Folks who are loaded down with medical debt are less likely to survive a bout of cancer, a new study reports. Researchers found that U.S. counties where more residents have medical debt in collections also had more cancer deaths, compared to counties with less medical debt. “This association was seen for all cancers combined, and…  read on >  read on >

Some might think masturbation is all about self-pleasure, but scientists now claim it’s far more significant than that. Their new findings suggest it could serve an important role in evolution. An ancient trait in primates, masturbation — at least for the males of the species — increases their reproductive success while also helping them avoid…  read on >  read on >

Millions of stray cats roam the world over, and surgical sterilization has long been the primary method of population control. But a small new study shows promising results for a one-and-done contraceptive injection. Researchers say this first-of-its-kind approach appears safe and effective. “A non-surgical contraceptive that could result in lifetime sterility following a single injection…  read on >  read on >

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT someday may make a big difference for people seeking answers to questions such as “How can I stop smoking?” They may even offer resources to someone who was sexually assaulted. But they’re not quite there yet, a new study reveals. Researchers wanted to see how well ChatGPT performed for…  read on >  read on >

A new study on using nitroglycerin patches to help women with frequent hot flashes caused by menopause has delivered mixed results. The benefits of wearing these patches — long used as chest pain medication — were modest. They also were short-lived, with any benefits appearing to wear off over time, according to researchers from the…  read on >  read on >