Intense weather fluctuations caused by climate change could be contributing to an increase in stroke deaths, a new study claims. Freezing cold fronts and broiling heat waves are associated with more than half a million deaths annually in recent years, researchers report April 10 in the journal Neurology. “Dramatic temperature changes in recent years have… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Black and Native Americans Hit Hardest by ‘Deaths of Despair’
More middle-aged Black and Native Americans are now falling prey to “deaths of despair” than whites, a new study finds. These deaths — from suicide, drug overdose and alcoholic liver disease — initially had been more common among whites. But a new analysis has determined that deaths of despair have skyrocketed for Black and Native… read on > read on >
EPA Sets Strict Limit on PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in U.S. Drinking Water
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it has finalized a first-ever rule that will drastically lower the amount of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in the nation’s drinking water. “Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in an agency news release announcing… read on > read on >
Adding Vaccine to Immunotherapy for Liver Cancer Shows Promise in Early Trial
A custom-made anti-tumor vaccine added to standard immunotherapy was twice as likely to shrink liver cancer as when a patient received immunotherapy alone, a new study shows. The vaccine could help liver cancer patients live longer, as fewer than one in 10 survive five years after their diagnosis, the researchers noted. In fact, about 8%… read on > read on >
Therapeutic Vaccine Prevents Pancreatic Cancer’s Recurrence in 3-Year Trial
A pancreatic cancer vaccine has continued to protect a small group of patients from their cancer coming back, three years after receiving the jab, a new study says. Eight patients have not had their pancreatic cancer recur for three years after their immune systems responded to the vaccine, which is called autogene cevumeran, researchers reported… read on > read on >
Even a Little Secondhand Smoke Ups Odds for A-Fib
Just a little exposure to secondhand smoke may increase your risk for the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), a new, large study suggests. People who have A-Fib, the world’s most common heart rhythm disorder, are five times more likely to have a stroke than their healthy peers. While passive smoking has been linked to… read on > read on >
Vaccine-by-Mouth Could Replace Antibiotics in Fighting UTIs
A new oral vaccine could prove a potential alternative to antibiotics for people with recurring urinary tract infections, a new study says. More than half of patients with recurring UTIs (54%) wound up infection-free for nine years after receiving the oral spray vaccine, with no notable side effects, researchers report. “Before having the vaccine, all… read on > read on >
Suicide Rates Have Doubled in 20 Years Among U.S. College Athletes
Suicides among U.S. college athletes have doubled over the past two years, according to data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Suicide is now the second most common cause of death for college athletes after accidents, results show. “Athletes are generally thought of as one of the healthiest populations in our society, yet the… read on > read on >
Too Many U.S. Women Disrespected, Mistreated During Childbirth
Childbirth is a harrowing ordeal, and it’s being made worse by mistreatment from health care providers during labor, a new study says. More than one in every eight women are mistreated during childbirth, researchers found. Most commonly, women’s requests for help during labor were refused or ignored, results show. Nearly 8% of women said this… read on > read on >
Rising Threat to Americans’ Healthy Sleep: Neighborhood Gunfire
A good night’s sleep is often hampered by caffeine, hunger, alcohol or chronic pain. Now, America has a new cause of poor sleep: the sound of gunfire on city streets. New research shows that gunshots are twice as likely to occur at night, mostly affecting the sleep of people in low-income neighborhoods. In fact, nearly… read on > read on >