Health
→ NewsGut Microbiome Could Affect Colon Cancer Risk and Response
Researchers report that gut microbial balance is linked to colorectal cancer risk and can influence how cancers develop and respond to treatment. Experts say the microbiome can be changed by factors such as diet, physical activity, probiotics, and other interventions, though more intervention studies are needed.
Sussexes to meet Gazan medical evacuees during Jordan visit
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend two days in Amman to meet medical evacuees from Gaza and to visit humanitarian and mental health initiatives, hosted by WHO director-general Dr Tedros.
Skipping Flossing May Be Linked to Heart and Oral Health Risks
A study published in Circulation and statements from the American Heart Association report that gum disease, which affects nearly half of U.S. adults, is linked to inflammation and may be associated with higher cardiovascular risk.
Sophia, born with trisomy 18, survived with a 5% chance
Sophia, born with trisomy 18 in 2022, survived despite a 5% chance at birth and now requires continuous medical support while her parents navigate hospital and insurance challenges.
Keke Palmer features Pilates as her go-to workout in new Fabletics line
Keke Palmer unveiled a 17-piece Fabletics collection tied to her fitness routine, highlighting Pilates as a daily practice; the line launched Feb. 19 online and in stores.
Novo Nordisk to cut Wegovy U.S. list price from 2027
Novo Nordisk said it will halve Wegovy's U.S. list price starting January 1, 2027, and set Ozempic and Wegovy at $675 per month.
Tennessee abortion amendment would classify some abortions as homicide
Two Tennessee Republican lawmakers have proposed an amendment that would apply homicide laws to people who end pregnancies; the amendment has not been formally filed and sponsors say it currently lacks clear Senate support.
Deion Sanders' doctor said he feared a leg amputation last year
A University of Colorado vascular surgeon said he feared Deion Sanders might need a leg amputation after a game last October; Sanders later had surgery to remove blood clots and has returned to activity.
High altitudes may reduce diabetes risk, study finds
Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes report that in low-oxygen conditions red blood cells absorb large amounts of glucose, lowering circulating blood sugar and offering a possible explanation for lower diabetes rates seen at higher elevations.
Cocoa sleep aid users report higher sleep scores
Amazon reviewers report higher wearable sleep scores after using the KillSwitch sugar-free cocoa blend, which contains magnesium and L‑theanine; a 2022 animal-model study is cited that found the two ingredients together improved sleep measures.
Midlife weight gain: GLP-1 medications and hormone therapy are discussed
The article reports that falling estrogen in perimenopause and menopause shifts fat toward the abdomen and that a 2024 study found women on both semaglutide and hormone therapy lost more weight than those on semaglutide alone; it also notes common GLP‑1 side effects and concerns about muscle loss.
HIV incidence was reduced by 70% in rural Kenya and Uganda in an NIH-supported trial
An NIH-funded trial pairing digital tools with community health workers and tailored HIV services reported a 70% reduction in new HIV cases over two years in rural Kenya and Uganda.
Pillow options that can ease acid reflux symptoms
Gastroenterologists say elevating the head and upper torso with a wedge pillow can reduce nighttime acid reflux; experts recommend wedges at least 6–8 inches high and medium‑to‑firm support with memory or high‑density foam.
NHS to pay GPs for prescribing weight‑loss jabs
The NHS will pay GPs £3,000 a year for prescribing the weight‑loss jab Mounjaro and about £1,000 extra for referrals to weight‑loss programmes; current eligibility remains limited, with wider criteria expected next year.
Bipolar disorder in the spotlight after Robert Carradine's death
Actor Robert Carradine died at 71; his family said he took his own life after a long struggle with bipolar disorder, which affects millions of Americans.
Max Homa discusses living with seborrheic dermatitis
PGA Tour winner Max Homa says he has dealt with seborrheic dermatitis since high school and now uses Zoryve (reflumilast) 0.3% once-daily foam to manage symptoms.
Max Homa announces health campaign and outlines his 2026 approach
Max Homa is partnering with Arcutis' Free to Be Me Campaign to raise awareness of seborrheic dermatitis and says he uses ZORYVE (roflumilast) foam; he also discussed enjoying faster formats like TGL while keeping four-day PGA Tour events as his core focus for 2026.
Vitamin C serum praised by Amazon shoppers is 43% off
Amazon shoppers left more than 53,700 reviews praising the Eva Naturals Vitamin C Serum, and the article reports it is currently 43% off and priced at about $16.
Greenland hospital ship offer came from a local bricklayer
President Trump said a hospital ship was "on the way" to Greenland after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said a Greenlandic bricklayer raised healthcare concerns; Pentagon officials say no orders have been given to deploy the Navy's hospital ships.
Novo to cut US list prices for Wegovy and Ozempic next year.
Novo Nordisk will set a $675 monthly US list price for its semaglutide medicines, cutting some list prices by up to 50%, and said the change takes effect on Jan. 1 to give payers time to prepare.
Headphone headaches: six tweaks for more comfortable all-day use
The article reports that headphone-related headaches often arise from pressure, weight, heat, glasses and high volume, and it lists six adjustments — such as changing earcup type or pads, adjusting fit, lowering volume, dimming screens and disabling active noise cancellation — that the author found helpful.
Americans are slowly warming to cooking with animal blood
Animal blood, long used in many global cuisines, is appearing more often on U.S. menus and in cookbooks, and the USDA relaxed rules in 2021 that had limited the sale of coagulated blood.
Measles spreads, and nine vaccine-preventable diseases could follow
U.S. measles cases have topped about 900, and experts say declining vaccination coverage raises the risk that nine other vaccine-preventable diseases could increase.
FDA approves Allurion's Gastric Balloon System under PMA
The FDA has granted premarket approval for Allurion's Gastric Balloon System, which uses a swallowable Smart Capsule designed to remain in the stomach for about four months; the company reports the device has been used in more than 200,000 patients outside the US.
Pennsylvania man traveled to California to meet 13-year-old, DOJ says
Federal officials say an 18-year-old from Pennsylvania traveled to California after grooming a 13-year-old online; law enforcement located the pair, and he has been charged and is scheduled to appear in court.
Heart tests for men over 50 highlighted by cardiologists.
The article reports that cardiologists recommend five screenings for men over 50 — blood pressure, a lipid panel with ApoB, hemoglobin A1c, a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, and lipoprotein(a) — and notes that many cardiovascular events involve at least one preventable risk factor.
Federal government seeks input on men's and boys' health strategy
The federal government has opened a national consultation, partnering with Movember Canada, and will collect input via an online questionnaire from March 2 to June 1 to inform a men's and boys' health strategy expected later this year.
Tuberculosis funding cuts could cost households up to $80 billion
A modeling study using data for 79 low- and middle-income countries projects up to $79.7 billion in additional patient-incurred TB costs from 2025–2050 if all external funding ends, and finds the poorest households would carry most of the added burden.
Lindsey Vonn says she nearly faced amputation after Olympic crash
Lindsey Vonn said she developed compartment syndrome after her downhill crash at the Milan‑Cortina Olympics, and an on‑site fasciotomy by surgeon Tom Hackett prevented amputation. She has been released from hospital and will need additional surgeries for a complex tibia fracture, with bone healing expected to take about a year.
Cancer diagnosis linked to higher conviction risk in Danish study
A large Danish analysis of about 370,000 people found that crime convictions fall in the first year after a cancer diagnosis but then rise starting two years later, averaging a 13% increase; researchers link the rise to income loss, reduced social support and changes in survival probability.
