Health

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.

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.

About 15,000 nurses at Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore began a strike amid a severe flu season; city and state officials say they are coordinating to maintain patient care.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge are developing a blood test that detects DNA methylation markers to indicate whether prostate cancer is present and how aggressive it is, and clinical trials in UK patients are planned within 18–24 months.

A 47-year-old British mother who lost vision from hypotony regained sight after treatment with an injected water-based gel (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and seven of eight patients treated there responded positively.

An editor tested many creams and reports that ingredients and formulation matter more than price, and that modern drugstore moisturizers can provide effective hydration.

Experts say that with age the same amount of alcohol can lead to higher blood alcohol levels and stronger effects because of shifts in body composition and slower liver processing.

GLP-3s are triple-agonist drugs that target GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors; early trials of retatrutide reported substantial average weight losses. Reported side effects are mainly gastrointestinal, with some cardiovascular and rarer risks noted.

A low-cost surgical gel (HPMC) injected into eyes restored shape and improved vision for seven of eight patients with hypotony in a small study led by Moorfields Eye Hospital, and researchers are seeking funding for a larger trial.

Authorities reported five human heads were found on a beach in Puerto López, Manabí province, and the government has declared a 60-day state of emergency in seven provinces.

The FDA upgraded a November recall of several grated Pecorino Romano products to Class I after tests detected Listeria monocytogenes; the items were distributed nationwide between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20.

MindWalk announced an advance in its universal influenza program and said it identified a functional constraint that persists across influenza viruses despite ongoing evolution. The article mentions that the constraint refers to preserved biophysical requirements for infection rather than conserved genetic sequences.

People gathered in Columbia, Howard County, to protest immigration enforcement after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis; the FBI has opened an investigation and DHS officials said officers acted in self-defense.

Authorities say a 39-year-old man, Michael David McKee, was arrested in Illinois and charged with two counts of murder after a Columbus couple were found dead in their home on Dec. 30; investigators say the inquiry is ongoing and a court date is scheduled for Monday.

The CDC announced an overhaul that reduces the number of routine childhood immunizations and sorts vaccines into three categories. State vaccine mandates remain controlled by states and insurance coverage for vaccines is not removed; next procedural steps are undetermined at this time.

Maryland health officials announced that a person with measles traveled on the Amtrak NE Regional and was at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport between Jan. 7 and Jan. 9; anyone in those locations at those times may have been exposed.

Anthropic announced a suite of health care and life sciences features for its Claude AI, now available to Pro and Max subscribers in the U.S. The launch follows OpenAI's recent ChatGPT Health rollout and the companies emphasized privacy protections for shared health data.

A 4-year-old boy was pulled from a pool unresponsive in Bobs Farm on Jan. 9 and later died at John Hunter Hospital; police say inquiries are ongoing and a coroner's report will be prepared.

The Health and Human Services secretary moved hepatitis A, influenza, meningococcal (MenACWY) and rotavirus from routine pediatric recommendations to a "shared clinical decision-making" category, and the department says the vaccines remain available and covered by insurance; the change was made without a vote from the usual outside expert panel.

The Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon during Radon Action Month and is offering free test kits to suburban Cook County residents.

A man from Costa Rica who was detained by ICE was hospitalized in June with an altered mental status and was later deported to Costa Rica in a reported vegetative state; DHS says he was diagnosed with unspecified psychosis and hospitalized while in custody.

Researchers at University Hospitals treated mice carrying human Alzheimer's genes with a compound that restored NAD enzyme function and reversed multiple brain pathology features and cognitive deficits; the team says human studies are still years away.

A man has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder after a Columbus couple were found dead; their two young children were later found physically unharmed.

The Department of Health and Human Services revised the U.S. childhood vaccine recommendations to mirror Denmark's schedule, narrowing routine recommendations and reclassifying meningococcal, hepatitis B and hepatitis A vaccines to shared clinical decision-making; experts warned the countries differ in health systems and social safety nets.

An OHSU study published in Sleep Advances found inadequate sleep was linked to higher mortality risk across U.S. counties and ranked as a leading behavioral factor after smoking.

Jill Martin will have emergency surgery to address a skin complication linked to prior breast cancer treatment; she and doctors say her cancer has not returned.

Chicken noodle soup can provide protein, vegetables and warm broth that support hydration and ease digestion; commercially prepared versions often contain high sodium and fewer vegetables or protein, so ingredients and preparation affect its nutritional value.

The Fred Hampton Free Store operates in an abandoned Family Dollar in the Lower 9th Ward and is run by volunteers. It provides donated goods, basic medical care and harm-reduction services without federal or foundation funding.

Novo Nordisk says its newly approved once-daily oral Wegovy pill launched in U.S. markets after FDA approval in December 2025 and is seeing strong interest; the company reported trial results similar to the injectable and wide pharmacy availability at about 70,000 locations.

Doctors report that meningococcal cases have increased since 2021, and they warn the CDC's move to recommend meningococcal vaccines only for high-risk groups could reduce adolescent vaccination rates.