There’s nothing like the feeling of years of hard work paying off — when you can finally transition to a life of non-work activities, whether it’s traveling, diving into personal projects or even learning a new language.  But retirement in a warm, affordable country may come with an unexpected downside: loneliness. A new study suggests…  read on >  read on >

A portable system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can help detect early signs of brain decline, potentially offering up a red flag for people at risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, researchers said. The test looks at specific aspects of motor function, analyzing seniors as they stand still, walk and stand up from a bench.…  read on >  read on >

Poor families have continued to avoid going to the emergency room post-pandemic, even as ER numbers bounced back for folks who are better-off, a new study says. During the pandemic, visits to ERs for emergency care dropped by about 30% as lockdowns and fears over COVID-19 infection caused the sick and injured to stay away,…  read on >  read on >

Microplastics that invade and burrow deep within the human body are becoming an increasing concern among doctors and health experts. Now, a new study shows that even medical care is causing increased exposure to the tiny plastic particles. Microplastics can be found in the solutions administered through plastic IV bags, researchers recently reported in the…  read on >  read on >

Nearly 1 in 3 children live with a chronic condition that could significantly affect their health for the rest of their lives, a new study says. Chronic illnesses affected more than 30% of children ages 5 to 17 by 2018, up from around 23% in 1999, researchers report in the journal Academic Pediatrics. This adds…  read on >  read on >

Arthritis sufferers who also have COPD have a significantly higher risk of death than those without the chronic breathing disease, a new study says. People with arthritis and COPD are 41% more likely to die from any cause compared to patients with arthritis alone, researchers reported recently in the Journal of the COPD Foundation. Patients…  read on >  read on >

The blues and the jitters are very common among people battling chronic pain, a new evidence review says. About 40% of adults with chronic pain have symptoms of depression or anxiety, researchers report in JAMA Network Open. Women, younger adults and people suffering from fibromyalgia are particularly vulnerable to mood disorders caused by chronic pain,…  read on >  read on >