Hidden virus inside gut bacteria linked to doubled colorectal cancer risk, study finds

A newly discovered virus hiding inside common gut bacteria may be linked to colorectal cancer, according to new research.

Scientists in Denmark found that colorectal cancer patients were about twice as likely to carry a previously unidentified virus within Bacteroides fragilis, a bacterium that normally lives in the human gut, according to the study published in Communications Medicine earlier this month.

Researchers say the discovery could help scientists better understand the role of the gut microbiome in cancer development.

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"These findings highlight the importance of the microorganisms in the gut and their relation to our health," Dr. Flemming Damgaard, PhD, of the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Odense University Hospital and the University of Southern Denmark, told Fox News Digital. "If we want to understand the full picture, we need to look deep into their genetic material."

Doctors have known for years that Bacteroides fragilis shows up more often in people with colorectal cancer, which includes cancers of the colon and rectum, but since most healthy people also carry the bacteria, it wasn’t clear why it would be harmful in some cases and not others.

So researchers looked at subtle genetic differences within the bacteria and uncovered something unexpected.

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"We were very surprised to find a whole virus inside the bacteria from the colorectal cancer patients," Damgaard said. "That was not something we expected when we started our study."

The virus, known as a bacteriophage, infects bacteria rather than human cells. According to the researchers, the viral type they identified had not previously been documented.

When the team analyzed stool samples from 877 individuals across Europe, the United States and Asia, they found that colorectal cancer patients were approximately twice as likely to carry traces of the virus compared to people without cancer.

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The findings show a strong statistical association, but researchers stress that the study does not prove the virus causes colorectal cancer, and it is too early to draw immediate conclusions.

"The major limitation is that we still don’t know why the virus is linked to colorectal cancer," said co-author Ulrik Stenz Justesen. "But we are already continuing our research."

The team is now conducting laboratory experiments and animal studies to determine whether the virus alters the bacterium’s behavior in a way that could influence cancer development.

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Studies have found that the human body contains roughly as many microbial cells as human cells, underscoring how deeply microbes are intertwined with human health.

"Our understanding of [microbial cells] is still in its infancy," Damgaard said. "There are many health-related discoveries to be made in the human microbiota."

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Several high-profile celebrity deaths, including James Van Der Beek, Catherine O'Hara, Kirstie Alley, Pelé and Chadwick Boseman, have drawn attention to colorectal cancer’s impact across age groups in recent years.

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While much of colorectal cancer risk is tied to diet and lifestyle, researchers think the bacteria in our gut may also play an important role.

Currently, colorectal cancer screening includes stool tests that check for blood that isn’t visible to the naked eye, as well as colonoscopies. Researchers say that in the future, it may be possible to test stool samples for viral markers like those identified in the study.

Researchers pointed to cervical cancer as an example of how identifying a viral cause can help prevention efforts. After HPV was linked to cervical cancer, vaccines helped drive down new cases. 

While it's too early to make that comparison, they said colorectal cancer could one day follow a similar path if a clear viral role is confirmed.

"It is too early to act," Damgaard said. "We have a lot of hope, and that is what we want people to have at this point."

Fox News Digital's Melissa Rudy contributed reporting.

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Simple brushing routine could reduce dementia risk, say dental health experts

Brushing your teeth could do more than brighten your smile — it may also help you live longer.

Growing research suggests that good oral hygiene is linked to a reduced risk of serious conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

At the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference, which took place in Arizona last week, a group of researchers explored this evidence, calling the mouth a "gateway to overall health."

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During the event, titled "The Mouth as a Gateway to Overall Health," panelists from medical schools across the U.S. discussed how the mouth was previously viewed as a separate entity from the rest of the body.

"However, researchers now know that the oral cavity and the body are deeply interconnected," the presentation synopsis states on the AAAS website.

The panelists noted that past research suggests the oral cavity can influence the health of other organs, including the joints, brain and gut, according to Euro News.

Panelist Alpdogan Kantarci, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry, reportedly said during the event, "We now think that maintaining your teeth in health may be associated with a reduced risk of more than 50 systemic conditions."

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"Research is now showing that in people with mild or moderate diseases, those who are brushing and taking care of their teeth or seeing a dentist and having advanced cleanings are showing much better cognitive responses," he added.

The presenters discussed how periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that worsens with age, affects the bone and tissues supporting the teeth.

The condition leads to "ongoing inflammation and progressive damage," triggering immune responses and increasing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and dementia.

Research from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, published in The Lancet, Health Longevity, in 2024, concluded that oral health should be considered an "integral component of the overall healthcare system and an important factor in accessing aging."

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"Oral health conditions could be potential risk factors for physical frailty or functional disability," the authors stated. "The importance of oral health for overall well-being and longevity should be emphasized."

Additional research published in the journal Neurology in 2023 found that people with good dental hygiene had better memory, while gum disease and tooth loss were linked with less gray matter in the brain and reduced decline in mental health.

Dr. Michael J. Wei, DDS, a cosmetic and restorative dentist in New York City, confirmed that there are numerous benefits to brushing your teeth more frequently.

"From a preventive health perspective, brushing three times a day helps control the bacterial biofilm that fuels gum disease and chronic inflammation," he told Fox News Digital. "Inflammation in the mouth does not remain isolated — it can influence cardiovascular health, metabolic function and immune balance." 

When plaque is disrupted throughout the day, the body's inflammatory triggers are reduced, Wei said.

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"Over time, lowering that burden may contribute to healthier aging and a reduced risk of systemic disease," he said. "Small, disciplined daily habits often have the greatest long-term impact."

Although maintaining proper oral health is not a "guaranteed safeguard" against dementia, Wei considers it "one meaningful way to reduce modifiable risk factors." 

Consistently brushing, flossing, getting routine dental cleanings and addressing issues like grinding or jaw tension "all contribute to lowering inflammation and preventing long-term damage," he added.

Brushing too much or too aggressively can lead to different complications, experts caution.

"Brushing too aggressively or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can lead to enamel wear, gum recession and tooth sensitivity," Wei warned. "The balance comes down to frequency paired with proper technique, using a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush, and gentle, controlled movements." 

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Dr. Richard Lipari, a cosmetic and general dentist at Lipari & Mangiameli Dentistry in Chappaqua, New York, agreed that brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure is sufficient for proper hygiene and oral health. 

"Brushing a third time per day is fine as long as it’s done gently and correctly," he told Fox News Digital. "Think of it as massaging the teeth and gums, not scrubbing them."

Dr. Luis R. Dominicis Jr., DDS, AVP of dental services at AltaMed Health Services in California, recommends scheduling a routine dental checkup and asking about the proper way to brush and floss.

"Ask which toothbrush and toothpaste are best for you and whether there are signs of gum recession or enamel wear," he advised in an interview with Fox News Digital. "Following your recommended treatment plan can help you maintain a healthy mouth and support your overall well-being."

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Actor Eric Dane's death from ALS sparks urgent focus on rapid decline

Eric Dane’s death has sparked conversations about the speed and severity of ALS.

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the progressive illness — officially called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — is debilitating and fatal. 

While only about 5,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year, the average life expectancy is just two to five years, according to the ALS Association.

Dane, who most famously starred as Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on ABC's "Grey’s Anatomy," announced his diagnosis in April 2025, telling "Good Morning America" in June that his first symptoms began as "some weakness" in his right hand.

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"I didn't really think anything of it," the actor said. "At the time, I thought maybe I'd been texting too much, or my hand was fatigued. But a few weeks later, I noticed that it got a little worse."

"I'm fighting as much as I can," Dane added. "There's so much about it that's out of my control."

ALS is a progressive disease where the brain loses connection with the muscles, according to the ALS Association. This slowly strips a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat, dress, write, speak, swallow and, eventually, breathe.

Early signs include muscle weakness, stiffness and cramping. Symptom progression and severity are different for each case, as the association notes there is "no single timeline for ALS."

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The disease only impacts motor neurons controlling voluntary movement, so the five senses — sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell — are not affected, nor are the eye muscles or bladder control.

Many ALS patients remain "mentally alert and aware" throughout the disease, the ALS Association reported.

Diagnosis typically occurs in people between the ages of 40 and 70. About 20% of patients live five years or longer. Only about 5% live longer than 20 years.

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ALS is typically diagnosed by a neurologist with an electromyography test (EMG), but can also be detected by blood and urine tests, spinal taps, MRIs and other imaging scans, muscle and nerve biopsies, or neurological exams.

There is currently no cure or treatment to stop disease progression, although there are treatments to slow and ease symptoms, per the ALS Association.

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joined "Fox & Friends" on Friday to discuss the prevalence of ALS, suggesting that cases have increased due to "something in the environment that we don’t know yet."

While ALS is 10% genetic, according to Siegel, 90% of cases do not have a genetic link, pointing toward other risk factors like environmental toxins.

"It's a muscle weakness disease — affecting nerves that innervate muscles — and usually it starts on one side," the doctor shared. "Then you develop fatigue ... You could see a quivering tongue or your arm is quivering, usually one side and then the other side."

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As the weakness progresses, it impacts speech and ultimately attacks the diaphragm, making it difficult to fully inflate the lungs.

"That’s what happened to [Dane], most likely," Siegel said. "So, it progresses from your arms, your legs, your speech, your swallowing ability and then your breathing."

ALS progresses "pretty rapidly in most cases," Siegel said. While scientist Stephen Hawking lived 55 years with the disease, Dane "probably lived about two years with it," the doctor surmised.

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"I want to point out how courageous [Dane] is — he actually was involved with Target ALS, where he was fighting for new research," Siegel pointed out. "We're learning to personalize the approach to this disease, and that's the future — and he fought for that."

"We need a lot of money for research for this — [Dane] was asking for a billion dollars from the government."

Various research groups and hospital systems are actively working on new ALS therapies that take a personalized approach, Siegel shared.

The estimated cost to develop a drug that would slow or stop disease progression is $2 billion, the ALS Association has reported. The annual estimated out-of-picket cost for care is $250,000.

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Funding for ALS research and awareness has been on the rise for years, with the viral social media ALS Ice Bucket Challenge making a splash in 2014. 

The challenge, supported by the ALS Association, was intended to boost awareness. It ultimately raised $115 million toward ALS research and patient care.

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Nightly bathroom habit was missed sign of common men's cancer: 'I didn't know'

A father was diagnosed with prostate cancer after chalking his nightly bathroom trips up to drinking too much fluid before bed, as reported by SWNS.

"I would wake up in the middle of the night and go to the loo a couple of times, but I never thought too much of it," Ed Matthews, who lives in London, told the news outlet.

Matthews wrote off the early warning signs — until he received a shocking diagnosis in April 2025.

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The avid golfer and skier said he felt "fit and healthy" when he went in for a routine health check provided by his employer last April.

There, he underwent a prostate-specific antigen test, which showed a reading of 4.2. (Traditionally, a PSA level under 4.0 ng/mL is considered "normal.")

While the number was slightly higher than normal, doctors considered it "nothing too alarming." They did, however, refer Matthews to a urologist as a precaution.

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When an MRI scan produced inconclusive results, Matthews underwent a biopsy. Less than three weeks after he went for the original check-up, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"From being a fit human being all your life, your world’s turned upside down," he told SWNS, adding that it felt as though he’d been thrown into a "world of pain."

"It was an emotional shock … No one ever wants to be told they’ve got cancer."

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Matthews underwent robotic surgery to remove his prostate last July, and tests since then haven’t shown any traces of cancer.

"I never had any issues with blood, but it was about a year or 18 months of going to the toilet more frequently," he said.

Matthews said he "didn’t really know" what the prostate was before receiving his diagnosis.

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The prostate is a small, firm, partly muscular gland that helps make up the male reproductive system, according to Cleveland Clinic's website.

For every 100 American males, 13 will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives, the above source stated. Approximately 35,770 people in the U.S. die from the disease each year.

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Matthews is now planning to run the London Marathon for Prostate Cancer UK to raise awareness.

"I was very open and honest and told people what happened, and I think that’s caused a lot of people, friends, connections to go off and get tested," he told SWNS.

Early-stage prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, changes include a frequent, sometimes urgent, need to urinate, especially at night. Other signs include weak urine flow, flow that starts and stops, and blood when using the restroom, per Cleveland Clinic.

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Experts advise people experiencing any of these symptoms to contact their healthcare provider.

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New study hints at a hidden Alzheimer’s risk factor affecting older Americans

People with greater exposure to air pollution could face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study by Emory University in Atlanta.

Air pollution has previously been established as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s, as well as other chronic conditions, like hypertension, stroke and depression, the researchers noted.

Since those other conditions are themselves linked to Alzheimer’s, the researchers said it’s not yet clear whether air pollution harms brain health on its own, or whether it raises dementia risk by first triggering those other health problems.

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The study, which was published in the journal PLOS Medicine, investigated more than 27.8 million U.S. Medicare recipients, 65 years and older, from 2000 to 2018.

The individuals were examined for level of exposure to air pollution and whether they developed Alzheimer’s, with a focus on other chronic conditions.

Greater exposure to air pollution was associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, which was slightly stronger in people who had experienced a stroke. Hypertension and depression had "little additional impact," according to the study's press release.

The authors concluded that air pollution leads to Alzheimer’s mostly through "direct pathways" rather than via other chronic conditions.

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"Our findings suggest that individuals with a history of stroke may be particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution on brain health, highlighting an important intersection between environmental and vascular risk factors," the authors wrote in a statement.

These findings suggest that improving air quality could be "an important way to prevent dementia and protect older adults," the press release concluded.

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel confirmed more studies are revealing that Alzheimer’s is linked to conditions that impact the brain, which can be "sensitive and fragile."

"Certainly, underlying medical conditions like stroke can lead to this," Siegel, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

This latest study "does not show cause and effect," the doctor noted, but rather shows an "increasing association between air pollution and Alzheimer’s, where the particulate matter appears to increase the inflammation in the brain that helps lead to it."

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"This is another piece in developing a strategy of prevention, early diagnosis and targeted treatments," Siegel added.

Ozama Ismail, PhD, director of scientific programs at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, agreed that this study adds to existing research on the impact of air pollution and overall health, especially related to the brain.

"This is an area of investigation where more research is vital to helping us better understand the connection between pollution and the various factors that cause or contribute to Alzheimer’s disease," Ismail, who also did not work on the study, told Fox News Digital.

"Previous studies, including those presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in 2019, 2021 and 2025, have shown evidence for connections between exposure to air pollution and other environmental toxins and risk for Alzheimer’s or other dementias."

The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention added exposure to air pollution to its list of known dementia risk factors in 2020, according to Ismail.

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"We know that Alzheimer’s is a complex disease, and it is likely that there are a variety of factors, in combination, that impact a person's lifetime risk," he said. "Avoiding exposure to air pollution is a risk factor that may be easier for some people to change than others."

Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.

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Hundreds of wild bird deaths reported across seven counties, prompting park closures

Hundreds of geese have reportedly died in New Jersey, and bird flu is suspected to be the culprit.

More than 1,100 dead or sick wild birds — almost all of them Canadian geese — were reported between Feb. 14 and Feb. 16 across seven counties, according to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Although tests are still pending, officials say the deaths were likely caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), more commonly known as bird flu, which is a respiratory disease of birds caused by influenza A viruses.

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"I find the images of the dead and dying birds very troubling, unsettling, and a reminder that avian flu continues to be present," David J. Cennimo, MD, associate professor of medicine and pediatrics and an infectious diseases specialist at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told Fox News Digital.

"It is important to note that at the time of this writing, the cause of death has not been announced, and bird flu is only strongly suspected, but the picture is consistent with avian influenza, and there is a good reason for the high-level suspicion."

Some local parks have temporarily closed out of an "abundance of caution," including Betty Park and Alcyon Park in Gloucester County.

"Residents are asked not to approach any geese in or around the area," the Borough of Pittman advised in a social media post.

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Common symptoms of HPAI among birds include diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, discharge from the nose and lack of coordination, according to DEP. Some birds, however, may die from the virus even if they never appear to be sick. 

While geese have made up the majority of the New Jersey fatalities, avian influenza also poses a risk to chickens, turkeys and ducks.

"We have seen cases of avian influenza in other animals, most notably dairy cows and cats," Cennimo said. "If possible, domestic animals should be kept away from sick birds."

Although the risk to the public is low, health officials recommend avoiding direct contact with wild birds or animals that could be infected.

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"Public awareness and precautionary measures are essential to mitigate the impact of bird flu on both agriculture and public health," the DEP stated.

Avian influenza viruses continue to spread in wild bird populations, Cennimo said, and transmission can be amplified by close congregations of birds. This can happen during a period of freezing temperatures, when there is limited availability of water.

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"The risk to humans remains low at this time," the expert confirmed. "If the birds did die of influenza, they could still have live virus and could infect humans. For this reason, people should avoid handling sick or dead birds, use protective measures like gloves and wash their hands."

Rebecca Carriere Christofferson, PhD, associate professor of pathobiological sciences at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, noted that mass bird deaths are a symptom of ongoing transmission of bird flu.

"It's sad from an ecological perspective, but also poses a risk to any nearby agricultural facilities, as we've seen spillover into poultry and dairy cattle in the last couple of years," she told Fox News Digital. "The more transmission, the more the chance for there to be transmission to humans."

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Last year, there were some human deaths due to bird flu, primarily linked to contact with infected animals, Christofferson noted.

"Surveillance is key to preventing uncontrolled spread, and understanding the patterns of where the virus is — and is going — can help mitigate the ongoing risk to our animal and human populations."

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Single dose of powerful psychedelic cuts depression symptoms in clinical study

A single dose of psychedelics significantly reduced symptoms in people with major depressive disorder, a new study found.

The clinical trial was led by researchers at Imperial College London, where the team found that participants with depression who took the psychedelic dimethyltryptamine (DMT) had greater reductions in the severity of their condition compared to those who took a placebo.

DMT is a naturally occurring psychedelic, similar to compounds found in "magic mushrooms" and serotonin, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. It is known to produce brief and intense hallucinations.

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The compound, which is found in a variety of plants and animals, is the psychoactive ingredient in the drug ayahuasca, the above source stated. 

To prepare ayahuasca, a plant containing DMT is boiled with another plant that contains a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as harmaline, and the resulting brew is then consumed.

Over the last decade, studies have hinted at DMT's potential as a treatment for depression, but there haven’t been many placebo-controlled clinical trials.

"DMT probably works for depression by taking you out of your downhill spiral while at the same time altering brain chemistry in a way to promote the release of hormones, especially serotonin, but also dopamine," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

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Thirty-four patients with moderate to severe depression and a history of at least two unsuccessful treatments were enrolled in the new trial. Half the patients received a single intravenous placebo over 10 minutes, while the other half received a 21.5 mg dose of DMT.

Severity of symptoms was measured before and after treatment using a standardized questionnaire called the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the press release stated.

Two weeks after the initial dose, the DMT group showed less severity of symptoms compared to the placebo group. Six months later, some participants reported that the antidepressant effects were still present.

"These results nicely add to the growing body of evidence for great potential of psychedelic therapies in mental health disorders," said David Erritzoe, PhD, lead study author at Imperial College London, in the release. The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

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No serious adverse events were reported, although there were some limitations. There was a lack of ethnic diversity in the study, and participants with a history of serious suicide attempts were excluded, the researchers noted.

"It does not appear to be addictive," Siegel said of DMT. "The problem is that many people are microdosing ayahuasca, and I am against that because it has unpredictable responses."

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The researchers also noted that DMT’s efficacy seems to be dependent on the intensity of the actual psychedelic experience it generates, which varies from person to person.

"This is a trial that sits in the early phase of specifically developing DMT therapy for depression, so larger trials are required as next steps," Erritzoe told Fox News Digital.

Erritzoe noted that it's currently difficult to access DMT treatments outside trials because research is still ongoing. 

"For people who suffer depression and haven’t had sufficient improvements from existing treatments, ketamine-assisted therapy, done in a thoughtful way with good therapists involved, is a great alternative while the next line of treatments are being further tested and considered for regulatory approval," he said.

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The evidence for ketamine-assisted therapy's potential effectiveness for depression is much larger than DMT's, the researcher noted.

There isn’t much regulation surrounding how ketamine treatments are administered, Dr. Justin Gerstner, psychiatrist and chief medical officer at Ellie Mental Health in Minnesota, previously told Fox News Digital, since the drug was initially approved for anesthetic use.

"The field is wide open, and it's a little bit like the Wild West," he said. "This is a really powerful medication, and the way that it's used can vary quite drastically."

At high doses, the drug can cause adverse health issues that affect cardiovascular, respiratory and neurologic function, which can be fatal, as stated on the American Addiction Centers website.

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