Black and Hispanic communities in the United States are more often poor — and also more likely to have harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water, a new study reveals. Sources of PFAS pollution — including major manufacturers, airports, military bases, wastewater treatment plants and landfills — are disproportionately sited…  read on >  read on >

Older adults are more easily distracted than younger folks, especially if they’re also physically exerting themselves, according to new research. “Our results suggest that older adults might have heightened distractibility,” said study co-author Lilian Azer, a graduate student from the University of California, Riverside. For the study, the researchers assessed the interaction between physical exertion…  read on >  read on >

Becoming a mother is an experience like no other — a time of joy, anticipation and love. But, for some women, new motherhood can come with challenging emotions. Many women struggle with feelings of sadness, anxiety and overwhelming exhaustion. These emotional struggles, coupled with the physical demands of caring for a newborn, can be signs…  read on >  read on >

An estimated 5% of adults worldwide suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This mental health disorder permeates all areas of life from personal relationships to academic and professional ones and goes well beyond typical mood fluctuations and everyday concerns. Depression can affect anyone, but individuals who have experienced trauma, significant losses…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. National Institutes of Health could get a new leader in Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, the Boston cancer surgeon who’s led the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) since last fall. On Monday President Joe Biden formally nominated Bertagnolli to the post, which has been filled by an interim director since December 2021, the Washington Post…  read on >  read on >