Health

A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction ordering the Department of Health and Human Services to restore nearly $12 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics after finding evidence of a likely retaliatory motive; the funding supports rural care, early disability identification and other child health programs.

Professor Catherine Mummery told This Morning that around 45% of dementia cases may be preventable by modifying risk factors and highlighted three areas: regular physical exercise, mental stimulation, and a healthy diet.

A Florida family says they were removed from Universal Epic Universe after staff accused their seven‑year‑old non‑verbal autistic daughter of leaving a store with a Mario keychain; the park later sent a $200 demand letter and the family hired an attorney.

The FDA has cleared new at-home testing options for common STIs and approved two oral drugs for gonorrhea, broadening screening and treatment choices while raising questions about surveillance and access.

A 28-year-old man was sentenced to 35 years after admitting the attempted murder of a baby who was thrown at a television; the child sustained severe brain injury and will require lifelong care.

A two-year-old girl fell into a pond at her Doncaster home on Christmas Day; relatives began CPR and she was later pronounced dead, and a coroner opened and adjourned an inquest with a full hearing set for 14 September.

A neonatal unit in Glasgow has begun using light-emitting 'sleeping bags' so eligible newborns with jaundice can receive phototherapy at home; by 8 January, 40 babies had been treated at home.

A study of 54 US TV episodes found dramas more often show pulse checks and rescue breaths than compression-only CPR, and researchers say such portrayals differ from the settings and ages seen in real-world cardiac arrests.

Glucose prompts insulin release while fructose is processed in the liver, and eating excess added sugar is linked to higher triglycerides and a post-meal dip that can raise calorie intake later in the day.

Doctors who examined Chris Benoit's brain after the 2007 deaths reported severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The case prompted wrestling organisations to review concussion protocols and in-ring practices.

Mattel has released what it describes as the first autistic Barbie, developed with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, featuring noise‑cancelling headphones, a spinning fidget clip, a tablet with symbol-based AAC, and a shifted eye gaze.

Nicki Guy, 47, had vision in her left eye restored after taking part in a Moorfields Eye Hospital study that used regular injections of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to raise eye pressure; she described the outcome as "phenomenal" and is close to being able to drive again.

Birmingham Hospice is launching a 24/7 Specialist Palliative Urgent Response (Spur) to help patients, families and healthcare professionals access end-of-life and palliative care at home. The hospice says the service aims to fill gaps in out-of-hours provision and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.

Singer Jesy Nelson’s twin daughters were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy after months; the UK does not currently include SMA in routine newborn screening across England, while pilots and a Scotland rollout are planned.

Researchers at Moorfields used injections of a surgical gel (HPMC) to restore eye shape and improve vision in seven of eight patients with hypotony after 12 months.

A study published in BMC Genomics reports that PET microplastic exposure in a porcine model led to pancreatic cell death, protein changes and increased fat droplets; the authors say these changes could point to metabolic disturbances and call for more research.

The NHS warns using certain over-the-counter decongestant nose sprays for more than seven days can cause rebound congestion and may lead to dependence. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society found many pharmacists say patients are unaware of this risk and has called for clearer packaging warnings.

Mattel has introduced what it describes as the first autistic Barbie, created with input from autistic advocates, and the doll includes design features intended to reflect some autistic experiences.

Mattel has introduced its first autistic Barbie in the Fashionistas range, developed with input from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and designed with features such as a fidget spinner, noise‑cancelling headphones and a symbol‑based communication tablet.

The Centre for Population's 2025 Population Statement projects Australia's fertility rate will drop to about 1.42 children per woman in 2025–26, and the national population is forecast to reach roughly 31.5 million by 2035–36, with recent net overseas migration lower than earlier estimates.

Jesy Nelson will release a Prime Video series, Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix, on February 13; she has also revealed that her twin daughters have been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA1).

A pilot treatment at Moorfields Hospital using repeated injections of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPCM) restored vision in seven of eight patients, and the first treated patient reports significant improvement.

A surgical gel (HPMC) was injected into a woman's eye at Moorfields Eye Hospital and, after fortnightly treatments over a year, she regained useful vision in the treated eye; she had lost sight because of hypotony and had previously been unable to drive.

Three teenagers and a taxi driver were named locally after a head-on crash on Wigan Road in Bolton; police say formal identification is ongoing and several people were taken to hospital.

A 26-year-old woman developed redness, dizziness and blue bruises during a Maldives holiday and was later diagnosed with dengue after returning to Germany; she spent 10 days in hospital and reports prolonged fatigue and weakness nearly two years later.

A California mother, Kelle Anne Brassart, was found guilty of second‑degree murder and felony child endangerment after prosecutors said her two‑year‑old daughter drowned in the family pool while the child was unattended and the mother was intoxicated and using dating apps; sentencing is set for February 5.

Reggie Yates revealed he underwent emergency surgery in February after doctors discovered a tumour, and he described the experience as one of the hardest moments of his life.

The article reports that treated sewage sludge (biosolids) used as fertilizer can contain PFAS, and industry estimates suggest nearly 70 million acres of U.S. farmland may receive biosolids; Virginia currently has no statewide PFAS testing requirement while Maryland limits PFAS in biosolids to 5 parts per billion.

Doctors and analyses cited in this article report that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic can be associated with loss of muscle or other lean tissue, and experts say this may increase fall and injury risk, particularly in older adults.

Two aquarists from The Deep in Hull travelled to Cape Cod to assist the New England Aquarium in rescuing cold-stunned, often critically endangered sea turtles; The Deep says volunteers have taken part for seven years and survival rates for treated turtles are about 80–90%.