People taking common sleep drug may not realize they're too impaired to drive, study finds

A popular antipsychotic medication was found to reduce obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – but it also led to impaired driving the next morning.

That’s according to a small randomized controlled trial published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

Researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, conducted the study in 15 adults with OSA who also had difficulty maintaining sleep. Each participant underwent two overnight sleep studies approximately one week apart, according to a press release.

The participants took 50mg of quetiapine (Seroquel) before bed one night, and took a placebo the following night.

Quetiapine is a widely prescribed antipsychotic that is prescribed for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. It is also often used off-label at lower doses to treat insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues.

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The researchers monitored the participants throughout the night, looking at their breathing, brain activity, oxygen levels and leg movements.

The participants who took the quetiapine had more than 40 minutes more total sleep time and 45% less wakefulness during the night, the study found. Their apnea-related events also reduced from 27 to 20 events per hour.

Despite these improvements, the drug appeared to slow reaction time behind the wheel compared to those taking a placebo. This was based on a driving simulator test and a 10-minute reaction time test, administered within 30 minutes of waking up.

SLEEP APNEA MAY BE QUIETLY CHANGING YOUR BODY IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY, STUDY FINDS

Those taking quetiapine experienced more than triple the number of attention lapses and swerved out of their lane more often in the driving simulator.

Eleven out of 15 of the participants reported feeling sleepier the morning after taking the medication, but  roughly one in four people did not recognize their level of impairment. This was concerning because they may be more likely to operate a vehicle or machinery without realizing their reaction time had slowed.

Other mild to moderate side effects included nausea, restless legs and a sudden blood pressure drop upon standing, which affected one in three people taking quetiapine.

The study did have some limitations, including the small sample size, the authors noted. The participants were only evaluated for one night, and the study’s laboratory setting may not reflect the participants’ real-world use.

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Larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm the findings before making decisions about prescribing quetiapine for sleep apnea and insomnia, the researchers said.

Pending follow-up studies, the researchers recommend that people avoid driving or other safety-critical tasks for at least 9.5 hours after taking quetiapine.

Ashley Curtis, PhD, director of the Cognition, Aging, Sleep and Health (CASH) Lab at the University of South Florida, noted that certain hypnotic medications exhibit sex differences in metabolism.

Women generally metabolize these drugs more slowly than men, which can influence both efficacy and the risk of next-day side effects, warned the expert, who was not involved in the study.

"Future studies should carefully examine whether these newer agents demonstrate similar sex-specific patterns to ensure optimal dosing and safety recommendations," she told Fox News Digital.

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The impact of quetiapine on next-day cognitive function warrants further investigation, particularly among older adults, according to Curtis. 

"This population is already vulnerable to cognitive and related side effects related to polypharmacy, making it essential to understand the potential trade-offs between sleep benefits and daytime functioning," she added.

Insomnia is often the result of "learned behavioral and cognitive factors" that persist over time, according to Curtis.

"Even when medications are effective in the short term, behavioral interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia remain an important component of long-term management," she said.

Chelsie Rohrscheib, head sleep expert at Wesper, a sleep analysis company in New York, agreed that patients shouldn't be alarmed by these findings.

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"But if they're taking quetiapine for sleep, especially if they have sleep apnea or wake up feeling groggy, they should talk with their doctor about whether the benefits outweigh the risks and whether other treatment options might be appropriate," noted Rohrscheib, who was not affiliated with the research.

Fox News Digital reached out to the drug manufacturer and to the study researchers for comment.

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New ways to prevent flu revealed in 'accidental' lab breakthrough, study finds

An accidental lab discovery has opened the door to entirely new ways of preventing the flu.

While investigating how influenza replicates, researchers discovered that different flu strains use completely different strategies to infiltrate human cells, SWNS reported.

By targeting the specific molecules the viruses rely on, scientists found that they could block them from entering new cells and halt their replication altogether.

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Researchers say these "fundamental insights" into seasonal influenza highlight a clear path toward developing better preventive medications.

"The hope is that fundamental, curiosity-based research like this helps to pave the way for novel strategies to treat and prevent influenza infections," principal investigator Dr. Emily Bruce, from the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine, said in the SWNS report.

While several flu strains cause illness, H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses are the most common. However, current flu tests cannot differentiate between them, and clinical treatments are identical for both.

Although vaccines and antivirals are available, Bruce noted a "dire" need for better medications to stop the virus from spreading cell to xxcell.

"You don’t get sick when a virus is in one cell," he noted. "You get sick because a virus replicates itself and goes into many more cells."

HOW LONG YOU’RE CONTAGIOUS WITH THE FLU — AND WHEN IT’S SAFE TO GO OUT

The study, which was published in The Journal of Virology, originally aimed to map how viral RNA segments are transported within cells to create new viral particles.

The team used H1N1 and H3N2 viruses isolated from the nasal passages of positive patients in 2022.

During the investigation, the team unexpectedly stumbled upon a cellular pathway that blocked the virus from entering lung cells, SWNS reported.

RESEARCHERS LOCKED FLU PATIENTS IN A HOTEL WITH HEALTHY ADULTS — NO ONE GOT SICK

The data revealed that when a specific human protein called Rab11B was depleted, H3N2 viruses failed to enter human lung cells. H1N1 viruses were completely unaffected.

Using reverse genetics, the team mapped this defect and uncovered a brand-new, H3N2-specific role for Rab11B during viral entry.

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This discovery challenged the scientific assumption that all flu viruses enter cells the same way.

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"Viruses are like pirates from different countries hijacking someone’s ship," Bruce said. "Different viruses, like different types of pirates, use different methods to get onboard."

"We had previously thought that all flu viruses used the same way to get into a cell, but we discovered that this is not true," she went on. "H1N1 and H3N2 need different proteins to get in, and if you get rid of the right protein, a specific virus can’t get in."

While these findings identify a critical cellular pathway for viral entry, the study was conducted using isolated cells, the researchers acknowledged.

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Further research is needed to determine whether blocking the protein is safe and effective within a live, complex human respiratory system.

Bruce and the team hope to conduct further research to determine whether this Rab11B-dependency is a fundamental property of H3N2, or if it's a trait unique to currently circulating flu strains.

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New cancer vaccine delivers stunning result against one of the deadliest skin cancers

A new injectable therapy is showing positive results in reducing melanoma throughout a five-year period.

The personalized mRNA cancer therapy, called intismeran autogene, combined with the cancer immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is a collaboration between Merck and Moderna.

The results from the phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 27.

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After about a five-year follow-up, the combo drug was found to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone.

The researchers analyzed data from 157 patients with high-risk stage 3 and 4 melanoma whose cancer had been removed via surgery. The participants were split into two groups — one received the combo therapy and the other only received pembrolizumab, according to a press release.

The findings revealed that the combination group saw benefits that were "sustained and durable over time."

Intismeran autogene is designed using mutations identified in a patient’s own tumor, with the intention of teaching the immune system what the cancer looks like so that it can recognize and attack it.

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According to the researchers, intismeran is "well-tolerated" with a "manageable" safety profile. 

The most commonly cited side effects of the personalized mRNA vaccine plus KEYTRUDA were fatigue, injection-site pain, chills, fever and headache. The researchers reported no new long-term safety concerns and no severe vaccine-related adverse events.

The combination therapy is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 study — the final confirmation stage.

In a Merck press release from January, Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna’s senior vice president and head of development, oncology and therapeutics, noted that this data highlights the "potential of a prolonged benefit … in patients with resected high-risk melanoma."

"We continue to invest in our platform in oncology because of encouraging outcomes like these, which illustrate mRNA’s potential in cancer care," he said.  

Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, also commented that for many patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma, there is a "significant risk of recurrence following surgery."

"As such, demonstrating the longer-term potential of intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA to reduce the risk of recurrence for certain patients with melanoma is a meaningful milestone," she said.

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The company cited encouraging five-year follow-up data and pointed to upcoming late-stage INTerpath trial results with Moderna in several hard-to-treat cancers.

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One extra serving of processed meat a day linked to higher cancer risk

Eating processed meat like ham, sausage and bacon may be linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer, according to new research.

While health organizations have already confirmed that processed meat can contribute to colon cancer, this study looked closer at cancers in the upper digestive tract, where the link has historically been less clear.

To understand these connections, researchers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), one of the world's largest long-term nutrition and cancer cohorts, tracked the health and diets of 450,112 people across Europe for an average of 14 years. 

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The study group included 131,426 men and 318,686 women, according to the study's press release.

During the follow-up period, 876 people developed stomach cancer and 215 people developed esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.

Researchers tracked where the stomach cancers grew, separating them into the upper part of the stomach near the throat and the lower part of the stomach.

The researchers also sorted the tumors into two categories based on how the cancer cells appeared under a microscope: intestinal, which forms more organized structures, and diffuse, in which the cells are more scattered throughout the tissue.

BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH MAY TRAVEL TO THE GUT AND TRIGGER STOMACH CANCER, RESEARCH FINDS

After adjusting for other lifestyle factors, the researchers found that for every extra 30 grams of processed meat a person ate per day, their overall risk of stomach cancer went up by 9%. Eating that same extra 30 grams a day was also linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

A standard single slice of regular deli-sliced ham or lunch meat averages around 28 grams, according to USDA data and nutritional tracking databases.

An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken or turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach, the researchers noted.

The study also revealed differences between men and women. For male participants, only processed meat showed a clear, statistically significant link to a higher risk of stomach cancer. For female participants, however, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk.

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These findings align with global health benchmarks, particularly those established by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The agency has long classified processed meat as a known human carcinogen, primarily due to its strong, well-documented links to colorectal cancer.

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However, health organizations have also consistently pointed to a potential, yet less definitive, relationship between these meats and cancers of the stomach.

Further scientific investigation is needed to confirm the findings and to account for other underlying risk factors, such as certain stomach infections, which could interact with dietary habits.

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A key limitation of the study is its reliance on self-reported diets, which can sometimes lead to inaccuracies in how participants recall their meat consumption over time, the researchers noted.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers requesting comment.

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Could cancer vaccines be next? New treatment cuts melanoma risk by nearly 50%

A new injectable therapy is showing positive results in reducing melanoma throughout a five-year period.

The personalized mRNA cancer therapy, called intismeran autogene, combined with the cancer immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is a collaboration between Merck and Moderna.

The results from the phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 27.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

After about a five-year follow-up, the combo drug was found to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone.

The researchers analyzed data from 157 patients with high-risk stage 3 and 4 melanoma whose cancer had been removed via surgery. The participants were split into two groups — one received the combo therapy and the other only received pembrolizumab, according to a press release.

The findings revealed that the combination group saw benefits that were "sustained and durable over time."

Intismeran autogene is designed using mutations identified in a patient’s own tumor, with the intention of teaching the immune system what the cancer looks like so that it can recognize and attack it.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

According to the researchers, intismeran is "well-tolerated" with a "manageable" safety profile. 

The most commonly cited side effects of the personalized mRNA vaccine plus KEYTRUDA were fatigue, injection-site pain, chills, fever and headache. The researchers reported no new long-term safety concerns and no severe vaccine-related adverse events.

The combination therapy is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 study — the final confirmation stage.

In a Merck press release from January, Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna’s senior vice president and head of development, oncology and therapeutics, noted that this data highlights the "potential of a prolonged benefit … in patients with resected high-risk melanoma."

"We continue to invest in our platform in oncology because of encouraging outcomes like these, which illustrate mRNA’s potential in cancer care," he said.  

Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, also commented that for many patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma, there is a "significant risk of recurrence following surgery."

"As such, demonstrating the longer-term potential of intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA to reduce the risk of recurrence for certain patients with melanoma is a meaningful milestone," she said.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The company cited encouraging five-year follow-up data and pointed to upcoming late-stage INTerpath trial results with Moderna in several hard-to-treat cancers.

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Cancer survivors saw major improvements in sleep and well-being with one weekly practice

Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.

A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.

The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

CANCER SURVIVORS MAY SEE SURPRISING BENEFITS FROM ONE SPECIFIC EXERCISE, STUDY SAYS 

The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.

The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.

As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.

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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced "moderate-to-large" reductions in overall mood disturbance, "small-to-medium" reductions in anxiety and "medium-to-large" reductions in fatigue, the study found.

The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga's beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.

"This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug," lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.

The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.

The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.

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"The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%)," noted Choi.

"We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities."

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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).

The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.

If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.

Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted. 

"Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions," the researcher advised. "They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community."

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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.

The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.

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Everyday task may help detect early dementia signs before diagnosis, study finds

A simple writing test could detect cognitive impairment in older individuals before more serious symptoms occur, scientists have discovered.

Writing is a complex, brain-heavy workout that requires the mind to process information, organize thoughts and send precise signals to the fingers all at once, according to experts.

Because writing draws on so many complex mental functions, researchers believe that small changes in how people write could provide early warning signs for cognitive impairment.

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Researchers in Portugal wanted to see if analyzing the process of writing — such as how long a person pauses or how they organize their strokes — could catch cognitive changes earlier than traditional paper-and-pencil tests, which usually only grade the final answer.

The study looked at 58 older adults between the ages of 62 and 92 living in care homes, according to a press release.

Among the participants, 38 had already been diagnosed with cognitive impairment. Each volunteer was asked to complete various writing exercises using an ink pen on a specialized digital tablet that tracked their precise hand movements.

The tests covered basic pen control, copying sentences from a flashcard, and writing sentences that others spoke aloud, the researchers said.

DEMENTIA RISK FOR PEOPLE 55 AND OLDER HAS DOUBLED, NEW STUDY FINDS

Simple tasks, like drawing lines or copying text, did not reveal major differences between the two groups. Because these activities rely mostly on basic motor skills, the team hypothesized that they weren't mentally challenging enough to expose subtle cognitive issues.

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When writing from dictation, older adults with cognitive impairment had writing patterns that were noticeably slower, more fragmented and less coordinated.

"Dictation tasks are more sensitive because they require the brain to do multiple things at once: listen, process language, convert sounds into written form and coordinate movement," Dr. Ana Rita Matias, the study's senior author from the University of Évora, stated in the press release.

As a sentence became more complex, the brain struggled to keep up. Adults with cognitive decline took longer to start writing, paused more frequently and struggled with stroke organization, the study found.

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Currently, diagnosing cognitive decline often involves expensive brain scans or lengthy psychological testing.

"The long-term goal is to develop a tool that is easy to administer, time-efficient and affordable, allowing integration into everyday healthcare contexts without requiring specialized or expensive equipment," Matias said.

The study did have some limitations, including that it was relatively small. As it was limited to 58 older adults living in care homes, larger and more diverse groups need to be tested to confirm the findings, the researchers noted.

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The study also did not account for the participants' use of medications, which could potentially impact both handwriting and brain function.

The study was published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

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