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Study Finds Genetics May Shape Up to 55% of How Long You Live

People are often told that eating well, exercising and avoiding bad habits are the fundamentals to a long life. 

But new research suggests something else may matter even more: genetics.

A large study published Jan. 29 in the journal Science suggests genetics could account for as much as 55% of a person’s lifespan....

52 Kids Have Died From Flu So Far This Season as Child Hospitalizations Rise

The flu is hitting kids hard this season.

So far, 52 kids have died from the flu, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Jan. 30. About 9 in 10 had not received a flu shot.

Health experts say they’re worried the worst may still be ahead.

“We’re absolutely bracing ourselves,” Mi...

Two Companies Tied to Milk Powder in Infant Formula Botulism Outbreak

Federal health officials are investigating dried milk powder from two companies that may be connected to a botulism outbreak tied to ByHeart infant formula. 

The outbreak that has sickened 51 babies across 19 states.

Organic milk powder that tested positive for the type of bacteria that causes botulism came from Organic West Mil...

Docs Miss Stroke Warning Signs in More Than a Quarter of Pregnant Women, New Mothers

Many pregnant and post-partum women who suffer a stroke had warning signs that health care professionals missed, a new study says.

More than 25% went to a doctor for stroke-related symptoms within the month prior to their stroke, but did not receive a timely diagnosis, researchers report in the journal Stroke.

“Our fin...

Early Menopause Symptoms Might Not Be What Most Women Expect

The symptoms women experience on the verge of menopause could be vastly different from what they might expect, a new study says.

Women in perimenopause – the time leading up to their final period, as well as the year after – expect to be plagued with hot flashes and night sweats.

However, these women reported symptoms lik...

Millennials, Gen Z Suffering Increased Rates Of Psychosis, Schizophrenia

Millennials and Gen Z might be at greater risk of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia than older generations, a new study says.

More recent generations are falling prey to psychosis more often and at younger ages than people born earlier, researchers report today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Between 1997 a...

Survey Finds Gaps In Americans' Knowledge Of Unhealthy Cholesterol

There are serious gaps in Americans’ understanding of unhealthy cholesterol and how to lower the risk it poses to heart health, a new survey reports.

For example, many are unaware of the many types of drugs available to lower cholesterol, according to the survey commissioned by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

O...

Non-Stimulant Pill Helps Early-Bird Workers Remain Awake And Alert

A non-stimulant pill might replace a cup of coffee as the chosen wake-up boost for early-morning shift workers, a new study says.

Early-bird workers who took solriamfetol (Sunosi) were less sleepy and more alert than those who got a placebo, researchers reported Jan. 27 in the journal NEJM Evidence.

"The improvement we saw i...

Infectious Mononucleosis: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and More

Infectious mononucleosis, often called “mono,” is a viral illness best known for causing extreme fatigue, sore throat and swollen glands.

Mono is often referred to as the “kissing disease,” because it spreads through saliva, but that is only one way it can pass from person to person.

Mono is common in teens a...

New Guide Aims to Improve UTI Care as Telehealth Use Grows

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, send millions of Americans to urgent care every year. But today, many people no longer see a doctor in person.

Instead, they message their clinic, use video visits or fill out online forms to get antibiotics, sometimes without any testing at all.

Experts say this faster access can help patients, but...

Groundhog Day Explained: Why This Furry Forecaster Still Matters

Every Feb. 2, Americans turn to a groundhog to see whether winter will stick around. 

But Groundhog Day is about much more than shadows and more weeks of cold.

The tradition began in 1886, when the first Punxsutawney Phil was crowned in Pennsylvania. The first official celebration came in 1887. 

The date falls halfway...

New Federal Plan Aims to Use More Donor Organs, Improve Transplant Safety

U.S. health officials unveiled proposed changes to the nation’s transplant system, hoping to help more patients get lifesaving organs, even when donations aren’t perfect.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said the plan would tighten oversight of organ procurement organizations, known as OPOs. 

Thes...

Most Doctor-Made YouTube Health Videos Lack Strong Proof, Study Finds

Many health videos on YouTube, even those made by doctors, may not be giving viewers reliable medical information, a new study suggests.

Researchers reviewed 309 popular YouTube videos about cancer and diabetes and found that fewer than 1 in 5 were supported by high-quality scientific evidence. 

About two-thirds had low, very lo...

Gerber Recalls Arrowroot Baby Biscuits Over Possible Plastic, Paper Pieces

Gerber has announced a nationwide recall of some arrowroot biscuits made for babies after finding they may contain small pieces of soft plastic or paper, federal regulators said.

The recall affects specific batches of 5.5-ounce Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits with “Best Before” dates ranging from Oct. 16, 2026, through Dec. 16, 2026,...

U.S. Life Expectancy Hits Record High as Death Rates Fall Nationwide

Americans are living longer than ever.

U.S. life expectancy climbed to 79 years in 2024, the highest level on record, new federal data shows. Health officials say fewer deaths from COVID-19, along with drops in heart disease, cancer and drug overdoses, helped drive the increase.

“It’s pretty much good news all the way aro...

Salty Drinking Water Increases High Blood Pressure Risk, Review Concludes

People whose drinking water contains more salt have an increased risk of high blood pressure, a new evidence review says.

Particularly in coastal regions, salt in drinking water could be an overlooked contributor to elevated blood pressure, researchers reported recently in the journal BMJ Global Health.

Higher salt in drinki...

Afternoon Naps Are Good For The Brain — And Researchers Now Know Why

Having trouble powering through your afternoon workload?

A brief nap can rejuvenate your brain power, a new study says.

Even a short afternoon nap helps the brain recover and improve its ability to learn, researchers recently reported in the journal NeuroImage.

Napping helps reorganize connections between nerve cells c...

AI-Assisted Mammograms Catch More Hard-To-Detect Breast Cancers, Clinical Trial Shows

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help reduce the number of breast cancers found between mammogram screenings, clinical trial results show.

There was a 12% reduction in cancer diagnoses in the years following AI-supported breast cancer screening — a key test of effectiveness, researchers reported Jan. 29 in The Lancet.

...

Approved Immunotherapy Shrinks, Eliminates Rare, Aggressive Melanoma, Clinical Trial Finds

An already-approved immunotherapy drug can dramatically shrink — or even eliminate — tumors associated with a rare and aggressive form of melanoma, a new clinical trial has found.

About 71% of desmoplastic melanoma patients treated with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) had no detectable cancer remaining when it came time to surgically ...

Tylenol Safe For Babies, Clinical Trial Finds

Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safe for babies during the first year of life, a groundbreaking study has found.

Researchers found no link between using these over-the-counter painkillers and health problems like eczema or lung ailments, researchers reported Jan. 27 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

“Ou...