Even though plant-based meat alternatives are ultra-processed, they still may be healthier for your heart than traditional meat is, a new review finds. Risk factors for heart disease, including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and body weight, all improved when meats were replaced with a plant-based substitute, according to the analysis published Tuesday in the Canadian Journal of…  read on >  read on >

Anxiety could be an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease, a new study finds. People with anxiety have at least double the risk of developing Parkinson’s compared to those without the mood disorder, results show. Further, specific Parkinson’s symptoms serve as warning signs of the disorder in people with anxiety, researchers found. “By understanding that…  read on >  read on >

As scorching summer temperatures drive Americans indoors and millions travel for vacations and family gatherings, COVID infections are again climbing, U.S. health officials warned Monday. In evidence that suggests a COVID summer wave is underway, case counts are most likely increasing in 39 states and aren’t declining anywhere in the country, new data from the U.S. Centers…  read on >  read on >

The rate of self-reported mental distress and depression among American adults who identify as transgender or gender-diverse (TGD) has more than doubled between 2014 and 2022, an analysis of federal health data reveals. During that time, “a record number of enacted laws has threatened the rights and protections of TGD people, including restricting access to…  read on >  read on >

Cyberbullying and sexual harassment are rampant in the world of professional video gaming and online gaming, a new study reports. Nearly 96% of 145 video game players from 14 countries said they had been targeted online in the previous year. “It’s not just an isolated incident,” said lead researcher Louise Trudgett-Klose, a doctoral student in…  read on >  read on >

Adults’ phobias can be correlated with changes in the structure of their brains, a new study finds. What’s more, the neurological differences seen in adults with phobias are more extensive than those observed in people with other forms of anxiety. Phobia is the most common anxiety disorder, affecting more than 12% of people, said the…  read on >  read on >