Medicine

The percentage of American adults who smoke cigarettes has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded, according to a new study. About 9.9% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2024, a drop from 10.8% in 2023, according to an…

A Los Angeles mother said her jarring symptoms were dismissed by doctors for years, chalked up to a side effect of childbirth — but they turned out to be signals of colorectal cancer. Marisa Peters, 44, a mother of three and former…

An excess of sugary drinks can specifically lead to a higher risk of anxiety among teens, a new study shows. In a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, U.K. researchers reviewed various studies from…

Aging can't be stopped, but a daily pill could slow it down, according to new research led by Mass General Brigham in Boston. Among people who took a multivitamin every day for two years, biological aging slowed down by about four…

Scientists and physicians agree that there’s been a general decline in male fertility — but they aren’t sure why. Social media buzz has pointed to a few environmental exposures as potential factors, including cellphones and electric…

Aging is often depicted as a steady decline, but new research suggests that many older adults actually improve over time. Using more than a decade of data from a large, representative study of older Americans, Yale University…

A new blood test could determine a woman’s dementia risk as early as 25 years before symptoms emerge. That’s according to new research from the University of California San Diego, which found that a specific biomarker protein…

Compounds found in cannabis could provide a new roadmap for treating the world’s most common chronic liver disorder, according to a study released by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research, published in the British Journal of…

America’s first responders put their lives on the line to protect their communities — and it shaves approximately 10 years off their life expectancy. Despite the inevitable risk, practicing healthy lifestyle habits can help to protect…

Valerian, an herbal supplement long used for sleep and relaxation, has been referred to as "nature's Valium" — but experts are divided on whether it truly compares to the prescription sedative. The herb, which is sold as a dietary…

GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed treatment for Type 2 diabetes and obesity, but new research suggests doctors may need to pay r attention to bone health, especially in older patients taking the drugs. Older…

A viral wellness trend asks a simple question — is warm or cold water healthier? — but the science behind it is more nuanced. Previous research shows that food and beverage temperature has a measurable effect on things like anxiety and…

Cold, flu and COVID may get the most attention, but a lesser-known, highly contagious virus is taking the West Coast by storm. Wastewater SCAN data show that human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is rampant in Northern California —…

A popular class of weight-loss drugs may prevent life-threatening cardiac complications by opening microscopic blood vessels that often remain blocked after a heart attack, according to a study published this week in Nature…

As colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50, a new report reveals some surprising shifts in the incidence of the disease. Although rates of CRC have been declining among seniors, those 65 and…

A new study suggests that middle-aged men may be more vulnerable to faster biological aging, potentially linked to exposure to "forever chemicals." The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging, examined how perfluoroalkyl…

A drug that has long been used to treat seizures has shown promise as a potential means of Alzheimer’s prevention, a new study suggests. The anti-seizure medication, levetiracetam, was first approved by the FDA in November 1999 under…

In a dramatic turn of events that's captured the attention of animal lovers worldwide, Punch — the young macaque at a zoo in Japan famous for his inseparable bond with a stuffed orangutan toy — has reached a major milestone in his…

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Artificial intelligence has been touted as a boon to healthcare,…

Americans consume foods every day that are marketed as "healthy," when they could be quietly destroying their health, one doctor warns. Dr. Mark Hyman, physician and co-founder of Function Health in California, says that much of…