Health news, medical discoveries and wellness tips
New analysis suggests 7,000 daily steps could be sufficient for weight loss and significant health benefits, challenging the long-held 10,000-step goal rooted in marketing. Experts emphasize moderate-to-vigorous activity duration and diet.
The FDA has issued warning letters to Amazon and Walmart for selling unapproved herpes treatment products. These items, sold by third-party sellers but fulfilled by the platforms, pose a public health risk by potentially delaying proper medical diagnosis and treatment.
NPR investigation reveals a pattern of high-pressure sales tactics at skincare stores, often linked to the Mazal Group. Customers report being lured by free samples only to face thousands in unexpected charges for unwanted products.
In India, workers like Shoba Kirubakaran are unknowingly training AI robots by recording their tasks with GoPros. This practice, aimed at collecting "egocentric data" for AI development, raises concerns about job displacement in a country with the world's second-largest workforce. Experts debate the feasibility of widespread robot deployment due to costs and infrastructure challenges, while workers express mixed feelings about their role in automating their own jobs.
New research challenges the idea that cellular recycling (autophagy) declines with age. Findings show activity varies by cell type and sex, and higher activity is linked to poorer physical function in older adults. Gentle exercise may help restore youthful patterns.
Researchers have created the first detailed 3D map of lipids in the mouse brain, identifying 539 distinct chemical zones, or "lipizones." This groundbreaking atlas reveals unexpected organizational patterns, even in white matter, and offers new insights into brain changes during pregnancy and potential links to neurological diseases. The methodology is expected to be transferable to human brain research.
Scientists convene to establish rigorous standards for sauna and heat therapy research, aiming to move beyond anecdotal evidence and observational studies. The goal is to define best practices, quantify risks and benefits, and potentially pave the way for medical recommendations.
San Francisco is widely offering Doxy PEP, an antibiotic morning-after pill proven effective against bacterial STIs like chlamydia and syphilis, especially among gay men. While syphilis rates dropped 24% and chlamydia 18%, concerns linger about accelerating antibiotic resistance. Doctors debate the best approach, weighing public health benefits against potential long-term risks.
A new study identifies 24 blood proteins that could offer a more accurate way to monitor coeliac disease activity, even on a gluten-free diet. Nine proteins are strongly linked to intestinal damage, suggesting potential for improved diagnostics beyond current antibody tests.