There’s early evidence that a mysterious flu-like illness that has sickened 416 people and left 75 dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo over recent weeks may be malaria. Laboratory samples taken from infected people are suggestive of malaria, although more research is needed to confirm that, health officials said. “Of the 12 samples taken,… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
FDA Asks Biden Administration to Limit Nicotine in Tobacco Products
In what appears to be a last-ditch effort to limit the harms of smoking before its term ends, the Biden administration has proposed a rule that would significantly lower the amount of nicotine in tobacco products. The agency’s efforts to counter the dangers of the addictive chemical stretch back to 2018, when it first proposed… read on > read on >
Blood Pressure Ups & Downs May Harm Seniors’ Thinking
Keeping your blood pressure in check is important for more than just heart health — it can also keep your brain sharp as you age. A new study published Dec. 11 in the journal Neurology shows that seniors whose blood pressure spikes and drops over time might be more likely to suffer a decline in… read on > read on >
Preteen, Teen Smoking Can Injure The Young Heart
Sneaking cigarettes might seem like a harmless pre-teen rite of passage, but it’s more dangerous than you think, a new study warns. Regular smoking at a young age doesn’t just lead to a higher chance of smoking later in life — it can also cause serious harm to young hearts. Experts have understood that children… read on > read on >
Ditch That Itch: Early Findings Offer Hope for Skin Issues Like Rosacea
It’s still early science — studies in mice and in human cells — but researchers are on the trail of an effective new treatment for inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea. Skin cells called mast cells are key players in the inflammation and itchiness that can plague folks with these skin ailments. However, researchers at… read on > read on >
Jamie Foxx Reveals He Had Brain Bleed in 2023
Actor Jamie Foxx has shared the details of a life-threatening medical emergency he experienced last year after doctors discovered he had suffered a brain bleed. In his new Netflix comedy special, “What Had Happened Was,” Jamie Foxx finally described what left him fighting for his life in 2023, Variety magazine reported Tuesday. Emerging on stage… read on > read on >
Genital Herpes Affects 1 in 5 Younger Adults Worldwide
Genital herpes is widespread the world round among younger adults, with more than 846 million people living with the lifelong sexually transmitted infection, a new review finds. About 1 in 5 people younger than 50 live with a genital herpes infection, researchers reported Dec. 10 in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections. Even worse, more than… read on > read on >
Parents’ Smoking Could Raise Risk for MS in Kids
For children genetically predisposed to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), exposure to cigarette smoke in the family home could raise that risk even higher, new research shows. “A higher genetic MS risk is associated with an increased vulnerability to the negative effects of household smoking on brain development,” conclude a Dutch team led by Dr. Rinze… read on > read on >
Car Height, Not Just Speed, Matters When Pedestrians Are Hit
Watch out for tall, fast-moving cars. The height of a vehicle, not only its speed, determines its potential danger to a pedestrian, new research shows. “Multiple factors — in this case speed and vehicle height—converge to create negative outcomes on the road,” said David Harkey, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Measurements… read on > read on >
Are You a ‘Late Gift-Giver’? Study Finds Folks Mostly Don’t Mind
It can feel like a shameful moment, bracing yourself to hand over a Christmas or birthday gift that’s days or months overdue for one reason or another. But slackers take heart — a new study has found that your friend or loved one likely won’t be as upset about getting that late gift as you… read on > read on >