Health

A Nebraska committee voted 5-2 to advance a bill that would bar civil, criminal, or licensing penalties for practitioners who recommend medical cannabis; the committee added language that providers could still face discipline for failing to properly assess patients.

Guidance recommends getting 10%–35% of daily calories from protein, which for a 2,000-calorie diet equals about 50–175 grams. Common healthy sources noted include seafood, lean meats, and dairy.

An American Heart Association study projects higher prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors and diseases among U.S. adult women by 2050, including increases in hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that cardiovascular conditions accounted for about 1 in 5 female deaths in 2023, roughly 304,000 deaths.

Stanford researchers led by Professor Bali Pulendran tested a pathogen-agnostic nasal vaccine in mice that produced tertiary lymphoid structures after SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and they say human safety and efficacy trials are planned in about three to five years.

A pooled analysis of more than 1.8 million people published in the British Journal of Cancer found vegetarians had lower risk of several cancers, while vegans showed a higher incidence of colon cancer in this dataset.

Miranda McKeon said she continues to drink alcohol while acknowledging evidence linking alcohol to cancer, and she has been cancer-free since 2022.

The federal government announced over $41.5 million from six organizations to fund 19 research teams over five years for cancer prevention, risk reduction and early detection.

Alignment Healthcare reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $11 million while health plan membership rose 25% year-over-year to 236,300 and fourth-quarter revenue increased about 44% to just over $1 billion.

SuperPretzel is introducing plant-based protein soft pretzels nationwide starting March 1, offered in full-size Bavarian-style and bite-sized minis with 7–10 grams of protein per serving.

Researchers report that people labeled super-agers (age 80+) had about twice as many immature neurons in the hippocampus compared with typical older adults, based on analysis of 38 post-mortem brains published in Nature; the authors note a small sample and variability among human samples.

A 2026 Journal of Neuroscience study compared 29 expert birdwatchers and 29 novices and found structural differences in brain regions tied to attention and perception; the paper says these changes are consistent with neuroplasticity, but it does not prove birdwatching prevents cognitive decline.

Emergency rules issued by the Florida Department of Health reduce ADAP eligibility from 400% to 130% of the federal poverty level and restrict coverage of the HIV drug Biktarvy; advocates say about 16,000 Floridians could be affected.

A no-cost three-day clinic offering dental, medical and vision services will run Feb. 27–March 1 at the Empire Polo Club grounds in Indio, hosted by Morales & Galindo Marketing Group with services provided by California CareForce.

Actor Eric Dane’s death from ALS has renewed attention to the disease and its costs; a palliative care physician and a research lead describe care needs, hospice timing, financial strain, and ongoing scientific efforts focused on TDP-43.

UCLA researchers engineered T cells to import and process cellobiose, a sugar tumors cannot use; in lab and mouse studies the modified cells remained active, produced cytokines and improved tumor control.

A study published in Nature reports that people aged 80 and older classified as SuperAgers produce at least twice as many new neurons in the hippocampus compared with typical older adults, based on post-mortem analysis of nearly 356,000 individual cell nuclei.

A cohort study of more than 98,000 adults with type 2 diabetes found that use of GLP-1 receptor agonists combined with adherence to multiple healthy lifestyle habits was associated with reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. The study, led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and published Feb. 25, 2026 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, also reported independent benefits from healthy habits and from GLP-1 RA use alone.

Kenya has begun rolling out lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention option, with 21,000 starter doses targeted to 15 high-burden counties.

TrumpRx is a government-hosted website listing cash-only discounts for primarily name-brand prescription drugs; at launch it included 43 drugs from five manufacturers and showed discounts ranging about 33%–93%.

Matt Kaeberlein, a longevity researcher, began testosterone replacement in his early 50s after tests showed primary hypogonadism; he tried supplements and an oral medication before settling on weekly injections and reports improved energy and body composition.

PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," are persistent compounds found in many consumer products and the environment, and exposure has been linked to health problems including cancer and organ disease. The article's headline says one simple trick can immediately reduce exposure, and a recent study is reported to find PFAS in the drinking water of more than 200 million Americans.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo modified Clostridium sporogenes to tolerate oxygen and paired that change with a quorum-sensing switch so the trait activates only after bacteria accumulate inside a tumor; they plan pre-clinical tests to combine both features.

Camden County health officials reported that a resident was diagnosed with active tuberculosis after seeking care in mid-February; the patient was isolated and began treatment, and county officials are working with the state to identify possible exposures.

Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus began screening children's literacy at age 3 during pediatric visits, launching the program in 2022 and conducting more than 2,400 screenings; coordinators create personalized plans, hand out literacy kits and follow up with families.

A Swedish study of nearly 2.8 million people over 35 years found boys under 10 were three to four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls, yet by adulthood the diagnostic gap largely disappeared, suggesting many autistic girls are missed in childhood.

Body recomposition is the process of losing body fat while gaining muscle by combining strength training, higher protein intake and calorie cycling; it often changes appearance more than scale weight. Recovery and consistent habits, including adequate sleep, are described as important for sustained results.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited Jordan on Feb. 25–26 to tour a WHO-linked addiction treatment centre and meet female leaders at the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development.

Prince Harry and Meghan joined a World Health Organization delegation in Amman to meet children medically evacuated from Gaza and to take part in discussions on mental health and trauma support; the trip was described as a listening mission.

Five doctors shared routine-based sleep hygiene tips that prioritize consistent bed and wake times, a dark quiet bedroom, scheduled evening 'worry time,' and daytime light exposure; the article emphasizes habit changes rather than quick fixes.

Teddi Mellencamp posted on Instagram to mark her daughter Dove's 6th birthday and called her a "miracle baby," referencing Dove's early neurosurgery and Mellencamp's own ongoing cancer treatment.