Crunches by age: Here's how many you should be able to do

How many crunches can you do — and how does that stack up with others your age?

That was the question posed by "FOX & Friends" on Monday, when fitness expert Joseph David challenged hosts Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones to compete in a crunches challenge.

In the segment, Kilmeade did crunches and Jones did sit-ups with a 25-pound weight.

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"Your core is the base of everything, and the No. 1 thing you have to be able to do is pick yourself up, mentally and physically — so it starts with core," said David, who is a certified personal trainer with Life Time in New York.

"Any movement is good movement."

Below is a breakdown of how many crunches men and women should be able to complete based on age, according to David.

People in their 20s should be able to do 40 to 50 crunches.

People in their 30s should be able to do 30 to 40 crunches.

People in their 40s should be able to do 20 to 30 crunches.

People in their 50s should be able to do 15 to 25 crunches.

People 60 and over should be able to do 10 to 20 crunches.

Celebrity personal trainer Kollins Ezekh echoed those guidelines, but also noted that it’s all about what works for each individual.

"There’s no magic number you ‘should’ be able to do based on age, since fitness levels really vary," he told Fox News Digital. "If you can’t do that many yet, no worries — just focus on getting stronger over time."

Crunches are essential for building core strength, according to Ezekh, who is based in Los Angeles.

"A strong core is super important because it keeps everything stable," he said.

"Whether you're walking, working out or just sitting, your core muscles are engaged. If your core is weak, your back and other muscles have to do extra work, which can lead to pain or injury."

It’s not just athletes who need a strong core, he added — "everyday activities like bending down to tie your shoes or picking up groceries become way easier when your core is in check."

Crunches mainly target the "six-pack" muscles in the abs, but they’re also great for improving posture, balance and overall stability, according to the trainer.

Having a strong core helps with all daily movements, from sitting up straight to lifting things without throwing out your back, he said.

"They’re not just about getting abs — they help with basic movements and can help prevent back pain, too."

Those who are new to crunches should take it slow and focus on good form, according to Ezekh.

"A lot of people make the mistake of yanking their neck or using momentum to do the move. The key is to keep the movement coming from your abs," he told Fox News Digital.

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The trainer suggests starting with easier versions like partial crunches (lifting the shoulders a little off the ground) or bent-knee crunches, which are easier on the back. 

"Start with just a few — like five to 10 — and build up as you get stronger," he recommended.

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"And don’t be afraid to mix in other core exercises, like planks or pelvic tilts, to help build strength without jumping straight into crunches. The goal is to stay consistent and gradually get better."

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COVID 5 Years Later: Impact on Healthcare

The field of medicine has undergone significant changes since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the biggest breakthrough right at our fingertips: telemedicine.  While it may feel like a "normal" part of healthcare now, connected technology dominated how Americans saw doctors during the pandemic. "Before the pandemic, virtual care was available, but it was not widely used. Now telemedicine is mainstream," says Dr. Michael Aziz, an Attending Physician at New York's Lenox Hill Hospital. 

According to one study, telemedicine encounters increased 766% in the first three months of the COVID outbreak. And while use of the 2-D technology has tapered off, Dr. Aziz, believes still plays a vital role in medical care, "Especially for people in rural areas. Especially for young professionals. And it offers convenience. But we have so many barriers when it comes to telemedicine.... especially for senior citizens,’ he explains, "Also, the government has put some many roadblocks for patients to use that. One is the cost. There's a cost associated with that. It's not covered by many insurance."

Experts say while telemedicine has been revolutionary, it's best suited for certain ailments, particularly psychiatric services.  Dr. Chris Ivany, Psychiatrist and COO of Family Care Center, emphasizes, "I think it's clear to say that the pandemic certainly had a immediate and negative effect on many Americans' mental health."

A recent Gallup poll shows adults 18 to 49 reported a steep drop in their mental health since 2020, with many suffering from depression, anxiety, and isolation.  This has led to an increase in Americans seeking help post-crisis.  Dr. Ivany notes, "The stigma to seeking mental health care is definitely decreased over the course of the past five or so years.... but also, in part to just a general recognition that mental health care is part of health care overall."  Dr. Ivany points to two main reasons we're seeing a growth in mental health care, "Part of what the pandemic has done is to raise the awareness of mental health issues, challenges across the American population in a way that really hadn't been done really in the past.... And I think the second is the field now is much more flexible in terms of how care can be delivered to people."

Another challenge changing the landscape of the industry, a significant reduction in staffing. Dr. Aziz says, "About 3000 healthcare professionals have died and about 100,000 have retired or changed career... Hospitals have a hard time not only hiring physicians and health care workers, but they have a hard time retaining them."

While telemedicine has been a game changer, it’s not the only major innovation to emerge from the pandemic. The production and rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, along with advancements in rapid testing and antigen tests, are also transformative innovations born out of the pandemic.

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'The White Lotus' characters taking lorazepam: What is it and why are they in danger by abusing it?

Those watching HBO’s "The White Lotus" may be familiar with matriarch Victoria’s long southern drawl, sweeping silk robes — and her affinity for lorazepam.

Searches for the anti-anxiety drug spiked, according to Google Trends, following an episode of the hit show that heavily featured its use — or, more accurately, its abuse.

Victoria Ratliff, played by actress Parker Posey, is seen tossing back a pill or two at all hours of the day, citing its use for anxiety when questioned by her family. 

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But when Ratliff finds herself suddenly without her medication, she utters the memorable quote: "I don't even have my lorazepam. I'm going to have to drink myself to sleep."

The drug, which is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines, works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation, according to MedlinePlus.

Lorazepam is used to relieve anxiety as well as insomnia caused by temporary situational stress (or, in Mrs. Ratliff’s case, a stressful family vacation).

The medication is also sometimes used in hospital environments to help patients relax and fall asleep prior to surgery, according to Healthline. 

It may also be used to treat certain types of seizures.

Some side effects of lorazepam include dizziness, confusion, memory issues and slowed breathing, especially when combined with other sedating substances, such as alcohol or opioids, according to Chelsie Rohrscheib, a neuroscientist and sleep specialist at Wesper in New York.

"This class of drug is extremely habit-forming, which means a patient taking it may become dependent and experience withdrawal symptoms once it's discontinued," she told Fox News Digital.

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Lorazepam has also been found to negatively impact mood and may raise a patient's risk of depression, Rohrscheib warned. 

"There is also clinical evidence that long-term use of these medications is associated with certain diseases, like neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia," she added.

Some studies have shown that long-term use of the medication can result in memory loss or difficulty forming new memories, alongside impairments in problem-solving, focus and attention.

Lorazepam may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation or coma if combined with certain medications, according to MedlinePlus.

Medications that may interact with lorazepam include cough medicines or pain medicines that contain opiates, such as codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone or tramadol.

While the characters in "The White Lotus" appear to use lorazepam predominantly as a sleep aid, it’s important to note that their on-screen use mixed with alcohol can be quite dangerous.

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In the show, alcohol of every variety is flowing, with Mrs. Ratliff swigging glasses of wine in almost all of her scenes.

Experts advise against taking lorazepam after drinking alcohol, as the combination can lead to breathing issues or difficulty waking.

The drug cannot be purchased over the counter. In the show, Mrs. Ratliff refilled her prescription immediately before vacation.

Those interested in taking lorazepam should see a medical professional to determine whether it is suitable and safe and to obtain a prescription.

Patients suffering from insomnia and other sleep issues should try making lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy before being placed on lorazepam, Rohrscheib advised. 

"Doctors may consider alternatives, such as over-the-counter, non-benzodiazepine medications or supplements that promote sleep, such as melatonin," she told Fox News Digital. 

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"Additionally, it's critical to rule out other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, which can mimic insomnia, as benzodiazepines may make sleep apnea worse."

People can improve their quality of rest by adopting several good sleep hygiene practices, Clémence Cavaillès, PhD, a researcher at University of California San Francisco, previously told Fox News Digital.

"They can start by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day," he said. 

"Creating an ideal sleep environment — keeping the bedroom dark, quiet and at a cool temperature — also helps."

Regular exercise and exposure to natural sunlight can also improve sleep quality. 

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Cavaillès also suggested avoiding screens and blue light, as well as stimulants like caffeine and alcohol. 

"Incorporating relaxation techniques before bed, such as deep breathing or meditation, can also help prepare the body for sleep," the researcher added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the maker of a branded lorazepam medication requesting comment.

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Healthy eating in middle age has this key longevity benefit

Adopting healthy eating habits during middle age boosts the likelihood of healthy aging.

That’s according to a new study from the Harvard T.C. Chan School of Public Health, which found that a "moderate intake of healthy, animal-based foods" and a "lower intake of ultraprocessed foods" could increase the chances of reaching age 70 with good "cognitive, physical and mental health" and no major diseases.

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Montreal also contributed to the study, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

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"Studies have previously investigated dietary patterns in the context of specific diseases or how long people live. Ours takes a multifaceted view, asking, how does diet impact people’s ability to live independently and enjoy a good quality of life as they age?" said co-corresponding author Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology and chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard Chan School, in a Harvard press release.

The researchers analyzed diet and health data for more than 105,000 women and men aged 39 to 69 over a 30-year period, drawn from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. 

Based on the participants’ self-reported diets, they were given scores for eight different healthy eating plans based on their intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, nuts and legumes, as well as some healthy animal-based foods, including fish and certain dairy products, the release stated.

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They also investigated the participants’ consumption of ultraprocessed foods containing added sugars, sodium and unhealthy fats.

The diet with the most benefits for healthy aging was the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), the researchers found, which was linked to an 86% greater likelihood of healthy aging at 70 years old.

This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes and healthy fats, with limited amounts of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, sodium and refined grains, the release stated. 

Participants who ate more processed foods had less likelihood of healthy aging, with processed meat and sugary or diet beverages named as the biggest culprits.

"Our findings suggest that dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods, with moderate inclusion of healthy, animal-based foods, may promote overall healthy aging and help shape future dietary guidelines," said co-corresponding author Marta Guasch-Ferré, associate professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen and adjunct associate professor of nutrition at Harvard Chan School, in the release.

"Our findings also show that there is no one-size-fits-all diet. Healthy diets can be adapted to fit individual needs and preferences," added lead author Anne-Julie Tessier, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Montreal and researcher at the Montreal Heart Institute.

Sherry Coleman Collins, a food allergy dietitian and expert from the Atlanta metropolitan area, was not involved in the study but reviewed the findings.

"This data helps emphasize the importance of how we eat throughout life, in particular at midlife, on our ability to remain healthy and strong into our golden years," she told Fox News Digital. 

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"Since the majority of healthcare dollars are spent at the end of our life, this has huge implications on the potential to save money on costly interventions, as well as improving quality of life throughout the lifespan."

Most of the beneficial diets in the study were primarily plant-based, Collins noted.

"They aren't all vegetarian or vegan, but they all include an eating pattern made up of primarily fruits, vegetables, whole grains, foods high in unsaturated fats, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds."

She agreed, however, that there is no one-size-fits-all diet, and that people can be healthy by eating many different types of diets. 

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"The most health-promoting diets all exclude or only include small amounts of high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, ultraprocessed foods," she said. 

The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged — chiefly that it was limited to only health professionals. 

Further studies are needed to confirm the findings with more diverse populations, they said.

The Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study were supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Other support was received from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the release stated.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

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Birthday buddies and next-door neighbors turn 101 on same day

Imagine living next door to a neighbor who is exactly your age and who shares the very same birthday.

Josie Church and Anne Wallace-Hadrill know all about this. They also know about longevity — and a lot of luck. 

The two women have lived side-by-side since the 1980s.

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The great-grandmothers were also born on the same day in 1924 — April 1 — according to news agency SWNS. 

Said Josie Church, "I think life has gone quite quickly."

She added of her neighbor in Oxford, in the U.K., "Anne was very busy when she was younger — so was I — and was very productive and creative. She did a lot of painting and tapestry, and she was always busy, and I was always busy doing something else, somewhere else, because that's the sort of life we live."

She also said, "I don't think we've thought much about the time passing. It's just passed."

Both women were very involved in volunteering and creative activities after their husbands died, said the same news source.

Church's husband, Peter, passed away in the 1990s and the women formed a friendship.

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Wallace-Hadrill, who grew up in Hampshire, first moved to the house following the death of her husband, John Michael Wallace-Hadrill, a historian.

She taught English at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford University, and served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service as a radio mechanic during World War II.

While St. Hilda’s was an all-female college at the time, Wallace-Hadrill said, "We weren’t forbidden from seeing men. We were expected to live decent lives."

She said she enjoyed being at the university, adding that it was both "a lot of fun and a lot of work," said SWNS.

After graduating, Wallace-Hadrill worked as a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary. "I was always interested in words," she said. "It was my trade."

She was quite proud, she said, to receive a medal for her service from the Royal Navy last year; it was described as "long overdue" by the representative who gave it to her.

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Originally from Manchester, Church did her training at Preston Royal Infirmary and remembers the introduction of the National Health Service (NHS). She said the training was "three years of hard work."

Said Church, "In those days, you had to live in, and you couldn't get married, and it was very strict. People wouldn't put up with that sort of life now."

Her time in nursing during World War II included a "chilling" experience of caring for SS German soldiers. "They weren’t very nice," Church said. "They didn’t wish to be taken care of by us. They were very difficult patients."

She moved with her husband to Oxford so he could continue his degree at University College — which was interrupted by the war — and they "lived the life of an undergraduate."

Half of the undergraduates had been to war, she said, while the other half were young students who were just matriculating.

"Oxford was very strange because each college had a large intake of older people who’d gone through the war and were taking up their university places," said Church. "So you’d get the old men and then the young 18-year-olds coming in from school."

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After marrying, Church worked for a while and looked after her family. Her husband was a housemaster at a boys’ boarding school and she was the house nurse — so she had an "interesting" few years looking after 120 boys.

She has three "wonderful" children, she shared: Chris, Pamela and Andrew.

Meanwhile, Wallace-Hadrill's son James lives in Poole and her son Andrew in Cambridge.

The two women said they don’t remember the moment they discovered they share the same birthday — but they enjoyed the celebrations arranged for them last year, SWNS reported.

"We live on the most amazing road. It’s like one big, extended family," said Church. "Everybody knows everybody else. If you have a problem, you just give a shout and somebody will come."

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"It was wonderful. We had a lovely day last year," she said, referencing the women's 100th birthday celebration. "It was quite unexpected because I didn’t know anything about it. It's just an amazing street. I think we are lucky."

As for tips about leading a long life: "Just live," advised Church. "There's not much you can do. You just go on from one thing to the next."

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She added, "You do what seems to need doing, and then you do that, and then something else takes its place. You just go on from one thing to another."

She also said, "We don't engineer our lives. I think they've just engineered us."

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America's seniors are vulnerable to these digital threats, experts warn

As digital technology continues to advance, seniors are at a particularly high risk of being targeted by scammers, experts say.

It's important for older individuals to find a balance between enjoying the advantages of the internet and staying safe, according to Tom Kamber, founder and executive director of national nonprofit Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), which is part of AARP.

"Everybody has to use the internet these days for a lot of basic activities," New York-based Kamber said during an interview with Fox News Digital.

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The expert shared some of the main barriers and threats older people face when it comes to technology.

The No. 1 digital risk for seniors is scams and fraud, Kamber said — and an AARP survey found that the primary obstacle to using technology is fear of privacy violations.

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"You have a target on your back when you get older these days, because people disproportionately try to target those scams at older people," the expert cautioned.

Many seniors have been scammed out of money through AI deep fakes online or on the phone, Kamber noted, which can be hard to differentiate without proper knowledge of what is or is not real.

"It’s very unfair, and it's really a challenge, but older adults are five times more likely to lose money in a scam than younger people."

Checking websites and email addresses to ensure they are trusted and reputable can help avoid scams like phishing, according to Kamber.

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In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, licensed social worker and gerontologist Macie Smith advised seniors not to answer any calls that may be coming from a "spam caller" or "unknown caller."

"It's likely someone you did not share your number with, and you did not give them permission to call you," said the South Carolina-based expert.

"Do not click on any links that are emailed, texted or sent to you on social media from people you are not familiar with."

If someone receives an uncharacteristic message from a contact on social media, there is a chance the sender's profile has been duplicated by a scammer, so Smith recommends picking up the phone and calling the individual to confirm.

While artificial intelligence can be baked into phone scams, AI-generated content on social media, including fake photos and videos, is another "prevalent" issue for some seniors, Kamber cautioned.

"There are a lot of challenges right now with access to what's true and reliable information because of this," he said. "You can still recognize certain characteristics of the presentation that will give you a clue that something's a little off."

Kamber encouraged older people to build their "social common sense" and "street smarts" and apply them to online behavior.

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"Common sense is possibly one of the bigger assets for older people in learning to navigate this new world," he added.

To protect themselves from potential threats, Kamber recommends that older adults keep an open dialogue with family members and friends who can serve as a resource for tech-related questions.

"We are all going to be talking about what's real and what's not real online for the next 50 years," he said. "We need to constantly nurture … our help support channels so that we can be more resilient."

Smith suggested that seniors share their login information with a trusted, tech-savvy person.

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"This way, if there is ever a concern or question, that person can assist you in determining the credibility of the information and the source," she said.

It's important that seniors are not restricted from being active in the "current digital landscape," Smith added.

"Some of the things they depend on, such as social security benefits, are required to be managed online," she said. 

Social media can also help to combat loneliness and isolation in the senior population, the expert noted.

"We want to offer as many safeguards as possible to reduce or eliminate their risks of being scammed, while continuing to ensure they are socially engaged."

OATS provides free technology and training programs for Americans over 50, Kamber shared. The organization recently partnered with Verizon to join its digital wellness initiative.

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OATS will provide free digital wellness lessons in Verizon stores and senior centers, focused on helping people reap the benefits of technology while using it more safely and effectively.

"It encourages us to balance the potential risks and learn how to mitigate them," Kamber said.

Donna Epps, chief responsible business officer for Verizon, emphasized the need for digital literacy training among seniors.

"AI voice cloning – you may get a call, and it sounds like a loved one who is in trouble and seeking money – that's a common new scam from online criminals," the Washington, D.C.-based expert said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"It's important for all of us to really stay current on what's good digital hygiene – what are the strategies, what do we need to look out for?"

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Utah bans fluoride from public drinking water, aligning with MAHA movement

Utah has become the first state in the U.S. to ban adding fluoride to its public drinking water systems as concerns about the decades-long practice continue to grow, fueled in part by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation Thursday that bars cities and communities from deciding whether to add the chemical to their water systems.

The bill was passed by the legislature last month and is set to go into effect on May 7.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear.

Critics, however, have long said that washing teeth with fluoride is not comparable to the risks posed by ingesting fluoride, with the latter potentially triggering harmful neurotoxic effects. The fluoride used in public systems is typically not naturally occurring fluoride and is instead sourced from the phosphate fertilizer industry, where it’s captured during processing to prevent environmental emissions.

Utah lawmakers who pushed for a ban said putting fluoride in water was too expensive and didn’t improve dental health. Cox, who grew up and raised his own children in a community without fluoridated water, compared it recently to being "medicated" by the government.

Bill sponsor Rep. Stephanie Gricius, a Republican, told Fox News Digital in January that she had been working on the bill since early last year, noting that fluoride is federally regulated as a prescription.

"Community water fluoridation and informed consent, which is foundational to good health care, cannot coexist," Gricius said. "I believe strongly in individual choice when it comes to what prescriptions we put into our bodies."

She said only two of Utah's 29 counties practice community water fluoridation, and with a sample size of more than 70,000 children, researchers found there was no significant difference on children's dental decay between counties that add fluoride and those that do not.

"In fact, the county with the lowest amount of decay does not add fluoride," she said.

The American Dental Association sharply criticized Cox and Utah lawmakers, saying the ban showed "wanton disregard for the oral health and well-being of their constituents." The group said that cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease.

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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed in November to outlaw the practice nationwide.

"Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease," RFK wrote in a post on X in November.

Kennedy, who is seen as the father of the MAHA movement since he endorsed President Trump’s presidential campaign in July, aims to improve nutrition, eliminate toxins, preserve natural habitats and fight the chronic disease epidemic in this country.

If Kennedy were to end the practice, it would overturn a policy first enacted 80 years ago when Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first city in the world to fluoridate its water supply.

Currently, more than 200 million Americans, or about 75 percent of the population, drink fluoridated water.

In September, a judge in California ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further regulate fluoride because high levels could pose "an unreasonable risk" to the intellectual development of children.

"Indeed, EPA’s own expert agrees that fluoride is hazardous at some level of exposure," the judge said. "And ample evidence establishes that a mother’s exposure to fluoride during pregnancy is associated with IQ decrements in her offspring."

Lawmakers in states including Ohio, South Carolina and Florida have also made proposals to restrict local governments or water system operators from adding fluoride to water.

Proposed restrictions on fluoridation in New Hampshire, Tennessee and North Dakota were rejected. A measure in Kentucky to make fluoridation optional stalled in the state Senate.

Fox News’ Ashley J. DiMella and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Do parents really have favorite children? Here’s what new research says

Whether they admit it or not, previous research shows that the majority of parents do indeed have favorite children. 

A recent study from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah examined the reasons behind parents showing favoritism, a phenomenon dubbed parental differential treatment (PDT).

To do this, they gathered a large set of existing studies conducted between August 2015 and April 2022, according to a university press release.

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Searches for terms like "parental favoritism," "siblings" and "differential parenting" in multiple databases led the researchers to at least 243 studies. After applying certain criteria, the pool narrowed to 30.

The team also reached out to researchers around the world and identified 14 more datasets with unpublished or unique data.

The researchers then analyzed patterns related to traits like birth order, gender and personality to draw conclusions about PDT.

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Fox News Digital spoke to the lead author of the study, BYU School of Family Life Professor Alex Jensen, to discuss the findings, which were published in the journal Psychological Bulletin.

Daughters tend to be given preferential treatment, according to Jensen, although the children themselves did not perceive that.

"I was surprised that both mothers and fathers favored daughters," the researcher said. "We thought fathers would favor sons."

One reason could be evolutionary, he surmised. "In many past societies, sons were a safety net of sorts as parents aged. Sons could provide material resources to help them."

In modern western societies, daughters are much more likely to care for aging parents, Jensen noted. 

"In that way, parents may be storing up ‘social capital’ with their daughters, with the potential of the daughters providing care later on."

During childhood, he said, sons are more inclined to play outdoors in larger groups, and daughters indoors with smaller groups. 

"Over the past several decades, parents have become less and less inclined to allow their kids to play outdoors without supervision," Jensen told Fox News Digital. "Daughters may, on average, be more suited to current parenting culture, and thus easier to parent."

Birth order also appears to be a factor, with the youngest siblings often getting preferential treatment. 

Older siblings, however, are given more autonomy and freedom, according to Jensen. That same treatment seemed to last into adulthood, the study found.

More agreeable and responsible children also tend to be favored. "I think it's that they are just easier to parent," said Jensen.

"For example, an agreeable child will be more likely to do what they are asked by the parent. A conscientious child will be more likely to do their homework, their chores … or be aware of those around them and their needs."

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Looking ahead, Jensen hopes that understanding more about how parents treat their children and the resulting impact may enable them to take steps to better tap into their kids' feelings.

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A study several years ago suggested that if children understand why they are treated differently, the differences don’t matter as much, according to the researcher. 

"In some cases, I would argue that what the kids think is more important," he said. "Parents should work on being open to hearing the perspective of their kids without being defensive."

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New class of antibiotics discovered for first time in decades

For the first time in three decades, researchers believe they have identified a new class of antibiotics.

Teams at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada and the University of Illinois, Chicago — led by researcher Gerry Wright — collaborated in the discovery of lariocidin, which was found to be effective against drug-resistant bacteria.

The results were published this week in the journal Nature.

SUPERBUGS DUE TO ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE COULD KILL 39 MILLION PEOPLE BY 2050, LARGE STUDY FINDS

Lariocidin is a lasso peptide, a string of amino acids in a lasso shape that attacks bacteria and keeps it from growing and surviving, according to a McMaster press release.

It is produced by a type of bacteria called Paenibacillus, which the researchers retrieved from a local backyard soil sample and cultivated in a lab for one year.

Paenibacillus was found to produce a new substance that attacks antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

"Lariocidine is not susceptible to many of the mechanisms that make disease-causing bacteria resistant to the available antibiotics," the researchers told Fox News Digital.

NEW ANTIBIOTIC KILLS DEADLY, DRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA IN ‘SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH’

The molecule has a unique structure of a "knotted lasso or a pretzel."

"Lariocidin binds to the molecular machine, the ribosome, that makes all the cellular proteins, which is one of the most vital processes in the cells," the researchers said. 

"It binds to a specific site in the ribosome to which none of the known antibiotics bind, and stops the ribosome from making proteins."

Another key benefit of lariocidin is that it’s not toxic to human cells, the researchers noted.

The finding is significant in light of growing antimicrobial resistance, which the World Health Organization has described as a global public health threat that kills more than 4.5 million people worldwide each year.

"The antibiotic resistance crisis that we're currently facing represents a major threat to how we practice medicine," the researchers told Fox News Digital.

"We need to prevent and treat infection if we are to continue to have unfettered access to surgeries, hip replacements, cancer chemotherapy, the treatment of premature infants, etc. — consequently, we need new antibiotic drugs to do this over the long term."

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, applauded the discovery.

"Artificial intelligence promises to improve new drug targets, including for antibiotics — and in the meantime, research at McMaster in Canada has found a new class of antibiotics," he told Fox News Digital.

"This new kind of antibiotic — lariocidin — works by interfering with protein synthesis that many bacteria need to survive."

Siegel reiterated that a new class of antibiotics hasn’t emerged in decades — "in part because they aren't that profitable, as you only need them when sick."

CHILDREN'S ADHD RISK LINKED TO MOTHERS' USE OF COMMON OTC PAIN RELIEVER

Dr. Stephen Vogel, a family medicine physician with PlushCare, a virtual health platform with primary care, therapy and weight management options, said this discovery represents a "promising answer" to tackle infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. 

"Because this microbe can kill bacteria in a way that it can't evolve to evade, due to its protein production system called the ribosome, it has the potential to be a durable and lasting choice for a large variety of deadly bacterial infections," the North Carolina-based doctor told Fox News Digital.

If this microbe were brought to market as an antibiotic, it would mean millions fewer deaths from bacterial infections each year, according to Vogel.

"Garden soil may seem mundane, but it's in fact its own universe of microbes, fungi and bacteria, which can lead to key innovations like the promise that this discovery brings," he added.

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Looking ahead, the McMaster researchers will investigate ways to modify and produce the newly discovered molecule for use in clinical settings, a process that will require significant time and resources.

"This discovery is just the starting point of a long process of developing this molecule into a drug," the researchers told Fox News Digital. 

"What we have to do next is to test whether lariocidin, which can cure animals, is effective for the treatment of a variety of infections in humans."

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The researchers added that science is sometimes "serendipitous."

"You often have to shovel a lot of dirt before you find a gem, which lariocidin certainly is. Therefore, funding ‘dirt shoveling’ is critical for finding new gems."

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Are full-body scans worth the money? Doctors share what you should know

With celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton singing the praises of full-body MRI scans, a growing number of people are coughing up the cash for the preventive measure — but is the peace of mind worth the hefty price tag?

Dr. Mikhail Varshavski, more commonly known as "Dr. Mike," is a podcaster and primary care physician in New Jersey. He recently spoke about full-body scans with Andrew Lacy, CEO of Prenuvo, one of the biggest providers of full-body scans.

"I have to say, I'm certainly intrigued by the technology and I'm in love with the concept of catching diseases earlier so that we can have more success with treatment," Dr. Mike said during the podcast.

THESE 8 HEALTH SCREENINGS SHOULD BE ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2024, ACCORDING TO DOCTORS

"However, I am still not sold that this is what the Prenuvo scan has proven to deliver. In the day and age where we find ourselves, folks want more out of healthcare than we can yet deliver."

Full-body scans use different technologies, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET), according to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The goal is to detect early signs of diseases such as cancer, heart disease and other abnormalities.

Dr. Daniel Durand, chief medical officer at Prenuvo, who is based in Maryland, compared the scan to a "virtual physical" in which a radiologist examines the inside of the body in a way that a traditional annual physical cannot.

Prenuvo's scan uses MRI technology to collect a "vast amount of health data," he told Fox News Digital.

5 CANCER TYPES WHERE SCREENINGS SAVE THE MOST LIVES

"Two licensed providers analyze this data, explain its relevance directly to you and offer you guidance on the next steps necessary to optimize your health," he said.

Insurance does not typically cover whole-body scans.

"Coverage usually varies widely by insurance plan, jurisdiction, and the specific clinical guidelines for each genetic condition," Dr. Mike told Fox News Digital. 

"My general understanding is that for screening purposes, the test is usually not covered, given the lack of documented clinical benefit versus harms."

Some coverage may be offered, however, for those with high-risk genetic syndromes or other specific medical conditions, the doctor noted.

"Our hope is that over time, insurers will see the many benefits of our proactive approach to healthcare and will broaden coverage," Prenuvo’s Durand said.

COMMON CANCER TYPE COULD BE DETECTED WITH NEW BLOOD TEST

"We are actively engaged in several research studies that could provide a foundation for insurance reimbursement."

Depending on the provider and options selected, prices for full-body scans can be as high as $2,500.

The two biggest providers of full-body scans are Prenuvo (headquartered in California) and Ezra (based in New York City). 

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert, previously spoke with Fox News Digital about the benefits of full-body MRI scans.

"Full-body scanning, mainly through MRI, presents a significant advancement in modern medicine's diagnostic capabilities," he said.

"MRI technology allows for a comprehensive, noninvasive examination of the body to detect a wide range of conditions, including cancer and vascular malformations like aneurysms, without the need for potentially harmful X-rays, as is the case with CT scans," he also said.

Durand claimed that a Prenuvo scan can detect many diseases based on changes to the inside of the body that can be detected by MRI.

"Usually these changes happen before symptoms occur or before there are signs on a physical exam," he told Fox News Digital.

"So, in many cases, the earliest signs of diseases — like cancers, infections or aneurysms — will be seen," he went on. "By seeing them earlier, you can be treated earlier, hopefully before the disease has done little to no permanent damage."

Dr. Mike told Fox News Digital that he has not recommended that any of his patients get an MRI screening scan. 

"The high upfront cost and lack of clear medical indication for broad screening (if you’re low-risk and asymptomatic) lead me to agree with the major medical organizations that routine whole-body MRI screening for the general population is not recommended," he said.

CANCER SCREENINGS: HERE ARE 5 TYPES AND CRITICAL INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT EACH

Much of the popularity of these scans has been driven by celebrities, who sometimes receive them for free, Dr. Mike said — which he finds concerning.

"My understanding is that even receiving a free scan is a business relationship that the FTC requires disclosing," he said. "My understanding is that the companies themselves cannot claim their tests save lives, so they work with celebs who can make personal claims that are not subject to the same investigational scrutiny."

"This also sends a conflicting message to the consumer and creates confusion."

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News' senior medical analyst, also does not recommend these scans to patients.

"With the current level of technology, I am against full-body scans in favor of more directed workups initiated by expert physicians who know what they are looking for," he told Fox News Digital.

"If you do a full-body scan, you will be inclined to pursue every positive finding, whether they are really significant or not."

Siegel also noted the high expense and the fact that full-body scans are "frequently oversensitive."

"They may take the place of more directed, accurate studies and screening tests that are more suited to the symptoms, history and genetic tests in specific patients," Siegel cautioned. 

The doctor also noted the current shift toward more personalized healthcare approaches, "augmented by not just genetics, but also artificial intelligence."

"This will lead to more directed workups, not to more full-body scans."

The most significant risks that come with these full-body scans, according to Dr. Mike, are the issues that arise with false positives, overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

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There are also mental risks, including anxiety during the procedure (claustrophobia), stress from incidental findings and an increase in health-related worries, the doctor noted.

"Some proponents say it can ease health-related anxiety; however, I am pretty skeptical of that claim," he said. "Based on my clinical experience, even getting a clear scan would secure peace of mind only temporarily."

Research published in 2020 found that imaging abnormalities are expected in about 95% of screened subjects, according to the doctor. 

"This means the majority of those scanned will have some sort of finding presented to them," he said. "I can’t imagine how helpful that would be to someone already prone to health worries."

During Dr. Mike’s podcast interview with Lacy, the Prenuvo CEO said that long-term data on these screening scans is not yet available.

"So, currently, we don't know if we are saving more people by catching disease early or harming more people with overdiagnosis, false positives and overtreatment," Dr. Mike said. 

"Barring emergencies, if I don't have clear data about the harms and benefits of an intervention, especially one that is meant to be used on healthy people, I cannot widely recommend it."

Prenuvo did cite a recent study of over 1,000 patients who were followed over a one-year period.  

"In this sample, we found pathologically-proven cancer in 2.2% of Prenuvo patients," Durand told Fox News Digital. "Importantly, most of these cancers were early stage, and the majority were cancer types for which there is no widely accepted screening exam."

The most recent guidance from the FDA echoes the doctors’ concerns.

"At this time, the FDA knows of no scientific evidence demonstrating that whole-body scanning of individuals without symptoms provides more benefit than harm to people being screened," the agency stated on its website.

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The FDA also warned about the "relatively high radiation exposure" from CT scans. While this exposure risk is "greatly outweighed" by the benefits of diagnostic and therapeutic scans, the agency said that for whole-body screening of asymptomatic people, "the benefits are questionable."

"Before having a CT screening procedure, carefully investigate and consider the potential risks and benefits and discuss them with your physician," the FDA advised. 

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) also recommends against full-body scans for early tumor detection in asymptomatic patients. 

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Dangerous fungus spreading in US hospitals has ‘rapidly increased'

A dangerous fungus spreading among U.S. healthcare systems isn’t slowing down, reports claim.

New research has revealed that Candida auris (C. auris) has spread rapidly in hospitals since it was first reported in 2016.

In March 2023, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 4,000 new clinical cases of C. auris, dubbing it an "urgent antimicrobial (AR) threat."

SHAMPOO RECALLED FOR BACTERIA CONTAMINATION THAT COULD CAUSE INFECTION

The fungus can be resistant to multiple antifungal drugs and can cause "life-threatening illness."

C. auris "spreads easily" in healthcare facilities and mostly impacts people who are already sick, the CDC stated on its website.

A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control on March 17 analyzed clinical cultures of C. auris across the U.S. collected from 2019 to 2023.

The number of clinical cultures increased by 580% from 2019 to 2020, by 251% in 2021, by 46% in 2022, and by 7% in 2023.

FRIGHTENING NEW FUNGUS ‘CANDIDA AURIS’: WHAT IS IT? WHO IS SUSCEPTIBLE?

"The volumes of clinical cultures with C. auris have rapidly increased, accompanied by an expansion in the sources of infection," concluded the researchers, primarily from the University of Miami.

JoAnna Wagner with the Georgia Department of Public Health shared with local ABC News affiliate WJCL that Georgia, one of the impacted states, has detected more than 1,300 cases as of the end of February.

"Many of the disinfectants that are EPA-registered and historically used by hospitals and medical facilities are not effective against C. Auris," Wagner said.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone, considers C. auris an "emerging problem of great concern," he told Fox News Digital.

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"It is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, and it tends to spread in hospital settings, including on equipment being used on immunocompromised and semi-immunocompromised patients, such as ventilators and catheters," he said.

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"Unfortunately, symptoms such as fever, chills and aches may be ubiquitous, and it can be mistaken for other infections."

"Major research" is ongoing to develop new treatments, according to Siegel.

"This is part of a much larger problem of emerging antibiotic resistance in the U.S. and around the world," the physician cautioned.

"At the same time, sterilization and disinfection measures in hospitals can be very helpful."

Healthcare facilities in Georgia are reportedly using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified cleaners designed to attack the fungus.

Although C. auris can cause severe infections with high death rates in sick individuals, it is "not a threat to healthy people," according to the CDC.

Fox News Digital reached out to the lead study author and the Georgia Department of Public Health for comment.

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Woman, 66 years old, gives birth to her 10th child: People 'should have more children'

A 66-year-old woman in Germany has given birth to her 10th child.

Alexandra Hildebrandt, owner of the Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, welcomed her new son, Philipp, on March 19, according to today.com and other outlets.

The mom had her first child back in 1977, followed by eight children after she turned 50 — who were all born via C-section.

PREGNANT WOMAN AND BABY SAVED AFTER DOCTORS FIND GRAPEFRUIT-SIZED TUMOR: ‘EXTREMELY RARE’

Her children include Svetlana, 45; Artiom, 36; twins Elisabeth and Maximilian, 12; Alexandra, 10; Leopold, 8; Anna, 7; Maria, 4 and Katharina, 2.

Hildebrandt told TODAY that she did not use any fertility drugs and did not have difficulty conceiving.

Her new baby Philipp was born via C-section at Charite Hospital in Berlin. 

He weighed in at a "healthy" seven pounds, 13 ounces, although he was kept in an incubator.

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In an interview with the German newspaper Bild, Hildebrandt shared her happiness in welcoming another child, noting that she feels "like I’m 35."

Professor Wolfgang Henrich, director of the Clinic for Obstetric Medicine at the Berlin Charite where Hildebrandt was treated, told Bild that her age and number of C-sections is an "absolute rarity in obstetric medicine and represented a challenge."

"Because of her particularly good physical constitution and mental strength, Ms. Hildebrandt managed the pregnancy well," he said. 

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"The operation was completely uncomplicated."

Hildebrandt confirmed with the publication, "I eat very healthily, swim regularly for an hour, run for two hours, don’t smoke or drink, and have never used contraception."

"There is such a tendency to be unfriendly to children," Hildebrandt also told Bild. 

"Many people would revise their judgment once they had contact with children. We should encourage people to have more children!"

Fox News Digital reached out to Hildebrandt for further comment.

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Children's ADHD risk linked to mothers' use of common OTC pain reliever

Children could face a higher risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if their mothers took acetaminophen — a common pain reliever and fever reducer — during pregnancy, researchers have found.

The study, which has sparked new discussions about the controversial topic, was recently published in the journal Nature Mental Health.  

"Compared with no exposure, detection of acetaminophen in maternal blood during pregnancy was linked with three times the likelihood of the child developing ADHD," lead author Brennan Baker, a researcher at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, told Fox News Digital.

7 SIGNS YOU MIGHT HAVE ADHD AND WHAT STEPS TO TAKE

To gather the data, researchers took blood samples from 307 Black women during their second trimester of pregnancy, then tested for markers of the fever-reducing medication.

They also sampled the mothers’ placentas after delivery to look for signs of increased inflammation in those exposed to acetaminophen.

(Previous studies have linked elevated inflammatory and immune responses during pregnancy with adverse neurodevelopment in children, Baker noted.)

ADHD AFFECTS 1 IN 9 KIDS IN US, NEW REPORT REVEALS

Researchers then followed up with the children at 8 to 10 years of age to determine how many had been diagnosed with ADHD, then determined whether prenatal exposure to acetaminophen was linked with a higher likelihood of the disorder.

The researchers also found DNA changes related to immune system pathways in the placentas that were exposed to acetaminophen, which was linked to a higher chance of children developing ADHD.

"This indicates that disruptions to the immune system could be a mechanism linking this exposure with child neurodevelopment," Baker said.

Dr. Ryan Sultan, an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and director of the Mental Health Informatics Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said the study’s findings are both "important and concerning."

"What this study does well is push us closer to understanding modifiable prenatal risk factors," Sultan, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.

While the study adds to the growing consensus that acetaminophen is not risk-free, that doesn’t mean pregnant women can’t take Tylenol or other medications containing acetaminophen, experts told Fox News Digital.

"When possible, it should be used sparingly and only when medically necessary during pregnancy," Sultan advised.

There is a conflicting body of research on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the risk of adverse neurodevelopment.

For example, a recent study of nearly 2.5 million Swedish children last year found no increased risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability among siblings who were exposed to the pain medication before birth.

A nationwide study in Taiwan, however, found that the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy increased the development of ADHD in offspring, regardless of whether the mothers had mental health disorders.

Many prior studies have relied on mothers’ self-reporting – which underestimates use, as many people take acetaminophen without knowing it, according to Baker.

Sultan cautioned that the study has some limitations.

Its sample size was small, the population was limited to Black mothers in the South, and exposure to acetaminophen was measured only at a single point in time, he noted.

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Another major limitation is the study design, as it cannot prove that acetaminophen use causes ADHD.

"We can never be 100% sure that an association is causal in an observational study like this, as there can always be unknown confounding factors," Baker told Fox News Digital.

"We tried to control for as many factors as possible, including family history of mental health conditions, maternal use of antibiotics, maternal use of other drugs used for pain/fever, socioeconomic status of the family, and prenatal tobacco and alcohol exposure," he added.

While the researchers may have identified a possible risk for ADHD, the mental health condition is a "complex, multifactorial deficit in executive functioning" that can manifest in a variety of ways, according to Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City.

There are approximately six million pregnancies every year and 80% of women take at least one medication for a health problem diagnosed before or during pregnancy, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

The majority of women take acetaminophen at some point during pregnancy, with more use among those with anxiety and depression, according to past research.

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ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions during childhood, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

The study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health. Fox News Digital reached out to manufacturers of medications containing acetaminophen for comment.

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Dengue fever and prostate cancer risk, plus Alzheimer's prevention

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MORE MEASLES - Cases of the highly contagious virus continue to spread across the country. Here's where outbreaks are occurring. Continue reading…

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Kansas announces measles outbreak with 10 cases reported

Kansas has joined nearly 20 other U.S. states in reporting rising measles cases.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported 10 cases of measles throughout Grant, Morton and Stevens counties as of March 21.

All 10 cases were identified in children aged 0 to 17. 

Nine of these kids were unvaccinated.

MORE STATES NOW REPORTING MEASLES CASES: SEE WHERE OUTBREAKS HAVE SPREAD

One individual was confirmed as under-vaccinated, having only received one of the two MMR vaccine doses.

No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported in the state.

KDHE noted that additional cases are "likely to occur" in the outbreak area and surrounding counties due to measles being "highly contagious," especially for those who are unvaccinated.

Measles infections have continued to spread across the U.S., as the CDC marked 378 total cases in 2025 on March 21.

Numbers are still climbing in West Texas, where the largest outbreak currently has 327 confirmed cases as of March 25.

FLY SAFELY AMID MEASLES OUTBREAK WITH THESE IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS

Most cases nationwide have occurred in school-aged children who are unvaccinated.

KDHE advised healthcare providers to look out for patients with "febrile rash illness" and other symptoms of measles, including fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash on the face and body.

Healthcare professionals should also be on "high alert" for patients who’ve recently traveled internationally, or to U.S. locations where outbreaks have occurred, have frequent contact with unvaccinated individuals, or are unvaccinated themselves.

KDHE instructed suspected and infected patients to isolate themselves at home for four days following the start of a measles rash.

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"Persons that are susceptible to measles and exposed should be excluded from working in an adult care home, correctional facility, or health care facility and attending or working in a school, childcare facility, or adult day care for 21 days following the last exposure," the health department noted.

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To prevent measles, KDHE recommends two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for adults and children, especially for residents of affected counties.

In a recent on-camera interview with Fox News Digital in New York City, Dr. John Whyte, WebMD chief medical officer and practicing physician, emphasized that measles is "one of the most contagious respiratory viruses." 

"Measles is much more contagious than COVID," he said. "It’s a factor of several times more contagious."

One infected person can impact about 10 to 15 other people, according to Whyte.

There are multiple ways to protect yourself from infection, the doctor noted, including being aware of your surroundings and wearing a mask in areas in which cases have been detected.

Whyte also recommended "good handwashing" after touching surfaces, as well as keeping surfaces clean, since virus droplets can stick and spread when contact is made.

Fox News Digital reached out to KDHE for comment.

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Shampoo recalled for bacteria contamination that could cause infection

A brand of shampoo has been recalled due to a potential health risk.

Henkel, a consumer brands manufacturer, announced on Tuesday that Tec Italy Totale Shampoo has been pulled from shelves for potential contamination with the bacteria Klebsiella oxytoca.

Henkel's Mexico unit voluntarily recalled 1,068 units of the shampoo after microbiological analyses revealed the presence of bacteria, according to a press release sent to Fox News Digital.

BEEF STICKS FOOD PRODUCT RECALLED FOR ‘PIECES OF METAL’ FOUND INSIDE

The shampoo was distributed in New York and California and could have been further distributed to other states, Henkel warned.

The product was also sold directly to consumers by retailers.

The recalled shampoo is packaged in a green plastic 33.81 fluid ounce/1 liter bottle, marked with the lot number 1G27542266 on the side and the UPC code 7501438375850, the release stated.

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Exposure to these bacteria can cause health effects in humans, including eye, nose and skin infections, with "additional reactions for consumers with immune-compromised conditions," according to Henkel.

"To date, there have been no reports of user harm or injury related to these products," Henkel said in the release.

"Consumers who experience symptoms, or have any medical questions associated with this recall, should consult a physician immediately."

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Consumers who have purchased the affected bottles of Tec Italy Shampoo Totale should "stop using the product and return the products to their place of purchase for a full refund," Henkel recommended.

"Tec Italy seeks to minimize all inconvenience this may cause consumers and [is] committed to their complete satisfaction," the company wrote.

It also said, "Henkel is conducting this recall with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration."

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Men going bald turn to 'new Botox' for hair loss treatment

The cure for baldness has long been a scientific enigma.

Yet advanced treatment options and hair-loss clinics have continued to emerge — and researchers are making progress on finding fixes for balding.

UCLA scientists recently alerted a "breakthrough" discovery involving a molecule named PP405 that can "waken long-slumbering but undamaged" hair follicles, according to a press release.

CURE FOR MEN'S HAIR LOSS COULD BE FOUND IN SUGAR STORED IN THE BODY, STUDY SUGGESTS

In a 2023 clinical trial, researchers found that applying PP405 as a topical medicine to the scalp at bedtime showed "statistically significant" results.

They believe this treatment will produce "full ‘terminal’ hair rather than the peach fuzz variety."

William Lowry, Ph.D., a co-researcher at UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center, told Fox News Digital that although this research is promising, "cure is a strong word."

"There are only two FDA-approved treatments for androgenetic alopecia (AGA, or pattern baldness): minoxidil and finasteride," he said in an interview. 

"They are both limited in efficacy and improve hair in only a portion of patients who take them."

THESE 5 BALDING AND HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS COULD HELP ENSURE A HEALTHY SCALP, EXPERTS SAY

Other treatment options include supplements, red light therapy, platelet-rich plasma injections and hair transplantation, Lowry said, although these have not undergone "definitive clinical trials and can be expensive, time-consuming and limited in efficacy."

He added, "None of these are curative, meaning none of them permanently restore all hair lost due to AGA."

Lowry and his fellow researchers have discovered that hair follicle stem cells have a "distinct metabolism from other cells in the follicle."

He said, "We found that promoting this metabolism can accelerate stem cell activation, which makes new hairs grow. We subsequently developed drugs that can drive this effect in various models of hair loss that reflect the multifactorial drivers of androgenetic alopecia in patients."

HAIR LOSS AND PROSTATE MEDICATION COULD ALSO REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISK, STUDY FINDS

PP405 has become the leading candidate for hair-loss treatment as part of this new class of drugs.

"We are excited about the opportunity to bring a novel treatment option to patients with hair loss based on strong science and rigorous clinical trials," he said. 

"Additionally, because the mechanism of action we discovered is distinct from previous approaches, it can potentially be used in combination with other therapies."

Brendan Camp, M.D., a Manhattan-based dermatologist, told Fox News Digital in an interview that hair loss is a condition that "affects many and can have a negative impact on people's psychosocial health." 

So identifying a potential new hair-loss treatment is an "exciting step for patients and providers in the management of what can otherwise be a difficult condition to treat."

Camp agreed there is an "unmet need" for hair-loss treatment and that there's growing interest in providing solutions and offering hair restoration services more widely.

HAIR LOSS? GUT HEALTH ISSUES? DR. NICOLE SAPHIER REVEALS SMART FIXES

As cosmetic injections such as Botox and fillers have continued to be popular anti-aging and beauty treatments, hair-loss and restoration med spas are similarly surfacing nationwide.

The clinics offer a variety of services for men and women given the availability of modern options.

Dr. Amy Spizuoco, DO, of True Dermatology in New York, dubbed balding treatments in this capacity the "new Botox." 

"With advances in treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy, hair transplants and the latest stem cell research, hair restoration has become more accessible and effective," she told Fox News Digital.

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"And much like Botox is used preventatively, younger people are tackling hair loss at the first signs rather than waiting until it’s severe."

Camp added that while there are many hair-loss treatment options available, the response will look different for each person. 

"When looking for a treatment, stick to those with a well-established body of evidence and data to support their use, such as minoxidil, finasteride and spironolactone (in the case of female-pattern hair loss)," he advised.

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And be sure to get "the advice of a board-certified dermatologist when at-home treatments are not effective," he also said. 

These treatments are "typically used indefinitely" and should be tested for three to four months before being ruled out as effective or not, the dermatologist added.

Spizuoco said that while hair loss is common, early intervention with the right treatment plan can "significantly slow it down or possibly reverse it."

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First confirmed case of measles in Washington, D.C. investigated by health officials

A confirmed case of measles in Washington, D.C. is being investigated by health officials after the contagious person visited several locations in the district.

The DC Department of Health warned the public of the potential exposure in a press release shared late Tuesday morning.

TENNESSEE REPORTS FIRST MEASLES CASE AMID U.S. OUTBREAK

According to the release, those who were in the following places in the district at the listed times may have been exposed:

Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train (Southbound): March 19, 7:30 p.m. through 1:30 a.m.

Amtrak Concourse, Union Station: March 19, 11:00 p.m. through 1:30 a.m.

MedStar Urgent Care, Adams Morgan: March 22, 7:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms usually start 7 to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include a fever over 101°F as well as a cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes.

The most distinctive symptom of measles, appearing 3 to 5 days after onset of symptoms, is a rash that starts on the face and spreads across the body. Infected people can spread measles four days before the rash appears and up to four days afterward.

MARYLAND CONFIRMS FIRST MEASLES CASE IN TRAVELER AT MAJOR DC AIRPORT

If you have been exposed to measles or were at one of the locations shared by the DC Department of Health during the times listed and are not vaccinated, health officials recommend watching for symptoms until 21 days after exposure. 

If you are in Washington, D.C., health officials also recommend calling a doctor or DC Health at 844-493-2652 for additional guidance. Those exposed to measles are urged to stay home and avoid others if any symptoms appear.

Nearby Maryland experienced its first confirmed case of measles in a traveler at the Baltimore airport on March 10. The virus has swept much of the Northeast this winter.

People who have received two doses of the MMR or measles vaccine or were born before 1957 are considered protected. Those with only one dose of the vaccine are mostly protected but may seek a second shot for full immunity. Measles is considered preventable with the MMR vaccine, which offers lifetime protection with two doses.

Infants under 12 months old and those who are unvaccinated are considered most at-risk for measles.

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Measles has been on the rise across the nation this cold and flu season, with 327 cases reported in Texas as of Tuesday, March 25. 40 people have been hospitalized from the outbreak so far in the Lone Star State.

The CDC has confirmed a total of 378 cases nationwide as of March 20 in a release.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/YmvZ3ds

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