Heat Waves Threaten Brain Health, Study Suggests

Global warming will increasingly have dire consequences for people with degenerative brain disorders like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Heat waves caused by climate change will exacerbate the symptoms of people with brain diseases, increasing their risk of death, researchers reported recently in the jou...

Moms Take on 70% of 'Mental Load' for Household Tasks: Study

If you're a mom right now, you are likely tearing your hair out as you juggle the sizable scheduling demands of the holiday season. Maybe you feel like you are carrying the load alone.

New research suggests you are not imagining things, and that it happens all year long to many moms.

The study, published recently in the <...

Norovirus Cases Are Up in Pockets of the U.S.

Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug, is surging across the United States this winter, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The data shows 91 outbreaks of norovirus during the week of Dec. 5, a sharp rise from the 69 outbreaks recorded the previous week.

For context, the ...

CDC Reports Potentially Troublesome Mutations in Bird Flu Found in Louisiana Patient

Federal health officials have confirmed unsettling new details about the first United States case of severe bird flu, reported recently in a hospitalized patient in Louisiana.

Genetic samples from the patient contained mutations that could, in theory, help the virus better infect human cells.

Importantly, these mutations were observe...

Single Peoples' Personalities Differ from Partnered Peoples'

Single folks might seem like they’re free to have more fun, but a new study says they may pay the piper in their later years.

Lifelong single folks have lower scores on life satisfaction measures than those in long-term relationships, according to a study published recently in the journal Psychological Science.

Singles...

Singapore Is Ready for a Rapidly Aging Society, Study Says. What About the U.S.?

The United States is lagging behind dozens of nations in its preparation for dealing with its aging population.

The U.S. ranks 24 among 143 countries when it comes to ensuring seniors’ well-being, productivity and security, according to results published Dec. 27 in the journal Nature Aging.

By compariso...

How to Manage the Blues this Holiday Season

Blue Christmas, anyone? Holiday time can be wonderful, worrisome, energizing and depressing -- all at the same time.

There is no doubt about it: The holidays can be darn hard, especially when the season dredges up painful feelings or memories. Rather than stirring merry and joyful feelings, the end of the year can feel sad, dark and lone...

New Legislation Will Help Schools Handle Heart Emergencies

Schoolkids will be better able to save the life of a cardiac arrest victim, thanks to a new law signed this week by President Joe Biden.

The Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act creates a new grant program to provide United States schools with additional resources to respond to a heart h...

Money, Gun Violence, Hate Crimes: Poll Reveals Top Worries at the End of 2024

Should you cut back on doom scrolling in 2025?

Worries about money, gun violence and hate crimes ranked high among many people's lists of worries at the end of 2024, according to a poll that is part of American Psychiatric Association (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly opinion poll series. The survey included 2200 U.S. adults.

Reducing new...

Bird Flu Kills 20 Big Cats at Washington Sanctuary, Causing Quarantine

A devastating bird flu outbreak has killed 20 big cats at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington, a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Shelton, Wash.

The deaths, which include four cougars and a half-Bengal tiger, have led the sanctuary to declare a quarantine to prevent further spread of the virus.

"Our sanctuary is under quarantin...

Proposed FDA Rule Targets Asbestos in Talc Cosmetic Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule to require standardized testing of talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos, a known carcinogen linked to serious illnesses such as lung and ovarian cancers.

According to an FDA report, the proposed rule would mandate that manufacturers test each batch of talc-containing cos...

In Kids with Crohn's Disease, TNF Inhibitors Help Prevent Serious Complications, Data Suggests

FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2024 (HealthDay News) A specific class of anti-inflammatory drugs can help children avoid a debilitating complication of Crohn’s disease.

A new study published recently in the journal Gut shows children with Crohn's who were prescribed anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) drugs following their diagnosis had an 8...

Has RSV Vaccine Hesitancy Subsided?

More Americans believe in the effectiveness of vaccines developed to protect newborns and seniors against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

More than half of U.S. adults (52%) think the RSV vaccine given to pregnant women will protect newborns from the infection, up from 42% a year ago, say survey results from the Annenberg Public Policy ...

Study: Blood Transfusion Post-Heart Attack May Be Critical for Those with Anemia

A blood transfusion following a heart attack could be a life-saving measure for patients with anemia.

A new evidence review published in the journal NEJM Evidence shows anemic patients had a slightly lower risk of death within six months of a heart attack if they were given more transfusions.

“The results of this analy...

FDA Approves Generic GLP-1 Medicine For Diabetes Treatment

THURSDAY, Dec. 26, (2024 HealthDay News)  -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday the approval of the first generic version of a daily injectable GLP-1 medicine for people living with Type 2 diabetes.

Liraglutide, the generic for Victoza, is similar to semaglutide, the active ingredient in the popular weigh...

Food Recall Update: Class 1 Alert Issued for Costco Eggs Linked to Salmonella

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated the recall of certain eggs sold at Costco to its highest Class 1 alert level due to salmonella contamination risks.

According to the FDA, The Handsome Brook Farms Kirkland Signature Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs were distributed to Costco locations in Tennessee, Alabama, Geor...

Northwest Naturals Pet Food Linked to Bird Flu in Cat, Issues Recall

A batch of pet food has been voluntarily recalled nationwide after a cat in Oregon died of bird flu, an illness state officials linked to contaminated food.

The recall, according to a news release published Dec. 25, 2024, involves Northwest Naturals’ Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food with sell-by dates between May 21, 2026, an...

Women Are Less Likely Than Men to Take Medication After a Stroke, Study Suggests

Female stroke victims are less likely than men to take drugs that could lower their odds of a second stroke.

Women are 80% more likely to report that they don’t take cholesterol-lowering medications as prescribed, a new study shows.

They’re also 53% more likely to not take blood thinners that could prevent a follow-up str...

Could AI Plus Lasers Help Catch Very Early Breast Cancers?

Very early-stage breast cancers are notoriously tough to spot via mammograms, but new technology might make detection easier.

According to a new study published recently in the Journal of Biophotonics, Scottish researchers are combining AI with high-tech "laser analysis" to spot changes in circulating blood that could signal the ...

Fairy Tales Help Teach Healthy Sleep Habits

Bedtime stories are a time-honored means of helping kids calm down and get a good night’s sleep.

But these fairy tales can also serve another less obvious purpose -- teaching children about the benefits of good sleep.

Analysis of four traditional children’s tales show that the fanciful stories contain important lessons ab...