The nomination of former U.S. Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Robert Califf to again lead the agency now heads to the full Senate for a vote, after a Senate committee on Thursday voted 13-8 for approval. Among those who voted against Califf’s nomination were Democrats who expressed concerns about his links to pharmaceutical companies,…  read on >  read on >

Images of people eating and drinking are a staple of social media, but new research finds such posts from celebrities often puts the spotlight squarely on junk food. Profit isn’t always the reason why, investigators found: Celebrities often highlight unhealthy food favorites without getting paid for it. “Ninety-five percent of photos that contain foods and…  read on >  read on >

The opioid addict you know might not be the college kid who has always dabbled in alcohol and drugs. It could be your grandparent. Opioid misuse doesn’t discriminate by age — and rates are rising steadily among adults aged 55 and up, new research shows. “You can still use recreational drugs at an older age.…  read on >  read on >

People on bone-protecting drugs often take breaks from them for a few years. Now a new study finds that a “holiday” from the medication risedronate (Actonel) may come with a slightly increased risk of hip fracture. Researchers found that compared with a drug holiday from alendronate (Fosamax), taking a few years off from risedronate came…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Babies conceived through infertility treatment are more likely to be born early and small. But there are reasons other than medically assisted reproduction to explain this difference, a new study concludes. “Rather than the infertility treatment itself, our new findings highlight the importance of parents’ underlying fertility problems…  read on >  read on >

Swapping out the butter or other artery-clogging fats in your diet for heart-healthy olive oil may add years to your life, researchers say. Folks who consume more than 1/2 a tablespoon of olive oil a day are less likely to die from heart disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or lung disease when compared to…  read on >  read on >

Examining a woman’s health in midlife can predict her health decades later, researchers say. Four specific factors — higher body mass index (BMI), smoking, arthritis and depressive symptoms — at age 55 are associated with clinically important declines in physical health 10 years later, a new study reports. “Age 55 to 65 may be a…  read on >  read on >