Health

Your heart may be older than you think — and the number could predict disease riskMen’s hearts average 7 years older than chronological age, while women’s hearts are 4 years olderA study from Northwestern Medicine found that most American adults have a “heart age” that is several years older than their chronological age. (iStock)
The PREVENT Risk Age Calculator determines a person’s heart disease risk based on several factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, current medications and the presence of diabetes. (iStock)
The hope is that more information about heart health risk could increase preventive care, the lead researcher said, as heart disease has been the country’s leading cause of death for over 100 years. (iStock)
Future studies are needed to measure the impact of heart age on healthy lifestyle changes, preventive therapies and patient outcomes, the team concluded. (iStock)

Hidden sleep danger could increase risk of 172 diseases, major study revealsPoor sleep behavior tied to 20% greater risk for 92 diseases, including Parkinson’s and kidney failureIn a major new study led by teams from Peking University and Army Medical University, sleep irregularity has been linked to an increased risk of 172 different diseases. (iStock)
The researchers found that for 92 diseases — Parkinson’s disease and acute kidney failure — 20% of the risk was tied to poor sleep behavior. (iStock)
“This study contributes to the growing evidence supporting the critical role sleep plays as a key modifiable risk factor across a range of medical disorders, particularly in mid- to late-life,” an expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
The study did not consider the prevalence of sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, an expert noted. (iStock)

Hidden sleep danger could increase risk of 172 diseases, major study revealsPoor sleep behavior tied to 20% greater risk for 92 diseases, including Parkinson’s and kidney failureIn a major new study led by teams from Peking University and Army Medical University, sleep irregularity has been linked to an increased risk of 172 different diseases. (iStock)
The researchers found that for 92 diseases — Parkinson’s disease and acute kidney failure — 20% of the risk was tied to poor sleep behavior. (iStock)
“This study contributes to the growing evidence supporting the critical role sleep plays as a key modifiable risk factor across a range of medical disorders, particularly in mid- to late-life,” an expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
The study did not consider the prevalence of sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, an expert noted. (iStock)

Not just smokers: Doctors flag new risk factors for throat cancer in IndiaAn increasing number of throat cancer cases are being diagnosed among non-smokers in India, particularly men under 60. Experts link this rise to HPV infections, lifestyle changes and environmental exposures. Read here

The watermelon diet has gone viral — here’s what experts say about the weight-loss trendEating only watermelon for days on end could ‘backfire on your health,’ physician warnsThe watermelon diet is trending on TikTok as a weight-loss “hack.” (iStock)
Watermelon is great for hydration, but it’s mostly water and sugar, experts say. (iStock)
To support the body’s natural detox, Hyman recommends eating an array of nutritious foods like whole veggies, protein, healthy fats and fiber. (iStock)
Watermelon’s properties can lead to detoxification and debloating, one dietitian nutritionist suggested. (iStock)
Muhlstein recommends incorporating watermelon into a balanced diet, or trying other detoxifying foods like cucumbers. (iStock)

Does self-pleasure boost productivity? Swedish firm offers 30-minute masturbation breaks to employeesErica Lust, the founder of a Swedish adult entertainment company, said she started offering 30-minute masturbation breaks to her employees during Covid-19 as a means to reduce stress. The experiment soon received a positive response, with employees feeling ’less aggression’ and ‘more productive’, prompting the firm to make the policy permanent. So, how does self-pleasure impact your productivity?Erika Lust, the Barcelona‑based owner of an adult entertainment company, now gives her employees a daily 30-minute masturbation break to cope with stress at work. AI generated Image for Representation. Pixabay

Could dental floss be the next vaccine method? Scientists say it could workStudy shows floss-delivered vaccines create antibodies in bloodstream and mucosal surfacesA new study led by Texas Tech University and the University of North Carolina suggests that dental floss could eventually double as a vaccine mechanism. (iStock)
The researchers showed that dental floss can effectively release vaccines through the tissue between the teeth and gums. (iStock)
With the traditional method of injecting vaccines, the antibodies are primarily produced in the bloodstream, the researchers noted. (iStock)
For all four types of vaccines tested, the flossing technique produced “robust antibody responses in the bloodstream and across mucosal surfaces,” the researchers stated. (iStock)
“This study presents a promising floss-based vaccination method that can avoid needle injection or any potentially painful procedure,” an expert said. (iStock)

Could dental floss be the next vaccine method? Scientists say it could workStudy shows floss-delivered vaccines create antibodies in bloodstream and mucosal surfacesA new study led by Texas Tech University and the University of North Carolina suggests that dental floss could eventually double as a vaccine mechanism. (iStock)
The researchers showed that dental floss can effectively release vaccines through the tissue between the teeth and gums. (iStock)
With the traditional method of injecting vaccines, the antibodies are primarily produced in the bloodstream, the researchers noted. (iStock)
For all four types of vaccines tested, the flossing technique produced “robust antibody responses in the bloodstream and across mucosal surfaces,” the researchers stated. (iStock)
“This study presents a promising floss-based vaccination method that can avoid needle injection or any potentially painful procedure,” an expert said. (iStock)

Doctor reveals the secret weapon against growing vaccine skepticism worldwideAustralian pediatrician uses ‘grounds-up approach’ to tackle hesitancy and build confidenceIn Australia, childhood vaccination rates are falling in many areas, mirroring other regions in the U.S. and around the world. (iStock)
“We have the lowest levels of trust in all vaccines in more than a decade — and in effect, we’ve had global reductions in vaccine coverage for children in particular,” the pediatrician said. (iStock)
The pediatrician noted the effectiveness of the new maternal vaccination against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and the RSV monoclonal antibody treatment for newborns, called nirsevimab. (iStock)
“Parents forget why we’re vaccinating and what the diseases we’re trying to prevent could do to their children,” Danchin said. (iStock)
“Just because you have a vaccine, and then in the next four to six months, your child’s communication skills and behavior changes, doesn’t mean..