Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, or NTM-PD, is a type of lung infection that's been on the rise around the world. In the UK, this condition is becoming more common due to better diagnosis tools and increased awareness. The main culprit behind NTM-PD is a group of germs called Mycobac
Ever wondered if cadmium, a heavy metal, could be linked to cancer? Researchers have been puzzled by the mixed results from studies on this topic. So, a team decided to dive deeper into the relationship between blood cadmium levels and nine different cancers. They used data from a large health surve
Insects and other tiny critters are vital parts of our planet's ecosystems. Among them, certain fungi play a big role in keeping populations in check. These fungi, called entomopathogenic fungi, specifically attack insects and arthropods. One group, the Hypocreales, has been overlooked by scientists
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major health issue worldwide, even with effective medicines available. Starting treatment late for DR-TB can lead to worse health, more resistance to drugs, higher risk of spreading the disease, and poorer treatment results. This study looked into why some DR
The U. S. Senate recently passed a bill to raise Social Security payments for many retired public service workers. This includes teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other state and local employees. The bill will end long-standing cuts to their benefits, but it may add $195 billion to federa
Meet Adrian Johnson, a young puzzle maker from Laramie, Wyoming. Now living in Knox County, Tennessee, he's known as "Mr. A. J. " to his students. At just 21, he sold his first crossword to The New York Times. His ninth puzzle for the paper is unthemed, which he loves creating the most. Unthemed puz
Do you find it hard to follow conversations in noisy places, even with hearing aids? Older adults with hearing loss often struggle with this. But what if there was a way to improve how well they understand speech in noisy environments? A recent study explored how music skills and brain power might h
Ever wondered what happens to tomato plants when they're thirsty? A recent study dug deep into this question, tracking how water shortage affects the way tomato plants process light during photosynthesis. Researchers created different drought levels (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of normal water), hoping
In a surprising move, the Chicago Board of Education decided to keep seven charter schools from closing. These schools, run by Acero Schools, were planned to shut down at the end of the year. The board voted unanimously to fund a rescue plan that will keep all seven schools open for another year. Tw
You know how important it is for people with end-stage kidney disease to manage their health well, especially if they're on maintenance hemodialysis. But unfortunately, many patients aren't doing as good a job as they could be. Researchers wondered if showing these patients educational videos might
