Health

A BMJ analysis of more than 600,000 US veterans with type 2 diabetes found that starting GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with lower rates of new substance use disorders and with fewer overdoses and substance-related deaths compared with starting SGLT-2 inhibitors; the study was observational and cannot prove causation.

A Rhode Island state investigation reported that 75 clergy allegedly abused more than 300 victims since 1950 and documented patterns of reassignment and limited criminal accountability; the Diocese of Providence disputed aspects of the report.

Daniel Neeson, 29, posted that he underwent surgery to treat a congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve and described his recovery as patient and rewarding.

Daniel Neeson, 29, said on Instagram he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and recently had heart surgery after developing left ventricle dilation and aortic enlargement.

A Veterans Affairs data analysis of more than 600,000 patients with type 2 diabetes found that treatment with GLP-1 drugs was associated with fewer emergency visits, hospitalizations and deaths related to substance use across alcohol, opioids, stimulants and nicotine. The study’s authors and an accompanying editorial note that randomized trials are needed and several clinical trials are already underway.

A study of more than 10,000 adults found an optimal nightly sleep duration of about 7 hours 19 minutes linked with estimated glucose disposal rate, a measure used for insulin resistance; weekend catch-up sleep showed mixed effects depending on weekday sleep habits.

Family says a 12-year-old Reseda High student died after being struck in the head during an alleged bullying incident; the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case as a homicide.

A small chart-review study of 34 patients reported that after 36 weeks most who spaced out their standard GLP-1 injections maintained weight loss and improvements in measures such as blood pressure and blood sugar; the study was observational and had no control group.

Medicube has released a new hair care line built around PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), and early reviews say the shampoo, conditioner and scalp serum feel lightweight while helping to hydrate and strengthen hair.

A Mayo Clinic study published Nov. 16 found monoclonal antibody treatment was linked with a lower hospitalization rate among 1,395 breakthrough COVID-19 cases; U.S. and international agencies also reported an imported monkeypox case, an investigation of smallpox-labeled vials at a Pennsylvania lab, and an out-of-season flu increase in South Africa.

Aricca Wallace was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer and a tumor about the size of a baby's head; she enrolled in a 2012 National Cancer Institute–supported clinical trial and has been cancer-free for more than 13 years.

A Canadian study in the Journal of Neuroscience compared 29 expert and 29 novice birdwatchers and found lower mean diffusivity in certain brain regions of experts, a measure the researchers associate with greater tissue density and attention-related processing.

Tyler Bright, a recent University of Louisville graduate and aspiring sports broadcaster, was wounded in the throat during an alleged attempted carjacking on January 11 and spent time on a ventilator; he has largely regained his voice and is set to move to outpatient rehabilitation on March 10.

MIT researchers created an injectable engineered tissue made from hepatocytes and hydrogel microspheres that produced liver proteins and remained viable in mice for at least eight weeks.

Actor Alex Kingston said she initially attributed signs of uterine cancer to ageing and completed surgery and radiation treatment in late 2024. The article lists eight symptoms — including bloating, persistent aches, tiredness and changes to periods or urination — that can sometimes be mistaken for normal ageing.

Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals 2026 lists 420 U.S. hospitals, and the article mentions hospitals expanding local services and partnerships as affordability and access challenges grow.

Christina Applegate says she regretted calling her double mastectomy a 'blessing' in early interviews and now writes that she will be honest about living with multiple sclerosis.

Hailey Bieber told the SHE MD Podcast she was diagnosed with a uterine septum that doctors said could raise the risk of miscarriage, and she later gave birth to her son, Jack Blues Bieber.

Memory Carouthers' Tupelo nonprofit gives free prom dresses, tuxedos and accessories and has distributed more than 4,000 items; giveaways are scheduled for March 7 and March 14.

Experts report that muscles become less responsive to protein after age 50 and that many people concentrate most of their daily protein at dinner rather than spreading 15–30 grams across meals.

The article reports rising cancer rates, including a 1.1% annual increase in colorectal cancer deaths among people under 50 since 2005, and describes renewed interest in repurposing existing drugs such as ivermectin and mebendazole for cancer research.

Val Chmerkovskiy said on Instagram he was diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) after a hospital visit during the Dancing With the Stars tour, and he reported ongoing vertigo while saying he felt well enough to perform.

At a Make America Healthy Again event, RFK Jr. suggested Americans eat liver and other cheaper cuts to save money; dietitians told HuffPost that liver is nutrient-dense but can cause vitamin A and copper excess if eaten frequently and that the recommendation overlooks broader affordability and access concerns.

Acting CDC director Jay Bhattacharya urged families to consider measles vaccination as outbreaks continue; the CDC reports 1,136 confirmed cases this year and 10 new outbreaks.

A sleep tech writer says she raised her Apple Watch sleep score to 97 after making three changes: going to bed later, dropping a 5:30 a.m. alarm for a roughly 7 a.m. wake time, and keeping her phone outside the bedroom.

A 17-year-old in Irvine says his home science experiments led to a nearly week-long response that included the FBI and hazmat teams, and his family remains unable to return to their home.

A Public Health Alerts report of 76 people found post-vaccination seropositivity against H3N2 subclade K rose to about 39% (from 11% before vaccination), while seropositivity to the 2025-2026 H3N2 vaccine strain rose to 71%.

Hailey Bieber told the SHE M.D. podcast that her son Jack was an unplanned pregnancy despite having a uterine septum, and Jack was born in August 2024.

The American College of Physicians recommends one RSV vaccine dose for adults 75 and older, and says adults 60–74 with certain health conditions may consider vaccination; the Infectious Diseases Society of America issued guidance supporting vaccination for many people with weakened immune systems.

Dr. Robert R. Redfield argues that U.S. kidney care often waits until end-stage disease and that current payment policies and system design can discourage earlier treatments.