Health
Arsenic in brown rice may put young kids at risk
Arsenic in brown rice may put young kids at risk Research found that brown rice contains higher levels of arsenic than white rice among American populations, particularly for infants and children under age 5. The study suggests that while brown rice has nutritional benefits, its higher arsenic content may pose a risk to young children’s […]
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Natural compound from fruits may slow ALS and dementia
Natural compound from fruits may slow ALS and dementia Researchers have discovered that kaempferol, a natural antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables like kale and berries, may help slow ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and dementia by supporting nerve cell health. The compound has been shown to improve energy production, reduce muscle atrophy, and ease stress […]
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Maltreatment in childhood tied to opioid use later in life
Maltreatment in childhood tied to opioid use later in life Child maltreatment in childhood has been linked to opioid use later in life, according to a new study. The study found that child maltreatment was directly associated with opioid use across nine out of eleven studies, which varied in their measurement methods and definitions. The […]
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‘Factory’ implant shows promise for fighting several cancers
‘Factory’ implant shows promise for fighting several cancers Researchers have developed an implantable “factory” that produces cytokines to trigger potent immune responses against various cancers, including metastatic melanoma and pancreatic tumors. The IL-12 cytokine factory successfully recruits specialized immune cells called precursor exhausted T cells (Tpex cells), leading to a large population of tumor-targeting T […]
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Preventive care may no longer be free in 2026 because of HIV stigma − unless the Trump administration successfully defends the ACA
Preventive care may no longer be free in 2026 because of HIV stigma − unless the Trump administration successfully defends the ACA The Supreme Court case Braidwood v. Biden may impact the free coverage of preventive care services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including PrEP, contraception, and other essential health benefits. If the court […]
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How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains
How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, has been spreading in birds and cattle, infecting 70 Americans and causing two deaths as of April 8, 2025. The risk to people from bird flu is currently low, but experts are concerned that the […]
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Pennsylvania may be short 20,000 nurses by 2026
Pennsylvania may be short 20,000 nurses by 2026 Pennsylvania may face a shortage of 20,000 registered nurses by 2026 due to education bottlenecks, burnout, and an aging workforce. The nursing shortage in Pennsylvania affects not only hospitals but also long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies, leading to delayed care and reduced quality […]
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How the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service protects public health at home and abroad
How the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service protects public health at home and abroad The Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is a dynamic crisis response team that has produced highly trained public health experts over its 74-year history, mobilizing domestically and internationally to help curb disease outbreaks. The EIS was founded in 1951 as a two-year fellowship […]
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Are twins allergic to the same things?
Are twins allergic to the same things? Twins are more likely to share allergies due to their shared genetics and growing up together. Allergies are caused by a combination of someone’s genes and the environment they live in, making it possible for twins to develop similar allergies. Research has shown that identical twins are more […]
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Pornography may be commonplace, but a growing body of research shows it causes lasting harm to the brain and relationships
Pornography may be commonplace, but a growing body of research shows it causes lasting harm to the brain and relationships Pornography use has been linked to lasting harm to the brain and relationships, including reduced gray matter in the reward system, desensitization, and increased cravings for more extreme content. Research suggests that problematic pornography use […]
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Microneedle patches could speed up diabetic wound healing
Microneedle patches could speed up diabetic wound healing Microneedle patches have been developed to accelerate diabetic wound healing by preserving growth factors and removing inflammatory compounds. The technology uses microneedles to deliver growth factors directly into wounds, increasing their production within the wound itself, and also extracts undesirable pro-inflammatory proteins and immune cells from the […]
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Cancer hijacks your brain and steals your motivation − new research in mice reveals how, offering potential avenues for treatment
Cancer hijacks your brain and steals your motivation − new research in mice reveals how, offering potential avenues for treatment Cancer hijacks a specific brain circuit that controls motivation, leading to apathy and loss of will to engage with life in patients with late-stage cancer. The area postrema, a small brain region, acts as the […]
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Americans die earlier at all wealth levels, even if wealth buys more years of life in the US than in Europe
Americans die earlier at all wealth levels, even if wealth buys more years of life in the US than in Europe Americans die earlier at all wealth levels, even if they live longer than Europeans in general. The wealthiest Americans still have shorter lifespans than those in northern and western Europe, despite spending more on […]
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Colorado’s early childhood education workers face burnout and health disparities, but a wellness campaign could help
Colorado’s early childhood education workers face burnout and health disparities, but a wellness campaign could help Early childhood education workers face high stress, burnout, and health disparities due to underpaid wages ($18.50 median hourly pay), limited resources, and chronic underfunding of programs. Research shows that stressed-out early childhood teachers can negatively impact child care quality, […]
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Your time in high school affects your Alzheimer’s risk
Your time in high school affects your Alzheimer’s risk A new study reveals that high school contexts, opportunities, and outcomes play a significant role in shaping midlife cognition, even among individuals with the same completed degrees. The quality of one’s high school experience, not just degree attainment, affects brain health decades later, according to lead […]
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Fire smoke tied to thousands of premature deaths in 2017 alone
Fire smoke tied to thousands of premature deaths in 2017 alone A new study estimates that fire smoke from wildfires and prescribed burns caused $200 billion in health damages in 2017, associated with 20,000 premature deaths. Senior citizens were disproportionately harmed, while Native American and Black communities experienced the greatest damages per capita, highlighting systemic […]
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C. diff spreads in hospitals way more than previously thought
C. diff spreads in hospitals way more than previously thought Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection, commonly known as C. diff, spreads more widely within hospitals than previously thought, according to a new study. The bacteria can survive for long periods outside the body and can be transferred from surface to patient or vice versa, leading […]
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Social media before bedtime wreaks havoc on our sleep − a sleep researcher explains why screens alone aren’t the main culprit
Social media before bedtime wreaks havoc on our sleep − a sleep researcher explains why screens alone aren’t the main culprit Using social media before bed can disrupt sleep patterns, even if screen time alone isn’t the main culprit. The way people emotionally engage with social media may have a greater impact on sleep quality […]
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How does electrical brain stimulation ease post-stroke symptoms?
How does electrical brain stimulation ease post-stroke symptoms? A pilot study investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on post-stroke patients, particularly those with aphasia, a language disorder resulting from a stroke injury. The study found that participants who received real tDCS showed significantly larger pupil dilation, which could indicate improved attention, but […]
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New neurons may repair damage from Huntington’s disease
New neurons may repair damage from Huntington’s disease New research suggests that the adult brain can generate new neurons that integrate into key motor circuits, offering a potential new way to restore brain function and slow the progression of Huntington’s disease. The study found that stimulating natural brain processes can help repair damaged neural networks […]
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1 in 5 people with dementia get no care
1 in 5 people with dementia get no care 1 in 5 people living with dementia globally receive no care or assistance with daily living tasks, regardless of their country’s wealth or development status. The lack of care has persisted for years, and its consequences are severe, including increased risk of emergency room visits, nursing […]
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Housing instability complicates end-of-life care for aging unhoused populations
Housing instability complicates end-of-life care for aging unhoused populations Housing instability complicates end-of-life care for aging unhoused populations, with research estimating that one-third or more of the unhoused population in the U.S. is age 50 or older. Unhoused people face high rates of chronic and serious illness, die at younger ages compared to housed individuals, […]
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Animal tranquilizers found in illegal opioids may suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone − and cause more overdose deaths
Animal tranquilizers found in illegal opioids may suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone − and cause more overdose deaths Animal tranquilizers like xylazine and medetomidine are being found in increasing amounts in illicit opioids, which can suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone and lead to more overdose deaths. The addition of animal tranquilizers to opioids can block […]
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Alcohol causes cancer, and less than 1 drink can increase your risk − a cancer biologist explains how
Alcohol causes cancer, and less than 1 drink can increase your risk − a cancer biologist explains how Alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of cancer, with over 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the US. Even low amounts of alcohol (less than one drink a day) can increase […]
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Hormone therapy may cut cardiovascular risk in younger menopausal women
Hormone therapy may cut cardiovascular risk in younger menopausal women Hormone therapy relieves many symptoms of menopause. Ariel Skelley/DigitalVision via Getty Images Menopause can have profound effects on heart health, yet many people are unaware of this important connection. The hormonal shifts occurring during menopause mark the end of a woman’s reproductive years and contribute […]
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Being alone has its benefits − a psychologist flips the script on the ‘loneliness epidemic’
Being alone has its benefits − a psychologist flips the script on the ‘loneliness epidemic’ Studies show that choosing ‘me time’ is not a recipe for loneliness but can boost your creativity and emotional well-being. FotoDuets/iStock via Getty Images Plus Over the past few years, experts have been sounding the alarm over how much time […]
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Americans live shorter lives than Europeans, no matter their wealth
Americans live shorter lives than Europeans, no matter their wealth Comparing wealth and survival rates in the US with those in Europe, researchers found that over a 10-year period, Americans across all wealth levels were more likely to die than their European counterparts. The findings are detailed in a new study in the New England […]
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Listen: What are the hidden dangers of grief?
Listen: What are the hidden dangers of grief? In a new podcast episode, a psychologist examines the stress that loss has on the body—and how society can help. When we lose someone close to us, we often say we have a broken heart: But what if that’s not just a metaphor? In her new book, […]
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Vitamin D builds your bones and keeps your gut sealed, among many other essential functions − but many children are deficient
Vitamin D builds your bones and keeps your gut sealed, among many other essential functions − but many children are deficient Most people in the U.S. get their vitamin D from Sun exposure. Stockbyte/DigitalVision via Getty Images You’ve likely heard about vitamin D’s important role in maintaining strong bones and teeth. But it also plays […]
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Medicare Advantage is covering more and more Americans − some because they don’t get to choose
Medicare Advantage is covering more and more Americans − some because they don’t get to choose Since the mid-2000s, the Medicare system has dramatically transformed. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage – the private alternative to the traditional Medicare program administered by the government – has more than quadrupled. It now accounts for the majority of Medicare […]
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