Health

U.S. health officials said Thursday that dozens of passengers exposed to hantavirus on a cruise ship have disembarked following the first confirmed death, prompting heightened concern among public health departments. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through rodent droppings, and human-to-human transmission is extremely rare. However, the closed environment of the cruise ship has raised expert concerns about potential viral mutation. The CDC has dispatched a team to board and assess the situation. ...

Google has unveiled the Fitbit Air — a screenless health tracking device that directly competes with Whoop and other premium fitness trackers. The device abandons the traditional smartwatch display design to focus on core health monitoring capabilities. The Fitbit Air features a lightweight design that feels like a regular band but incorporates Google’s latest sensor technology. It continuously monitors heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep quality, stress levels, and other key health metrics, delivering detailed health analysis through a companion smartphone app. ...

Heart Rate Variability: An Overlooked Health Indicator A BBC report highlights that Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a crucial health metric that most people know little about. Your heartbeat is not perfectly regular — the time interval between each beat varies slightly. This variability reflects the state of your autonomic nervous system, with higher HRV generally indicating better cardiovascular health and stress resilience. Research shows HRV can predict various health risks including heart disease, anxiety disorders, and chronic inflammation. Continuous monitoring through smart devices can help individuals detect potential health issues earlier. ...

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is hospitalized with pneumonia, his spokesperson says he is in critical but stable condition and breathing on his own

American country music legend Dolly Parton has announced the cancellation of her Las Vegas residency and plans to scale back public performances, citing health concerns that require additional rest and recovery time. The 79-year-old icon shared the news via social media. In her statement, she thanked fans for their understanding and support while noting the decision was not easy but that her health must come first. Parton’s career spans nearly six decades, during which she has written over 3,000 songs, including the enduring classic I Will Always Love You. She is not only one of the most successful country music artists in history but also a savvy businesswoman and philanthropist whose Imagination Library program has distributed millions of books to children worldwide. ...

A new study has found that a simple amino acid supplement can significantly reduce brain damage associated with Alzheimer disease offering a new approach to treating the degenerative condition.

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship near Cape Verde has killed three people and left approximately 150 passengers and crew stranded. Authorities are planning an emergency evacuation.

WHO confirms one hantavirus case with five more suspected on an Atlantic cruise ship. Three passengers have died as health authorities investigate the outbreak.

BBC reports that a new study suggests psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, could be an effective treatment to help people quit smoking.

A study by the Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London finds that the decades-long rise in overweight and obesity levels may partially explain the increase in 11 types of early-onset cancers.