For many, managing weight in one's 20s and 30s is framed as a matter of aesthetics or a guard against late-onset diabetes. However, a massive longitudinal study suggests that carrying excess weight during these prime years may have a more immediate and severe consequence: an increased risk of developing cancer before the age of 50.
The findings, published in Annals of Internal Medicine by researchers at the Catholic University of Korea, shift the conversation from long-term geriatric risks to mid-life health. By analyzing health data from 6,313,338 individuals aged 20 to 39 who participated in a national screening program, the team tracked a population of unprecedented size over more than 11 years.
The Scale of Risk
At the start of the observation period, all participants were healthy. Over the following decade, more than 150,000 cases of malignant tumors were recorded. The data revealed a steady climb in cancer incidence tied to Body Mass Index (BMI): while those with a normal weight saw cancer in 1.84% of cases, the rate rose to 2.24% for those with Grade I obesity, and reached 2.62% for those with Grade II obesity or higher.
Most of us reach for a carton of eggs without a second thought, cracking them into a bowl or frying them in a pan as a mindless part of a morning routine. But there is a hidden tension in the kitchen between the desire for cleanliness and the biological reality of how an egg protects itself.
The risk of the invisible touch
The danger isn't always inside the egg; often, it's on the outside. Eggshells frequently harbor Salmonella, bacteria that remain invisible even when the shell looks pristine. The real risk is cross-contamination: touching a shell and then touching a smartphone, a kitchen towel, or your face, effectively transporting microbes across your living space.
To break this chain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds immediately after any contact with raw eggs. Dr. Mikhail Gavrikin emphasizes that this should be an automatic habit rather than an occasional precaution, as ignoring this simple step significantly increases the risk of salmonellosis.
A tilted smile, a hand that drops before you even think to look, a word that gets stuck on the tongue. These are the small, observable signs that can appear in seconds, marking a moment where a familiar complaint might suddenly transform into a medical emergency. In high-stress situations, the human tendency is to search for a simple, actionable cue, a way to cut through the confusion and decide exactly what to do next. For stroke recognition, Russian healthcare officials have promoted a mnemonic device designed to do precisely that: a single word, UDAR, which translates to "strike,” serving as a rapid checklist for laypeople and first responders alike.
Nikolay Shamalov, the chief neurologist for the Russian Ministry of Health, outlined this framework in an interview with RIA Novosti. The method relies on a straightforward, visual and motor assessment that anyone can perform without specialized medical equipment. It is not a diagnostic tool in the clinical sense, but a screening heuristic intended to identify the acute phase of a neurological event when time is the most critical variable.
The Four Components of the Mnemonic
The word UDAR is structured so that each letter corresponds to a specific physical or verbal test. The logic is sequential and binary: the observation either matches a known symptom of cerebral ischemia or it does not.
Warren Buffett once told Bill Ackman over dinner that he hadn't had a glass of water for five decades.
Ackman recounted the story on a podcast this week discussing his relationship with the investing legend.
Buffett, 96, famously drinks five cans of Coke a day and lives on fast food and sweet treats.
Warren Buffett hasn't had a glass of water since at least the 1970s.
That's what the 96-year-old business icon once told Bill Ackman, the billionaire hedge fund manager recalled during an episode of the Equity Mates Investing podcast that aired this week.
Ackman said that Buffett came over for dinner at his home "years ago," and he'd made sure to stock up on the legendary investor's favorite drink, Cherry Coke.
The Pershing Square founder and CEO said that once they were sitting at the table, he asked Buffett whether he'd like still or sparkling water. Buffett politely declined, opting for his preferred soda instead.
"But I said, you know, 'Don't you drink water?'" Ackman recalled. "And he said, 'Bill, I haven't had water in 48 years.'"
Ackman didn't immediately respond to a request for more detail about Buffett's hydration habits.
Not drinking water might sound unbelievable, but Buffett — who retired as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO after 60 years in charge last December, and as the company's chairman this September — is famous for drinking five cans of Coke daily.
He quipped in 2015 that he was "one-quarter Coca-Cola," as it accounted for 25% of his daily calories.
Buffett's love of soda goes back decades. During Berkshire's 1986 meeting, he declared that after "48 years of allegiance" to Pepsi, he was switching to Cherry Coke, saying it would be the meeting's official drink going forward.
Coca-Cola has also been one of Buffett's landmark investments. Berkshire hasn't touched its roughly 9% stake in the beverage giant since it finished building it in the mid-1990s. The position cost about $1.3 billion and was worth around $28 billion at the end of December — a roughly 21-fold gain.
Coke is only part of Buffett's iconic diet. He's known for grabbing McDonald's for breakfast on his drive to work, and munching on hot dogs, fries, popcorn, cookies, candy, ice cream, and other comfort foods.
His love of fast food and sweet treats extends to his investments. Berkshire counts See's Candies and Dairy Queen among its subsidiaries, and Kraft Heinz among its largest stock holdings.
Buffett's childlike tastes have led to issues in the past, including a disastrous sushi dinner in Tokyo.
Bill Gates and his then-wife, Melinda, went to great lengths to ensure the investor didn't starve when he joined them on a 17-day trip to China in 1995.
They organized for their hotel's chefs to be taught how to prepare hamburgers and fries, and when they climbed the Great Wall, they made sure to have Cherry Coke waiting for Buffett at the top.
Three children are in intensive care with E. coli infections as health officials investigate a possible link to a California pumpkin patch that closed just days before Halloween.
Five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection have been confirmed, potentially originating from Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, according to an Oct. 27 advisory issued by the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.
The suspected exposure period is Oct. 16 through Oct 26.
Health officials advise that anyone who visited the pumpkin patch between those dates should monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms.
"We are working diligently to identify the source of these infections to protect the health of our community," said County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin in the news release.
"We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with E. coli infection to seek immediate medical attention."
Typical symptoms of E. coli include cramping, severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration, which usually begin within three to 10 days of exposure.
Young children under 10 are typically at the highest risk for complications, which can include hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that damages blood cells and can lead to kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and founder of Wellness Equity Alliance in California, warned that diarrhea can lead to dehydration and fatigue.
"The diarrhea is really the key component here, and the stomach cramps," he told Fox News Digital.
The farm has voluntarily closed as a precaution while investigators work to identify the source of the infections, determine whether the cases are connected and assess whether others may be at risk, according to the county health department.
Brookshire Farms told Fox News Digital it was reserving comment pending test results from the county health department.
Carol Colborn and her husband, William, pay $3 a ride for a paratransit service.
Courtesy of Carol Colborn
Carol Colborn is a full-time carer to her husband, William, who has Alzheimer's disease.
She struggled, especially after being diagnosed with cancer, and the pair was confined to the house.
A Medicare benefit designed to help carers and keep their loved ones at home changed all that.
This story is based on an interview with Carol Colborn, 77, a retired academic from Mesa, Arizona. It has been edited for length and clarity.
My husband, William, and I married in 2008 when I was 60, and he was 65.
We both retired and went on an amazing adventure together: RV-ing full time across North America for eight years.
We drove to every state in the US, every state in Mexico, and every province in Canada. Then we traveled the world, visiting 29 countries in total.
The trips stopped after William was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2018, so we're glad we built so many happy memories on the road.
He'd shown symptoms of the illness, mostly forgetfulness. I gave him a shopping list of three items written in large print, and he'd come back with two.
We had a ritual: he'd bring me a mug of herbal tea while we watched TV in the evening. It made me calm and serene and helped me sleep better. He'd done it every day since our wedding and, when he forgot the first time, I was distraught.
The Colborns didn't want to leave their home and go into assisted living.
Courtesy of Carol Colborn
William had mild cognitive impairment for the first four years, which progressed into moderately severe Alzheimer's.
He needed 24/7 support, and I was his full-time caregiver. He stayed in bed a lot of the time, but I gave him his medication, three meals a day, and baths.
I had chemotherapy for lung cancer
His mobility was limited, but we still did our evening walks past four houses. It was his main exercise.
Things were relatively manageable until July 2025, when I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I had surgery in September and was in the hospital for four days.
My daughter and William's daughter stepped up to care for him, but it was a temporary arrangement because they lived in other states.
I began chemotherapy and had to juggle my husband's health needs with my own. It was incredibly stressful.
Colborn, after completing her chemotherapy for lung cancer.
Courtesy of Carol Colborn
"How can I take care of him while taking care of myself?" I asked myself. We considered assisted living, but we couldn't bear the thought of leaving our own home.
One of our biggest expenditures was transport. William gave up driving long ago, and I'd never driven. It meant we'd spend around $500 a month on Uber rides to get to things like his doctors' appointments and my cancer procedures.
We were paying between $30 and $40 a trip. It got to the point where we stayed home most of the time because we couldn't afford the cost.
It was exhausting trying to navigate the Medicare system
The walls closed in on us. We didn't go to mass or socialize with our friends. Things like date night at a restaurant were out of the question.
It was exhausting trying to navigate the Medicare system. It felt as if I was fighting for every benefit and getting nowhere. Every day was a challenge.
Earlier this year, I saw an ad on Facebook for Ez Health, a free or low-cost service that deals with Medicare on your behalf. It explained how federal legislation passed in January 2024, called Community Health Integration, aims to keep people who want to stay in their own homes as long as possible.
The Colborns can enjoy date nights together again.
Courtesy of Carol Colburn
The program supports carers like me. We were appointed a health advocate, known as a guide, who helped me through the qualification process.
We suddenly got many of the benefits I'd been struggling for, including eight hours a week of respite care. We also had access to medical professionals who came to your home, such as a physical therapist, a palliative nurse, a dentist, and a phlebotomist.
Dining out again has strengthened our marriage
Our transport is subsidized. The guide introduced us to a local paratransit service that costs $3 per ride. It has saved us as much as $400 a month. Best of all, it's opened up our world.
We use it not only for grocery shopping and health appointments — I'm having maintenance therapy for my cancer now — but also for date nights. Dining out again is transformative and has strengthened our marriage.
These days, rather than William's caregiver, I refer to myself as his "present companion," as I steer him through his later years.
Over nine years, Zach Reitano has repeatedly evolved Ro as patient needs and the healthcare market have changed, from its early direct-to-patient services to a leading platform for GLP-1 care.
During Business Insider's The Long Play, Reitano discussed the business decisions behind those shifts and how the company is positioning itself for the next era of consumer health.
As part of his conversation with Business Insider legal correspondent Melia Robinson, he also shared what he's learned as a founder leading in an era of quick and unrelenting change.
Riyadh’s dining scene is crowded with burger joints, each offering its own take on the familiar combination of meat, cheese, and a toasted bun. At Maroon, however, the appeal extends beyond burgers, with appetizers that bring a creative touch to a casual dining experience. The restaurant pairs a contemporary interior with an easygoing atmosphere, making it suitable for an informal lunch or dinner with friends or family. The setting feels relaxed, allowing the focus to remain on the food and the
On Thursday’s broadcast of MS NOW’s “The Weeknight,” Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) stated that people rolled off the Affordable Care Act “because they couldn’t afford it anymore” after the federal government stopped subsidies. Spanberger said, “We had over 100,000
Healthcare authorities in Ceuta have confirmed five known Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases among the thousands of illegal migrants that invaded the city in July, a report published on Friday states.
A lump does not necessarily indicate cancer, but medical evaluation is needed to establish its cause and determine whether treatment or follow-up is required
The author lets her kids eat as much Halloween candy as they want.
Courtesy of Tiffany Nieslanik
We don't offer our kids cash or toys for their Halloween candy.
They get to eat as much as they want on Halloween and keep the rest after.
I want them to learn how to listen to their bodies and develop a healthy relationship with sugar.
When Halloween rolls around every year, the Switch Witch or candy fairy posts start flooding my feed. But in our house, our three kids can eat as much candy as they want on Halloween night, and we don't offer to trade cash or toys for their haul. In fact, we let them keep their candy until long after Halloween has passed.
I'm not anti-rules, I'm pro-experience
I'm not saying sugar is harmless or that I want my kids to eat unlimited amounts of candy every day, but I understand the value of special occasions, and I want them to do the same. I also know that just telling kids something isn't good for them and not letting them have the firsthand experience often backfires. (Or maybe that's just my kids?) And I have to admit the first time I watched my oldest kid work her way through a pile of wrappers, I wondered if I'd made a huge mistake.
But it wasn't a mistake. It's allowed us to frame sugar within our eating habits to help our kids understand what a well-balanced diet means, rather than focusing only on its downsides. We talk about the place of protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and treats in our lives. Ultimately, I'd rather help my kids build their own internal "enough" meter while they are young than have me control it now and send them into adulthood lacking the skill. This is one opportunity to do that.
The kids get to keep their candy haul long after Halloween.
Courtesy of Tiffany Nieslanik
Our Halloween rules are simple
Our house generally operates on a "two sugars per day" rule: as long as they eat a good balance of foods, our kids can choose two things they'd like that contain sugar throughout the day. This might be a family trip to an ice cream shop or a lollipop from a doctor's office. But on Halloween, the only rule is that they have to eat a decent dinner before trick-or-treating. Then they can eat as much candy as they'd like.
The second rule around Halloween is that anything not eaten by the following summer is thrown away. And you'd be surprised at how much candy we throw away. Because candy isn't forbidden fruit in our house, our kids don't hoard it and are fairly mindful about eating what they truly enjoy. This means they're generally open to giving away candies they don't like to siblings or parents (my collection of Almond Joys each October 31st brings me great, well, joy), and they also preemptively throw away things no one likes.
The author, center, also enjoys Halloween candy, particularly Almond Joys.
Courtesy of Tiffany Nieslanik
They are learning an important lesson about their bodies
Each of our kids has learned what too much sugar feels like, from crashes to more unfortunate situations. There was the unforgettable Saturday afternoon our then-6-year-old treated us to bright blue throw-up, courtesy of too many Toxic Waste candies. And the night our then-10-year-old woke up again and again with a stomachache.
But none of them have had a negative experience twice (so far). They are growing more attuned to their bodies and what makes them feel unwell before they hit the tipping point. To me, this is a sign that they are forming healthy relationships with sugar, and eating in general. It's ever-evolving, of course, but I didn't grow up learning this skill, so it's one I want to give them.
And for me, it goes beyond food. I hope they'll understand and listen to their bodies in other situations as they grow, from going to parties in college to pushing themselves physically in exercise or sports. Our bodies are really cool, complex machines that give us a lot of signals if we know how to tune in. An overindulgent night of candy on Halloween seems like a pretty low-risk way to help them calibrate their "enough" meter.
Older adults diagnosed with autism face a significantly higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease-related movement disorders compared to the general population, according to a large new study published in the journal Autism.
Researchers analyzed Medicare and Medicaid claims data covering nearly 57 million Americans aged 45 and older between 2017 and 2019.
Individuals on the spectrum, as well as those with intellectual disabilities, were diagnosed with parkinsonism at much higher rates than those without autism.
Parkinsonism refers to a range of neurological conditions characterized by certain movement symptoms, including tremors, muscle rigidity, balance difficulties and slowed voluntary movement, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
While earlier research suggested an overlap between autism and motor decline later in life, it was unclear whether those problems stemmed from the condition or from antipsychotic medications, which are widely known to trigger Parkinson’s-like symptoms as a secondary side effect.
To determine whether medications explained the link, researchers excluded people who took antipsychotics from the analysis. They still found higher rates of Parkinson’s-related diagnoses in neurodivergent populations.
In the general population control group, the prevalence of parkinsonism was roughly 1.57%. The prevalence rose to 3.83% among adults with autism alone, 4.32% for those with an intellectual disability alone, and 4.86% among individuals diagnosed with both autism and an intellectual disability.
"A critically important new contribution of this study is increased incidence rates of parkinsonism for autistic people in middle and older adulthood, which suggests that these cases aren’t simply a byproduct of lifelong motor challenges," Greg Wallace, lead author and a professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., said in a press release.
The study represents the first time scientists have tracked the incidence rate, or the risk of newly emerging cases over time, among older autistic individuals.
"It is therefore important for clinicians to establish clear baselines of motor skills and challenges during adulthood that can be tracked over time," Wallace added.
Dr. Lee Murray, a neurologist based in Jackson, Tennessee, said this study clarifies previous research that suggested patients with autism are at a higher risk of having Parkinson's.
"This study takes into account the use of antipsychotic medications that can cause a Parkinson's look (resting tremor, stiffness, shuffled gait, stooped posture, softened voice), which is a different pathology than stereotypical or idiopathic Parkinson's disease," Murray, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
"This study showed patients with autism that was associated with intellectual disability seem to have the greatest association with concomitant Parkinson's."
The neurologist cautioned that autism encompasses a wide range of symptoms and severity, so the findings don't mean that people with milder cases face a significantly higher risk of Parkinson’s disease.
"It certainly is an interesting correlation, although it does not imply that someone with autism is certain to develop Parkinson's," Murray added.
"From a clinical perspective, it's helpful to review medications with the autistic patient's physicians and, if possible, try to avoid medications that may cause a Parkinson's appearance."
Despite the scope of the data, the authors noted several key limitations of using insurance records.
The investigation relied on billing and diagnostic codes submitted through Medicare and Medicaid, which can contain errors or reflect differences in how clinics and medical providers diagnose conditions.
The reliance on claims data also means researchers could not assess the severity of individual motor symptoms or examine the role of lifestyle factors, genetics and family history, they noted.
Additionally, the data only captured adults who were enrolled in public insurance programs, potentially leaving out older individuals who rely strictly on private health insurance.
Because people on the autism spectrum may already struggle with coordination, repetitive behaviors or executive functioning challenges, experts say early indicators of Parkinson’s disease can be missed or mistaken, potentially delaying essential care.
"Patients with autism can have atypical movements that can be misdiagnosed as Parkinson's if the examiner is not accustomed to diagnosing it," Murray confirmed.
The researchers emphasized the need for physicians, long-term care facilities and family caregivers to closely monitor older autistic patients for motor decline so interventions can begin as early as possible.
Parents are opting for a second shot of MMR vaccine sooner, which aligns with guidance in Germany, the UK and France
Measles cases are accelerating in the US, with twice as many confirmed cases as last year, and more parents are opting for earlier vaccination – especially with the second dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which can be given as soon as four weeks after the first.
Giving the second shot soon after the first aligns with what some other countries, such as Germany, the United Kingdom and France, recommend – and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also says it’s an option.
Cavities aren't the only Halloween candy hazard — many sweets can cause a fright to teeth and dental work even in adults, a dentist warns.
Hard sweets can crack a tooth, while sticky treats can pull out dental work, potentially turning a trick-or-treat haul into an expensive dental visit, according to Dr. Marc Lazare, a New York City dentist who has practiced for nearly 30 years and focuses on biomimetic dentistry.
"I'm never going to be the dentist who says, 'Don't enjoy Halloween. Don't have candy,'" he told Fox News Digital. "I love Halloween."
It's all about moderation, he said.
As a dentist, he said he evaluates candy by how it could damage teeth: "Can it harm the enamel? Can it contribute to decay and cavities? Can it pull out a filling or a crown? Can it crack a tooth?"
People with fillings, posts, crowns, existing cracks or teeth weakened by grinding are particularly vulnerable, he noted.
Hard sweets can force people to crunch down, which may crack or split a tooth, especially one that has already been restored, Lazare said.
"Anything where you have to force a crunch is not good," he said.
Super-sticky candies and caramels can cling to teeth and pull out fillings or crowns. Chewy sweets can get stuck between teeth, prolonging sugar exposure and what Lazare called an "acid attack."
Sour candy can also expose enamel to acid, he warned. He recommended avoiding snacking throughout the day to help limit acid exposure.
Candy isn't the only Halloween treat that can haunt your teeth, Lazare noted. While raisins are often seen as a healthier alternative for trick-or-treaters, they can stick to teeth and also contribute to prolonged acid exposure.
"Raisins are probably one of the worst things you can have for your teeth," he said.
Lazare said his treat recommendation would be chocolate, which melts and dissolves quickly. Dark chocolate is best, he said, because it tends to be lower in sugar than other candy, but beware of fillings like raisins and toffee in that chocolate.
Rinse with water and wait about an hour before brushing because acid can temporarily soften tooth enamel and brushing immediately may increase wear. Then maintain your regular brushing and flossing routine.
Sugar-free gum can also help clear food from teeth and get saliva flowing, Lazare said.
If a crown or other restoration comes out, "don't panic," he said. "Stop chewing on that side, save any crown or restoration that comes off, and contact your dentist promptly. Never try to reattach it with household glue."
Anyone experiencing severe pain, swelling or significant bleeding should "seek urgent dental care," he said.
Some restorations may be reusable, depending on their condition.
The main goal, Lazare said, is prevention, a central tenet of his biomimetic approach, which focuses on preserving natural tooth structure for the long term.
Cross-party committee says ‘moonshot’ vow to end obesity epidemic in a decade will fail without personal leadership from PM
The UK government’s promise to reverse rising obesity rates in the next decade is “doomed to fail” without a major rethink and a new plan led directly by the prime minister, a cross-party committee of MPs has concluded.
The health and social care select committee said in a report that there are no signs the so-called “moonshot ambition on obesity”, set out in the 10-year health plan for England, will achieve anything significant.
Former Health and Human Services senior adviser Calley Means told Breitbart News that Iowa is positioned to play a central role in advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, emphasizing the importance of the state's agricultural economy, concerns about cancer rates, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn's willingness to address difficult questions surrounding food and health policy.
CLIVE, Iowa–Republican Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn took aim at the establishment media during a Make Iowa Healthy Again rally on Wednesday, accusing the press of contributing to public forgetfulness about the past and what is at stake ahead of the midterm elections, while Steak 'n Shake Chief MAHA Officer Michael Boes challenged media portrayals of the Trump administration's efforts to improve Americans' health.
Multiple customers at a Chili's Grill & Bar reported experiencing chemical burns Wednesday after consuming margaritas that had been prepared with an industrial cleaning chemical that was mistaken for sugar or salt.
The Foothills Health District said the incident unfolded at a restaurant in Forest City, North Carolina.
Three customers consumed the contaminated margaritas, while two restaurant employees also reportedly experienced symptoms after exposure to the chemical, according to the health district.
According to preliminary findings, the mix-up began Monday when an employee received an industrial degreaser from a contracted worker and placed it in an unmarked container.
The container was then brought inside the restaurant and left in the bar area.
Two days later, an employee preparing the bar for lunch service discovered the unlabeled container and, believing its contents to be sugar or salt, used the chemical to prepare the margarita station, the health district said.
Shortly after the restaurant opened, three customers consumed the contaminated beverages and "immediately experienced discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths."
After the customers alerted staff, two employees also tasted the substance and reported similar symptoms.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Chili's said the company took immediate action to support those affected.
"We are aware of an isolated incident at our restaurant in Forest City, North Carolina that resulted in injuries to two of our guests and Team Members. Our team took immediate action to support those affected and avoid any further injuries. We are actively investigating the circumstances related to this incident as the health and wellbeing of our guests and Team Members remain our top priority," the company said.
The company’s account differed from the Foothills Health District’s preliminary findings, which said three customers experienced chemical burns after consuming the margaritas.
After the Foothills Health District launched an investigation, the restaurant's food service permit was immediately suspended.
It was quickly reinstated on Thursday after specialists determined the restaurant met all other food safety standards.
The health district used the incident to remind all food service establishments in North Carolina that chemicals must be properly labeled and stored away from food-handling areas.
"This incident highlights the importance of proper chemical labeling, storage, and handling in food service establishments, as required by the North Carolina Food Code, to prevent chemical contamination and protect public health," Jason Masters, the health director of Foothills Health District, said in a statement.
Login
