Health
Measles cases are on the rise − here’s how to make sure you’re protected
Measles cases are on the rise − here’s how to make sure you’re protected Should you get an additional shot of the measles vaccine? Hailshadow via Gett Images The measles outbreak that started in Texas in late January continues to grow. As of March 18, 2025, confirmed cases in the outbreak, which now spans Texas, […]
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Insomnia can lead to heart issues − a psychologist recommends changes that can improve sleep
Insomnia can lead to heart issues − a psychologist recommends changes that can improve sleep Better sleep hygiene habits may help with insomnia. Tetra Images via Getty Images About 10% of Americans say they have chronic insomnia, and millions of others report poor sleep quality. Ongoing research has found that bad sleep could lead to […]
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How early-life stress can ‘reprogram’ the brain
How early-life stress can ‘reprogram’ the brain New research reveals how childhood adversity shapes the brain and behavior. Early-life adversity affects more than half of the world’s children and is a significant risk factor for cognitive and mental health problems later in life. In an extensive and up-to-the-minute review of research in this domain, researchers […]
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Fewer deaths, new substances and evolving treatments in Philly’s opioid epidemic − 4 essential reads
Fewer deaths, new substances and evolving treatments in Philly’s opioid epidemic − 4 essential reads Opioid overdose deaths in Philly dropped in 2023. Data for 2024 has not yet been released. Jeff Fusco/The Conversation U.S., CC BY-NC-SA In Philadelphia, fatal overdoses are the No. 3 cause of death after heart disease and cancer. That’s been […]
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‘Midlife window’ could be key for preventing brain decline
‘Midlife window’ could be key for preventing brain decline Researchers have identified a critical “midlife window” for preventing age-related brain decline. The new study in PNAS has unveiled that brain aging follows a distinct yet nonlinear trajectory with critical transition points. “This represents a paradigm shift in how we think about brain aging prevention.” The […]
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There’s a link between infant mortality and lead in the air
There’s a link between infant mortality and lead in the air Infant mortality is tied to the concentration of lead in the air, according to a new study. Concentrations of lead in the air remain substantial in developed and developing countries, largely the result of industrial emissions. Even with the decline in lead in gasoline, […]
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Simple strategies can boost vaccination rates for adults over 65 − new study
Simple strategies can boost vaccination rates for adults over 65 − new study Many older adults are not up to date on their vaccines. Morsa Images via Getty Images Knowing which vaccines older adults should get and hearing a clear recommendation from their health care provider about why a particular vaccine is important strongly motivated […]
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Plastic exposure may be making bacteria resistant to drugs
Plastic exposure may be making bacteria resistant to drugs Microplastics could be fueling antibiotic resistance, according to new research. Microplastics—tiny shards of plastic debris—are all over the planet. They have made their way up food chains, accumulated in oceans, clustered in clouds and on mountains, and been found inside our bodies at alarming rates. Scientists […]
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Middle age is a time when women are vulnerable to eating disorders
Middle age is a time when women are vulnerable to eating disorders Changes in identity in midlife can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. muratseyit/E+ via Getty Images “No one expects a grown woman in her 40s to have an eating disorder. That’s for teenagers, right? Well, guess what – it happened to […]
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How a natural mechanism stymies fertility
How a natural mechanism stymies fertility Researchers have uncovered how a naturally occurring biological mechanism is able to prevent sperm cells from interacting with an egg, preventing fertilization. The discovery, found in rodent models, offers a new path for scientific research to help people with fertility issues, while also opening a new line of study […]
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From TB to HIV/AIDS to cancer, disease tracking has always had a political dimension, but it’s the foundation of public health
From TB to HIV/AIDS to cancer, disease tracking has always had a political dimension, but it’s the foundation of public health Tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in New York City and the U.S. overall in the late 19th century. Lewis Wickes Hine/Picryl, CC BY Federal datasets began disappearing from public view on Jan. […]
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Eye changes may be early warning for Alzheimer’s
Eye changes may be early warning for Alzheimer’s Researchers have identified that an eye condition affecting the retina, the light-sensing tissue in the back of the eye, may serve as an early indicator for Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings offer new insights into the potential use of retinal changes as early biomarkers for Alzheimer’s, which could […]
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End-of-life planning can be hampered by misconceptions − but the process is easier than you might think
End-of-life planning can be hampered by misconceptions − but the process is easier than you might think Choosing a health care agent requires having some sensitive and potentially uncomfortable conversations about your end-of-life wishes. PictureLake via Getty Images During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people unexpectedly needed critical care such as ventilators but were unable to […]
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Mosquitoes hunt down humans via infrared
Mosquitoes hunt down humans via infrared Mosquitoes sense infrared from body heat to help track humans down, researchers report. While a mosquito bite is often no more than a temporary bother, in many parts of the world it can be scary. One mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, spreads the viruses that cause over 100,000,000 cases of […]
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26 states may soon need to regulate cannabis – here’s what they can learn from Colorado and Washington
26 states may soon need to regulate cannabis – here’s what they can learn from Colorado and Washington More states may soon be faced with the task of regulating marijuana marketplaces. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has made moves to reclassify marijuana, making it a type of legal but […]
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