Health
→ NewsSleep patterns may predict risk of dementia, cancer and stroke
Stanford researchers trained an AI called SleepFM on nearly 600,000 hours of polysomnography from over 60,000 participants and reported it could predict risk for more than 100 health conditions, including dementia, cancer and stroke; the team says the tool is experimental and not yet validated for clinical use.
New York City nurses walk out in largest strike over pay, benefits and safety
Nearly 15,000 nurses began a citywide strike at five privately run hospitals after contract talks stalled; the New York State Nurses Association says its main demands include pay raises, full health benefits, safe staffing levels and protections from workplace violence.
Open earbuds may help preserve your hearing and are affordable
The article reports that open earbuds sit on the ear cartilage instead of sealing the ear canal, and it cites ENThealth.org saying typical in-ear earbuds can be up to 9 decibels louder than over-ear headphones and may carry more bacteria into the ear.
Flu season is worse as H3N2 subclade K makes vaccines somewhat less effective
Officials report a worse-than-usual flu season linked to an H3N2 subgroup called subclade K, and about 44 percent of U.S. adults have received the flu vaccine so far.
3 healthy food swaps to protect your heart, according to a dietitian.
A dietitian-researcher outlined three simple food swaps—using olive or avocado oil instead of butter, choosing poultry or fish over red and processed meats, and preferring whole grains over refined grains—to support heart health; he cited research linking Mediterranean-style diets, higher fiber, and lower LDL cholesterol with reduced cardiovascular risk.
Moisturizers for Aging Skin That Restore a Youthful Glow
Forbes Vetted reviewed moisturizers for aging skin and highlighted SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 as a top pick while noting CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for affordability; experts cited hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, vitamin C and niacinamide as key ingredients.
Buddhist monks walking 2,300 miles from Texas to Washington DC gain more than 1 million followers
A group of Buddhist monks is walking roughly 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. as a months-long moving meditation called the Walk for Peace, and their Facebook following has recently passed one million.
Amgen's MariTide reports two-year weight loss maintenance
Amgen said patients on its experimental drug MariTide maintained weight loss for two years, reporting topline results from a phase 2 study at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference; the company did not release detailed data.
Federal judge orders HHS to restore $12 million in funding to American Academy of Pediatrics
A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction restoring nearly $12 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics and blocking cuts while the lawsuit proceeds; the judge said the Department of Health and Human Services likely acted with a retaliatory motive.
Gut health and ageing: a months-long personal investigation
A journalist had their gut microbiome tested and found broadly healthy but with some bacteria linked to risk; the report reviews studies that link greater gut diversity to longer, healthier lives while noting research is still emerging.
Autism: advocates celebrate first Barbie on the spectrum
Mattel released a Barbie designed to represent autism, featuring a functional fidget spinner, noise‑reducing headphones and a tablet meant to represent an AAC device; the company worked with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and families said the doll helped some people on the spectrum feel seen.
Novo Nordisk says GLP-1 pill expands access to weight-loss drugs
Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the newly launched GLP-1 pill will broaden access by removing barriers tied to injections; the company launched the first FDA‑approved oral GLP‑1 in the U.S. last week.
USDA promotes whole milk with a mustachioed image of Trump.
The USDA posted an edited image of President Trump with a milk mustache on Jan. 11 to promote new dietary guidelines that emphasize whole-fat dairy; the post drew mixed reactions online.
New York City nurses could strike Monday if no contract deal is reached
Nearly 15,000 nurses at several major New York City hospitals are authorized to strike early Monday if no agreement is reached; union leaders said bargaining had made little progress as of Sunday.
Cold versus Flu: Key differences in cause and symptoms
Both are contagious respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. Flu is caused only by influenza viruses while colds can be caused by rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, or seasonal coronaviruses, and symptoms often overlap so special tests are used to confirm flu.
Jenna Fischer says she finally has enough hair for a bob after cancer treatment
Jenna Fischer, who was diagnosed with stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer in October 2024, posted that her hair has grown back enough to style into a bob and thanked her hairstylist for supporting her through treatment.
Best shoes for nurses are recommended by health care workers and podiatrists.
CNN Underscored compiled a list of 10 shoes recommended by health care workers and podiatrists for people who stand long shifts, naming models such as the Asics Gel‑Nimbus 27, Hoka Arahi 8 and several Skechers and Dansko options.
Charter challenge over religious exemption in assisted dying law heads to court in B.C.
The B.C. Supreme Court has begun hearing a Charter challenge by patients, advocacy groups and a physician who say faith-based hospitals denied in-facility access to medical assistance in dying and forced transfers. Providence Health Care says its religious beliefs allow it to opt out of providing MAID and defends its actions.
Flu shot recommendation for children dropped amid a severe season
The CDC has moved the routine pediatric flu vaccine recommendation to a shared clinical decision-making approach, and this change follows an earlier HHS shift on childhood COVID shots. The adjustment comes as the U.S. is seeing high levels of flu illness and increased pediatric hospital visits.
NC reports new measles case and urges vaccination.
North Carolina health officials reported a new measles case in Rutherford County, raising the state's total to five, and said individuals who may have been exposed have been notified.
Subsidies are not health care reform
The pandemic-era expansion of ACA premium subsidies expired at the end of 2025, reducing the federal share of premiums for affected enrollees from about 88% to about 83%. The piece argues that subsidies ease household costs in the short term but do not address the underlying drivers of rising health care prices.
Flu season is declining but remains severe
CDC data show flu cases and wastewater signals are falling in early January after a record-high December, but the season has caused roughly 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths and remains driven largely by an H3N2 subclade called K.
CN Guidance welcomes Arnie, a facility dog from America's VetDogs to support community wellness.
CN Guidance & Counseling Services has added Arnie, a 4-year-old facility dog from America's VetDogs, to its team to support clients and staff through animal-assisted therapy, while the nonprofit continues to provide mental health and substance use services across Long Island including a 24-hour community crisis center.
ADHD drugs work by affecting reward and wakefulness, study finds
A new Cell study using brain scans from nearly 5,800 children found that stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall increase activity in brain reward and wakefulness regions rather than attention circuits, and the drugs helped children with ADHD and those who slept less than recommended.
Measles exposure reported at Philadelphia International Airport and 30th Street Station
City health officials reported a person potentially infected with measles passed through Terminal A East at Philadelphia International Airport and 30th Street Station on Jan. 7, and rode a southbound Northeast Regional Amtrak train; Maryland health officials also issued a related alert near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Ohio couple found dead as ex-husband is arrested on murder charges
Monique and Spencer Tepe were found dead in their Columbus home on Dec. 30, and their two young children were located in the house unharmed. Authorities arrested Monique’s former husband, Michael David McKee, in Rockford, Illinois, on Jan. 10 on two counts of murder, and he is in custody with a court appearance scheduled Monday.
Rejuvenating eggs for IVF may reduce age-related chromosome errors
Researchers report that microinjections of the protein Shugoshin 1 into donated human eggs lowered the share with chromosomal defects from about 53% to 29% overall and from 65% to 44% in eggs from women over 35.
Anthropic brings Claude into healthcare with HIPAA-focused tools
Anthropic unveiled Claude for Healthcare at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, presenting HIPAA-aligned features and integrations with medical data; the announcement follows OpenAI's recent ChatGPT Health launch.
At-home STD tests offer new options for screening and treatment
The FDA approved the first at-home test that detects gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis in women, and regulators also approved a first home kit for the virus linked to cervical cancer and two new gonorrhea drugs; companies are offering rapid home tests that connect with telehealth for follow-up.
TV CPR portrayals often misrepresent current guidance
A University of Pittsburgh study published in Circulation: Population and Outcomes found that fewer than 30% of TV scenes showed hands-only CPR correctly, while many still depict older practices such as mouth-to-mouth and pulse checks.
