‘Trauma Sponges’: How a Minneapolis firefighter responds to suffering
When people think of firefighters, they might picture an image from a child’s book — a big man, wearing lots of equipment, maybe pulling a hose from a red fire engine or rushing to rescue people from a burning building. But firefighters are responding to far fewer fires these days and more and more medical emergencies. […]
Long COVID brain fog may originate in a surprising place, say scientists
Corona virus Radoslav Zilinsky/Getty Images Scientists have uncovered a possible explanation for one of COVID-19’s most vexing legacies: the stubborn neurological symptoms of long COVID, such as brain fog, memory loss and fatigue. The first clue emerged when researchers scoured the blood of long COVID patients: It was serotonin — specifically, a lack of the […]
Long COVID brain fog may originate in a surprising place, say scientists
Corona virus Radoslav Zilinsky/Getty Images Scientists have uncovered a possible explanation for one of COVID-19’s most vexing legacies: the stubborn neurological symptoms of long COVID, such as brain fog, memory loss and fatigue. The first clue emerged when researchers scoured the blood of long COVID patients: It was serotonin — specifically, a lack of the […]
Climate change is contributing to an extended allergy season
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may be dealing with sneezing, sniffles and itchy eyes further into the fall — and that’s in part due to climate change. Teddie Potter Courtesy of University of Minnesota Inhaling pollen triggers a cascade of symptoms as your immune system reacts to the offensive agent; mold causes a […]
Why an international coalition of doctors say male infertility is becoming a crisis
Right now, one in six heterosexual couples trying to start a family is struggling to conceive, according to the World Health Organization. And while there is a large body of research on female infertility and treatments like in vitro fertilization, the same can’t be said for male infertility. Recently, a team of international experts published […]
Plan now to ease disruptions with the end of daylight saving time
Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 5, and according to sleep experts, it’s time to prepare because the extra hour of sleep also comes with the potential for major disruptions to our health. “It’s easy to sleep in an extra hour, most of us can do that really easily, but it’s not as easy […]
A seasonal viral stew is brewing with flu, RSV, COVID and more
Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are now available across the U.S., including at this CVS pharmacy in Palatine, Illinois. Nam Y. Huh/AP As the weather cools down, health officials are gearing up for a new season of sickness. It’s the time for gathering indoors and spreading respiratory viruses. So what is brewing in the viral stew? […]
The FDA is proposing a ban on hair relaxers with formaldehyde due to cancer concerns
Kayleigh Butler, a hair stylist, stands for a portrait at her studio in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. “Relaxers have taken an extreme decline … as we became more knowledgeable about the effects of the relaxer on your hair and what it can do to your hair,” says Butler, who remembers getting relaxers when […]
The FDA is proposing a ban on hair relaxers with formaldehyde due to cancer concerns
Kayleigh Butler, a hair stylist, stands for a portrait at her studio in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. “Relaxers have taken an extreme decline … as we became more knowledgeable about the effects of the relaxer on your hair and what it can do to your hair,” says Butler, who remembers getting relaxers when […]
14-year-old wins 3M Young Scientist Challenge for developing skin cancer-treating soap
Heman Bekele, 14, is a ninth grader at W.T. Woodson High School in Annandale, Va., who just created a new treatment for skin cancer. As part of the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge, Bekele developed Melanoma Treating Soap. It won him the competition and its grand prize of $25,000 in St. Paul this month. Bekele […]