'Call a Boomer' payphones help cure loneliness, spark friendships across generations

Along a bustling sidewalk in Boston, a bright yellow payphone invites folks to "call a Boomer."

Almost 3,000 miles away in Reno, Nevada, a nearly identical phone prompts residents of Sierra Manor – an apartment complex for seniors – to "Call a Zoomer." The goal is simple: to get strangers to talk to each other.

The project, often referred to as simply "Call a Boomer," is the latest initiative from Matter Neuroscience, a New York-based company dedicated to mapping the "biomarkers of happiness."

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By connecting "two of the loneliest demographics" (older adults and younger adults), the project aims to prove that on a molecular level, "humans need one another in order to be happy," according to Calla Kessler, a social strategist at Matter Neuroscience.

"Younger adults and older adults tend to experience the highest levels of loneliness of any age group," the company wrote on its website. "So the goal of this project is to inspire generational connection through meaningful conversations, despite differences in age, lifestyle or politics."

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The hope, according to Kessler, is that the calls will shift the brain's focus from stress to bonding.

"Our neuroscience angle is cannabinoids over cortisol," Kessler told Fox News Digital. "Cannabinoids are the feel-good neurotransmitter in our brain that creates that warm feeling with a friendship — and when you activate cannabinoids, you're counteracting the negative effects of cortisol, which is our primary stress hormone."

This isn’t Matter’s first round of payphones. Its initial experiment connected one of the most liberal cities in the U.S. (San Francisco) with one of the most conservative (Abilene, Texas).

"We basically just wanted people to find common ground and encourage people to think beyond labels," Kessler said.

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She noted that the negative results were "almost negligible," with most participants enjoying their time speaking to different people.

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Now, the focus has shifted from political labels to generational divides.

As the "Call a Boomer" experiment continues, the team is busy collecting audio files of these intergenerational chats to prove that simple connections with other humans can help improve mental health.

"Our research is essentially trying to find a non-pharmaceutical cure to depression," Kessler added.

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Looking ahead, she said, "we'll definitely be doing fun things that we hope get people's attention and inspire them to learn a little more about themselves."

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Eating more of certain type of food could shorten cancer survivors' lives, study finds

Cancer survivors who eat more ultraprocessed foods may face a higher risk of death, according to new research.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, found that higher consumption of heavily processed foods was linked to an increased risk of mortality over time among people who had survived the disease.

Ultraprocessed foods include items such as packaged snacks, sugary drinks and ready-made meals that have been altered with added sugars, fats, salts and preservatives, according to Cleveland Clinic.

5 ULTRAPROCESSED FOODS THAT MAY BE WORSE FOR YOUR HEALTH THAN YOU THINK, EXPERT SAYS

Lead study author Marialaura Bonaccio, PhD, of the Research Unit of Epidemiology and Prevention at IRCCS Neuromed in Italy, said the findings go beyond nutrition alone.

"The main takeaway is that higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods is associated among cancer survivors with a significantly increased risk of both overall and cancer-specific mortality," she told Fox News Digital.

"This relationship persists even after accounting for overall diet quality, suggesting that how food is processed, not just its nutrient content, plays an independent role in long-term health and disease," she added.

The study followed more than 800 cancer survivors as part of a larger Italian health study that tracked participants for nearly 18 years.

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The researchers analyzed participants’ diets and grouped foods based on how much industrial processing they underwent.

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Those who consumed the highest amounts of ultraprocessed foods had a 48% higher risk of death from any cause and a 57% higher risk of death from cancer compared to those who consumed the least, according to the findings.

The study also found that the overall pattern of eating mattered more than any single food.

"The magnitude of the increased risk was somewhat surprising," Bonaccio told Fox News Digital. "The fact that the link remained strong even after adjusting for diet quality was particularly striking."

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Inflammation and other biological effects linked to processed foods may help explain the increased risk, the researchers said.

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"The most practical recommendation is to move toward minimally processed foods and home-cooked meals," Bonaccio advised, noting that preparing meals from scratch with basic ingredients is a practical way to reduce reliance on ultraprocessed foods.

Bonaccio noted several limitations in the study.

The research was observational, meaning it showed a link between ultraprocessed foods and higher death risk, but could not prove that one directly caused the other.

The findings were also based on participants reporting what they ate, which may not always be accurate. In addition, people’s diets may have changed over time, and the study did not include detailed information about cancer stages, which could affect outcomes.

While there is no single "anti-cancer food," experts generally recommend whole, minimally processed foods that are high in fiber and contain a variety of plant nutrients to reduce disease risk.

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The real reasons you’re still exhausted after 8 hours of sleep, according to an expert

Getting a full eight hours of sleep and still feeling drowsy? Sleep experts say it’s not just about how much shuteye you get.

Dr. Wendy Troxel, a licensed clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND based in Utah, emphasized the "really important distinction" between quantity and quality of sleep.

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"Many people will say, ‘Man, I'm sleeping enough, I got seven to eight hours of sleep, but I still wake up feeling groggy and not refreshed,’" she told Fox News Digital during an in-studio interview. "About one in three adults has non-restorative sleep quality."

"There are many factors that can contribute to poor sleep quality, regardless of how many hours you slept," Troxel noted.

These include drinking alcohol — a "major contributor" to poor quality or disrupted sleep — and consuming caffeine late in the day.

Being stressed or feeling worried about something can also contribute to fragmented sleep, as can phone use at bedtime.

CHANGE TO NIGHTLY EATING HABITS MAY HELP PROTECT YOUR HEART, STUDY SUGGESTS

Troxel addressed the belief that women need more sleep than men, noting that research does support it — though only slightly, by about 10 to 15 extra minutes per night.

"What we absolutely know is that women's sleep quality often suffers more than men's," she said. "They may be getting more non-restorative sleep quality, therefore needing slightly more sleep."

Women are also twice as likely to have insomnia compared to men, and their risk for sleep disturbances "skyrockets" during the menopausal transition.

For those who claim they sleep better with fewer hours of sleep — and feel sleepier when they get the recommended seven to nine hours — Troxel said this is not an indicator that they actually require less shuteye. "It's simply that their body is not used to it," she said. 

Laboratory studies have shown that sleep deprivation causes impairments in judgment, according to the expert. "That means someone who thinks they're fine with only four hours of sleep per night likely isn't aware of the impact sleep deprivation has on their cognition and performance."

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For those getting less than the recommended amount, Troxel recommends taking small steps toward sleeping longer. That might mean adding about 15 minutes each night to see how it impacts the body, eventually getting into a healthier circadian rhythm.

"You will likely see benefits when you increase your sleep in small increments," she said.

Quality sleep hinges on following a healthy lifestyle and a consistent sleep-wake schedule, according to experts.

INSUFFICIENT SLEEP LINKED TO MAJOR HIDDEN HEALTH RISK, STUDY REVEALS

Eating a nutritious diet free of foods that cause upset stomach or indigestion, especially in the late evening hours, can help improve sleep quality, Troxel shared.

"You don't want to be starving at bedtime, but you also don't want to be trying to fall asleep on a full stomach while your body's still actively digesting," she said.

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Exercise helps to promote quality sleep, just as sleep also improves exercise quality. However, it's best to avoid vigorous physical activity too close to bedtime, Troxel advised.

"Exercise is very stimulating, particularly if it's in a social environment, and that can disrupt sleep," she said. "Exercising earlier in the day is better."

That doesn’t have to mean working out first thing in the morning, Troxel noted, as not everyone’s circadian rhythm supports early wake-ups for exercise.

"Those who are natural morning people are more likely to benefit from exercising earlier," she said. "If you're a night owl, don't expect to love doing a workout first thing in the morning. That might not be consistent with your circadian rhythm."

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Troxel added that people should not be "sleep-shamed" for adhering to their own internal clocks.

"These cultural trends have these subtle, or not-so-subtle, ways of undermining people's sleep-wake biology, which is largely out of our control," she said.

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Top 5 states with the highest number of safest hospitals, according to new report

Hundreds of hospitals across the country are being recognized for keeping patients safe, and a handful of states stand out for having the highest number of top performers.

Healthgrades, a platform for finding doctors, health care providers and hospitals, released its 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award this month, naming 438 hospitals across 40 states that rank among the top 10% nationwide for patient safety.

The analysis highlights facilities that excel at preventing serious, avoidable complications during hospital stays, based on 13 patient safety indicators.

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Among all states, five had the highest number of hospitals earning the distinction: Texas, Florida, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

These states led the nation in total award recipients, with counts ranging from 21 to as many as 62 hospitals, according to Healthgrades data cited by MedPage Today. The concentration of high-performing hospitals in these states may be partly driven by size, the outlet noted.

"The prevalence of recipients in a particular state could be related to something as simple as that state having a large number of hospitals," a Healthgrades spokesperson told MedPage Today.

Nonetheless, the findings point to strong safety performance across several of the nation’s most populated regions, particularly major metro areas such as Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth and New York City.

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Patients treated at these hospitals saw significantly lower risks of some of the most common and serious safety events, which account for the majority of in-hospital complications, according to a news release.

Compared to other hospitals, patients at award-winning facilities were 52.4% less likely to experience an in-hospital fall resulting in fracture; 57.5% less likely to suffer a collapsed lung related to procedures; 67.8% less likely to develop catheter-related bloodstream infections; and 71.9% less likely to develop pressure sores.

Those four indicators alone make up about 78% of all patient safety events, according to Healthgrades, and if all hospitals performed at the same level as this year’s recipients, more than 100,000 patient safety events could have been avoided between 2022 and 2024.

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"The data behind this year’s Patient Safety Excellence Award highlights how measurable improvements in safety can prevent thousands of complications," Dr. Alana Biggers, a medical advisor at Healthgrades, said in a statement.

"Hospitals that prioritize evidence-based safety practices not only achieve better clinical outcomes, but also cultivate a culture where patients come first," Biggers added. "These insights give individuals and families the information they need to make confident and better informed healthcare decisions."

The award is based on an analysis of Medicare inpatient data, evaluating outcomes such as complications, mortality and preventable safety events. To qualify, hospitals must meet strict clinical thresholds and report zero cases of certain serious errors, such as leaving a foreign object behind during a procedure.

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Overall, 250 hospitals ranked in the top 5% nationwide for safety, including facilities affiliated with major systems such as Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and HCA Healthcare.

Meanwhile, 10 states had no hospitals on the list: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, North Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.

Experts say factors including rural hospital shortages and "care deserts" may contribute to those gaps, as patients in underserved areas often face longer travel times and arrive with more advanced conditions.

Nearly one-third of this year’s recognized hospitals were new to the list, according to Healthgrades, reflecting continued shifts in hospital performance and safety practices across the country. 

The full list of hospitals that received the Patient Safety Excellence Award can be found here.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Healthgrades for additional comment.

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Widespread habit may raise colorectal cancer risk more than you think

Colorectal cancer is now officially the leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women 50 and younger, according to research from the American Cancer Society.

While some risk factors — like age, family history and genetics — can’t be controlled, there are some lifestyle behaviors that can increase the chances of the disease.

One of those is drinking alcohol, which has been linked to an increased risk of at least six different types of cancer. 

HIDDEN VIRUS INSIDE GUT BACTERIA LINKED TO DOUBLED COLORECTAL CANCER RISK, STUDY FINDS

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies alcoholic beverages as a Group 1 carcinogen, which means there is strong, sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans.

Dr. Tereza Cristina Sardinha, MD, chief of colon and rectal surgery services at Catholic Health on Long Island, New York, confirmed that alcohol is a well-known risk factor for all cancers, but particularly those of the gastrointestinal tract.

"The alcohol, or ethanol, will metabolize and break down into acetaldehyde," she shared with Fox News Digital. "This metabolism of alcohol is very toxic to the DNA of the cell, which over time can lead to the development of cancer."

Alcohol also changes the microbiome of the gut, which is another strong factor in cancer risk, according to Sardinha.

"The microbiome has a significant effect on many pathogens in the colon and rectum, and diet and alcohol definitely affect the types of bacteria in your gut."

When the gut’s "first line of defense" is disrupted, it can trigger a series of changes — particularly DNA damage, inflammation and oxidative stress within cells, the doctor said. 

"These processes are closely linked to cancer development, which is why alcohol is considered a carcinogen."

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The relationship between alcohol and colorectal cancer risk is "dose-dependent," she said.

"Patients who drink regularly for a long period of time, meaning at least 10 years, will have a lifetime increase in the development of colorectal cancer."

Research shows that for those who drink at least two drinks per day — which is considered "moderate consumption," the doctor said — the lifetime risk of colorectal cancer will increase by at least 25%.

A heavier drinker, consuming more than two drinks a day, will have an exponentially greater risk. 

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"What really makes the difference is not only the volume, but the frequency," Sardinha said. "I just saw one of my patients who I operated on last week and she drinks six beers a day, and she developed colon cancer. She's not morbidly obese, she's not a smoker. The only risk factor she has is alcohol."

The doctor advises her patients to avoid alcohol, "or at least minimize intake."

If someone stops drinking, the risk won’t disappear immediately, the doctor noted.

"It takes about an average of 10 years to know if cancer risk decreased or not," she said. "But we do know that if you continue drinking, your risk will definitely increase."

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"That’s why we recommend that patients stop drinking or exponentially decrease their intake, in the same way we tell them to exercise and increase fruits and vegetables in their diet."

Sardinha pointed out that alcohol isn’t the only culprit. 

"Not all heavy drinkers develop cancer, so there has to be some other mechanism that plays a role," she said.

And not all types of alcohol are equal in terms of colorectal cancer risk, according to Dr. Nathan Goodyear, integrative medicine physician at Williams Cancer Institute in California.

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"The negative impact of spirits (hard liquor) is greater than beer, which is more than wine," he told Fox News Digital. 

A Danish study also found that wine consumption was associated with a lower risk of death, while beer and spirits were not, Goodyear pointed out. Spirits had the highest risk, especially at three to five drinks per day. 

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"The effects of wine, beer and spirits were independent of each other," the doctor said. 

The context in which alcohol is consumed can also play a role, he noted.

"In the U.S., alcohol is often used in the context of addiction — another hit to keep the high," Goodyear said. "But in some communities, such as Sardina, Italy, and Ikaria, Greece, wine is part of the culture, social connections and community."

"Wine is taken outside the context of addiction, and taken within the context of a plant-based diet, social settings, daily movement, faith, community and life."

In addition to stopping or limiting alcohol intake, Sardinha shared other healthy lifestyle behaviors that have been shown to decrease the chances of colorectal cancer.

One "huge and well-established" factor is regular exercise, she said.

"If you don't exercise, if you don't move, you definitely increase your risk of colorectal cancer," she told Fox News Digital. "Even for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, once they have surgery and are able to exercise, that will improve their long-term prognosis."

Smoking is another highly carcinogenic habit — and it’s a common myth that it’s only associated with lung cancer.

"Smoking is a risk factor for most cancers, and colorectal cancer is one of them," Sardinha said.  

Taking steps to address and prevent obesity is also a well-established way to minimize risk, as is adopting a healthy, high-fiber diet to promote proper bowel function, according to the doctor.

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"Diets that are lower in fiber are often more constipating — and therefore, if there's anything in the food that is carcinogenic, that is going to have more direct, prolonged contact with the bowel wall, with the cells, and increases the chances of DNA damage," she said.

"Obviously, we cannot change our family history — but those good lifestyle habits will make a difference in the risk of colorectal cancer."

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Wellness expert reveals surprising health benefits of daily cold exposure: 'Huge difference'

Wim Hof breaks down his three-pillar method for more energy, less stress

→ First case of severe mpox disease reported in major city

→ Deadly meningitis outbreak prompts college students to call for campus shutdown

→ Mom with no symptoms had colorectal cancer — and a rare surgery saved her life

→ Cigarette smoking plummets to historic single-digit low in U.S.

→ Male fertility rates decline as experts reveal health threats

→ Surges in adult ADHD stimulant prescriptions have doctors concerned

→ Canadian patients left waiting 15+ hours in emergency room

→ The real reason for sagging jowls, and what will and won't help

→ Study reveals surprising results after stopping GLP-1 weight-loss drugs

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Family pleads for help as teen faces life-threatening bone marrow failure

A New York City father is desperately seeking a donor to save his teenage son’s life.

Max Uribe, now 15 and a high-school freshman, has just weeks until he will need to be hospitalized with a rare blood disorder that could lead to a deadly cancer.

"Max was just 6 when we first noticed there was something wrong with his blood counts," his father, Juan Uribe, told Fox News Digital. "At the time, we thought it was due to a viral infection, but they never fully recovered back to their normal level."

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In December 2024, Max’s condition grew worse, and he was diagnosed with clonal cytopenia, a condition involving the blood and bone marrow.

"All three of his blood counts are low — red, white and platelets," Uribe said. 

In August 2025, another bone marrow biopsy revealed that Max is on a path to bone marrow failure, creating an urgent need for a stem cell transplant.

"The disease has continued to progress, as his blood counts continue to drop, and therefore, we have to take him to transplant in May of this year," Uribe said.

MOM WITH NO SYMPTOMS HAD STAGE 4 COLORECTAL CANCER — AND A RARE SURGERY SAVED HER LIFE

If left untreated, Max’s condition could lead to MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), a type of blood cancer, and from there possibly into acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

A bone marrow match must have a specific type of HLA (human leukocyte antigen), which are proteins found on the surface of most cells in the body, according to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).

The closer the donor’s HLA markers are to the patient’s, the more likely the body will accept the new cells without a high risk of complications.

People from the same ethnic background are more likely to share similar HLA types, meaning a patient is most likely to find a compatible donor among individuals with similar ancestry, per the NMDP.

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Non-Hispanic White patients have a 79% chance of a perfect match. That drops to 49% for Hispanic/Latino patients, 29% for Black patients and even lower for mixed ancestries, the NMDP reports.

Because Max is a "very rare combination" of half-Colombian from his father and a mix of Italian, British and German from his mother, his path to a perfect match is proving much more difficult, Uribe noted.

"For a kid like Max, with complex, mixed heritage, the math is devastating," he said. "The thinking is, we need large numbers if we're going to have that perfect match for my son."

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Max, who participates in competitive tennis and varsity wrestling, just had additional blood work done on Friday, which revealed that his counts continue to plummet.

"We're at the point where this is beginning to manifest a bit more, which is why the urgency is so critical," Uribe said.

If a donor is not secured by Max's hospitalization in May, the medical team will have to proceed with a partial match, which is not ideal for a number of reasons.

"The survival rate is meaningfully lower with a partial match, and there's more risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD), which could lead to complications in the process," Uribe said. With GVHD, the donor cells begin to attack the body.

To help prevent this with a partial match, Max would likely need chemotherapy and immunosuppressants for a longer period of time, which could weaken his immune system.

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Anyone interested in donating can order a free test kit on the Team Max website. The kit includes a quick cheek swab that is sent back to the lab to determine whether someone is a match.

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