Pope to Have Hernia Surgery, Stay in Rome Hospital for Several Days

Pope Francis will be hospitalized for several days after a planned surgery to repair a hernia that is causing him “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms.

The Vatican announced plans for the surgery and recovery from the laparotomy on Wednesday.

This is the latest in a series of ailments that the 86-year-old has experienced i...

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) know it is a highly unpleasant chronic condition that can trigger abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation.

Here, experts will unravel the mysteries of IBS, exploring its causes, symptoms and treatments. And of course, don't forget about the role of diet. Experts will break down the be...

An 'AI' Doctor Is Helping Hospitals Predict Readmissions

New York University doctors and hospital executives are using an artificial intelligence (AI) computer program to predict whether a newly discharged patient will soon fall sick enough to be readmitted.

The AI program “NYUTron” reads physicians' notes to estimate a patient’s risk of dying, the potential length of their hospital stay, ...

Move to 'Zero-Emission' Vehicles Would Save 90,000 U.S. Lives by 2050

Consider yourself a lifesaver if you opt for an electric vehicle next time you buy or lease a new car.

Electric cars can save millions of lives and reduce health care costs by improving air quality so people can breathe better and freer, according to a new report by the American Lung Association. Zero-emission electric vehicles don’t emi...

Women's Gymnastics Brings High Risk for Concussion

Gymnasts make it look easy, but mastering those floor exercises and balance beam moves can take a toll on the brain.

Researchers studying preseason and regular season concussion rates in college sports found that women’s gymnastics led all others for its concussion rate in the preseason. The rate was 50% higher even than that for college...

Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blackens Skies, Prompts Air Quality Alerts in Much of U.S.

Wildfires that have been spreading throughout Canada in recent weeks are now spewing tons of smoke southward into the United States.

The smoke was so thick on Tuesday that New York City's skyline could not be seen clearly and air quality alerts were issued to residents from parts of the Northeast to the southern Mid-Atlantic region.

FDA Finalizes Limit on How Much Arsenic Can Be in Apple Juice

Federal regulators have finalized new guidance on how much inorganic arsenic can be present in apple juice, in an effort to limit the exposure of infants and young children to this environmental contaminant.

What is the new limit? 10 parts per billion, a number first proposed in 2013.

“We are finalizing an action level of 10 ppb ...

As Medical Debt Rises, So Do Cancer Death Rates

Folks who are loaded down with medical debt are less likely to survive a bout of cancer, a new study reports.

Researchers found that U.S. counties where more residents have medical debt in collections also had more cancer deaths, compared to counties with less medical debt.

“This association was seen for all cancers combined, and t...

Patients With Bladder Cancer May Avoid Removal of Extra Lymph Nodes, Study Finds

For years, doctors have thought that a more extensive surgery that removes a wider swath of lymph nodes was the best option for certain patients with bladder cancer. Now, a new clinical trial is upending that belief.

Researchers found that the strategy — known as extended lymphadenectomy — was no better than standard surgery at prolon...

Your Risk of COVID-Linked Smell Loss Is Much Lower Now: Study

One of the signature symptoms of COVID-19 infection in the early months of the pandemic was a loss of the sense of smell.

Now, new research finds that is no longer the case, thanks to the new variants that have been circulating more recently.

The risk of losing sense of taste or smell is now only about 6% to 7% of what it was during...

Going Solo: Masturbation May Give Humans an Evolutionary Edge

Some might think masturbation is all about self-pleasure, but scientists now claim it’s far more significant than that.

Their new findings suggest it could serve an important role in evolution.

An ancient trait in primates, masturbation — at least for the males of the species — increases their reproductive success while also h...

Kids With ADHD, Behavior Issues Have Poorer Trajectories as Adults

Kids with poor impulse control — a common characteristic of ADHD — may be at higher risk for health, social and criminal problems as adults, a new study indicates.

Researchers found that having attention and behavior problems in childhood was linked to less money, lower educational achievement and poorer health in adulthood when compa...

Gene-Targeted Drug Tagrisso Cuts Death Rate in Half for Patients With Early-Stage Lung Cancer

Once-a-day use of the targeted cancer pill Tagrisso (osimertinib) cut the five-year death rate in half for a subset of patients with early-stage lung cancer, a new clinical trial shows.

The results could have major implications for patients whose cancers carry a mutation in a gene known as EGFR, which is implicated in the out-of-control ce...

Injected Birth Control Could Be Game-Changer to Curb Stray Cat Populations

Millions of stray cats roam the world over, and surgical sterilization has long been the primary method of population control.

But a small new study shows promising results for a one-and-done contraceptive injection.

Researchers say this first-of-its-kind approach appears safe and effective.

“A non-surgical contraceptive...

Longer Breastfeeding in Infancy, Better School Grades for Kids?

Could breastfeeding lay the groundwork for good grades in high school?

That's what the findings of a new British study suggest, although the differences were small between those who were breastfed and those who weren't when it came to standardized test scores and grades.

"Breastfeeding promotes the development of the brain, which may...

AHA News: Celebrating Pride Month With Mental Health in Mind

As rainbow flags flutter in the June breeze for Pride Month, many LGBTQ+ people will feel tension in the air.

"It's been a really rough go for LGBTQ Americans" of late, said psychiatrist Dr. Natalia Ramos, an assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

In the wake ...

How Good Is ChatGPT at Answering Tough Health Questions?

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT someday may make a big difference for people seeking answers to questions such as "How can I stop smoking?" They may even offer resources to someone who was sexually assaulted.

But they’re not quite there yet, a new study reveals.

Researchers wanted to see how well ChatGPT per...

Can Some Cancer Patients Safely Skip Radiation Therapy? New Studies Say Yes

Radiation therapy might not be necessary in treating some forms of rectal cancer and lymphoma, sparing patients from the toxic treatment, a pair of new clinical trials shows.

One trial found that rectal cancer patients whose tumors shrink in response to chemotherapy can safely skip the radiation therapy that’s normally provided prior to ...

Money Troubles Can Delay Cancer Diagnoses, Putting Survival in Jeopardy

Money woes have long been linked to worse health care. Now, a new study finds financially strapped patients often put off cancer screenings -- only to learn they have the disease when it's advanced and tougher to treat.

Researchers studied the financial background of nearly 102,000 patients diagnosed with cancer between 2014 and 2015....

Targeted Drug May Lower Odds for Breast Cancer's Return in Some Patients

Here's some good news for women with the most common type of breast cancer: Adding a targeted breast cancer drug to hormonal therapy reduced the risk of cancer returning by 25% for women with early-stage disease, a new clinical trial shows.

Hormone-receptor (HR) positive/HER2 negative breast cancer accounts for about 70% of breast can...