Health

MIT researchers have developed a biodegradable 'smart pill' that can wirelessly signal when it has been swallowed; the device activated in tests with pigs but still requires human trials and manufacturing scale-up before use.

A 21-year-old woman says she lost vision in her right eye after contracting a rare infection called acanthamoeba keratitis linked to contact lens use; she is receiving hourly eye drops and antibiotics as treatment.

A study of 16–24-year-olds found those who made up weekday sleep on weekends were 41% less likely to report depressive symptoms, researchers at the University of Oregon and SUNY Upstate reported.

The CDC reported influenza mortality rates more than doubled in the last week, and federal officials announced they are no longer recommending that every child receive a flu shot.

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines emphasize high-quality proteins, including red meat and full-fat dairy, and call for fewer highly processed foods; experts note the guideline to keep saturated fat at about 10% of daily calories remains in place.

Boka's fluoride-free toothpaste, which uses nano-hydroxyapatite (n-Ha) instead of fluoride, is now sold at Target and Amazon. The article notes that fluoride helps strengthen enamel and is toxic to humans only at very high levels, and that some people seek alternatives for sensitive teeth.

Dietitians say oatmeal is the top breakfast for lowering LDL because its beta glucan soluble fiber helps reduce bad cholesterol; other morning options mentioned include avocado toast, unsweetened Greek yogurt and moderated egg preparations.

The administration released new federal dietary guidelines that emphasize higher protein and full‑fat dairy while also loosening alcohol guidance and urging limits on highly processed foods.

A sleep specialist told a journalist that morning grogginess can come from being woken during deep sleep (sleep inertia) and from low morning daylight keeping melatonin active; the article reports that brief morning natural light or a gradual sunrise-style alarm helped the author feel more alert.

Experts say improving libido often starts with basic steps like sleep, stress management and addressing medical or relationship issues, and they describe techniques—such as identifying specific 'turnoffs,' creating a calendared container for physical intimacy, introducing novelty, and reducing pressure—that aim to change the conditions around desire.

A 2025 Gallup poll found 54% of U.S. adults identify as drinkers, down from 62% in 2023, and younger generations are increasingly described as 'sober curious'.

Police said a man in his 50s was found dead inside a caravan after a tree fell during Storm Goretti; the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Heritage of London Trust announced plans to restore David Bowie's childhood home in Bromley to its early 1960s appearance and open it to visitors in late 2027; a £500,000 grant from the Jones Day Foundation has been secured and a public fundraising campaign will launch.

Doctors and skin experts cite retinoids, peptides, collagen supplements, facial massage and red LED therapy as approaches that can soften fine lines, and the article emphasizes that consistent, ongoing use is needed to see results.

Officials say preliminary autopsy findings indicate a 4-year-old boy found about two miles from his Alabama home likely died of hypothermia; a final coroner's report is pending.

Jill Martin said she will undergo surgery to repair skin damaged by radiation after her breast cancer treatment, and that this will be her eighth procedure since her 2023 diagnosis; she said the cancer is not back and she expects to be in the hospital at least three nights.

The Trump administration released an inverted, three-section food pyramid that emphasizes whole or minimally processed foods called "real food" and launched a companion website, realfood.gov.

Union leaders say nearly 16,000 nurses could walk out beginning Monday if new contracts addressing staffing and benefits are not reached; tentative agreements exist at at least six hospitals while talks continue at several Mount Sinai sites, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian.

The provider said staffing shortages and recent clinician departures have led it to pause in-person services at several regional centers while keeping some care available by telehealth or at certain locations; the agency hopes to recruit and train staff and reopen clinics in three to six months.

New Jersey health officials reported the state's first pediatric flu death this season, involving a child under age 5 from the northern region with no underlying conditions. National surveillance shows elevated flu activity and rising hospitalizations.

Douglasville police say 23-year-old Geordy Josue Hernandez Ventura was arrested and charged after his three-month-old daughter died; he is being held without bond on murder and related charges.

South Carolina health officials report 211 confirmed measles cases in an Upstate outbreak, with 144 people quarantined and several hospitalizations recorded.

The new US dietary guidelines encourage prioritizing protein and whole grains, limiting ultraprocessed foods and added sugars, and list oils such as olive oil while also mentioning butter or beef tallow as options. They update protein and dairy recommendations and will influence federal food programs including school meals, WIC and SNAP.

On Quitter's Day the article notes many people abandon New Year's resolutions and highlights the Military Sleep Method, a short relaxation and visualization routine presented as a simple sleep-focused habit to try.

Merck is discussing an acquisition of Revolution Medicines valued at roughly $28–$32 billion, and people familiar with the matter say talks could conclude as soon as this month though they could still fall apart.

Columbus police say the investigation into the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe could depend on a small detail; detectives have released video of a person of interest and are following community tips while no arrests have been announced.

During a surprise visit to Charing Cross Hospital on Jan. 8, Kate Middleton briefly referenced her 2024 cancer treatment while meeting staff and volunteers; she announced in January 2025 that she is in remission.

A Phase 3b trial reported that adding tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Zepbound) to ixekizumab reduced psoriatic arthritis symptoms and produced weight loss in overweight or obese participants.

Federal officials have moved routine recommendations for six childhood vaccines — including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, RSV, influenza and COVID‑19 — to a high‑risk or “shared clinical decision‑making” status, and HHS said the change followed a scientific review.

Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy pill is now available on Amazon Pharmacy in the U.S., with a cash price starting at $149 per month and insured patients able to pay as little as $25.