Jonathan Reed Health Editor 
Archaeologists have identified a roughly 500,000-year-old elephant bone hammer in southern England, marking the oldest known elephant bone tool ever discovered in Europe. Researchers from UCL and the Natural History Museum in London analyzed the artifact, concluding early humans used it to sharpen stone handaxes. Prehistoric stone toolmaking relied on precision, and a newly analyzed … Read more
An experimental vaccine developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research achieved 89% efficacy in preventing shigellosis during a clinical trial published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, offering a potential breakthrough against a leading global cause of severe childhood diarrheal disease and antibiotic resistance. Diarrhea remains an enduring public health crisis globally, claiming more … Read more
Prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket launched contracts allowing users to wager on clinical trial outcomes and Food and Drug Administration drug approvals. While proponents argue the markets provide transparent data, researchers and patients condemn the financial incentives as threatening trial integrity and mocking patient suffering. Prediction markets have rapidly expanded into sports, elections, and … Read more
Eating one avocado daily for six months reduces low-density lipoprotein particle concentration in adults with obesity, according to a Penn State University study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology. Researchers estimate the change corresponds to an approximate four percent decrease in heart disease risk. A simple dietary addition may help target a hidden cardiovascular … Read more
Researchers at the Arc Institute have used the AI model Evo to design brand-new viral genomes that successfully kill bacteria in laboratory settings. The milestone demonstrates that genome language models can learn evolutionary design principles, opening new paths for phage therapy and synthetic biology. Scientists are moving past simply reading genetic code and are beginning … Read more
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved mFlusiva on Wednesday, marking the country’s first messenger RNA influenza vaccine. Developed by Moderna, the shot is authorized for adults aged 50 and older and is slated to be available for the fall vaccination season. The authorization introduces a prominent alternative to traditional egg- and cell-based flu shots, … Read more
For most adults, incorporating a banana into their daily diet is a healthy practice. According to Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, It is okay to consume a banana every day. Dietitians view this habit as an effective strategy for increasing daily fruit intake, which contributes … Read more
Avoiding high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and smoking during middle age can extend dementia-free survival by nearly 13 years, according to a medical study published in Neurology. Researchers analyzing decades of health data from NYU Langone Health found that maintaining these three vascular health factors significantly preserves long-term brain health. Middle-Age Health Factors Linked … Read more
Drinking diet soda daily may significantly elevate health risks, according to recent medical studies linking consumption to increased dementia risk in adults and higher autism diagnoses in male offspring when consumed during pregnancy. For decades, diet soda has sat comfortably on grocery shelves as the guilt-free choice for anyone looking to slash sugar intake. It … Read more
Modern research suggests that the human brain possesses complex biological mechanisms designed to defend against weight loss by treating higher body weights as a new “normal.” This evolutionary adaptation, once vital for survival during food scarcity, now complicates weight management in environments where calorie-dense food is readily available. The Biological Defense of Body Weight For … Read more