The shingles vaccine does more than just protect middle-aged folks and seniors against maddening rashes, a new study says. The vaccine also lowers their risk of heart disease, dementia and death, researchers reported in Atlanta Sunday at IDWeek, the joint annual meeting of America’s top infectious disease professional societies. According to the new study, adults… read on > read on >
A new AI-driven bite counter is in development to help counter childhood obesity – potentially even tracking kids while they eat and urging them to slow down. The faster a child takes bites during a meal or snack, the greater their risk for developing obesity, researchers say. But studying different ways to help kids slow… read on > read on >
Mental health distress is rising among America’s LGBTQ+ teenagers and young adults as they’ve increasingly become targets of discrimination and cruelty, a new report says. Anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts all rose among young LGBTQ+ people between September 2023 and March 2025, according to data gathered by The Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention and… read on > read on >
For older adults, friendship might be the best medicine. Researchers say that doing small favors for close friends — like offering a ride or lending a hand — can boost happiness and give people a greater sense of purpose. A University of Michigan study found that older adults who provide practical help to close friends… read on > read on >
Trick-or-treating is one of Halloween’s favorite traditions, but the excitement of the night can quickly lead to injuries if families aren’t careful. Each year, about 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. And research in JAMA Pediatrics shows that children are more likely to be… read on > read on >
Florida wildlife officials have confirmed the state’s second case of a deadly and highly contagious infection known as “zombie deer disease” in a wild deer. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected in a young white-tailed doe found dead after being hit by a vehicle in Holmes County, near the Alabama border, state officials said. Florida’s… read on > read on >
A growing number of young adults use cannabis and alcohol as sleep aids, but experts warn the habit could make catching zzz’s harder, not easier. A new study from the University of Michigan, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that 22% of U.S. adults ages 19 to 30 reported using either cannabis or alcohol to fall… read on > read on >
A new analysis reveals how deeply the U.S. drug supply chain depends on China, and experts warn that a trade war could leave American patients at risk. Nearly 700 medicines used in the U.S. contain at least one chemical sourced only in China, according to U.S. Pharmacopeia, a nonprofit that monitors the drug supply. Those… read on > read on >
Kiwis may be more than a healthy snack — they could also help get your digestive system moving. New evidence-based dietary guidelines from the British Dietetic Association say kiwis, rye bread and certain supplements may help people manage chronic constipation without on medication. These guidelines focus specifically on diet-based constipation treatment rather than pharmaceuticals, according… read on > read on >
Consumers are being warned to check their kitchen shelves for certain Ben’s Original Ready Rice products that may contain small stones. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced earlier this week that the company is recalling several batches of its microwaveable rice products. Officials said the stones are naturally occurring and come from the… read on > read on >
