Preparing your taxes is a purely mental activity, but one that leaves many exhausted by the end of the effort. The same goes for reading a dense report, picking apart reams of spreadsheet data, or writing a fact-laden paper. That feeling of exhaustion following a bout of intense thinking isn’t all in your head, a…  read on >  read on >

The Inflation Reduction Act is expected to bring out-of-pocket drug costs down for many U.S. seniors, but most of its benefits aren’t immediate. Under the law, Medicare will now be allowed to negotiate the cost of some drugs. That should eventually bring down out-of-pocket costs for seniors with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, according…  read on >  read on >

Reading, doing yoga and spending time with family and friends might help lower your risk of dementia, a new study suggests. “Previous studies have shown that leisure activities were associated with various health benefits, such as a lower cancer risk, a reduction of atrial fibrillation, and a person’s perception of their own well-being,” said study…  read on >  read on >

Inflatable bounce houses are big, colorful, cheap to rent and practically scream “childhood fun.” So, what could possibly go wrong? It turns out plenty. For one thing, the air-filled party staples are vulnerable to being blown aloft and even flipped over if left unmoored, a new study warns. But even when staked firmly in place,…  read on >  read on >

Some adults who sign up for Medicaid also bring their unenrolled but eligible kids into the system, a new study reports. For every nine adults who gained access to Medicaid in Oregon due to a special enrollment lottery, one previously eligible child was added to the rolls as well, according to researchers at the Massachusetts…  read on >  read on >

When dogs’ hearing fades, their mental skills follow, new research reveals. For the study, the researchers examined the link between hearing loss in aging dogs and dementia. The findings shed light on ways sensory loss affects canine cognition (thinking skills) and could lead to better treatment of aging dogs. “In humans, we know that age-related…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it has loosened its COVID-19 social distancing recommendations as the American public learns to live with the virus in its midst. “We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools — like vaccination, boosters, and treatments — to protect ourselves, and our…  read on >  read on >