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Brain worms like the one RFK Jr. had are real and more common than you might think, doctor explains
CBSN
Brain worms, like the one Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign said he contracted more than a decade ago, are real — and the infections are more common in certain parts of the world than you might think.
On "CBS Mornings" Thursday, CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder confirmed there are parasitic infections you can get in your brain. Tapeworm infections of the brain, or neurocysticercosis, can be contracted from consuming undercooked, infected pork or drinking contaminated water.
"Usually this happens in countries where you have poor sanitation, unclean water," she said, adding it is "one of the most common causes of seizure around the world where you don't have good water and sanitation."
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Trump administration political appointees have taken steps in recent weeks to exert unprecedented influence over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's flagship medical research publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, multiple federal health officials tell CBS News. The interference included dictating what to cover and withholding studies on the growing bird flu outbreak.
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Since ChatGPT was released just over two years ago, its use everywhere from the workplace to academia has expanded significantly. In schools across the country, teachers and administrators have been grappling with how to contend with this new tool. While some say it has benefits, others point out the negatives, like cheating.