Lifestyle
Reporter’s Notebook: Eight theories why fentanyl deaths are plummeting
Brian Mann The last six months I’ve been tracking something really cool and mysterious happening on American streets. For the first time in thirty years, drug deaths are plunging at a rate that addiction experts say is hopeful — but also baffling. In the past, even the most ambitious, well-funded efforts to slow drug deaths…
RFK, Jr., Wants to Make Baby Formula Safer, but Trump Budget Cuts Imperil That Effort
RFK, Jr., Wants to Make Baby Formula Safer, but Trump Budget Cuts Imperil That Effort A new Trump administration health initiative called Operation Stork Speed aims to improve the safety of infant formula and reduce contamination risk, but budget and staffing cuts may hinder that By Tanya Lewis edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Earlier this week…
South African ambassador expelled from US welcomed home by supporters
Ebrahim Rasool, declared persona non grata by Washington, was surrounded by crowds at Cape Town airport The South African ambassador who was expelled from the US and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration was welcomed home on Sunday by hundreds of supporters who sang songs praising him. Crowds at Cape Town International airport…
Flights resume at London Heathrow after a daylong closure sparked travel chaos
By The Associated Press LONDON — London Heathrow Airport said it was “fully operational” on Saturday, after an almost daylong closure sparked by an electrical substation fire. But airlines warned that severe disruption will last for days as they scramble to relocate planes and crews and get travelers to their destinations. The airport’s boss said…
Homeland Security makes cuts to civil rights and immigration oversight offices
Ximena Bustillo The Department of Homeland Security is cutting jobs in the oversight divisions focused on civil rights as a part of a broader reduction in force effort across the federal government. The affected offices, confirmed by DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, are the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), the Office of the…
USAID Funding Saved Millions of Children’s Lives. Recent Cuts Put It in Jeopardy
USAID Funding Saved Millions of Children’s Lives. Recent Cuts Put It in Jeopardy USAID investments significantly reduced deaths among children under age five and women of reproductive age, studies show By Tanya Lewis edited by Dean Visser Tigray people, fled due to conflicts and taking shelter in Mekelle city of the Tigray region, in northern…
Tren de Aragua — all you need to know about the Venezuelan gang
By John Otis BOGOTA, Colombia — The Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang that President Trump is targeting in his latest wave of deportations, formed in a Venezuelan prison but has branched out to become a multinational crime organization that has pulled off brazen attacks in places ranging from New York City to Santiago, Chile.…
After al-Assad’s Ouster, Many Syrians Struggle With Returning Home
Syria After Civil War Syria’s interim president has said that millions would return after President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, but many houses and other buildings were destroyed in 13 years of civil war. Syria’s interim president has said that millions would return after President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, but many houses and other buildings were destroyed in…
What we know about the search for a U.S. student missing in the Dominican Republic
By Ayana Archie A person of interest has been named in the investigation of a missing 20-year-old U.S. college student who disappeared last week in the Dominican Republic while on spring break with friends. The missing woman, Sudiksha Konanki, traveled to Punta Cana with five other people last Monday, according to the Dominican Republic’s national…
Kansas Tuberculosis Outbreak Emphasizes the Importance of Public Health Infrastructure
On COVID’s Fifth Anniversary, the U.S. Remains Vulnerable to Infectious Disease On COVID’s fifth anniversary, the U.S. is facing an outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas that makes strong public health systems as important as ever. By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Jeffery DelViscio Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. This week…
She got her dream job at CDC back. But she’s already moving on
Yuki Noguchi Cancer outreach worker Bri McNulty, 23, was one of 750 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who was terminated abruptly over email in mid-February, amid a slew of federal workforce dismissals. On Tuesday, McNulty got an equally surprising email hiring her back. She was one of an unknown number of…
Trump’s CDC Firings Will Gut Public Health at the State and Local Level
Trump’s CDC Firings Will Gut Public Health at the State and Local Level The Trump administration’s sudden dismissals have stripped training programs across the nation that bolstered state and local public health departments By Rachana Pradhan & KFF Health News A sign outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The Trump administration’s sudden firing…
As Canadians cancel trips due to Trump, the U.S. tourism industry could lose billions
By Joe Hernandez Leena Yousefi and her family typically visit Hawaii four or five times a year. The Vancouver attorney used to live in Maui and had booked another trip for this year. But that was before President Trump, shortly after taking office in January, said he would impose 25% tariffs on many Canadian goods…
Meet the Syrians behind the music that inspired a revolution
By Emily Feng , Jawad Rizkallah HOMS, Syria — His face is everywhere in Syria. It’s plastered on the country’s new flags, on sweaters and on the side of buses. His voice, untrained and unfiltered, is ubiquitous, too: used in cellphone ringtones and blared from loudspeakers. His name is Abdel Basset al-Sarout. Once the goalkeeper…
Consumers can buy Zepbound direct from the drugmaker if they’ll pay out of pocket
By Sydney Lupkin Every month, roughly 100,000 people buy Zepbound directly from Eli Lilly through its website. “It’s about the size of a small city,” says David Ricks, Eli Lilly’s CEO. That’s about 10% of the 1 million people who use the blockbuster obesity drug every month, though the numbers can vary, he says. The…
Cutting a Parent Out of Your Life Isn’t Always the Right Solution
Opinion The Science of ParentingMondays Cutting a Parent Out of Your Life Isn’t Always the Right Solution Popular culture paints going “no contact” as the best way to deal with hard family relationships. But it’s not always the right choice By Joshua Coleman & Karl Pillemer edited by Megha Satyanarayana Cut through the claims: Get…
Mental health crisis ‘means youth is no longer one of happiest times of life’
UN-commissioned study in UK, US, Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand finds satisfaction rises with age For more than half a century, the midlife crisis has been a feature of western society. Fast cars, impulsive decisions, and peak misery between the age of 40 and 50. But all that is changing, according to experts. In…
The International Space Station May Need More Microbes to Keep Astronauts Healthy
The International Space Station May Need More Microbes to Keep Astronauts Healthy The overly sterile environment of the International Space Station is missing important microbes, a new detailed map shows. If we want to live off Earth, we may need to take more of our bacterial friends with us By Allison Parshall edited by Lee…
Africa’s medical system risks ‘collapse in next few years’, warns health leader
Focusing foreign aid on infectious diseases has allowed a rise in cancer and diabetes that African governments don’t have resources to fight, says Dr Githinji Gitahi Health services in Africa are at risk of “collapse in the next few years” due to soaring chronic diseases, a senior public health leader has warned. Foreign aid to…
Transgender Youth Have Better Emotional Health after Taking Hormones, New Study Finds
Transgender Youth Have Better Emotional Health after Taking Hormones, New Study Finds Hormone therapy improves transgender young people’s well-being and social relationships, but Trump’s recent executive order and state bans threaten to take it away By Tyler Santora edited by Tanya Lewis A demonstrator at the Rise Up for Trans Youth rally against President Donald Trump’s executive…
How is Pope Francis doing? The Vatican says he rested well and met church officials
By Fatima Al-Kassab , Willem Marx ROME — Pope Francis “rested well throughout the night,” according to a statement from the Vatican Tuesday morning, as he appears to make a slight recovery from double pneumonia and other ailments. He has also resumed some of his duties as pontiff while in the Gemelli hospital in Italy’s…
Health care workers are rushing to learn about immigration law in case of ICE raids
From By Jackie Fortiér The lobby at the St. John’s Community Health clinic in South Los Angeles bustles with patients. But community health worker Ana Ruth Varela is worried that it’s about to get a lot quieter. Many patients, she said, are afraid to leave their homes. “The other day I spoke with one of…
Trump Denied Knowledge of Project 2025—Now His Health Care Plans Follow It Closely
Trump Denied Knowledge of Project 2025—Now His Health Care Plans Follow It Closely During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump distanced himself from the conservative governing plan Project 2025. But it’s increasingly viewed as a blueprint for his administration’s plans for federal health programs By Stephanie Armour & KFF Health News Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of…
Carl Zimmer on His New Book Air-Borne and What Public Health Experts Learned from the COVID Pandemic
The Air around Us Is Full of Life By Rachel Feltman, Naeem Amarsy, Jeffery DelViscio & Fonda Mwangi [CLIP: Theme music] Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. You probably don’t spend too much time thinking about the air you breathe—at least relative to the amount of time you spend actually breathing…
Why Is the Trump Administration Villainizing Mental Health Meds for Kids?
Opinion Cross CurrentsFridays Why Is the Trump Administration Villainizing Mental Health Meds for Kids? A federal commission to examine U.S. chronic disease could undercut real treatment for kids with depression, ADHD and other mental health challenges By Megha Satyanarayana edited by Dan Vergano Keep in touch with Cross Current: Get email alerts for this weekly…
Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread
Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread Low vaccination rates and undetected infections are driving the measles outbreak in West Texas By Amy Maxmen & KFF Health News Most unvaccinated people will contract measles if they’re exposed to the airborne virus, which can linger for up to two hours indoors. Those…
Trump’s picks to oversee Medicare and biomedical research will divest stock
By Sydney Lupkin , Rob Stein If Dr. Mehmet Oz is confirmed to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, he said in an ethics letter dated Feb. 16 that he will sell health care stock and leave his role as an advisor to iHerb, LLC, a nutritional supplement company that he has promoted…
Trump Administration’s Attacks on Science in First 30 Days
Science under Siege during Trump’s First 30 Days The Trump administration has acted fast to attack science with a range of funding and policy tactics By Jeff Tollefson, Max Kozlov, Alexandra Witze, Dan Garisto & Nature magazine U.S. President Donald Trump looks at an executive order on halting federal funds for schools and universities that…
Kenya’s wildlife tourism, a casualty of COVID, gets a lifeline
From July to October each year, millions of wildebeests, zebras and other wildlife travel from Tanzania to Kenya’s Maasai Mara region — a phenomenon known as “The Great Migration.” But the animals are not usually the only ones that flood the region during this time: Typically, thousands of tourists flock to the Maasai Mara to…
Funding cuts leave a forest at risk
One of the world’s most important places for nature is a small strip of mountainous forest no more than about 40 miles wide. And for want of a relatively small amount of money, its long-term health is in doubt. Not many people have heard of Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains, home to one of the last large…
Republican proposals to cut Medicaid could be politically fraught
From By Phil Galewitz Medicaid is under threat — again. Republicans, who narrowly control Congress, are pushing proposals that could sharply cut funding to the government health insurance program for poor and disabled Americans, as a way to finance President Trump’s agenda for tax cuts and border security. Democrats, hoping to block the GOP’s plans…
Health agencies lose staff in key areas as Trump firings set in
By Will Stone , Pien Huang Termination letters landed in the mailboxes of hundreds of employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health over the weekend, as the Trump administration moved ahead with firings announced verbally Friday. That’s according to more than half…
Men Actually Crave Romantic Relationships More Than Women Do
Men Actually Crave Romantic Relationships More Than Women Do Multiple-study analysis looks at why men’s emotional intimacy is much more difficult outside of romantic relationships By Clarissa Brincat edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Research explores why men seem to find romantic relationships more important than women do. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Drawing on…
She suspected a heart attack, but was diagnosed with broken heart syndrome
Allison Aubrey If you’ve ever had a scary experience, when your adrenaline is pumping, as you deal with a threat or shock, you may relate to Maria Carraballo’s experience. While on vacation in Puerto Rico, Carraballo, 75, was swimming with her two young grandsons, when the current began to pull them away from the shore.…
Trump’s Proposal to Expel Palestinians From Gaza Hangs Over Rubio’s Israel Trip
Trump Administration Scholars of international law say President Trump’s vision for American control of a Gaza without Palestinians would be ethnic cleansing and a war crime. By Edward Wong and Isabel Kershner Edward Wong reported from Washington, and Isabel Kershner from Jerusalem. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel…
Indonesian province leaps ahead in conservation
One of Indonesia’s easternmost regions is taking an unprecedented step toward sustainability. Last week, the government of the province of West Papua, on the island of New Guinea, announced legislation establishing it as Indonesia’s first “conservation province.” What this means is that the government will ensure that all future economic activity and development will be…
Indonesia protects ‘walking sharks.’ Are other sharks next?
The Indonesian government has granted six species of threatened “walking sharks” the highest level of protection across all national waters — a move experts hope will lead to the conservation of other sharks, whose numbers have plummeted due largely to the shark fin trade. “Walking sharks are small, charismatic and absolutely harmless to humans. Our…
Unease grows at the CDC as Trump administration keeps grip on research, messaging
By Pien Huang , Will Stone The situation is far from normal at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, current and former CDC officials tell NPR, even as a clampdown on external communications is starting to ease. New layers of review from political appointees installed by the new Trump Administration remain in place amid…
Look for ‘Slow Flower’ Bouquets, Plants Grown without Health-Harming Chemicals Used in Overseas Operations
The Beauty of ‘Slow Flowers’ versus the Pretty Poison of Plants Grown with Dangerous Chemicals New “slow flower” farms grow beautiful blooms—without health-harming chemicals used by overseas operations that dominate the U.S. flower market By Maryn McKenna edited by Josh Fischman Dahlias bloom at the Maine Flower Collective, a group of local growers. On a…
Bo-Kaap: the candy-coloured corner of Cape Town facing tourism v heritage dilemma
Some locals in picturesque district of Bo-Kaap are fed up with influx of visitors, and worry about impact of gentrification After Table Mountain, the candy-coloured houses of Bo-Kaap have become one of Cape Town’s most iconic images, a key stop in any tourist’s visit to the South African city and a must-have for Instagram feeds.…
Trump’s ban on gender-affirming care for young people puts hospitals in a bind
Selena Simmons-Duffin Kristen Chapman had already moved her family from Tennessee to Virginia to try to find a state that would be more welcoming to her transgender daughter, Willow. After months waiting for an appointment at the gender-affirming care clinic at VCU Health in Richmond, Willow had one on the calendar on Jan. 29. President…
4 things you didn’t know elephants do for you
Editor’s note: On April 18, 2018, Conservation International released its virtual reality film, “My Africa.” The film tells the story of a young Samburu woman in Kenya whose community is working to save elephants, reknitting an ancient coexistence between people and wildlife. In honor of this film, Conservation News is telling stories about the people,…
Expert: Rollbacks of environmental protections imperil nature — and human health
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, countries around the world have been shrinking or eliminating areas set aside to protect nature — some to drill for fossil fuels, others for urban development. Yet the environmental rollbacks that some governments claim could help humanity recover economically from the coronavirus could put humanity more at risk of future…
Trump Executive Orders Create Confusion for Science and Health Agencies
Funding Freeze and Communications Hold Create Confusion for U.S. Researchers Researchers in the U.S. are grappling with Trump administration executive orders around health and science agency funding and communications. By Rachel Feltman, Max Kozlov, Lauren J. Young, Fonda Mwangi & Madison Goldberg [CLIP: Theme music] Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman.…
Senate Democrats call for answers on health communications freeze and funding delays
Carmel Wroth In a letter sent Wednesday night to Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Dorothy Fink, a group of 34 Democratic senators called for the federal health agency to end its freeze on “external communications and funding.” “We write to express our deep concern over the Administration’s recent decision to freeze external communications…
Maryland federal judge blocks Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán A federal judge in Maryland on Wednesday blocked President Trump’s executive order to end citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to parents in the country without legal status. Under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are…
Trump Administration Closes Climate Health Office
Trump Administration Shutters Climate Health Office A climate office at the Department of Health and Human Services has been shuttered, and its staff was placed on administrative leave By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News An elderly man faints in front of the Supreme Court in June 2024 as temperatures in Washington, D.C., rose into the…
New Game Card “Beat”
🎮 BEAT Party Game Card: The Game That Takes Truth to the Limit is Now on Kickstarter If you’ve ever felt that a simple “Truth or Dare” wasn’t enough, BEAT Party Game Card is here to revolutionize how we play with the truth. This bold and exciting board game, created by Monkey Republic Games, has…
Vagus nerve stimulation may tame autoimmune diseases
Jon Hamilton Tiny pulses of electricity may provide the next big advance in treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. The pulses would be delivered via implanted devices that stimulate the vagus nerve, and they are showing promise in people with arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, including Crohn’s, and multiple sclerosis. Currently, autoimmune diseases are usually treated…
RFK, Jr., Confirmation Hearing Is Tomorrow. Here’s What to Know
4 Things to Know as RFK, Jr., Confirmation Hearing Approaches Some health professionals have spoken out about President Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for Secretary of Health and Human Services By Arthur Allen & KFF Health News Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary, on…
Did your date give you ‘the ick’? Here’s the science behind the feeling
By Andrea Muraskin The food was top-notch, the atmosphere was cozy and my date aimed to entertain. I love a good personal story, so I invited him to relate one that he’d referenced in his profile. Good fodder for a first date, I thought. At one point in the story, as he recounted it, a…
Trump administration purges websites across federal health agencies
By Will Stone , Selena Simmons-Duffin At the direction of the Trump administration, the federal Department of Health and Human Services and its agencies are purging its websites of information and data on a broad array of topics — from adolescent health to LGBTQ+ rights to HIV. Several webpages from Centers for Disease Control and…
Senator calls RFK Jr.’s position on race and vaccines dangerous
By Will Stone It was one of the more tense exchanges in an already heated confirmation hearing as senators put Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s record on vaccines — and his shifting stances on their safety and efficacy — under the microscope. Senator Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat from Maryland, pointed to past comments made by Kennedy…
After fires, LA students yearn to get back to school, and a normal life
Jonaki Mehta Augusta Robbins and her family have been hopping between temporary housing for the last three weeks or so. When the smell of smoke crept into their family home on January 7th, the second grader was playing laser tag. Now, not only has Augusta lost her home, but most of her school is gone,…
Recapping RFK, Jr’s First Day of Confirmation Hearings in 5 Takeaways
RFK Jr., Confirmation Hearing Showed 5 Ways He Threatens Public Health From Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s views on vaccines to Medicaid, here are some ways his nomination for head of the Department of Health and Human Services could have sweeping effects on health care By Tanya Lewis edited by Lauren J. Young Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,…
Trump Asks SpaceX to Return NASA’s ‘Stranded’ Astronauts to Earth ASAP
Trump Asks SpaceX to Return NASA’s ‘Stranded’ Astronauts to Earth ASAP Despite a recent request from Trump, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were already scheduled to return to Earth on a Crew Dragon capsule this spring By Mike Wall & SPACE.com NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on the International Space Station. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Well, this…
How districts are responding after Trump cleared the way for immigration arrests at schools
From By Robin Young , Hafsa Quraishi President Donald Trump has put an end to a longstanding policy that restricted federal agents from making immigration arrests at sensitive locations like churches, hospitals and schools. The Migration Policy Institute estimates 733,000 school-aged children live in the United States without legal status. Chalkbeat reporter Kalyn Belsha says…
Israeli troops fire on displaced Palestinians hoping to return to homes, killing 2
By Willem Marx Israeli troops have blocked thousands of displaced Palestinians from traveling back to their homes in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip, amid Israeli accusations that Hamas had breached the ceasefire deal by delaying the release of specific hostages. Israeli soldiers fired on the large crowds of Gaza residents hoping to return…
The Health Effects of FDA-Authorized ZYN Nicotine Pouches
What’s in ZYN, the FDA-Authorized Nicotine Pouch? Is It Harmful? ZYN, the popular brand of flavored nicotine pouches, recently earned FDA authorization for reducing smoking, but some questions linger. Experts explain the efficacy and potential health risks of nicotine pouches By Lauren J. Young edited by Dean Visser ZYN smokeless nicotine pouch containers for sale…
Once off-limits to Syrians, Assad’s former summer residence now attracts tourists
Hadeel Al-Shalchi QARDAHA, LATAKIA, Syria — There is a long, winding road leading to what was once the family home of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad just outside Latakia on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. On either side of the road in the village of Burj al-Islam, there are lush orange trees and olive trees. The quiet…
The U.S. just experienced its slowest annual sales of homes since 1995
Laurel Wamsley The final figures for home sales last year are in, and the story is quite grim: 2024 was the slowest year for existing home sales in nearly three decades. Existing-home sales last year totaled 4.06 million, the lowest on an annual basis since 1995, according to the National Association of Realtors on Friday.…
Italy says Libya war crimes suspect was sent home due to ‘social dangerousness’
General Osama Najim was released on a technicality and repatriated by Italy without any prior consultation, says international criminal court Italy’s interior minister said on Thursday a Libyan man detained under an international war crimes arrest warrant and then unexpectedly released had been swiftly repatriated because of his “social dangerousness“. Osama Najim, also known as…
RFK Jr. plans to keep a financial stake in lawsuits against the drugmaker Merck
By Sydney Lupkin Even if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as the next Health and Human Services secretary, he still plans to collect fees from Wisner Baum, a law firm suing Merck over claims that the pharmaceutical company failed to properly warn consumers about risks from its HPV vaccine, Gardasil, according to new filings…
One Family in Gaza Returned Home. But Home Was Gone.
Middle East “It took us a few minutes to accept that this pile of rubble was our home,” said Islam Dahliz, whose family was ordered by Israeli forces to evacuate Rafah in May. By Vivian Yee and Bilal Shbair Vivian Yee reported from Cairo, and Bilal Shbair from Rafah, Gaza. Minutes after the fighting stopped…
The Health Risks of Alcohol, a Red Dye Ban and Commercial Space Launches
A Mixed Bag for Private Spaceflight, a New Spider Species and the Health Risks of Alcohol We discuss a big week for commercial spaceflight, a red dye ban and a scary spider species in this news roundup. By Rachel Feltman, Madison Goldberg & Fonda Mwangi [CLIP: “It Doesn’t End Here (Instrumental),” by Nehemiah Pratt] Rachel…
If a Sports Bra & Tank Top Had a Baby It’d Be This Cami- Get 3 for $19
Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Some brands featured in this article are partners of Amazon’s Creator Connections program, which means E! may make an increased commission on your purchase if you buy something through our links. Learn more. Once you…
Opinion: Great writers on Los Angeles
Scott Simon Los Angeles has long been a kind of dreamscape, the city of the silver screen, on the edge of a great ocean, that draws in people from all over the world, despite the looming threats of being shaken by earthquakes or scorched by wildfires. Many great writers have been drawn to Los Angeles.…
A California fifth grader interviews his firefighter father
By Lauren Migaki , Janet W. Lee When the fires in Los Angeles broke out just over one week ago, fire captain Shane Lawlor was quickly dispatched to the Palisades. He has been at work ever since. On his first day, Lawlor was on his team’s fireline for 20 hours straight with no breaks for…
BMI Sidelined in New Obesity Definition That Favors Health Evaluation
BMI Sidelined in New Obesity Definition That Favors Health Evaluation Instead of using the controversial body mass index, or BMI, to assess weight, an international group of scientists proposes an approach that looks at how excess body fat affects health By Giorgia Guglielmi & Nature magazine Amid the rising buzz around Ozempic and similar weight-loss…
Some Los Angeles homes made it through the firestorm. Here’s how
Lauren Sommer More than 10,000 houses have been destroyed in Los Angeles, the charred piles of wood and metal all that remains after the fast-moving wildfires. But within that wreckage, some homes are still standing, seemingly untouched. It’s a phenomenon that’s been seen in other high-intensity fires, something that can feel like a stroke of…
How the Gaza war has remade the Middle East
Greg Myre TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which may now be drawing to a close, has dramatically reshaped much of the Middle East and is still delivering aftershocks. When Hamas launched its surprise attack into southern Israel on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, it was operating under Middle East rules…
The Supreme Court’s Trans Health Case Shows Why Patients Should Make the Decisions
Opinion The Supreme Court’s Case on Trans Health Shows Why Patients Should Make the Decisions Supreme Court arguments over trans health care makes plain how badly we need personalized health care in all of medicine By Meredithe McNamara & Dan Murphy edited by Dan Vergano A transgender rights supporter takes part in a rally outside…
The FDA calls for at-a-glance nutrition labels on the front of packaged foods
Maria Godoy The Food and Drug Administration wants to change how packaged food is sold in the U.S. In the waning days of the Biden administration, the agency has proposed requiring a new label on the front of most packaged food and drinks aimed at helping Americans make healthier food choices. The proposed labels would…
Los Angeles Firefighters Risk Cancer from Urban Smoke
Los Angeles Firefighters Risk Cancer from Urban Smoke Wildfires are storming into urban areas more frequently, and toxins in homes and cars are increasing cancer risk for firefighters By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News A firefighter battles a house fire along PCH as the Palisades Fire burns in Malibu Wednesday. CLIMATEWIRE | Firefighter Matt Alba…
Why Urban Wildfires like L.A.’s Release Such Toxic Smoke
What Makes Urban Wildfire Smoke So Toxic Wildfires burning in cities unleash a toxic, unpredictable combination of compounds into the air By Allison Parshall edited by Dean Visser Smoke over destroyed homes in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, US, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Firefighters are making some progress on controlling…
Destructive Los Angeles Fires Explained in Photos
Photos Show Why Los Angeles Fires Were the Worst in City’s History The ferocity and scale of the fires that tore through the Los Angeles area become clearer in photographs By Andrea Thompson & Amanda Stosz A home on Mariposa Street in Altadena, Calif., goes up in flames during the Eaton Fire on January 8.…
‘I feel blessed to get weight-loss jab’ – but can the NHS afford it for all?
Ray, 62 from south London, became one of the first patients to receive the weight-loss jab Wegovy on the NHS last year and has lost 14kg (just over two stone) in five months. BBC Panorama joined him as he was prescribed his first dose at London’s Guy’s Hospital, where he was told he would probably…
Southern California wildfires destroy or damage many houses of worship
By Jason DeRose , Sarah Ventre A cantor at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels led the congregation in a haunting refrain during a special Mass this week for victims and first responders of the Los Angeles wildfires: “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.” The fires in Los Angeles County continue…
More than 100 famous works by Australian authors rescued from oblivion by literary heritage endeavour
Three-year project returns out-of-print classics – including six Miles Franklin winners – to circulation and into ebook format for the first time More than 160 books by noted Australian authors have been rescued from oblivion, including six winners of the Miles Franklin literary award. The three-year project, which culminated at the end of last year,…
Far From the Fires, the Deadly Risks of Smoke Are Intensifying
Researchers see a growing health danger from the vast plumes of pollution spawned by wildfires like the ones devastating Los Angeles. By Hiroko Tabuchi It kills more people each year than car crashes, war or drugs do. This invisible killer is the air pollution from sources like cars and trucks or factory smokestacks. But as…
When the power goes out, health risks rise
Maria Godoy Tens of thousands of people are currently without power in California, Texas and Arkansas, as wildfires ravage the West and a winter storm hits the South. Research shows when the power fails, it also raises the risk of a host of health concerns — from gastrointestinal illness to heart attacks and even burns.…
Amid the fires, LA is warning some residents the tap water isn’t safe. Here’s why
Pien Huang The warning is stark: “Do not drink or cook with the tap water … Do not treat the tap water yourself,” typed in all caps and boldface. The alert, issued January 10 by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, also advises people not to take hot baths or long showers. It’s…
‘Hotel of mum and dad’ in UK at its fullest in two decades, study finds
Almost a fifth of adults aged 24-34 are living with parents, particularly in areas of high-cost housing The “hotel of mum and dad” is the busiest it has been for two decades as an increasing number of young adults in the UK choose – or are forced by low wages and rising rents – to…
More than half a million students were out of school because of LA fires this week
Jonaki Mehta More than 600,000 students in and around Los Angeles have had their schooling disrupted by the historic fires this week. School districts across the region started announcing school closures on Tuesday and Wednesday. That includes the second-largest school district in the nation, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), which serves more than 500,000…
Is smoke in your home? Here’s how to make an air purifier from a box fan
By Bill Chappell This is a developing story. For the latest local updates head to LAist.com and sign up for breaking news alerts. Interest in air filters and purifiers is spiking in Southern California, including questions about how to build a homemade air purifier. Getting clean air is the latest challenge for residents who evacuated to safe areas,…
Cold weather health alert extended for England with -20C possible
Officials say impact of freezing temperatures likely to be felt across health service and amber alert to stay until Tuesday An England-wide amber health alert has been extended to Tuesday as temperatures are expected to continue to fall over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency extended the alert, which was previously in place until…
Interstate travellers take to the train as air fares between Melbourne and Sydney soar
Exclusive: Seats on 11-hour Sydney-Melbourne service regularly sold out over holiday period, as one-way flights to Tullamarine average almost $500 The 11-hour Sydney-Melbourne train has become so popular services are selling out – even with extra carriages added – as travellers seek alternatives to an aviation duopoly that is stronger than ever, with carriers charging…
Her family thought they would return home the next day. Now, their house is gone
Frank Langfitt On the opening day of California’s destructive wildfires, Jinghuan Liu Tervalon was keeping an eye on Watch Duty, an app that tracks the flames. Altadena, her Los Angeles County town, was still only under an evacuation warning on Tuesday. Then, a friend who’s married to a firefighter called and warned her that the…
Hey, meat eaters. Your gut health can rival a vegan’s. Here’s how
Maria Godoy Our guts are home to trillions of microbes that have a profound influence on our overall health. Now, a new study finds that — whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or omnivore — the key to a healthy gut microbiome is the same: Eat lots of different plant-based foods. Gut microbes break down food that…
I woke from a coma to find my baby had been born
A woman who was placed in an induced coma after experiencing severe pregnancy sickness has described waking to find her baby had been born. Atlanta McIntyre, 29, from Llantrisant in Rhondda Cynon Taf, had excessive nausea and vomiting during her pregnancy, known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). During one episode of vomiting, Ms McIntyre choked and…
ColourPop’s New Moon Makeup Collection Has Dropped & It’s Selling Out
Get ready to sparkle and shine—ColourPop’s New Moon-inspired collection is here, packed with sultry reds, warm oranges, and rich golds for every Twilight lover’s dream look. E! may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Learn more. Twilight fans, ColourPop is back with its second Twilight-inspired collection—this time, paying homage to New Moon.…
‘I paid fake doctor thousands for fillers – now I look like a gargoyle’
A former tattooist who left a woman “looking like a gargoyle” after giving her botched face fillers had been posing as a doctor at his aesthetics clinic, a BBC investigation has revealed. It comes as a leading practitioner warns of more “death and disfigurement” as plans to regulate the industry continue to be delayed. Andrea…
Home Office says record number of refused asylum seekers deported since July
Labour’s description of 16,400 ‘immigration offenders and foreign criminals’ angers campaigners Keir Starmer has boasted of deporting a record number of refused asylum seekers and overseas criminals since scrapping the Rwanda scheme, using language that has dismayed human rights campaigners. The Home Office said on Thursday it had returned more than 16,400 “immigration offenders and…
Guantánamo Bay Explained: The Costs, the Captives and Why It’s Still Open
Trump Investigations Just 15 men remain at the prison, down from hundreds when it opened 23 years ago. But the costly operation could go on for years. By Carol Rosenberg Carol Rosenberg has been covering the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, since the first detainees were brought there on Jan. 11, 2002. She first reported…
Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, other celebrities share LA fire experiences, resources
Andrew Limbong Actor Jamie Lee Curtis opened her appearance on The Tonight Show last night speaking about the devastating fires in California. “It’s just a catastrophe,” she said. “Obviously there have been horrific fires in many places. This is where I live.” The fires have spread across tens of thousands of acres, destroying homes, businesses,…
A major winter storm will bring snow to the South. Here are tips from winter experts
By Mara Hoplamazian Much of the southern U.S. is bracing for significant snowfall and frigid temperatures this week. Weather warnings and watches extend throughout the region, including northern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Georgia, where several inches of snow could fall. The second major winter storm of 2025 is expected to bring snow and freezing…
Looking to have fun without alcohol? This guy has ideas that may help
Allison Aubrey If you’re looking for inspiration to stick with your Dry January commitment, you may want to check out booze-free gatherings happening all over the country. A Mindful Drinking Fest returns to Washington, D.C., this weekend. There’s Mocktails & Mingle in Chicago, a Dry Vibes celebration in Kansas City, a Mocktail Fest in Miami,…
More fires erupt in Southern California and spread to the Hollywood Hills
By Ayana Archie Nearly 30,000 acres remained burning early Thursday across Los Angeles County as firefighters struggled to control a patchwork of deadly blazes that has forced mass evacuations and leveled entire communities. At least five people have died as new fires broke out late Wednesday in Los Angeles County, totaling about more than 29,000…
Fluoride analysis triggers renewed debate over what levels are safe for kids
Pien Huang Most communities in the U.S. add fluoride to the tap water. It has been common practice for nearly 80 years to protect against tooth decay and cavities, and it’s considered a major achievement in public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says research shows that community water fluoridation reduces cavities by…