Bird Flu Kills 20 Big Cats at Washington Sanctuary, Causing Quarantine

A devastating bird flu outbreak has killed 20 big cats at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington, a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Shelton, Wash.

The deaths, which include four cougars and a half-Bengal tiger, have led the sanctuary to declare a quarantine to prevent further spread of the virus.

"Our sanctuary is under quarantin...

Proposed FDA Rule Targets Asbestos in Talc Cosmetic Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule to require standardized testing of talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos, a known carcinogen linked to serious illnesses such as lung and ovarian cancers.

According to an FDA report, the proposed rule would mandate that manufacturers test each batch of talc-containing cos...

In Kids with Crohn's Disease, TNF Inhibitors Help Prevent Serious Complications, Data Suggests

FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2024 (HealthDay News) A specific class of anti-inflammatory drugs can help children avoid a debilitating complication of Crohn’s disease.

A new study published recently in the journal Gut shows children with Crohn's who were prescribed anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) drugs following their diagnosis had an 8...

Has RSV Vaccine Hesitancy Subsided?

More Americans believe in the effectiveness of vaccines developed to protect newborns and seniors against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

More than half of U.S. adults (52%) think the RSV vaccine given to pregnant women will protect newborns from the infection, up from 42% a year ago, say survey results from the Annenberg Public Policy ...

Study: Blood Transfusion Post-Heart Attack May Be Critical for Those with Anemia

A blood transfusion following a heart attack could be a life-saving measure for patients with anemia.

A new evidence review published in the journal NEJM Evidence shows anemic patients had a slightly lower risk of death within six months of a heart attack if they were given more transfusions.

“The results of this analy...

FDA Approves Generic GLP-1 Medicine For Diabetes Treatment

THURSDAY, Dec. 26, (2024 HealthDay News)  -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday the approval of the first generic version of a daily injectable GLP-1 medicine for people living with Type 2 diabetes.

Liraglutide, the generic for Victoza, is similar to semaglutide, the active ingredient in the popular weigh...

Food Recall Update: Class 1 Alert Issued for Costco Eggs Linked to Salmonella

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated the recall of certain eggs sold at Costco to its highest Class 1 alert level due to salmonella contamination risks.

According to the FDA, The Handsome Brook Farms Kirkland Signature Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs were distributed to Costco locations in Tennessee, Alabama, Geor...

Northwest Naturals Pet Food Linked to Bird Flu in Cat, Issues Recall

A batch of pet food has been voluntarily recalled nationwide after a cat in Oregon died of bird flu, an illness state officials linked to contaminated food.

The recall, according to a news release published Dec. 25, 2024, involves Northwest Naturals’ Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food with sell-by dates between May 21, 2026, an...

Women Are Less Likely Than Men to Take Medication After a Stroke, Study Suggests

Female stroke victims are less likely than men to take drugs that could lower their odds of a second stroke.

Women are 80% more likely to report that they don’t take cholesterol-lowering medications as prescribed, a new study shows.

They’re also 53% more likely to not take blood thinners that could prevent a follow-up str...

Could AI Plus Lasers Help Catch Very Early Breast Cancers?

Very early-stage breast cancers are notoriously tough to spot via mammograms, but new technology might make detection easier.

According to a new study published recently in the Journal of Biophotonics, Scottish researchers are combining AI with high-tech "laser analysis" to spot changes in circulating blood that could signal the ...

Fairy Tales Help Teach Healthy Sleep Habits

Bedtime stories are a time-honored means of helping kids calm down and get a good night’s sleep.

But these fairy tales can also serve another less obvious purpose -- teaching children about the benefits of good sleep.

Analysis of four traditional children’s tales show that the fanciful stories contain important lessons ab...

Mice Headsets Make it Easier to Study Brain Response to Virtual Realty

Virtual reality headsets like the Meta Quest or Apple Vision Pro will be a Christmas gift in more than one home this year.

Now mice are getting in on the action.

Researchers have developed a set of VR goggles for lab mice for use in brain studies, according to a report published recently in the journal Nature Methods.

...

Air Quality, Not Just Fitness Level, Impacts Marathoners' Finish Times

Runners put a lot of thought into how much they must eat and drink to endure a 26.2-mile marathon, properly fueling their bodies to sustain a record-setting pace.

But the quality of the air they huff and puff during endurance events could also play a key role in their performance, a new study says.

Higher levels of air pollution are ...

Tea and Coffee May Help Protect You From Some Cancers

That morning cup of coffee or afternoon spot of tea might be protecting you from cancer.

A new evidence review says that coffee and tea consumption are linked to a lower risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and head and neck, per the results published in the journal Cancer.

“Even decaffeinated coffee had some positive...

Too Much Acetaminophen Could Harm Seniors' Health

New British research shows that too much of a good medication can be a bad thing.

In the study, repeated doses of paracetamol, known as acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) in the United States, raised the risk of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and kidney complications among those over 65.

The findings, published recently in the...

Last Year's Platinum-Based Drugs Shortage Didn't Raise Cancer Deaths, Study Found

When supplies of certain generic, platinum-based cancer chemotherapies dwindled in 2023, oncologists feared it might lead to under-treatment and many more cancer deaths.

Fortunately, that did not turn out to be the case, a new study published recently in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows.

“When we look...

Don't Forget About Holiday Poisoning Pitfalls

Poison experts see it every winter holiday season: Parents rush kids to the emergency room or call hotlines, panicking that their child has ingested something dangerous.

Between holiday breaks, visiting relatives' homes, attending festivities, and opening gifts galore, kids face extra risks for accidental exposure to poison.

In addi...

Autism Tops List of Worldwide Youth Health Issues

Autism ranks among the top ten health problems for young people under 20.

A new study published recently in The Lancet Psychiatry says that nearly 62 million people in 2021 had autism spectrum disorder.

“We estimated one in 127 individuals worldwide in 2021 was autistic, placing the autism spectrum within the top ten c...

Flu Cases Start to Surge as Americans Prepare for Holiday Gatherings

Predictably, flu season is in full swing, with cases surging across the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Friday in a report.

Thirteen states, including Tennessee and Louisiana, report high or very high levels of flu-like illness, double the number from the previous week, Dr. William Schaffner, a...

GLP-1 Zepbound Is Approved As First Drug For Sleep Apnea

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first prescription medication specifically for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): the weight-loss drug Zepbound.

In a news release published Dec. 20, the FDA stated that Zepbound, part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines that include Ozempic, was cleared to treat modera...