MRI scans are strong diagnostics with high-definition images of what lies inside a body. Strong magnetic fields require precaution, as brought out by an instance where a young woman suffered very serious injuries due to an oversight in a metallic core within a silicone sex toy that she happened to have before the MRI scan. This makes a stark reminder about the potentially deadly consequences of missing metal objects when such procedures are being performed. In April 2023, a 23-year-old woman went into an MRI with a silicone plug containing a metal core that was not known.

She thought that the item is made entirely out of silicone according to the advertising. However, the strong magnetic field of the MRI machine interacted with the hidden metal, dragging the object through her body and causing excruciating pain. According to reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the scene was harrowing, with the woman screaming in agony and requiring immediate hospitalization. Despite pre-scan screenings, which are routine prior to a scan, the patient did not inform the facility that the object existed because he presumed it was purely non-metallic. This caused serious injuries that led to the patient's law suit against the manufacturer for deceitful misrepresentations of material content.

MRI machines employ magnets between 0.5 to 3 Tesla (T). This is thousands of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. The tremendous force causes ferromagnetic materials, like iron and nickel, to be magnetized quickly and become strongly attracted toward the magnet. Objects as small as hairpins or paper clips will accelerate at 40 miles per hour inside the magnetic field.

The force can lead to catastrophic injuries in items lodged within the body, such as metallic implants or foreign objects. Metallic cores within devices, like pacemakers or intrauterine devices, must be disclosed to radiologists to prevent such complications.

How Metal Objects Interact with MRI Fields?

On these claims, Dr. Adam Taylor, a specialist in human anatomy, weighed his words in a international health website and added that the distance away and mass of this object would increase its velocity towards that of sound, "The acceleration would be phenomenal, but with a metallic core, it can't go anywhere near supersonic speeds. As for the size, the magnetic acceleration to the internal soft tissues would ensure that there could be severe intracranial trauma."

The injuries inflicted in this case likely involved damage to major blood vessels, nerves, or organs, highlighting the devastating impact of even minor oversight during an MRI scan.

This is not an isolated case. There are documented cases of metallic objects causing serious damage during MRI scans with a 65-year-old man with schizophrenia swallowed metal objects, including sockets and a hinge pin. The powerful magnetic field during an MRI scan caused the objects to rupture his stomach, resulting in serious injuries.

A toddler who ingested 11 small magnets perforated his bowel while undergoing a scan, making his case unique. In another deadly but extremely rare incident, there have been people who hide a firearm on themselves during MRI procedures. Magnetic attraction can trigger a discharge in a weapon and has led to some fatal injuries.

These cases emphasize the very strong need for adequate screening and patient education prior to an MRI.

Preventing MRI-Related Incidents

Medical professionals have been trained to avoid risks. This is by properly screening a patient for metallic objects. In general, most pre-scan protocols include:

• Patients are interrogated about implants, recent surgery or exposures at work related to metals.
• Radiologists sometimes use handheld metal detectors to search for hidden items.
• People who work with metal, like welders or machinists, will need additional testing to detect microscopic metal fragments within soft tissues or eyes.

The case emphasizes the importance of product labeling by manufacturers, especially those products that are likely to unintentionally cause harm to health. The patient's assumption that her device was 100% silicone points to a larger problem in consumer markets with misinformation.

It also reminds the patients to report any possible dangers to the medical professionals, no matter how the objects look non-metallic. In sensitive cases, patients can request private discussions with healthcare providers to ensure safety without discomfort.

In the end, it is a joint effort from manufacturers, healthcare professionals, and patients that can prevent such tragedies. Manufacturers must ensure truthful marketing, while healthcare providers should educate patients about the dangers of metal objects in MRI settings. For patients, understanding the risks and actively participating in pre-scan disclosures can be lifesaving.

This young woman's experience is a sobering example of the unforeseen dangers posed by MRI machines when precautions are overlooked. It serves as a wake-up call to address gaps in patient awareness, medical protocols, and product transparency. By learning from this incident, the medical community and the public can work together to ensure MRI scans remain a safe and effective diagnostic tool.

The human heart can grow new cells in damaged areas after suffering from a heart attack, an Australian study shows.

Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is severely reduced or blocked due to a buildup of plaque which is made of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the heart's arteries.

During a heart attack, a lack of blood flow causes the cells and tissue in the heart muscle to die, leading to irreversible damage that can result in serious complications like arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest

It is one of the leading causes of death in the country. Four Indians experience a heart attack every minute, with one in four dying of the cause. Experts have also noticed a rising trend of nearly 50 percent of heart attack patients being under the age of 40, with half of all heart attacks in Indian men occurring under 50.

However scientists in Australia have found that organ can regrow new cells to replace the damaged ones after an attack through increased mitosis.

How Does The Heart Regrow Cells?

Until now, the phenomenon of new heart cells growing in scarred areas of the heart had only been seen in mice however, the team made a breakthrough using living heart tissue samples collected from human patients undergoing bypass surgery at Australia’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

The study, published in Circulation Research, found that while sections of the heart remain that had been left scarred following a heart attack, new heart muscle cells were also being produced in the same area through mitosis.

This process involves a parent cell dividing itself to create two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent for growth, repair and replacing old cells in humans.

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Robert Hume, a research fellow at the University of Sydney and the study’s first author, said: "Until now we’ve thought that, because heart cells die after a heart attack, those areas of the heart were irreparably damaged, leaving the heart less able to pump blood to the body’s organs.

"In time, we hope to develop therapies that can amplify the heart’s natural ability to produce new cells and regenerate the heart after an attack."

The scientists are yet to discover the exact mechanism between how cells regrow in scarred regions of the heart.

Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent Killer

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common illnesses that can cause a heart attack in people. It develops over years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack.

The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

Ongoing measles outbreaks across several parts of the country are raising questions about whether the United States could lose its long-held status of having eliminated the virus, yet a senior CDC official said on Tuesday that such a shift would not be a major cause for alarm.

According to CNN, the briefing marked federal officials’ first public comments on a continuing outbreak in South Carolina that has reached at least 646 cases, based on data from the state health department. Last year, a separate outbreak in West Texas recorded around 760 cases, making it one of the largest and deadliest measles outbreaks the U.S. has faced in decades.

At the briefing, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Principal Deputy Director Dr. Ralph Abraham, a former Louisiana surgeon general who previously scaled back some vaccine promotion efforts in his state, said there is no clear evidence proving that transmission is occurring between states involved in the outbreaks. He also stated that even if the U.S. were to lose its elimination status, it would not be a serious concern.

Measles Elimination Status ‘Not Really’ A Concern, CDC Official Says

“Losing elimination status does not mean measles would suddenly become widespread, nor would it change the core strategies used to control it,” Abraham said. He emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective protection against measles, while also reiterating his support for personal choice.

CDC data shows the U.S. recorded 2,242 measles cases in 2025, the highest number reported since 1991. The disease was officially declared eliminated in the country in 2000. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is expected to review that designation when it meets in April. When asked whether losing the status would be a significant setback, Abraham responded, “not really,” adding that the CDC’s focus is on supporting affected communities and reducing the impact of outbreaks.

What Is Measles?

Measles, also known as rubeola, is an extremely contagious viral illness that typically causes high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a characteristic rash that begins on the face and spreads downward across the body. It spreads through respiratory droplets and can lead to severe and sometimes fatal complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain known as encephalitis.

Although it is preventable through the safe and effective MMR vaccine, measles remains a serious threat in many regions. There is no specific cure, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Measles Cases Still Rising In The US

About a year ago, health officials identified measles cases in a small town in western Texas. The virus soon moved into nearby counties, and other states, including Utah and South Carolina, began reporting outbreaks of their own. By the end of 2025, more than 2,200 measles cases had been confirmed nationwide, marking the highest annual total in the U.S. in 33 years, based on CDC figures.

The country also recorded its first measles-related deaths in more than a decade. Two unvaccinated school-aged children in Texas died, along with an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico. It remains unclear whether the cases confirmed in Texas on January 20 are connected to outbreaks elsewhere. If they are, it would indicate that the U.S. has experienced a full year of uninterrupted measles transmission.

If officials determine that measles has been spreading continuously for 12 months, the U.S. could lose the elimination status it achieved in 2000. In that case, measles would once again be classified as endemic, meaning it is consistently circulating within the country.

Will US Lose Its Measles Elimination Status Soon?

Last year, the CDC confirmed 2,144 measles cases across 44 states, along with nearly 50 distinct outbreaks, the highest numbers seen since 1991. Experts say the situation has been building for years, driven by declining routine childhood vaccination rates, parental exemptions, limited access to health care, and widespread misinformation. More recently, health officials under the Trump administration questioned long-established vaccine safety and cut funding for local programs aimed at boosting vaccination coverage.

State health department data shows that the first known case in the Texas outbreak developed the classic measles rash on January 20, 2025. From there, the outbreak rapidly escalated. Officially, 762 people became ill, most of them in rural Gaines County, and two children died. Health officials believe the true number is higher. In March 2025 alone, 182 possible measles cases among children in Gaines County were never confirmed, suggesting the outbreak may have been undercounted by as much as 44 percent in that area.

Gaps like these are common and make it harder to accurately track outbreaks. Many people in affected communities face barriers to health care and have deep mistrust of government institutions.

Genetic sequencing has helped clarify some of the missing links. Ultimately, the decision may hinge on how PAHO experts interpret incomplete data, said Dr. Andrew Pavia, a Utah-based physician and longtime CDC adviser, as per CNN.

“My best guess is that we will lose elimination status,” Pavia said. “The argument that this hasn’t been continuous transmission is weak, and I think they will likely err on the side of declaring a loss.”

PAHO will also review Mexico’s measles-free status at the same time, Oliel said. Mexico’s largest outbreak has been linked to Texas. It began when an 8-year-old boy from Chihuahua became ill after visiting family in Seminole, Texas. Since February last year, Mexico has reported about 6,000 measles cases, with 21 deaths in Chihuahua state alone.

Under PAHO’s current definition of elimination, international borders play a key role. For example, if a chain of transmission started in the U.S., spread to Mexico, and then re-entered the U.S., it would be considered a new chain. Many experts argue that this standard no longer reflects modern patterns of disease spread.

What is clear, however, is that measles found widespread opportunity to spread in the U.S. in 2025. The virus moved through schools, day-care centers, churches, hospital waiting rooms, and even a detention center. New Mexico reported 100 cases and one adult death. Kansas spent seven months trying to contain an outbreak that sickened nearly 90 people across 10 counties. Ohio confirmed 40 cases, while Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin each reported 36.

In a serious caution to the public, Dr Uma Kumar, Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS New Delhi, has warned against using AI chatbots such as ChatGPT for medical self-diagnosis. As reported by Hindustan Times, she issued the warning while speaking to the media after a recent case at the institute exposed the risks of acting on automated health advice.

The concern followed an incident in which a patient developed severe internal bleeding after treating back pain based on suggestions generated by an AI chatbot. The patient consumed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs without consulting a doctor or undergoing basic medical tests.

When AI Advice Turns Dangerous

According to doctors at AIIMS, the patient relied on an AI tool to manage persistent back pain instead of seeking clinical care. The chatbot recommended commonly used painkillers, which the patient purchased and took independently.

As Hindustan Times noted, the AI system had no access to the patient’s medical history or their risk of stomach and intestinal complications. What appeared to be a routine solution resulted in a life-threatening episode of internal bleeding.

Doctors say this reflects a growing pattern, where quick online answers are replacing medical evaluation, even for drugs that are widely available over the counter.

Why Medical Diagnosis Is Not Data Matching

Dr Kumar explained that medical diagnosis follows a structured process known as diagnosis by exclusion. Doctors rule out possible causes through examinations, laboratory tests, imaging, and patient history before deciding on treatment.

An AI model, however, works by identifying patterns in data. It cannot examine a patient, detect physical warning signs, or judge whether a symptom points to a deeper problem. In this case, proper investigations would likely have revealed a high risk of bleeding, a step that was entirely bypassed.

The Risk of Confident but Incorrect Guidance

Medical experts are increasingly concerned about what are often called AI hallucinations, where chatbots present information with confidence despite gaps or inaccuracies.

While platforms such as ChatGPT include disclaimers, their tone can appear authoritative, particularly to someone in pain. As highlighted by Hindustan Times, the recommendation to use NSAIDs was not unusual in general practice, but for this patient, it proved dangerous.

Without a doctor to check for contraindications or underlying conditions, even a common suggestion can lead to serious harm.

Doctors Call for Caution and Clearer Oversight

The incident has renewed debate over how AI platforms should handle health-related queries. AIIMS doctors are urging the public to treat online tools as sources of general information rather than personal treatment guides.

Experts believe AI can assist healthcare in limited roles, such as research support or administrative tasks, but should never replace professional diagnosis or supervision.

There are also calls for stronger public awareness and clearer regulation to prevent similar incidents. Doctors continue to stress that medical judgment, built on examination and evidence, cannot be replaced by algorithms.