Health

Taking the stairs could help you live longer—according to new research from the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The study, published today, suggests that climbing stairs significantly reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

For decades, food manufacturers have been able to decide which food chemicals were safe enough to add to their products based on general government guidelines.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) account for nearly 60% of adults’ and 70% of children’s energy intake in the United States. These industrially manufactured products—such as soft drinks, packaged cereals and snacks, and processed meats—are made with refined fats, oils, sugars, starches, salts and other additives that can enhance flavor, texture and shelf life while reducing nutritional value.

In 2024, diet and nutrition apps had reached a global market value of $2.1 billion, with an anticipated value of $4.5 billion by 2030. Most of these apps now include AI-powered photo recognition as a standard feature.

There’s no shortage of weight-loss advice on social media, TikTok, television and AI chatbots. But the most credible source—a patient’s own primary care doctor—is often the one they’re not hearing from.

A new national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds most U.S. adults believe brain health habits should begin before age 40.

A clinical trial has demonstrated that a virtual prevention intervention reduced cannabis and alcohol use among American Indian and Alaska Native emerging adults. In this study, published in JAMA Network Open, researchers tested the efficacy of a program called Traditions and Connections for Urban Native Americans (TACUNA) that blends evidence-based and traditional practices to prevent substance use and bolster cultural connections.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Its impact extends beyond biology, with social determinants such as food insecurity, socioeconomic status and education influencing outcomes.

A new study of sunscreens, baby lotions, shampoos, soaps and other everyday products found that nearly all contained chemicals not disclosed on their labels. Most contained at least one unlabeled chemical with known or suspected health hazards, and one in four contained a chemical that contradicted claims on the package, including “phthalate-free” products that contained phthalates. The research is published in Environment & Health.

With temperatures forecast to climb to 36°C (97°F) in parts of the UK, heat health alerts are once again in place—and for many people, it will mean more than an uncomfortable few days.

In a study conducted at the Universities of Jyväskylä and Eastern Finland, more screen time since childhood was associated with better cognitive processing in adolescence. According to one of the researchers, we should not regard screen time solely as harmful. The most important thing is to find a balance between physical activity and screen time that promotes active thinking.