Everything gets better with age. Feeling 40 at 80, with no higher risk of disease, your body still strong, and your zest for life intact—longevity certainly has its appeal. And one study found that some people may live longer if their parents possess a rare trait that only around 100,000 people have. Longevity has become … Read more
Smoking is a huge risk factor for lung cancer — but it’s not the only one. Researchers have found an alarming trait that can skyrocket a person’s risk of developing this deadly disease. Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with cigarettes and everything to do with genetics. Researchers have found a trait that can skyrocket … Read more
For generations, something troubling seemed to plague the men in John Ritter’s bloodline. “We always heard, ‘Oh those Ritters die of their first and last heart attack,’ ” Amy Yasbeck, the beloved comedian’s widow, told The Post. “[John’s dad] clutched his chest and fell over. He was 60-something years old.” Country music star Tex Ritter’s … Read more
Medicine is advancing at breakneck speed, with once-unthinkable treatments and technologies now becoming reality. These innovations have led to miraculous new treatments: Scientists can now target and fix rare inherited diseases with gene editing, use mRNA technology to create and update vaccines faster during crises, and personalize cancer treatments with targeted therapies based on a … Read more
Lions, tigers… and unicorns? Genetically modified pets including glow-in-the-dark rabbits, hypoallergenic cats and dogs, and real-life unicorns could soon become a reality after a bill to ban the sale of such creatures failed to advance in the California Senate. Assembly Bill 1382, known as the Ethics Over Aesthetics Act, stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee … Read more
A tiny, creepy species of spider known as the happy-face spider has recently been discovered in India. Known for its iconic array of color patterns, the happy-face spider gets its name from patterns that resemble a smiling face. The new species, Theridion Himalayana, which belongs to the spider family Theridiidae, is just one of 577 others; … Read more
In an effort to treat their daughter’s genetic developmental disorder, parents in China paid respected researchers millions in Chinese yuan, a total of $860,000 USD, for a new treatment that had never been used in humans. But instead of celebrating advances in her writing and language skills, the family is mourning the loss of their … Read more
Less hair, less healthcare? Around 25% of men with male pattern baldness notice hair loss by the age of 30, with the number jumping to two-thirds of American men losing hair by 35. For some, going the way of The Rock, Jason Statham and Stanley Tucci can be tough (thought it shouldn’t be — would … Read more
An eight-month-old infant with rare but severe epilepsy was cured after receiving an experimental gene replacement in a historic medical moment. The child was one of the first in the world to be treated with gene replacement therapy to restore the function of a crucial gene that regulates nervous system development. It was delivered via … Read more
Red, white and due? Summer is the most popular time to give birth in the US, with July and August consistently ranking as the busiest delivery months. The summer surge is fueled by higher conception rates in the cooler fall and winter months. No matter when you become pregnant, preparing for a baby is a … Read more
So much for great egg-spectations. Most women are born with an ovary on each side of their uterus. These almond-shaped glands produce and release eggs for fertilization and secrete the hormones estrogen and progesterone to support menstruation, pregnancy and overall health. Alas, these vital female organs have an expiration date — and it’s earlier than … Read more
That’s doggone wild. A dog born with a spare penis had to undergo emergency surgery to relieve him of his sex-tra appendage so it wouldn’t encumber him. “I’ve never seen this condition before,” the surgeon, Dr. Lauren McNamara, wrote in a viral Instagram post last week. The extra-endowed canine, fittingly named Willy Wonka, had reportedly been handed … Read more
One and done? Pharma giant Eli Lilly announced Monday that its gene-editing therapy can reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by up to 62% with a single infusion. Not only was the experimental treatment successful, but the results were still apparent in some participants 18 months after they received the dose. VERVE-102 may be a revolutionary treatment … Read more
Does the CIA have its own Men in Black? Apparently, the government isn’t disclosing everything they know about UFOs. A whistleblower has accused the CIA of attempting to use people’s DNA to aid them in their search for extraterrestrial lifeforms that are allegedly living in our midst. “The CIA wants to hunt them down,” said … Read more
The age you first bump and grind could affect your experience with Father Time. A new study found that when you lose your virginity may impact how well you age later in life, including outcomes like frailty and misery in older adulthood. “Our findings suggest that the timing of first sexual intercourse may be connected … Read more
The next addition to your skincare routine might already be in your fridge. A small new study suggests that a sweet, healthy snack with just 62 calories per serving could offer powerful protection against sun damage, helping strengthen the skin’s natural defenses at the genetic level. The perks — which appeared in just two weeks … Read more
Alex Blum, 71, and his three biological brothers all gather together for the first time in midtown. Blum, adopted at birth, found his long-lost siblings through a DNA test. Their mother, Lee Hart, told her younger sons their older brother died at birth, a story they doubted. On a recent sunny morning in midtown, Alex … Read more
For some, the dreaded “uniboob” isn’t just a side effect of a too-tight sports bra or a fashion mishap that resolves once you get home. In rare cases, it’s a real medical condition that can alter the natural shape of the chest, sometimes merging what are typically two distinct breasts into a single, continuous mound. … Read more
Age is the greatest known risk factor for dementia — though it seems to go beyond the number of candles on the birthday cake. New research out of the UK reports that biological age, the age of our organs, tissues and cells, plays a major role in dementia risk. “Our findings suggest that biological aging … Read more
A major health crisis may be rooted in an unlikely source. That’s according to new research out of Spain, which suggests a widely used weed killer could be fueling the alarming rise in early-onset colorectal cancer worldwide. In the US, roughly one in five diagnoses now occurs in Americans under 55 — and the disease … Read more