacts across continents presents daunting financial and logistical hurdles. At dedicated factories in Colombia, technicians mass-produce Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia parasite, which largely prevents transmission of viruses like dengue. The ambitious aim: completely replace

November 21, 2023
Scientists Unleash Millions of Mosquitoes to Block Disease
World|WrittenByLAPost

Victim or Villain? An American Mom's ISIS Story

In a disturbing video, a young American boy wanders through ISIS territory wearing a suicide vest. This chilling footage launched journalist Josh Baker on an investigation that revealed the boy’s identity and his family’s harrowing path into the terrorist group’s inner circle. It became a journey that exposed difficult truths about coercion versus complicity in one mother’s story. Investigative reporter Josh Baker first encountered the video through an anonymous contact in 2019. Alarmed by the sight of a child outfitted for a suicide bombing, Baker traveled from London to the boy’s aunt in Indiana. She identified him as 10-year-old Matthew

November 20, 2023
Victim or Villain? An American Mom's ISIS Story
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Virtual kidnapping scams torment families for money

Parents’ worst fear is being exploited in a terrifying new scam: Virtual kidnapping scams. This is when criminals call parents claiming they have abducted their child and demand ransom money. It all starts with a scary call saying the child has been taken away. The scammers make it seem convincing by using personal details about the kid gathered from social media profiles. They then issue a ransom demand, typically around $2,000 to be paid via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Even though there is no actual kidnapping, the psychological torment inflicted is severely damaging. As this unscrupulous racket

April 03, 2024
Virtual kidnapping scams torment families for money
Health|Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Are high-beam headlights too bright? You’re not alone.

As you drive down rain-slicked highways or winding rural roads late at night, have you recently found yourself squinting against the glare of oncoming headlights that seem brighter than ever? You’re not alone on the road. In recent years, high-intensity LED headlights have rapidly overtaken old halogen bulbs across most vehicles. While these crisper white lights provide improved visibility for drivers, they also cause mass discomfort and frustration, according to experts and many drivers. Jennifer Stockburger, the director of operations at the renowned Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, confirmed that LED lights are “whiter in color” compared to the yellowish

February 20, 2024
Are high-beam headlights too bright? You’re not alone.
World|Local|News|WrittenByLAPost

Mother Faced With Daughter's Decaying Remains After Death in LA County Jail

When police officers arrived at Melinda Bettencourt’s door one morning last fall, she instantly feared the worst before they even spoke. Her youngest daughter, Amanda Bews, had battled addiction and homelessness for years after developing a painful nerve condition. With Amanda estranged and struggling on the streets, news from law enforcement felt ominous from the start. Bettencourt’s dread proved tragically founded: Bews had been arrested in Los Angeles County days earlier and died in custody at age 29. But neither the officers nor officials in the ensuing weeks offered Bettencourt answers about what happened. And what she eventually saw for

November 30, 2023
Mother Faced With Daughter's Decaying Remains After Death in LA County Jail
Uncategorized|WrittenByLAPost

TikTok Creators Join Forces with Harvard Researchers

This year Harvard researchers undertook an unusual collaboration bringing ivory tower expertise together with mass influencers dispensing mental health advice to millions via social media. Their goal: inject more scientifically validated content into TikTok and Instagram feeds increasingly relied on by youth. Selecting subjects with large followings and ethical approaches, the team provided toolkits on issues like trauma and climate anxiety to observe if credible data permeated popular post trends. Despite inhering skepticism over digital health content, results showed modest uptake – along with forging bonds between academia and creators potentially benefiting both. Specifically, a group from Harvard Medical School

November 27, 2023
TikTok Creators Join Forces with Harvard Researchers

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