The post Scientists uncover how some 80-year-olds have the memory of 50-year-olds appeared first on My Blog.
]]>A study from Northwestern University looked at a group of 80-year-olds who appeared to have memory skills on par with 50-year-olds, and the researchers aimed to understand the differences in their brains.
These people were classified as “SuperAgers,” defined as those 80 and older who have memories of those 30 years their junior, according to a university press release. People in this category score at least nine out of 15 on a delayed word recall test.
7 STEPS TO ‘SUPER-AGING’ ARE KEY TO LIVING A LONGER, MORE FULFILLING LIFE, EXPERTS SAY
“SuperAgers” are defined as those 80 and older who have memories of those 30 years younger. (iStock)
The “SuperAger” term was coined by Dr. M. Marsel Mesulam, founder of the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at Northwestern, in the late 1990s.
In studying nearly 300 SuperAgers for the past 25 years, the Northwestern researchers identified some common traits, including being “highly social and outgoing” and having strong interpersonal relationships.
“It’s really what we’ve found in their brains that’s been so earth-shattering for us,” noted co-author Dr. Sandra Weintraub, professor of psychiatry, behavioral sciences and neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in the release.
The researchers found that some of the participants’ brains showed no buildup of amyloid and tau proteins (plaques and tangles), the toxic substances that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. (iStock)
The research team examined 77 of the SuperAgers’ donated brains after they died. They found that some of the brains showed no buildup of amyloid and tau proteins (plaques and tangles), the toxic substances that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Other brains did have the proteins, but they didn’t appear to have affected cognitive health.
STUDY REVEALS WHY ‘SUPER AGERS’ MAINTAIN ‘OUTSTANDING MEMORY’ INTO THEIR 80S
“What we realized is there are two mechanisms that lead someone to become a SuperAger,” Weintraub said in the release. “One is resistance: they don’t make the plaques and tangles. Two is resilience: they make them, but they don’t do anything to their brains.”
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Unlike most aging brains, SuperAgers did not experience significant thinning of the cortex, which is the brain’s outer layer. They also had a thicker anterior cingulate cortex, the region of the brain involved in decision-making, emotion and motivation.
They were also found to have a greater number of “von Economo neurons,” specialized cells associated with social behavior, and larger entorhinal neurons, which are crucial for memory.
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The study outcome was published as a perspective article in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The SuperAgers shared common traits, including being “highly social and outgoing” and having strong interpersonal relationships. (iStock)
“Our findings show that exceptional memory in old age is not only possible but is linked to a distinct neurobiological profile,” said Weintraub. “This opens the door to new interventions aimed at preserving brain health well into the later decades of life.”
Armed with this information about the commonalities among SuperAgers, the researchers hope to develop new ways to boost cognitive resilience and prevent or delay Alzheimer’s and other dementias, they noted.
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Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, was not involved in the study but commented on the findings to Fox News Digital.
“The answer is a combination of genetic predisposition as well as continuing to keep exercising the brain like a muscle — both socially and intellectually,” a doctor said. (iStock)
“The buildup of senile plaques — beta amyloid and tau — did not impact neuronal function in those who continued to do very well in terms of thinking, memory and decision-making,” he noted.
“Those with positive outcomes shared continued socialization, interaction and a high level of intellectual engagement.
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“So, the answer is a combination of genetic predisposition as well as continuing to keep exercising the brain like a muscle — both socially and intellectually.”
The study was funded by Northwestern Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the National Institute on Aging (part of the National Institutes of Health).
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
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]]>The post Jon Bon Jovi announces comeback tour after surgery saved his 'dying' vocal cord from career-ending damage appeared first on My Blog.
]]>During an interview Thursday on the “Today” show, the 63-year-old music icon announced his band, Bon Jovi, will launch its international “The Forever Tour” in July 2026.
While speaking with host Savannah Guthrie, Bon Jovi opened up about recovering from the vocal injury that nearly ended his decades-long career.
BON JOVI DOESN’T WANT TO BE ‘THE FAT ELVIS,’ WILL BE ‘CRUSHED’ IF VOCAL SURGERY PUTS AN END TO TOURING
“One of my cords was atrophied, and the strong one was pushing the weak one around, and this one was dying,” he shared.
Jon Bon Jovi is launching a comeback tour after a vocal injury nearly ended his career. ( Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
The “Livin’ on a Prayer” hitmaker explained that “40 years of hard work” had strained his vocal cords.
However, Bon Jovi found a surgeon who performed a medialization thyroplasty surgery, a cutting-edge procedure in which an implant was placed on the outside of his vocal cord to rebuild the weakened cord.
“The road’s been long and tough, but I persevered,” he said.
Following the operation, Bon Jovi said he embarked on a lengthy recovery process that included months of rehabilitation, vocal exercises and rebuilding his stamina.
The singer underwent major vocal cord surgery. (Shirlaine Forrest)
Bon Jovi noted that the injury could have ended his career entirely, telling Guthrie if he was unable to restore his voice to its former strength, he would have given up performing.
“I’m not that applause junkie. I do it for the joy, and I do it for the art,” Bon Jovi said. “The rest of it is great because I’m good at it. But if you couldn’t do it from a place of joy, what’s the motivation?
“I have other things in my life. It’s what I do. It’s not who I am.”
However, he said he was determined to make a full recovery and return to the stage. Bon Jovi explained that he has devoted himself to rehearsing for hours every day in his garage to retrain his voice.
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“It’s like training for a marathon,” Bon Jovi said. “Anyone can go for a run. Being able to go the distance is a whole different set of commitment. You have to physically, mentally and spiritually be ready to do that again.”
Bon Jovi said he spent hours every day rehearsing to prepare for his return to the stage. (John Nacion/Getty Images)
The Grammy Award winner admitted there were many days he feared he had already performed his final concert.
“And then the next day, there’d be a little ray of hope,” Bon Jovi shared. “The next day was brighter. And until the next time, you get punched in the nose by some setback, you pick yourself up again and do it again.”
Bon Jovi said he now feels ready to perform again at his previous pace.
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“I think I can confidently say that I can go and do my 2½ hours, night after night after night,” he said. “But I wouldn’t do it unless it was that.”
Bon Jovi’s interview was conducted inside New York City’s Madison Square Garden, where he will perform his tour’s first concert.
“There are very few people in this world that can carry an arena. I know it’s exciting. Is it also a little scary?” Guthrie asked him.
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“Sure, but you know, it’s just, that’s the human element,” he replied. “The good news is that I know that the band have my back and I can guarantee you that every person that will fill this house will be rooting for me.”
The Forever Tour kicks off in July 2026. (Image courtesy of Reuters)
On Oct. 24, Bon Jovi released its “Forever (Legendary Edition)” collaboration album, in which the band teamed up with some of the music world’s biggest stars, including Bruce Springsteen, Jelly Roll and Avril Lavigne, to create new versions of songs from a 2024 album.
“It was a joy,” he said of working with the singers featured on the album.
“It was also beautiful, as a songwriter, to hear your songs interpreted by great artists,” he added.
Bon Jovi said kicking off the tour at Madison Square Garden holds special meaning for the band. They made their first appearance at the legendary venue when they opened for ZZ Top in 1983.
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“It’s the Garden,” he said. “There’s nothing like it.”
Bon Jovi’s Forever Tour will kick off July 7, 2026, and conclude Sept. 4, 2026, at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Ashley Hume is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to ashley.hume@fox.com and on Twitter: @ashleyhume
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]]>The post Kim Kardashian’s brain aneurysm scare: Doctors reveal warning signs to never ignore appeared first on My Blog.
]]>The Skims founder, 45, announced in a preview clip of Season 7 of Hulu’s “The Kardashians” that her doctors discovered the condition during an MRI scan, telling her family, “There was a little aneurysm.”
The cause has not been identified, but Kardashian’s doctors considered that it might be from stress.
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A brain aneurysm is the ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain, which can leak or rupture, leading to bleeding, according to Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Adam Arthur, chairman of neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee, described an aneurysm as a weakness on the wall of an artery, like a little water balloon that forms off a hose.
Kim Kardashian poses during a photocall for the premiere of “All’s Fair” TV series in Paris on Oct. 21, 2025. The reality TV star recently revealed that she had been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. (Bertrand GuayAFP via Getty Images; iStock)
This is known as a hemorrhagic stroke, which can be life-altering and even fatal. Most aneurysms are small and not serious if they don’t rupture.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Arthur — who is also chief medical officer of Medtronic Neurovascular, a California company that produces medical devices that help treat aneurysms — noted that brain aneurysms are much more common in women.
KIM KARDASHIAN DIAGNOSED WITH BRAIN ANEURYSM THAT DOCTORS ATTRIBUTE TO STRESS FOLLOWING KANYE WEST DIVORCE
This most likely has to do with genetics, although “there’s so much about the brain and about genetics that we don’t understand,” Arthur said.
Aneurysms are present in up to one in every 50 people, according to the expert, and many don’t require treatment or cause a problem.
Up to one in 50 people have a brain aneurysm, which is the ballooning of an artery in the brain. (iStock)
When they do become problematic, aneurysms can cause a sudden stroke, where a patient may experience the “worst headache of their life.” Arthur described this as a “very abnormal headache, often behind the eye.”
“That’s a very, very dangerous situation,” he said. “I believe that with Ms. Kardashian, it may be that they found it before it caused a stroke, and obviously that’s a blessing.”
While aneurysms form on the weak spots of arteries that are knit together before birth, some factors can make the event more common.
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This includes alcohol binge-drinking, nicotine exposure, certain genetic conditions, and the use of drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.
Drugs and nicotine are known to be “very bad” for aneurysm growth and rupture, since they tamper with blood vessel health, Arthur detailed.
A severe headache may occur if a brain aneurysm becomes problematic. (iStock)
The expert added that chronic stress has also been linked to brain aneurysms, noting that an overall focus on sleep, diet and exercise can help reduce the risk.
Knowing the family history for aneurysms is important, Arthur added, as it’s recommended to get a screening exam, or MRI, if two close relatives have had them.
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Although some aneurysms can be suddenly fatal when they lead to a stroke, people experiencing symptoms — typically an intense headache — should see a doctor for treatment options, according to Arthur.
If an aneurysm is found before it bleeds, minimally invasive surgery could be performed to avoid a stroke. Open surgery may also be an option, where a surgeon can pinch the aneurysm shut through an incision along the hairline.
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Smaller aneurysms in older patients can typically be monitored by a physician to ensure that they’re not growing or causing a larger issue, the doctor said.
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., which “disables way more people than it outright kills,” a doctor said. (iStock)
“We do have ways of fixing aneurysms now that are pretty remarkable,” Arthur told Fox News Digital. “What we can do is put a metal mesh over the opening of the aneurysm or fill the aneurysm with a device and then let nature take its course — and so that blood then forms a clot and scars.”
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Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., adding that it “disables way more people than it outright kills,” according to Arthur.
Fox News Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report. Fox News Digital reached out to Kardashian for comment.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
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]]>The post 12-year-old Minneapolis church shooting survivor shot in head released from hospital appeared first on My Blog.
]]>Sophia Forchas was left fighting for her life after a gunman opened fire during the deadly Aug. 27 attack. She was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery, during which doctors removed part of her skull to relieve swelling. She was then placed in a medically induced coma, according to FOX 9.
A crowd of supporters lined the sidewalk outside Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) on Thursday with signs to greet Forchas, who had been treated at HCMC and most recently had undergone rehabilitation at Gillette Children’s.
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Sophia Forchas, an Annunciation Church and School mass shooting survivor, and her father, Tom Forchas, right, are greeted by well-wishers outside the Hennepin County Medical Center on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (The Catholic Spirit/Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis via AP)
Sophia’s parents said her release marked “one of the most extraordinary days of our lives.”
“Our beloved daughter, Sophia, is coming home!!” they wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for her recovery. The page has generated nearly $1.2 million in donations.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the remarkable medical professionals whose skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication brought us to this moment,” her parents wrote.
They thanked doctors and rehabilitation teams at HCMC and Gillette Children’s Hospital and said Sophia is now walking, swimming and “even dribbling a basketball.”
Sophia Forchas, center, poses with members of her care and rehabilitation team outside an ambulance after being discharged from Gillette Children’s Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (GoFundMe)
NEWLY RELEASED 911 TRANSCRIPTS CAPTURE CHAOS, FEAR DURING MINNEAPOLIS CHURCH SHOOTING: ‘STAY DOWN, STAY QUIET’
“Each step she takes is a living testament to the boundless grace of God and the miraculous power of prayer,” the couple said.
The Forchas family also offered prayers for those killed and injured in the Aug. 27 shooting, writing, “May their memory be eternal.”
Two children, Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, were killed in the mass shooting and 18 people — 15 of them children — were injured.
Sophia’s mother is a pediatric critical care nurse who was at work at Hennepin Healthcare when she discovered that her daughter was among the injured, according to The Associated Press.
Forchas’ brother was also inside the school during the shooting but was not injured, her parents said.
Sophia Forchas, right, was shot in the head during the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Forchas Family)
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The alleged gunman, Robin Westman, formerly Robert Westman, opened fire from outside the school at around 10 a.m., moments after students had gathered for mass, and many children were in the pews.
The horror unfolded for about 10 minutes before Westman, who was transgender, killed himself with his own weapon, police said.
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
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]]>The post Gray hair could play surprising role in cancer defense, study suggests appeared first on My Blog.
]]>A new study may have pinpointed how going gray is connected to one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University, led by Dr. Emi K. Nishimura, found that pigment-producing stem cells in hair follicles respond to stress in dramatically different ways.
BREAKTHROUGH BLOOD TEST COULD SPOT DOZENS OF CANCERS BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR
Depending on their environment, those cells can either die off, which leads to gray hair, or survive and multiply in ways that could trigger melanoma, according to a university press release.
The findings were published Oct. 6 in the journal Nature Cell Biology.
A new study may have pinpointed how going gray is linked to one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. (iStock)
The team studied melanocyte stem cells, the cells that give hair and skin their color, using mouse models and tissue samples. In exposing these cells to forms of stress that damage DNA — such as chemicals that mimic UV exposure — the scientists observed how the cells behaved inside their natural setting.
SKIN DNA BREAKTHROUGH COULD LET 60-YEAR-OLD WOMEN HAVE GENETICALLY RELATED KIDS
Some of the cells responded to the damage by stopping their normal self-renewal process and turning into mature pigment cells that soon died. This left the hair without its source of color, producing graying.
In mice, damaged pigment cells sometimes stopped renewing and turned into short-lived mature cells, leading to graying hair. (iStock)
But when the researchers altered the surrounding tissue to encourage cell survival, the damaged stem cells began dividing again instead of shutting down. Those surviving cells accumulated more genetic damage, and, in some cases, started behaving like cancer cells.
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Additional experiments showed that certain signals from the cells’ environment — including one molecule called KIT ligand, which promotes cell growth — helped determine which way the cells went, the release stated.
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In other words, the same kind of cell could either fade out harmlessly or become the seed of melanoma, depending on the cues it received from nearby tissue.
The study shows how the body’s response to stress can mean the difference between gray hair and cancer. (iStock)
“It reframes hair graying and melanoma not as unrelated events, but as divergent outcomes of stem cell stress responses,” Nishimura said in the release.
Nishimura’s team described the process as a biological trade-off between aging and cancer, but that doesn’t mean gray hair prevents cancer.
Instead, it shows that when pigment cells stop dividing and die off, it’s the body’s way of getting rid of damaged cells, the researchers noted. If that process doesn’t happen and the damaged cells stick around, they could turn into cancer.
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The study was conducted in mice, but its implications could help scientists understand why some people develop melanoma without obvious warning signs, and how the natural mechanisms of aging could actually protect against cancer.
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For now, the researchers say the discovery shows how finely balanced the body’s cellular responses are and how small changes in that balance can mean the difference between a harmless sign of aging and a life-threatening disease.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.
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]]>The post Hot tea or iced coffee? Study says your choice could affect mood and digestion appeared first on My Blog.
]]>A new study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, was shared in a San Diego State University news release on Sept. 22. Over 400 American adults were involved, all of whom were Asian or White.
“Researchers found food and beverage temperature, long recognized in traditional Asian medicine, has measurable links to anxiety, insomnia and gut discomfort,” SDSU said in the release.
SCIENTISTS REVEAL HOW YOUR FAVORITE SODA COULD QUIETLY MESS WITH YOUR MOOD
Drinking more cold beverages during warmer months was associated with “increased anxiety, more sleep disturbances and greater feelings of abdominal fullness” among Asian participants, according to the study.
The White participants, however, reported less depression, enhanced sleep quality and fewer gastrointestinal problems when they drank hot beverages in winter.
Researchers at San Diego State University found that drink temperature can influence mood and sleep quality. (iStock)
Researchers attribute the differing patterns largely to cultural consumption habits and individual temperature sensitivity — stronger effects among participants with “cold hands” — with notable variation within Asian subgroups. They emphasize that the results show correlations, not causation, and are based on self-reported data.
“This is the first study in the U.S. to directly link cold and hot dietary consumption to multiple health outcomes, with important implications for addressing rising rates of anxiety, insomnia and digestive issues,” SDSU’s statement added.
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Tianying Wu, an associate professor of epidemiology at SDSU, said the research “provides a snapshot of how hot and cold consumption may relate to health outcomes.”
Wu added, “Because cold and hot consumption is such a routine part of daily life in the U.S., at home and in restaurants, the findings have broad relevance to everyday health choices.”
Asian participants reported more anxiety and sleep issues when drinking cold beverages during warmer months. (iStock)
“The next step is to conduct more rigorous prospective and intervention studies, since the effects can be dynamic — for example, older adults or individuals with poor circulation may be especially vulnerable to cold exposure.”
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Jessica Mack, a wellness expert and occupational therapist, told Fox News Digital that consuming warm foods and beverages “can have a measurable impact on the body’s stress response.”
The New York-based therapist said warmth may help activate the parasympathetic nervous system — the part responsible for relaxation — and could influence the release of mood-regulating chemicals such as serotonin.
White participants saw improved mood and sleep quality when consuming hot drinks in winter, researchers noted. (iStock)
Mack, who was not involved with the study, also said warm beverages can “stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps lower heart rate and promote a sense of calm.”
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“The increase in body temperature can also enhance circulation and trigger the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin,” Mack added.
“Warmth is associated with safety and comfort,” said one expert. (iStock)
“Psychologically, warmth is associated with safety and comfort, so something as simple as sipping tea or eating a warm bowl of soup can help the body and mind shift out of fight-or-flight mode. It’s a small sensory cue with a big calming effect.”
The SDSU research was published shortly after another study found that cups of coffee may boost mood in the morning.
Eating soup can “help the body and mind shift out of fight-or-flight mode,” a wellness expert (not pictured) told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
The study followed 200 young adults over four weeks.
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Enthusiasm and happiness were noted in the participants, even if the adults weren’t addicted to caffeine.
Andrea Margolis is a lifestyle writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can follow her on X at @andreamargs or send story tips to andrea.margolis@fox.com.
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]]>The post Contaminated meat blamed for rise in common urinary infections, experts warn appeared first on My Blog.
]]>UTIs can occur with the introduction of bacteria, like E. coli, into the system, which can be caused by poor hygiene, sexual activity, inability to empty the bladder fully and other factors, according to experts.
New research from The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health and Kaiser Permanente Southern California has estimated that nearly one in five UTIs in Southern California stem from contaminated meat with strains of E. coli.
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The researchers proposed that this poses a “hidden foodborne risk to millions of people” across the U.S., as noted in a press release.
In the study, which was published in ASM Journals, researchers collected more than 5,700 individual E. coli samples from patients with UTIs, as well as retail meat samples in the same neighborhoods.
Meat contaminated with E. coli poses a “hidden foodborne risk to millions of people,” the researchers claimed. (iStock)
A genomic modeling approach was used to estimate whether each bacterial strain originated in humans or animals.
It was determined that 18% of UTIs were linked to E. coli strains of animal origin, known as foodborne UTIs. The highest-risk strains were most often found in chicken and turkey.
Residents living in low-income neighborhoods had a 60% higher risk of foodborne UTIs in comparison to those in wealthier areas. Women and the elderly were impacted the most.
More investigation is needed to “distinguish foodborne transmission from other possible exposures” and to research other areas and infection types, according to the researchers.
Bloodstream infections were not tested in this study, which is important in monitoring how UTIs progress to more dangerous infections, like sepsis.
Women and seniors are most impacted by UTIs through foodborne contamination. (iStock)
Lance B. Price, senior author of the study and professor of environmental and occupational health at The George Washington University, commented in a statement that UTIs have “long been considered a personal health issue.”
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“But our findings suggest that they are also a food safety problem,” he went on. “This opens up new avenues for prevention, especially for vulnerable communities that bear a disproportionate burden.”
Price suggested that this problem occurs across the U.S., despite this first study being conducted in Southern California.
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In an interview with Fox News Digital, the professor added that the rate of UTIs in this region was more than twice what had been detected in a previous study in Arizona.
“This is just one example of dangerous pathogens spreading to people through the food supply,” he said.
All meat should be completely cooked before it is consumed, according to experts. (iStock)
“They should also demand that food safety be a national priority — it’s impossible to make Americans healthy while making them sick with foodborne pathogens,” he said.
The George Washington researchers plan to explore interventions that could reduce the risk of foodborne infections.
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Meanwhile, to prevent sickness, Price recommends that people always assume that raw meat and poultry are contaminated with bacteria and to take precautions in the kitchen.
Safe practices include buying meat and poultry that is securely sealed, which can prevent leakage onto other groceries.
All meat and poultry should be thoroughly cooked, experts advise, and cross-contamination in the kitchen should be avoided. Hands and surfaces should be washed after preparing raw meat.
Sarah Little, vice president of communications for the Meat Institute in Virginia, wrote in a statement sent to Fox News Digital that this study makes “very big leaps without establishing actual exposure pathways.”
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“It does not account for other plausible sources, such as close contact with pets or transmission in dense urban environments, and doesn’t confirm whether participants even consumed meat or poultry,” she said.
“Because it’s limited to one community, the results can’t be generalized nationally. Meat and poultry remain safe, affordable and nutrient-dense foods when handled and cooked properly.”
Fox News Digital reached out to other U.S. meat associations for comment, including the National Chicken Council (NCC) and National Turkey Federation (NTF).
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
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]]>The post Doctors on key US health task force accused of prioritizing DEI over evidence-based medicine appeared first on My Blog.
]]>The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), an all-volunteer panel of doctors who serve four-year terms appointed by the Secretary of Health, is made up of experts in preventative medicine, which includes services like screening tests, immunizations, behavioral counseling, and medications that can prevent the development or worsening of health conditions. One of the task force’s primary functions is to weigh the efficacy and cost-benefit of such preventative care services, recommendations for which are then used to shape what preventative care services insurance providers must cover.
The task force’s ability to make these healthcare recommendations, coupled with what appears to be a membership largely made up of left-wing, DEI proponents, has raised concerns about how the task force could be impacting healthcare.
The Wall Street Journal reported in July that sources with knowledge of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s thinking said he was planning to dismiss all 16 members of the USPSTF for being too “woke.”
NEW MEDICAL POLICY CENTER COMBATS WOKENESS IN MEDICINE, LAUNCHING LANDMARK RANKING OF TOP SCHOOLS
RFK Jr. speaks at the 2025 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 24, 2025. (© Nicole Hester / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK)
“HHS has been made aware of the ideological issues with members of the USPSTF raised by letters fromSenate Republicans, members of theGOP Doctors Caucus, anda large group of physiciansincluding Associations of American Physicians and Surgeons, America’s Frontline Doctors, and the Pennsylvania Direct Primary Care Association. HHS is troubled by these allegations and is investigating further,” Emily Hilliard, a Health and Human Services Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital when asked about Kennedy’s plans for the future of the current USPSTF.
Meanwhile, others, including the GOP Doctors Caucus and major physician groups including the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, have also raised alarm bells about potential left-wing bias at the USPSTF. One group that has also raised alarm bells about the USPSTF is the conservative watchdog group known as the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), which just released a new report claiming the USPSTF “has been thoroughly hijacked by left-wing partisans for the purpose of weaponizing science to spread leftist ideology.”
The AAF report points to Dr. Michael Silverstein, the task force’s current chairman, who, in 2023, said that USPSTF is “dedicated to … addressing critical issues of health equity” after he was re-appointed to the task force’s leadership team under the Biden administration. As Vice Chair of the task force in 2023, Silverstein co-authored an annual report to Congress highlighting a new partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) aimed at helping the task force be more “inclusive.”
The partnership, according to the report to Congress, was meant to help develop “new recommendations on screening for anxiety disorders, and other conditions that affect LGBTQ+ communities to enhance the health, wellness, and quality of life of their patients.”
Other recommendations from the USPSTF that have come down in the last several years include a 2022 recommendation denoting the need for physicians to consider race when screening for anxiety in children and adolescents. A more recent recommendation, published in April, said that doctors should pay special attention to breastfeeding in black mothers due to the “lasting psychological impact and stigma of enslaved Black women being forced to act as wet nurses.”
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Denver, CO – APRIL 25 : Medical doctor Alia Broman, right, examines a 6 years old patient at Denver Health in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post))
Meanwhile, a 2021 report from the USPSTF, on addressing sex and gender when making preventative healthcare recommendations, included an analysis of how gender-specific terminology, as opposed to “gender-neutral” terminology, could play a role in addressing the needs of “diverse populations.” Think “pregnant people” versus “pregnant mother,” a switch that eventually became part of the task force’s official guidelines.
“To advance its methods, the USPSTF reviewed its past recommendations that included the use of sex and gender terms, reviewed the approaches of other guideline-making bodies, and pilot tested strategies to address sex and gender diversity,” the report states. “Based on the findings, the USPSTF intends to use an inclusive approach to identify issues related to sex and gender at the start of the guideline development process; assess the applicability, variability, and quality of evidence as a function of sex and gender; ensure clarity in the use of language regarding sex and gender; and identify evidence gaps related to sex and gender.”
Another major achievement towards the task force’s mission to advance “health equity” was the release of a 2024 “Health Equity Framework” aimed at embedding gender theory and other left-wing ideologies into its operations.
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In addition to the work the task force has done, its members also have an extensive history of publishing research that focuses on “health equity” and other DEI components, such as how race impacts certain health outcomes, or how to address sex and gender when making recommendations for clinical preventative services.
“National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop: Achieving Health Equity in Preventive Services,” is the title of a scientific research report co-authored by task force rank-and-file member, Dr. Sandra Millon Underwood. “Further Incorporating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Into Medical Education Research,” and “Health Equity Starts with Us: Recommendations from the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute Racial Justice and Health Equity Task Force,” were also reports co-authored by members of the USPSTF.
“Antiracist initiatives, such as incorporating community-support persons (e.g., lay doulas) into maternity care for Black people, can reduce disparities in outcomes by addressing both interpersonal racism and the lack of workforce diversity caused by structural racism,” stated a May 2024 research paper co-authored by USPSTF rank-and-file member Dr. Alicia Fernandez.
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been accused of being infiltrated by “woke” leftists, with sources familiar with Heath Secretary Robert F. Kennedy saying he has plans to fire all 16 of them. (iStock; Getty Images)
Members of the supposedly “independent” USPSTF have also used their positions of expertise to fight Trump administration priorities as well, such as those around abortion and research funding reforms.
For example, Dr. David Chelmow, another task force member, has appeared in several physician-backed American Civil Liberties Union memos about efforts opposing the Trump administration, including one challenging Trump’s efforts to implement greater protections around the mail-order abortion drug called mifepristone, which many pro-life OBGYN’s have warned is dangerous if not dispensed in-person. In March, Dr. Carlos Roberto Jaen, another task force member, signed a letter alongside 1,900 others accusing the Trump administration of weakening US research capacity and endangering Americans.
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When making recommendations for preventative care services, the USPSTF assigns a letter grade, A, B, C, D, or I.
Any service given an “A” or “B” grade, is required to be covered by private insurers under a mandate in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These grades are also tied to coverage requirements for public insurers, like Medicare and Medicaid.
In 2019, the task force gave the precautionary anti-HIV drug Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) an “A” grade, guidelines for which were later clarified in 2023. The task force’s current Vice Chair, Dr. John Wong, also co-authored a 2017 paper on how scaling-up the use of PrEP can help reduce the prevalence of HIV among gay men. But, according to AAF, the active promotion of PrEP creates an atmosphere of dangerous sexual activity that risks public health dangers due to what the foundation says is promotion of risky sexual behaviors. Additionally, at least one Christian-owned business has argued that forcing insurance providers to cover medication that promotes risky sexual behaviors violates their rights.
Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court weighed in on whether the USPSTF’s authority to compel coverage of preventative healthcare it gives either an “A” or “B” grade was unconstitutional. The group that brought the case, Braidwood Management Inc., initially objected on religious grounds to the ACA requirement that insurance providers cover certain HIV-prevention medications for which the task force has issued an “A” recommendation, specifically PrEP. However, the case ultimately morphed into a question over the legitimacy of USPSTF’s recommendation authority, and whether the circumvention of Senate approval for its members was allowed by the Constitutions Article II clause on advise and consent.
The facade of the Supreme Court building at dusk is shown in this photo. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
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Both the Biden and Trump administrations have taken up the argument that the Health Secretary alone has ultimate control over whether to appoint or fire USPSTF members. The Trump administration also argued in its briefs to the High Court that the Secretary had the authority to block, or rescind, task force recommendations as well, according to SCOUTS Blog.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court voted 6-3, in favor of the federal government’s argument that the appointment process for the USPSTF, and therefore its legitimacy, did not violate the Constitution.
Shortly after the Supreme Court’s decision in the Braidwood case, Health Secretary Kennedy reportedly postponed a long-scheduled task force meeting of the USPSTF, which was the same move he made before firing every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the main federal entity that helps craft federal vaccine policy. Kennedy has long been a critic of conventional vaccination policies and practices.
The Wall Street Journal reported in July, not long after the Supreme Court’s decision in the Braidwood case, that sources familiar with Kennedy’s thinking said he was planning to dismiss all 16 members of the USPSTF for being too “woke.”
The post Doctors on key US health task force accused of prioritizing DEI over evidence-based medicine appeared first on My Blog.
]]>The post Teen hospitalized after swallowing up to 100 magnets purchased online: 'Rising concern' appeared first on My Blog.
]]>The teen, who suffered four days of stomach pain before being admitted to Tauranga Hospital, had ingested between 80 and 100 high-power magnets, each around 5×2 millimeters in size, according to a Friday report in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
“Accessibility to high-power magnets is a rising concern for our pediatric population, which may be due to the ability to purchase from online marketplaces at inexpensive prices,” the report states.
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FILE PHOTO: A view of Tauranga Hospital is pictured here. The teen suffered four days of stomach pain before being admitted to Tauranga Hospital. (Google Maps)
An X-ray revealed four chains of magnets stuck together inside his abdomen. Surgeons operated on the boy, removing the magnets and damaged sections of his intestines. He was released from the hospital eight days later, according to the report.
Ingesting multiple magnets can cause life-threatening injuries. Surgical intervention, which is frequently required, can also lead to complications later in life.
New Zealand and Australia have both banned the sale of small high-powered magnets. However, enforcing those bans online is more difficult, the report states.
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FILE PHOTO: Surgeons are pictured using medical instruments. Surgeons operated on the boy, removing the magnets and damaged sections of his intestines. (iStock)
In this instance, the magnets were reportedly purchased from online marketplace Temu, according to the report.
A spokesperson for Temu told Fox News Digital it is investigating the incident and has reached out to the authors of the report for more details.
“We are sorry to learn about the reported incident and wish the boy a full and speedy recovery,” the Temu spokesperson told Fox News Digital in an email. “We take product safety very seriously and continuously monitor our platform to ensure sellers are complying with the safety regulations of the markets they are doing business in.”
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FILE PHOTO: The Temu logo is seen here. A spokesperson for Temu told Fox News Digital it is investigating the incident. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Temu has not been able to identify the specific product listing or confirm whether the magnets were purchased from its online marketplace, according to the spokesperson.
“Nonetheless, our teams are reviewing relevant listings to ensure full compliance with local safety requirements,” the spokesperson said. “Any products found to be non-compliant will be removed, and we will take firm action against any sellers found to have breached our platform rules or local regulations.”
Sophia Compton is a Writer at Fox News Digital. Sophia was previously a business reporter covering finance, energy and tourism and has experience as a TV news producer. She graduated with a journalism degree in 2021 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
The post Teen hospitalized after swallowing up to 100 magnets purchased online: 'Rising concern' appeared first on My Blog.
]]>The post 7 key behaviors that could shield your brain from Parkinson’s disease appeared first on My Blog.
]]>The incurable progressive disorder affects motor abilities and other nervous system functions, typically causing stiffness, tremors, balance problems and slowed movement, along with mood changes, cognitive decline and sleep disturbances.
Although Parkinson’s usually emerges after age 60, some early-onset cases do occur.
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While aging has been shown to be the biggest driver — and family history also increases the risk — research has shown that some lifestyle behaviors can help ward off or slow the onset of the disease.
“Today, even though it’s not possible to prevent Parkinson’s disease, maintaining a healthy lifestyle — staying physically active, eating well and getting enough sleep — can help protect overall brain health and may reduce the risk of various neurological disorders,” Prof. Dr. Pulat Akın Sabancı, professor of Neurosurgery at Istanbul University, told Fox News Digital.
Parkinson’s disease can cause stiffness, tremors, balance problems and slowed movement, along with mood changes, cognitive decline and sleep disturbances. (iStock)
Below, experts shared some of the most impactful prevention methods.
Regular exercise is strongly linked to a decreased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to Dr. Mary Ann Picone, the medical director at Holy Name Medical Center’s MS Center in New Jersey.
“Aerobic exercise can be neuroprotective and improve motor function,” she told Fox News Digital, as studies have shown that it lowers risk by 50%.
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Picone recommends engaging in moderate- to high-intensity activities, such as walking or cycling, for a significant amount of time each week — at least 30 minutes daily.
“Aerobic exercise increases heart rate and helps brain neurons to maintain old connections and form new connections,” she noted.
A doctor recommends engaging in moderate- to high-intensity activities, such as walking or cycling, for a significant amount of time each week — at least 30 minutes daily. (iStock)
Weight training and resistance exercises are also beneficial, as well as activities that combine balance, agility and coordination, like Tai Chi or dancing, according to the expert.
“Research shows that getting the blood pumping helps the brain tissue build up protective mechanisms and do better on both cognitive and muscle control tests and often live longer,” she said.
Picone recommends eating a diet rich in antioxidants and plant-based protein sources — especially beans, nuts and tofu — as well as foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. It is best to avoid processed foods, she advised.
A Mediterranean or MIND-style diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil and whole grains, has been linked to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
A Mediterranean or MIND-style diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil and whole grains, has been linked to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease. (iStock)
“Foods that contain antioxidants, such as purple, red and blue grapes; blueberries; red berries, like strawberries; green, leafy vegetables, like broccoli, kale and spinach; and sweet potatoes, acorn or butternut squash are recommended,” Picone said.
Coffee and tea drinkers have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, the doctor noted.
Exposure to certain environmental toxins, like pesticides and heavy metals, can damage neurons and increase the risk of Parkinson’s, according to Dr. George Michalopoulos, founder and chairman of The Neurologic Wellness Institute in Chicago.
“While it’s impossible to avoid all toxins, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure,” he told Fox News Digital. “Choose organic produce when possible, use protective gear if you’re working with chemicals, and drink filtered water to avoid contaminants.”
During deep sleep, the brain clears out waste products and repairs itself, Michalopoulos noted.
“Chronic sleep deprivation or conditions like sleep apnea can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s,” he said. “Stick to a consistent sleep schedule, avoid screens before bed and create a calming bedtime routine.”
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Dr. Vibhash Sharma, a neurologist and medical director of UT Southwestern’s neuromodulation movement disorders clinic in Dallas, Texas, reiterated the importance of quality sleep for Parkinson’s prevention.
“As poor sleep quality and chronic sleep deprivation are associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease, quality and adequate sleep is important for supporting brain repair and clearing abnormal proteins linked to Parkinson’s disease,” he told Fox News Digital.
Stress is a part of life, but chronic levels can take a toll on your brain, Picone cautioned.
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“It’s been linked to inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are thought to play a role in Parkinson’s,” she said. “Finding ways to manage stress can help protect your brain and improve your overall health. Try mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing or even a daily walk in nature.”
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Keeping your brain active and staying connected with others can help build “cognitive reserve,” which may protect against neurodegeneration, according to Michalopoulos.
Try mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing or even a daily walk in nature, one expert suggested. (iStock)
“Activities that challenge your brain — like doing puzzles, reading or learning a new skill — are great for keeping sharp,” he told Fox News Digital.
Sabanci reiterated that lifelong learning, social connection and purposeful activity support brain resilience.
Smoking and heavy drinking have been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s, Michalopoulos warned.
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“Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake can go a long way toward protecting your brain,” he said.
The experts agreed, however, that none of these behavioral changes completely guarantees protection from Parkinson’s.
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“But taken together, they form a practical, low-risk approach to support brain longevity,” Sabancı said.
“Anyone with motor changes, loss of smell, REM sleep behavior disorder or persistent constipation should seek medical evaluation early.”
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
The post 7 key behaviors that could shield your brain from Parkinson’s disease appeared first on My Blog.
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