It’s a viral blast from the past. A new study suggests that COVID-19 can flip the switch on long-dormant viruses quietly hiding inside the bodies of people who were otherwise healthy before they fell ill. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin say the viral reawakening could help explain some of the mysteries behind … Read more
This creepy discovery could leave you scratching your head. A new study found that a deadly fungus can burrow deep into hair follicles, rewire the immune system and transform human skin into what one researcher described as a “perfect nest” for infection. And the threat may be closer than you think. Cases of the superbug … Read more
Colonoscopies are the top-recommended screening for colorectal cancer, which is is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and women. In adults aged 50-64, rates are climbing. Yet some people avoid their screenings due to fear, inconvenience or discomfort — and not even from the rectal camera. (The pre-procedure laxative solution meant … Read more
The little blue pill that helps men rise to the occasion may do a lot more. Research continues to reveal unexpected health benefits of Viagra that extend beyond the bedroom. From reversing hearing loss to treating enlarged prostates and lowering the risk of heart disease, the erectile dysfunction drug may have another surprising use to … Read more
Eating less protein, not cutting calories, may be an easier path to a longer, healthier life for sedentary adults, according to a new scientific review. While previous research has long tied calorie restriction to improved lifespan and lower rates of age-related disease, studies have found that many people have difficulty maintaining strict low-calorie diets. A review of more than … Read more
A whale’s dive shapes its song patterns, suggests new research. The study using data from suction caps attached to the aquatic mammals is the first to connect an entire humpback whale song structure to a complete dive cycle. The findings could help infer whale behavior from acoustic recordings alone, say scientists. The haunting, complex songs … Read more
One and done. The CDC and other health agencies recommend adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, along with two muscle-strengthening sessions a week. However, research suggests you may need much less than that to shed as much fat as three weekly workouts. A once-a-week workout may be just as effective at burning … Read more
Namaste away from the toilet. The therapeutic benefits of yoga are well established, with regular practice associated with improved sleep, decreased blood pressure, less chronic pain and even cutting opioid withdrawal time in half. Additional research suggests it may also improve symptoms of a common digestive disorder affecting millions of people. Yoga has a long list of … Read more
Not every viral wellness fad deserves a spot in your routine. Just ask Zendaya. The “Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” actress may be one of Hollywood’s biggest trendsetter, but there’s one wildly popular wellness trend she has zero interest in embracing — and according to one expert, women may actually be better off following … Read more
It’s a battle of the sexes. The diabetes-turned-weight-loss drug Mounjaro has been making headlines for its effectiveness at helping people shed pounds, even delivering better results than Ozempic. And when it comes to who loses more weight on the blockbuster drug, research has found one group comes out on top. It’s a battle of the … Read more
Your bathroom break could become a heart checkup. One company’s smart toilet seat can detect atrial fibrillation, or AFib — the most common heart rhythm disorder — just as reliably as the conventional EKG tests done in medical offices and hospitals, according to a study. That’s a potential game-changer considering an estimated 12.1 million American … Read more
It’s not just about what you eat — but when you eat. New research has found a potential link between brain health and eating schedule, determining that limiting when you chow down to certain hours of the day can help keep your cognition sharp as you age. New research has found that sticking to a … Read more
Adults who faced persistent financial hardship showed poorer cognitive performance and signs of accelerated brain aging later in life, according to a new study. Researchers at University College London looked at 2,759 UK participants from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development born in 1946, as stated in a press release. Adults who reported experiencing persistent … Read more
Bathrooms have a crappy reputation. Many Americans spend hours scrubbing the loo, with 1 in 5 saying they’d give up half their annual salary for a bathroom that stayed clean and sanitized forever. But despite its grimy notoriety, the toilet isn’t the germiest thing under your roof. Your toilet seat may be one of the … Read more
Tough break, biohackers. A new study claims to have found the absolute upper limit of the human lifespan — even if scientists somehow crack the code on aging itself. There’s just one wrinkle: The oldest person on record made it to 122, leaving plenty of birthday candles to blow out before anyone can put the … Read more
Patients experiencing severe heart attacks may have significantly higher concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics in their blood compared to individuals with stable heart conditions, according to new research. Italian researchers analyzed blood samples from the coronary arteries of 61 patients undergoing angiograms, a procedure that analyzes blood vessels for irregularities. They found that nearly 84% … Read more
For a growing number of people, catching Zzz’s has become a joint effort. Across the country, an estimated 22 million adults use some form of weed as a sleep aid, while another 45 million have tried it in hopes of getting more shut-eye, according to the National Sleep Foundation. The bedtime ritual has plenty of … Read more
Are they watching Graying Anatomy? The idea of TV rotting your brain is apparently not just an old wives tale. Spending too much time watching TV in middle age may literally shrink the brain, increasing the risk of dementia and other complications, according to researchers at the University of Southern California. This screen-induced cerebral shrinkage … Read more
Sugar-free foods and beverages may help your waistline, but they could come at a cost to your brain. A study from the University of São Paulo in Brazil suggests that artificial sweeteners may speed up cognitive decline — with two groups appearing to face the greatest risk, including people with a disease affecting more than … Read more
Being so happy you could die might not be an exaggeration. A 65-year-old mom was so overjoyed after watching her daughter get married that, just three days later, she was rushed to the hospital with chest pain and shortness of breath. Doctors initially believed she was suffering a major heart attack. But what they ultimately … Read more