Health

A chef says oils with high smoke points — such as peanut, avocado and grapeseed — tend to hold up better in an air fryer, while unrefined oils, melted butter and aerosol cooking sprays are reported as less suitable.

CDC data show childhood flu vaccinations in Texas are down 6.5 percentage points year-over-year as of Jan. 3, and influenza cases that rose in late December have since decreased across the state.

Prof Nick Fox describes how early-onset and rare dementias can begin with behavioural, language or visual changes rather than memory loss, and reports a dedicated Rare Dementia Support Centre is due to open in London in 2026.

Educators report that students who attended high school during the pandemic are arriving at college with noticeable gaps in math and writing and with higher levels of anxiety about belonging.

Two studies published in Hypertension modelled modest sodium reductions in store-bought foods in France and the U.K. and found those changes could lower population sodium intake and prevent thousands of cases of heart disease, stroke and death, including an estimated 1,100+ deaths averted in the French analysis and more than 100,000 heart disease cases and 25,000 strokes averted in the U.K. scenario over 20 years.

Ethiopia has declared its first Marburg virus disease outbreak over after 42 consecutive days with no new confirmed cases; the outbreak, confirmed on 14 November 2025, involved 14 confirmed cases and nine deaths.

The article lists moisturizers, masks and a sunscreen described as suited for winter hydration and protection, and notes that some links may generate sales commissions.

Organizers used a regional Under-17 girls' soccer tournament in Norton, Zimbabwe, to promote HPV vaccination and build trust among about 200 participants from six countries.

Many women experience a return of acne during perimenopause and menopause, often around the lower face, chin and jawline. The article reports that dermatologists use a range of treatments from hormone-related medications to topical retinoids and note sleep, stress and product choice as influencing factors.

A family-shared video shows Alex Pretti giving a final salute to a veteran he treated in the Minneapolis VA ICU; Pretti was later shot and killed by a federal agent and officials have offered differing accounts of the encounter.

The article outlines ten practical steps to protect pets in cold weather, such as keeping them indoors when possible and ensuring access to unfrozen water and adequate shelter.

UCHealth and Colorado State University's veterinary teaching hospital are seeking blood donors in January; CSU is asking for dog and cat donors for its veterinary blood bank while UCHealth seeks human donors.

A NeuroImage study reported that even brief afternoon naps can help synaptic connections recover and support learning, and sleep experts cited in the article recommend short naps (about 20 minutes) in the early afternoon with attention to environment and caffeine timing.

Actor Eric Dane missed the ALS Network's Champions for Cures and Care gala on Jan. 24 after organizers said he was not well enough due to ALS; Broadway performer Aaron Lazar accepted the Advocate of the Year Award on his behalf.

The article reports that beans are an affordable, nutrient-dense food offering plant protein (about 7–9 g per half-cup), minerals, fiber, and antioxidant compounds, and that regular bean consumption is linked with measures associated with better heart health. It also notes practical benefits such as convenience and versatility and mentions common digestive concerns and that canned beans are already cooked.

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines emphasize whole foods and raise protein targets to about 1.2–1.6 g/kg, while allowing full-fat dairy, butter, and red meat in moderation and tightening language on added sugar.

Hepatitis C often causes few or no symptoms for years and can lead to serious liver damage; modern oral antiviral medicines now cure nearly all treated infections.

Experts say signs that occur during sleep — such as gasping or loud snoring, parasomnias like sleepwalking or sleep-related eating, chronic nightmares, and frequent nighttime urination — can reflect sleep disorders or other medical conditions.

Sanitation crews cleaned a Queens encampment but left mattresses and personal items, and new city guidelines limit police authority to clear encampments while prioritizing a housing-first outreach model.

A Border Patrol agent reportedly shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Jan. 24; a vigil drew over a thousand people and a memorial has been set up at the site.

A VA physician said Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse reportedly killed by federal officers in Minneapolis, was kind and highly skilled.

A study found people with color vision deficiency were more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer at later, more invasive stages and had a higher long-term risk of death compared with those with normal color vision.

The article explains the four main cholesterol measurements—total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides—and lists common guideline ranges such as total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL.

Harvard researchers report that gut bacteria can produce gases that are chemically transformed into hormones linked to pregnancy and mood, according to a study published in Cell. Lead author Dr. Megan McCurry said the work identifies a microbial chemical transformation that produces a steroid that could affect women's health and postpartum depression.

Cardiologists note a normal adult resting heart rate is commonly about 60–80 beats per minute, and persistent elevation or an irregular rhythm can be linked with cardiovascular risk.

New research analyzing 36,258 UK Biobank participants found people with severe vitamin D deficiency (below 15 nmol/L) had a 33% higher hospitalization rate for respiratory tract infections than those with levels of 75 nmol/L or higher, and each 10 nmol/L increase was linked to a 4% lower hospitalization rate.

A winter storm is expected to bring 12 to 20 inches of snow to Boston this weekend, and the American Veterinary Medical Association and the ASPCA have issued guidance on protecting pets in cold conditions.

A pop-up screening at the North Shields fish quay identified a stage four melanoma in a fisherman who was docked by bad weather; he later had successful surgery and is reported cancer free.

Cholesterol is the biochemical starting material the body uses to make testosterone, and higher LDL cholesterol is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and blood-vessel changes that may affect testosterone production.

Medical experts say shoveling combines cold exposure and heavy exertion, which can strain the heart and body; a large Canadian study linked heavy snowfalls to higher heart attack hospitalizations and deaths in men.