CIA Now Backs Lab Leak Theory for COVID-19, But Confidence Remains Low

After years of speculation, the CIA has weighed in yet again: A lab leak is now considered the likely origin of the COVID pandemic. 

However, the agency admits it has "low confidence" in its conclusion and says both a natural origin and a research-related incident are still possible.

“CIA assesses with low confidence that ...

Adderall Shortage Sparks Scramble for ADHD Alternatives

Adderall shortages have prompted doctors to switch kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to other forms of stimulant medication.

Adderall prescription fills for children and teens plunged after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a shortage of the drug in October 2022, researchers reported in a new stu...

Medical Airlifts Less Likely For Minorities

Time is of the essence during a medical emergency, and helicopter transport often is essential to saving a patient teetering near death.

Unfortunately, Black, Asian and Hispanic people with life-threatening injuries are significantly less likely than white patients to be airlifted to a trauma center, according to a study published Jan. 22 ...

Smartwatch Heart Data Can Catch Pending Problems

Sue VanWassenhove’s adult children got her a smartwatch to track her health after she fell a couple times.

Fiddling with the device, VanWassenhove found out that she had a pattern of her heart rate dropping, and immediately lined up an appointment with a heart doctor.

“Having a smartwatch is very empowering because I&rsqu...

Locking Down Blood Pressure Protects Brain Health

Maintaining tight control over blood pressure for even a short while can provide lasting benefits for seniors’ brain health, a new clinical trial says.

People had lower risk of mild cognitive impairment or dementia after keeping their blood pressure around 120 systolic for three and a half years, according to results published recent...

Highway Exhaust Linked to Depression in Women

That busy highway could be contributing to depression, and not just because you’re snarled in a traffic jam.

Air pollution from traffic appears to increase risk of depression among women, according to a new study published Jan. 21 in the journal Menopause.

Further, researchers think this air pollution might be raising ...

Food Assistance Ensures Healthy Pregnancies

Food stamps and food banks can be key to healthy pregnancies.

Food assistance programs are effective in helping hungry women avoid pregnancy complications, researchers say in a new study published Jan. 23 in JAMA Network Open.

Food insecurity in pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia...

AI Virtual Therapists Could Improve Mental Health Care, Studies Find

Could a virtual avatar be the future of mental health care?  

New research shows that artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) goggles could revolutionize therapy -- helping patients overcome addiction and receive unbiased care.

A recent study in the Journal of Medical Extended Reality focused on pati...

How To Fight Common Wintertime Respiratory Viruses

SATURDAY, Jan. 25, 2025 (HealthDay News) — In the throes of winter's yearly round of respiratory virus outbreaks, it pays to remember what Grandma told you.

Wash your hands often, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and stay away from folks who may be infected. And, of course, wearing a mask won't hurt.

Bird Flu Outbreak Forces Culling of 100,000 Ducks, Threatening Last Duck Farm in Long Island

The last duck farm on New York's Long Island is facing an uncertain future after a bird flu outbreak forced the culling of nearly 100,000 ducks.

The highly contagious H5N1 avian flu, otherwise known as bird flu, was detected at the farm last week prompting a government-mandated quarantine and disinfection process.

“This has spr...

FDA Formaldehyde Ban in Hair Products on Hold Once Again

A proposed ban on formaldehyde in chemical hair straightening products -- linked to cancer and other health risks -- has hit a roadblock after an executive order from President Donald Trump paused all new regulations.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been considering banning formaldehyde and ingredients that release formalde...

Abortion Pill Alternative Found in Morning-After Pill

When one abortion pill faces lawsuits, another may be waiting in the wings, a new study suggests.

The study, published Jan. 23 in the journal NEJM Evidence, has found a potential alternative to the abortion pill mifepristone, offering yet another option at a time when access to reproductive health care faces increasing legal and p...

Does Sleep Apnea Contribute to Car Crashes?

Many major maladies have been linked to disturbed slumber caused by sleep apnea, high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes.

Add car wrecks to that list, a study published Jan. 21 in the journal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, says.

People with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to wind up in a vehicle c...

Certain Meds and Diet Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

People can reverse their type 2 diabetes through a combination of calorie cutting and medication, a small clinical trial says.

Overweight and obese adults caused their diabetes to go into remission by following a calorie-restricted diet and taking the prescription diabetes drug dapagliflozin, researchers reported Jan. 22 in The BMJ