Thousands of children in Gaza at risk of dying from lack of food, medical care
The United Nations children’s agency says the lives of thousands of children in southern Gaza are at risk because of the escalation of the Rafah offensive. “Horrific images continue to emerge from Gaza of children dying before their families’ eyes…
Australia locks down farms as avian influenza spreads
Sydney — Bird flu continues to spread in the Australian state of Victoria, where more than 500,000 chickens have been euthanized. Strict quarantine zones restricting the movement of birds and equipment have also been put in place. Australian health authorities…
Alzheimer’s drug that slows disease gets backing from FDA advisers
WASHINGTON — A closely watched Alzheimer’s drug from Eli Lilly won the backing of federal health advisers Monday, setting the stage for the treatment’s expected approval for people with mild dementia caused by the brain-robbing disease. Food and Drug Administration…
African elephants call each other unique names, new study shows
African elephants call each other and respond to unique names, a phenomenon that is rare among wild animals, new research shows. The names can be heard in low rumbles that carry long distances across the savanna. Scientists say that naming…
Service dogs help ease PTSD symptoms in US military veterans, researchers say
Specially trained service dogs helped ease PTSD symptoms in U.S. military veterans in a small study that the researchers hope will help expand options for service members. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides talk therapy and medications to veterans…
Growing community of breast milk donors in Uganda gives mothers hope
KAMPALA, Uganda — Early last year, Caroline Ikendi was in distress after undergoing an emergency Caesarean section to remove one stillborn baby and save two others. Doctors said one of the preterm babies had a 2% chance of living. If…
UN: More aquatic animals farmed than fished in 2022
ROME — The total global volume of fish, shrimp, clams and other aquatic animals that are harvested by farming has topped the amount fished in the wild from the world’s waters for the first time ever, the United Nations reported…
Climate crisis creates a health crisis, WHO reports
GENEVA — Scientific evidence documented in a series of articles presented by the World Health Organization this week highlights the harmful impact of climate change at key stages of the human life cycle. “These provide important scientific evidence on how…
Big, colorful Joro spiders advancing north in US
A large, brightly colored invasive species called the Joro spider is on the move in the United States. Populations have been growing in parts of the South and East Coast for years, and many researchers think it’s only a matter…
In many US cities, Black and Latino neighborhoods have less access to pharmacies
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Parts of the north side of Montgomery are defined by what it has lost: restaurants, grocery stores and a convenient pharmacy, the latter of which closed five years ago. People who still live in the historically Black…