Health(Page 9)

The latest news in medicine and wellness: From findings on heart disease, to facts about fitness, to breakthroughs on COVID-19.

Latest in Health

Doctor pouring pills in hand from bottle.

AI may influence whether you can get pain medication AI may influence whether you can get pain medication

By Andy Miller and Sam Whitehead/KFF Health News

Hands giving CPR to mannequin

Don’t ask Siri and Alexa for CPR instructions Don’t ask Siri and Alexa for CPR instructions

A magnetic resonance image of the patient’s brain by fluid-attenuated inversion recovery showing an enhancing right frontal lobe lesion (left). A live third-stage larval form of Ophidascaris robertsi removed from the patient’s right frontal lobe (right).

‘Alive and wriggling’ worm survived in woman’s body and brain for at least a year ‘Alive and wriggling’ worm survived in woman’s body and brain for at least a year

By Laura Baisas

multiple hands of various colors

Why our brains think fake hands are part of our bodies Why our brains think fake hands are part of our bodies

A close-up astronaut outside the ISS above a blue slice of Earth.

This is how space might disturb our immune systems This is how space might disturb our immune systems

By Briley Lewis

Shiny fish oil capsules laid out on a table. Fish oil contains two omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA. These acids are all found in flax seeds, walnuts, and fatty fish such as salmon.

Fish oil supplements might still not be as good as the real thing Fish oil supplements might still not be as good as the real thing

By Laura Baisas

Bras and other lingerie for sale

The freedom of going braless comes at a cost The freedom of going braless comes at a cost

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A patient and a group of researchers working on tech that can help a person with ALS speak

How AI-powered brain implants are helping an ALS patient communicate How AI-powered brain implants are helping an ALS patient communicate

By Maddi Langweil

A NASA illustration of two astronauts in white spacesuits drilling into red Martian dirt.

To create a small Mars colony, leave the jerks on Earth To create a small Mars colony, leave the jerks on Earth

A woman holds a red smoothie in a glass with a handle on it and a stainless steel straw sticking out. A group of ‘forever chemicals’ commonly called PFAS were not detected on the stainless steel straws in this study, but were on 18 out of 20 brands of paper straws.

‘Forever chemicals’ detected in paper and plastic straws ‘Forever chemicals’ detected in paper and plastic straws

By Laura Baisas

Portrait of a little boy underwater crying

Crying is good for you. Even underwater. Crying is good for you. Even underwater.

By Geoffrey Bradford/The Conversation

Runners forming a V-shape with marathoner Eluid Kipchoge in the rear, on a road beside trees.

The surprising strategy behind running the fastest marathon The surprising strategy behind running the fastest marathon

Purple and blue visualizations of human chromosomes.

The final missing piece of the human genome has been decoded The final missing piece of the human genome has been decoded

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A woman in a hospital, with a doctor touching her shoulder. Some of the health problems associated with long COVID include blood clots, diabetes, heart issues, blood clots, diabetes, neurologic complications, gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, and difficulties with mental health.

The effects of Long COVID might rival heart disease and cancer The effects of Long COVID might rival heart disease and cancer

By Laura Baisas

Multiple tubes of virus samples in green, green, and pink labels on a shelf. On August 17, the World Health Organization designated BA.2.86, or Pirola, a “variant under monitoring.”

New COVID variant under monitoring carries slew of novel mutations New COVID variant under monitoring carries slew of novel mutations

By Laura Baisas

Colorful t-shirts hang on a clothing rack. According to Northwestern University’s Body and Media Lab, women’s clothing tends to be more painful, restrictive, and distracting, which can interrupt focus and make it more difficult to move around in the workplace.

The unexpected benefits of making your clothes a source of joy The unexpected benefits of making your clothes a source of joy

By Laura Baisas

Doxycycline antibiotic pill for STI and STD prevention on a coral background

DIY

This ‘morning after’ pill could prevent STIs from unprotected sex This ‘morning after’ pill could prevent STIs from unprotected sex

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Close up of young nurse holding old man's hands and encourage him.

New Alzheimer’s drug raises hopes—along with questions New Alzheimer’s drug raises hopes—along with questions

By Judith Graham / KFF Health News

January AI helps you keep tabs on your blood sugar all day.

Gear

January AI glucose monitor review: A pricey but effective approach to fine-tune your diet January AI glucose monitor review: A pricey but effective approach to fine-tune your diet

By Jen McCaffery

woman smelling flowers in field.

Allergy drops could be an at-home alternative to shots Allergy drops could be an at-home alternative to shots

By Esther Landhuis/Undark

pregnancy test in hands

Extreme heat could be a threat to contraception Extreme heat could be a threat to contraception

By Shefali Luthra/The 19th

A burnt out car lies in the driveway of charred apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023.

The health hazards from wildfires will linger in Maui for years The health hazards from wildfires will linger in Maui for years

By Andrew J. Whelton/The Conversation

3D printed fake calamari ring on tin foil

3D-printed vegan calamari rings could be next on the menu 3D-printed vegan calamari rings could be next on the menu

Aftermath Of Tanker Fire At I-95 In Bensalem

Federal study links testicular cancer to ‘Forever Chemicals’ for the first time Federal study links testicular cancer to ‘Forever Chemicals’ for the first time

By Hannah Norman and Patricia Kime/KFF Health News

Hands passing out blue medical masks.

What to know about the newly dominant ‘Eris’ COVID variant What to know about the newly dominant ‘Eris’ COVID variant

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Microscopic image of individual cell tattooed with gold array

Why medical engineers tattooed a single cell with gold Why medical engineers tattooed a single cell with gold

A mother holds a hand of a tiny newborn baby. Postpartum depression is a leading cause of maternal mortality.

FDA approves first postpartum depression pill FDA approves first postpartum depression pill

By Laura Baisas

Two astronauts walking in spacesuits in a desert

How do you keep a spacesuit clean? One answer is antimicrobial fabric. How do you keep a spacesuit clean? One answer is antimicrobial fabric.

A newborn baby's hand with a hospital bracelet around his or her wrist. RSV sends about 58,000 children under five to the hospital, and kills 100 to 300 infants every year in the United States.

RSV antibody shot will be available for babies in the US this fall RSV antibody shot will be available for babies in the US this fall

By Laura Baisas

Group of friends laughing.

Even ‘fake’ laughter has social value Even ‘fake’ laughter has social value

By Adrienne Wood/The Conversation

Why do people have recurring nightmares?

Why do people have recurring nightmares? Why do people have recurring nightmares?

By Shannon Liao

Red kombucha tea in a bottle and glass on white background

Kombucha’s health benefits may go beyond our guts Kombucha’s health benefits may go beyond our guts

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Fluorescent dye shows the growth of teeth and bones.

Glowing dye lets us peek inside growing bones and teeth Glowing dye lets us peek inside growing bones and teeth

A homemade electrolyte drink that's a pale green lime color, on a cutting board next to some lime slices and sugar.

DIY

2 easy homemade electrolyte drinks that actually work 2 easy homemade electrolyte drinks that actually work

By Alisha McDarris

Patient with brain microchip implants atop head

First-of-its-kind AI brain implant surgery helped a man regain feeling in his hand First-of-its-kind AI brain implant surgery helped a man regain feeling in his hand

Deer tick passing tick-borned diseases to a young person by biting back of the neck

6 tick-borne diseases you really don’t want to get 6 tick-borne diseases you really don’t want to get

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

The general atmosphere at HBO's The HeLa Project Exhibit For the film adaptation of "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" on April 6, 2017 in New York City. Two women stand by a portrait of Lacks wearing a red dress.

Henrietta Lacks’ stolen cells changed medicine—and her family is finally getting compensated Henrietta Lacks’ stolen cells changed medicine—and her family is finally getting compensated

By Laura Baisas

A woman holds an alcoholic drink in a bar.

Deaths related to excessive alcohol consumption rise in recent years—especially for women Deaths related to excessive alcohol consumption rise in recent years—especially for women

By Laura Baisas

Side view of woman's hand feeding horseback on sunny day

Why studying horses could help humans stay healthy, too Why studying horses could help humans stay healthy, too

By Jane Manfredi/The Conversation

boxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic rest on a pharmacy counter

New weight loss drugs are confusing, expensive, and inaccessible to some older patients New weight loss drugs are confusing, expensive, and inaccessible to some older patients

By Judith Graham / KFF Health News

Borax powder in multicolor scoops on a blue background

Don’t drink or douche with Borax, no matter what TikTok tells you Don’t drink or douche with Borax, no matter what TikTok tells you

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

MIT breast cancer device

MIT develops an at-home mammogram alternative that fits in a bra MIT develops an at-home mammogram alternative that fits in a bra

By Sara Kiley Watson

Hospital equipment monitors a patient's vital signs. The Midwestern region of the United States is the only part of the country that did not record more hospitalizations last week than the one before.

COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases rise in possible summer wave COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases rise in possible summer wave

By Laura Baisas

Wind turbine with red base in the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel

An Israeli wind project draws scrutiny on turbines and people’s health An Israeli wind project draws scrutiny on turbines and people’s health

Futuristic doctor performs medical procedure on astronaut in space with robotic arms. Saturn can be seen outside of the spaceship window. Illustrated in blues and pinks.

5 space robots that could heal human bodies—or even grow new ones 5 space robots that could heal human bodies—or even grow new ones

By Tatyana Woodall

The best hearing aids under $100

Gear

The best hearing aids under $100 The best hearing aids under $100

By Rebecca Sohn

Airplane in a clear sky.

Flying with human organs for transplant is tricky—a new law could help Flying with human organs for transplant is tricky—a new law could help

By Colleen DeGuzman/KFF Health News

College of television screen images

Deepfake videos may be convincing enough to create false memories Deepfake videos may be convincing enough to create false memories

A group of colorful spices on a wooden table with a mortar and pestle.

Leftovers of a 2,000-year-old curry discovered on stone cooking tools Leftovers of a 2,000-year-old curry discovered on stone cooking tools

By Laura Baisas

Mother with short pink hair kissing newborn in hospital after induced labor at 39 weeks

Inducing labor at 39 weeks reduces the need for some C-sections Inducing labor at 39 weeks reduces the need for some C-sections

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A lineup of the best hydration packs on a white background.

Gear

The best hydration packs of 2024 The best hydration packs of 2024

By Kristen Mulrooney

turmeric at spice market

For decades, turmeric’s ultra-golden glow had a deadly secret For decades, turmeric’s ultra-golden glow had a deadly secret

By Wudan Yan/Undark

A car passenger appears to feel nauseous with her hand to her mouth.

What causes motion sickness—and how to avoid it What causes motion sickness—and how to avoid it

High fiber foods, including coconuts, Brussel sprouts, squash, and spinach on a wooden table.

Chronic constipation could be a sign of a worsening health condition Chronic constipation could be a sign of a worsening health condition

By Laura Baisas

No guts left behind: Iceland’s quest to repurpose fish waste No guts left behind: Iceland’s quest to repurpose fish waste

By Lela Nargi/Hakai Magazine

Rock paper scissors game where one player chooses paper and the other chooses rock.

How rock-paper-scissors champs use psychology to win How rock-paper-scissors champs use psychology to win

By Greg Costikyan/MIT Press Reader

A short-haired teenage boy wearing a black shirt and grinning with his head stuck in a metal fence.

DIY

Read this if you or someone nearby is stuck in a fence Read this if you or someone nearby is stuck in a fence

By John Kennedy

A preterm baby in an incubator in a neonatal intensive care unit. RSV sends about 58,000 children under five to the hospital every year in the United States.

FDA approves long-acting medication to protect babies from RSV FDA approves long-acting medication to protect babies from RSV

By Laura Baisas

Histology image of the liver in a case of cirrhosis of the liver from alcoholism.

COVID lockdown drinking habits led to a rise in deaths from alcoholic liver disease COVID lockdown drinking habits led to a rise in deaths from alcoholic liver disease

By Phillip Reese/KFF Health News

Best pregnancy tests

Gear

The best pregnancy tests? Science has some advice. The best pregnancy tests? Science has some advice.

By Rebecca Sohn

Med school students during a white coat ceremony at the University of Minnesota in 2022, before the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in admissions

The Supreme Court ruling to end affirmative action will make US doctors less diverse The Supreme Court ruling to end affirmative action will make US doctors less diverse

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

By Kate Yoder/Grist

Student at desk doing math homework during COVID-19 lockdown.

US schools aren’t ready for another pandemic US schools aren’t ready for another pandemic

By Katherine Reynolds Lewis/Undark

Multiple boxes of Diet Coke on a store shelf.

WHO categorizes aspartame as a possible carcinogen—but don’t panic WHO categorizes aspartame as a possible carcinogen—but don’t panic

By Laura Baisas