The secret’s out about a trendy autism treatment — now it may be impossible to find

The secret’s out about a trendy autism treatment — now it may be impossible to find

It’s a dose of disappointment. A supportive care drug that may help ease hyperactivity and improve speech and communication in children with autism has become so popular that desperate parents may have trouble getting their hands on it. Leucovorin — a reduced form of folate or vitamin B9, an essential nutrient our bodies can’t make … Read more

High doses of popular supplement in pregnancy may boost kids’ school performance

High doses of popular supplement in pregnancy may boost kids’ school performance

It’s baby steps to parenthood. Moms-to-be try to do everything they can to have a healthy pregnancy, such as taking the right prenatal vitamins, exercising and visiting their doctor often. Now, a new study suggests that taking high doses of a popular supplement during pregnancy could boost cognitive performance later in the child’s life. A … Read more

Doctors may have found an easier way to treat prostate cancer — could become new ‘standard of care’

Doctors may have found an easier way to treat prostate cancer — could become new ‘standard of care’

Less is more in the case of this cancer treatment. The most common form of cancer among men in the US, after skin cancer, prostate cancer often comes with traditional treatments that cause difficult side effects. Now, a recent study may have found a potentially easier, less disruptive and more effective way to treat the … Read more

Tech-savvy contact lenses may be just as effective as Prozac at treating depression: eye-opening study

Tech-savvy contact lenses may be just as effective as Prozac at treating depression: eye-opening study

An insightful new technology has been developed for treating depression. While millions of adults in the US use antidepressants like Prozac, the side effects — like weight gain or sexual dysfunction — can make the medications an uncomfortable option. However, a new, drug-free treatment delivered eye-opening results that were as effective as one of the … Read more

Scientists found the sweet spot for sleep — get less or more and you’re aging yourself faster

Scientists found the sweet spot for sleep — get less or more and you’re aging yourself faster

Too little, too much, or just right. Everyone can feel the effects of a bad night’s sleep, and how long you let your head hit the pillow plays an important role in how your brain ages. Scientists have now found that the amount of sleep you get each night doesn’t just result in brain fog … Read more

Supplement long recommended to prevent dementia may actually speed up brain decline: study

Supplement long recommended to prevent dementia may actually speed up brain decline: study

Something fishy may be going on with a daily pill trusted by millions of Americans. Across the country, older adults have embraced a popular supplement often touted as a way to support brain health and possibly even help ward off dementia. But new research is turning that idea on its head, suggesting people who regularly … Read more

‘Just that weird’: Suckerfish observed swimming in manta rays’ rear ends, could impede pooping, sex

‘Just that weird’: Suckerfish observed swimming in manta rays’ rear ends, could impede pooping, sex

They’re sticking it where the sun-ray don’t shine. While remoras are known to be rather clingy, some are getting too close for comfort by diving into manta rays’ backsides, per a scientific probe in the journal Ecology and Evolution. “These fish are heading up right into some manta ray rear-ends,” lead author Emily Yeager, a … Read more

The fun activities that can trick your body into aging slower

The fun activities that can trick your body into aging slower

Forget the fountain of youth — the secret to staying young may lie in how you spend your free time. New research has identified a series of fun activities that appear to help slow how quickly the body ages, with effects similar to those linked to exercise. But don’t expect one afternoon to turn back … Read more

Teen steroid use is down — the concerning booster they’re using instead

Teen steroid use is down — the concerning booster they’re using instead

Steroid use is down among teenagers, but experts warn that young people are replacing it with a potentially dangerous booster. Researchers from the University of Michigan found that while anabolic steroid use among teens has significantly decreased over the past two decades, creatine use is surging. “I did this study given the rise in social … Read more

Contagious hantavirus strain may stay in human sperm for six years — and turn into an STI

Contagious hantavirus strain may stay in human sperm for six years — and turn into an STI

Viral load. As health officials continue to monitor the rare and deadly Andes strain of hantavirus that spread across the MV Hondius cruise ship, a disturbing truth about the disease’s long-term transmissibility has emerged. A peer-reviewed study found that hantavirus can survive in human semen for up to six years and can be sexually transmitted … Read more

Your kid’s more likely to eat vegetables if you stick to an easy healthy habit during pregnancy

Your kid’s more likely to eat vegetables if you stick to an easy healthy habit during pregnancy

Gourd news for parents trying to raise healthy eaters! It turns out that the battle to get kids to eat their veggies starts much earlier than you might think — like in the womb — so mothers have a chance to influence tastes long before the “ewwws” and eyerolls begin. New research out of the … Read more

World Cocktail Day poll reveals America’s favorites by state — and the top tipple might upset cocktail connoisseurs

World Cocktail Day poll reveals America’s favorites by state — and the top tipple might upset cocktail connoisseurs

We’re ice Tea Partyers. When it comes to mixed drinks, Americans like them red white and boozy. A recent ranking of each state’s favorite cocktails found that the highly alcoholic Long Island Ice Tea was the US’ mixed drink of choice while New York — somewhat ironically — preferred a Spicy Margarita. “The Long Island … Read more

Mom’s job linked to child’s odds of having autism spectrum disorder

Mom’s job linked to child’s odds of having autism spectrum disorder

Some jobs may come with more than just a paycheck.  A new study suggests that a mother’s line of work before, during and after pregnancy could influence her baby’s brain development. In certain careers, researchers found, she may even be more likely to have a child with autism, a developmental disorder that affects how people … Read more

Parenting experts reveal why the ‘cereal for breakfast’ generation is struggling in adulthood

Parenting experts reveal why the ‘cereal for breakfast’ generation is struggling in adulthood

Many highly independent adults may be masking this serious form of trauma, and their children could be paying the price. While “cereal for breakfast” and “latchkey” kids are often celebrated for their self-reliance, as these kids age into adulthood, particularly parenthood, serious issues can surface. When parents are emotionally unavailable, a child’s independence is not … Read more

Prescriptions for controversial drug shot up 250% for cancer patients after Mel Gibson endorsement

Prescriptions for controversial drug shot up 250% for cancer patients after Mel Gibson endorsement

You’ve heard of pseudoscience — but what about celebrity science? New research suggests a bombshell claim from Mel Gibson on influencer Joe Rogan’s popular podcast may have helped fuel a dramatic surge in prescriptions for an unproven cancer treatment. During the January 2025 episode, which racked up more than 60 million views in its first … Read more

Simple blood test may predict dementia risk before symptoms even appear

Simple blood test may predict dementia risk before symptoms even appear

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

PCOS just got a much more accurate name — why it’s great news for women

PCOS just got a much more accurate name — why it’s great news for women

The cycle of mischaracterization is finally being broken. Around 170 million women worldwide struggle with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal and metabolic disorder that causes infertility, acne, excessive hair growth, obesity and irregular periods. Now, the condition is undergoing a much-needed name change to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a term that medical experts … Read more

Nearly half of Americans are lacking fun in their lives: survey

Nearly half of Americans are lacking fun in their lives: survey

The fun drought is real, and it’s here — a new study has found that one in two Americans is massively lacking in the amount of fun in their lives. The state-by-state poll of 5,000 U.S. adults found 48% of the nation feels like their overall life is currently lacking in fun. And 12% can’t … Read more

The common foods that are messing with your ability to focus — even if the rest of your diet is healthy

The common foods that are messing with your ability to focus — even if the rest of your diet is healthy

Here’s something to chew on. Brains require nutrients from a variety of foods like fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, whole grains, nuts and seeds to function properly. Even if you’re consuming these foods regularly, occasionally enjoying a cheat-day treat can still take a toll on the brain. Even if you’re eating a balanced diet, studies show … Read more

STI we nearly eradicated in the ‘90s has surged in recent years — and it’s raising heart attack risk

STI we nearly eradicated in the ‘90s has surged in recent years — and it’s raising heart attack risk

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that almost disappeared is back — with a vengeance. The medieval STI can silently but significantly increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and dangerous swelling of the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel, a large new study found. Once nearly eradicated in the 1990s thanks to safer sexual practices, … Read more