More than 20% of people in the continental United States might have drinking water contaminated with “forever chemicals,” a new study suggests. Between 75 and 95 million Americans rely on groundwater that contains detectible concentrations of these chemicals, known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated in the Oct. 24… read on > read on >
An experimental electric bandage might help doctors stop bacterial infections without using any drugs, a new study suggests. Imperceptible low-level electric current applied through a skin patch caused a nearly 10 times reduction in amounts of Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common bacterium found on human skin, researchers reported Oct. 24 in the journal Device. “This opens… read on > read on >
Every minute spent waiting for a first shock from a defibrillator cuts the odds of surviving cardiac arrest by 6%, a new Dutch study finds. “Our research shows that every minute of delay in giving the first shock has a major impact,” said study first author says Remy Stieglis, a researcher at Amsterdam University Medical… read on > read on >
Hospice care is a compassionate and heartfelt enterprise, involving a medical team dedicated to maintaining a person’s comfort and dignity as they face the final curtain. Now, new research shows hospice is also incredibly cost-effective as a health care service, a new report says. For-profit hospice providers generate substantial savings for Medicare, according to a… read on > read on >
Halloween is meant to be a spooky season, but it can be downright terrifying to someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. “Halloween is full of scary sights and frightful sounds that create additional challenges for someone living with dementia, which is why being a proactive caregiver is so important,” said Jennifer Reeder, director of… read on > read on >
Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the at-home use of the flu vaccine spray FluMist, how do you know that it’s the right choice for you and your family? One expert offers advice on the spray’s efficacy and how to figure out if FluMist is your best bet against flu germs.… read on > read on >
An outbreak of E. coli illness linked to onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has expanded to now include 75 cases across 13 states, U.S. health officials announced Friday. That’s up from 49 cases in 10 states reported on Monday. The three new states with illnesses are Michigan, New Mexico and Washington. “Of 61 people… read on > read on >
As the popularity of GLP-1 meds like Wegovy and Zepbound grows, fewer Americans are turning to weight-loss surgeries to trim their waistlines, a new report finds. Prescriptions of this GLP-1 class of diabetes and weight-loss medications more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, a new tally finds. “In contrast, there was a 25.6% decrease in… read on > read on >
With onions from one supplier implicated as the source of E. coli illness linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, other fast food chains are now pulling the onions from their menus. Representatives for Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut all told NBC News that some of their restaurants will remove the onions from their menus.… read on > read on >
Some Americans should get more than one shot of the updated COVID vaccines because their age or certain health conditions make them more vulnerable to severe infections, U.S. health officials advised this week. Six months after their first shot, people 65 and older and those who are immunocompromised should receive a second dose of the vaccines… read on > read on >
