Health

The FDA announced a Jan. 7 recall of Primavera Nueva Inc. four-count tamales sold in California and Nevada for potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination; no illnesses have been reported and affected lots were produced between Oct. 10, 2024 and Oct. 10, 2025.

A BMJ review found people who stop GLP-1 weight-loss drugs regained weight at about 0.4 kg per month, with modelling suggesting metabolic risk markers return to pre-treatment levels within two years.

A French cohort study of about 105,000 adults found an association between sodium nitrite and a 32% higher risk of prostate cancer; the research was observational and does not prove cause and effect.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new federal dietary guidelines on Jan. 7 that return to a pyramid visual and emphasize protein and healthy fats while making grains a much smaller category.

A Florida woman says she lost two toes after spider bites in her apartment and has sued her former complex, which denies responsibility.

Linda Brown, a 53-year-old Chicago special education teacher, was last seen Saturday driving to a scheduled appointment in Bronzeville and is now reported missing; police say she may need medical attention.

House Republican leaders invited five major health insurer CEOs to testify on Jan. 22 about rising costs, after enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired Dec. 31 and led to larger out-of-pocket bills for millions.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected DHS's description of a fatal ICE shooting as self-defense; DHS said the agent fired after someone tried to run over the officer and called the action domestic terrorism.

Aniston’s trainer Dani Coleman told the Daily Mail that the actress stays consistent by moving daily and using PVOLVE workouts and strength training; Coleman also launched a 2026 Worth It Everytime campaign about carving out time for exercise.

A 28-year-old woman who did not know she was pregnant went to a hospital on Christmas and was found to be in active labor; she delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce within three hours of arrival.

A study published in Science links a mid-2023 disruption in the illicit fentanyl supply — likely tied to tighter controls on precursor chemicals in China — with a fall of more than a third in US deaths involving synthetic opioids by the end of 2024.

AARP Maryland is accepting applications for the 2026 Community Challenge grant program through March 4, 2026, to fund quick-action projects that improve livability for people of all ages.

A UK study found that a single 10-minute bout of intense exercise (cycling in the study) produced rapid blood changes linked to reduced inflammation and improved blood vessel function, and those changes appeared to activate genes for DNA repair while suppressing genes tied to cancer cell growth.

A CDC study published in JAMA Internal Medicine estimates about 101,300 COVID-19 deaths from Oct 2022–Sep 2023 and about 100,800 deaths from Oct 2023–Sep 2024, and finds older adults accounted for a large share of severe outcomes.

A Journal of Women's Health study reports that about 2.3% of surveyed women described peri‑orgasmic phenomena — emotional and physical responses such as laughter, tears, nosebleeds, headaches and hallucinations — based on an anonymous survey of viewers of an informational video.

CNBC anchor Becky Quick says her 9-year-old daughter Kaylie was diagnosed with SYNGAP1, a rare genetic condition that can affect brain development and lead to seizures; Quick went public to raise awareness and CNBC has launched an initiative called CNBC Cures.

Harvard experts say red wine has more polyphenols than white, but the concentrations are too low to provide a clear health advantage; moderate alcohol intake is also linked with an increased risk of certain cancers.

Police say a 45-year-old Bremerton man was arrested in connection with the death of Mallory Barbour, who was reported missing on June 24, 2025; an arraignment was expected on January 8, 2026.

Heather and Michael Lyle lost two homes to wildfires in Pacific Palisades; Heather was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer for a third time, underwent surgery and chemotherapy, and is now reported to be in remission.

A Swedish nationwide cohort study of more than 850,000 unvaccinated girls and women found that those eligible for high‑coverage school-based HPV vaccination had about half the rate of high‑grade cervical lesions compared with earlier unvaccinated cohorts, suggesting community-level herd protection; experts caution that precisely measuring the size of this effect is difficult.

Amanda Seyfried says she was diagnosed with "really extreme" obsessive-compulsive disorder at 19 and that she continues to take medication nightly; she also reported avoiding alcohol, drugs and late nights to reduce triggers.

A nonprofit review of more than 35,000 aircraft water samples found 2.7% positive for total coliform and 32 detections of E. coli; the study graded several major carriers and prompted responses from airlines and industry groups.

A second lawsuit was filed on behalf of two residents injured in the Dec. 23 explosion at Bristol Health and Rehab Center that killed three people.

A Swedish registry-based study reported prenatal antibiotic exposure was associated with a 29% higher adjusted risk of early-onset group B Streptococcus in newborns, with overall incidence 0.71 per 1,000 live births.

Reproductive Partners Medical Group moved its Westminster fertility clinic into a newly designed Long Beach facility that includes an on-site lab and surgery center. RPMG said current patients will continue to receive uninterrupted care and new patients may schedule consultations.

Function offers consumers broad laboratory panels without a doctor's visit for an annual fee, and doctors and researchers warn that extensive screening can produce false positives, unnecessary follow-ups and anxiety.

A Cochrane review of 73 randomized trials with nearly 5,000 adults found that exercise reduces depressive symptoms and appears similar in effect to psychotherapy and, with less certainty, to antidepressants in the short term. Long-term benefits are unclear and researchers call for larger, higher-quality trials to study type, dose and who benefits most.

Israel said it barred entry to some foreign medical and humanitarian staff after ordering 37 international NGOs to halt operations unless they register employee details with Israeli authorities; several organisations reported their international staff were refused entry this week.

Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart, and different forms can share similar warning signs. The article reports that prompt medical evaluation is recommended to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

U.S. dietary guidance now places greater emphasis on protein, and experts warn that a strong focus on protein can displace fiber and other important nutrients.