Health

A study of 5,203 Chinese adults aged 80 and older found vegetarians were less likely than omnivores to reach 100, with vegans showing the lowest odds and underweight vegetarians particularly less likely to become centenarians.

Medicare Advantage plans can change year to year, affecting costs, provider networks, and covered benefits; a special open enrollment period runs Jan. 1–March 31 for switching plans or returning to original Medicare.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC announced that several vaccines previously recommended for all children have been moved to high‑risk or shared decision categories, while officials said all vaccines remain available and covered by insurance.

Naltrexone, an FDA-approved medication first cleared for opioid dependence, is also used to reduce alcohol cravings and is available as a daily pill or a monthly injectable.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new dietary guidelines and said the administration is awarding $50 billion to rural communities nationwide through the Rural Health Transformation program to support workforce development, telehealth, technology and other projects.

A swimmer who went missing near Lovers Point was found dead about 25 miles away and was wearing a wearable shark deterrent; the death is under investigation and is reported as suspected to have involved a shark.

The Trump administration announced agreements with 14 drugmakers tying some U.S. prices to those paid in other wealthy countries and creating a TrumpRx self-pay portal, but experts say the deals are unlikely to reduce most patients' out-of-pocket costs.

The Trump administration released new dietary guidelines that include an inverted food pyramid placing steak, cheese and full‑fat milk near the top and whole grains at the bottom. The image echoes a 1992 version and has been used as a symbol by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his allies.

The PreEvnt Isaac is a pocket-sized breath-based device that measures volatile organic compounds such as acetone to track biomarkers linked to blood glucose; it has entered human clinical trials at Indiana University comparing its readings with traditional blood sugar monitoring and is being positioned for FDA review in the coming year.

A two-week controlled trial in overweight women found that time-restricted eating did not change metabolic or cardiovascular markers when calorie intake was kept constant; it did, however, shift participants' sleep timing and internal clocks.

Cardio Diagnostics has signed an agreement with Aimil and Dr Lal PathLabs to bring its PrecisionCHD blood test to India, marking the company's first expansion outside the US. Integration into Dr Lal PathLabs' network of more than 290 clinical laboratories is underway, with a broader commercial rollout anticipated in 2026.

Richard Cottingham, long linked to a series of killings, confessed to the 1965 death of 18-year-old Alys Eberhardt in Fair Lawn, New Jersey; police say he is already serving multiple life sentences and will not be prosecuted for this case.

Experts describe seven habits — including more fiber, fermented foods, a Mediterranean-style diet, regular sleep and exercise, limiting alcohol, and colorectal screening — that can support gut health and regular bowel function.

Vitamin B12 is a water‑soluble vitamin important for making red blood cells and for central nervous system function. People who eat little or no animal products or who have conditions that impair absorption are often checked with blood tests before clinicians recommend oral supplements or injections.

London Drugs' Downtown Eastside store in the Woodward's building will close on Feb. 1, and the retailer said ongoing vandalism, theft and violence made operating the location unsustainable.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, said alcohol can act as a social lubricant and may have healthy effects when used safely in social settings. The administration's new dietary guidance removes specific numeric drink limits and instead advises limiting alcohol intake.

Ernestine Merritt, a 79-year-old retired teacher with dementia, was last seen leaving her Ellenwood home early Jan. 4 and a Mattie's Call alert was issued; family and her church have been searching while police reported no new updates.

Neurologists interviewed in the article say physical activity is the top behavior for brain health, and studies link regular exercise to better attention, memory and a lower long-term risk of dementia. The article asks participants to spend at least 20 minutes exercising and to choose activities they can do consistently.

Officials reported measles exposures at several major U.S. airports, and CDC data show nearly 2,100 cases across about 44 states in 2025.

Police say a Minnesota man was arrested after officers found his 70-year-old roommate dead; he has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, is being held without bail, and a court date is pending.

MIT researchers reported that long-term high-fat diets in mice shifted liver cells from normal metabolic and detoxifying roles to stress‑survival programs associated with tumor development, and similar declines in normal liver activity were observed in human samples; the study was largely in mice, so human implications remain uncertain.

Wegovy’s oral pill reached U.S. pharmacies after FDA approval in December 2025, and the 1.5 mg starter dose is priced at $149 per month with higher doses running up to $299.

Nestlé has voluntarily recalled SMA infant and follow-on formulas sold in multiple regions because of a quality issue involving an ingredient from a leading oil supplier; the company said no illnesses have been reported.

Officials say a 15-month-old was found with significant injuries and later died at a hospital; a 24-year-old woman identified in arrest records as Carmen Anita DeGregg was taken into custody and charged with homicide and being under the influence, and is being held on $2 million bond with an arraignment set for Jan. 8.

A PNAS study reported that one week of 40 Hz auditory stimulation in nine aged rhesus macaques increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of Aβ42 and Aβ40 by about 206% and 201%, and those elevated levels persisted for up to five weeks.

Audrey Tyrell, 13, told This Morning she was diagnosed with Usher syndrome and has made a bucket list of experiences to enjoy before potential vision loss; she was surprised on the show by Stranger Things actress Nell Fisher.

NBC Select editors tested a range of under-eye patches and compiled dermatologist guidance on ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid that target puffiness, dark circles and fine lines.

A 31-year-old in South Yorkshire who thought his pain came from weight training had a seizure that led to scans revealing a high-grade brain tumour; he underwent a nine-hour operation and later completed radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Researchers will sequence tumor samples preserved at St. Mark's since the 1950s to compare historical and modern DNA signatures and investigate reasons for rising colorectal cancer among younger adults.

The article reports that tightly knit friend groups are not the common pattern; many adults maintain close one-on-one friendships and many respondents report roughly five close friends.