Americans’ overall death rate from cancer continues to fall — but rising rates of certain cancers and ongoing racial disparities linger. Those are among the findings of an annual report to the nation from several major cancer organizations. The good news includes an accelerating decline in the overall cancer death rate, among both women and…  read on >  read on >

A longer prison sentence has been handed to the founder of a now-closed Massachusetts pharmaceutical facility responsible for the 2012 meningitis outbreak that killed 100 people and sickened hundreds of others. Barry Cadden, who was president and co-owner of the New England Compounding Center (NECC), received a 14-and-a-half year sentence from a federal judge Wednesday.…  read on >  read on >

Researchers have identified specific brain circuitry that is related to people’s sense of spirituality — and it’s centered in a brain region linked to pain inhibition, altruism and unconditional love. The findings add to research seeking to understand the biological basis for human spirituality. “It is something of a treacherous subject to navigate,” said lead…  read on >  read on >

Teens and adults with autism may be less likely than others to use drugs and alcohol, but new research finds those who do are nearly nine times more likely to use these substances to mask symptoms, including those related to autism. This is known as camouflaging, and it has been linked to mental health issues…  read on >  read on >

Climate change could put billions more people at risk for deadly mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, researchers said. They see the danger zone expanding within the United States, Europe and Asia. If temperatures rise by about 3.7 degrees Celsius by the year 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels, 4.7 billion more people globally may…  read on >  read on >