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Friday

Veterinarians say fears about 'mystery' dog illness may be overblown. Here's why

Many dog owners are worried about reports of a mysterious respiratory illness affecting dogs. THEPALMER/Getty Images hide caption

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THEPALMER/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Veterinarians say fears about 'mystery' dog illness may be overblown. Here's why

Reports of an "outbreak" of some as yet unidentified canine respiratory illness are scaring dog owners. But veterinarians and researchers aren't panicking.

Veterinarians say fears about 'mystery' dog illness may be overblown. Here's why

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Wednesday

Free COVID tests headed to nation's schools

School districts across the country will be able to order free COVID-19 tests from the federal government starting in early December. Patrick Sison/AP hide caption

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Patrick Sison/AP

Shots - Health News

Free COVID tests headed to nation's schools

Starting in early December, about 19,000 school districts will have the chance to order free rapid COVID tests from the federal stockpile for their students, staff and others in the community.

Free COVID tests headed to nation's schools

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Thursday

Could a 'funky' pathogen be sickening dogs? Scientists search for clues

Healthy dogs romp in Brooklyn's Prospect Park in early October, after a storm caused severe flooding. Around the country a mysterious respiratory illness is making some dogs sick. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Could a 'funky' pathogen be sickening dogs? Scientists search for clues

Dogs around the country are becoming sick with an unknown respiratory illness. Some veterinarians are warning dog owners to take precautions. A strange bacterium could be involved.

Could a 'funky' pathogen be sickening dogs? Scientists search for clues

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Tuesday

Get used to it: COVID is a part of the holidays. Here's how to think about risks now

Back in 2020, even Sasquatch Pilgrim wore a mask on his way to Thanksgiving dinner. Vaccines and immunity make things better this year, but a mask during holiday travel is still a good idea. Mark Makela/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Makela/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Get used to it: COVID is a part of the holidays. Here's how to think about risks now

As the country enters its fourth holiday season with COVID-19, experts offer advice about how Americans should navigate the risks and what precautions still make sense.

Get used to it: COVID is a part of the holidays. Here's how to think about risks now

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Tuesday

Syphilis among newborns continues to rise. Pregnant moms need treatment, CDC says

Disease intervention specialists, like Deneshun Graves with the Houston Health Department, work to reach pregnant women at high risk of syphilis to get them testing and treatment to protect their babies. Michael Wyke/AP hide caption

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Michael Wyke/AP

Shots - Health News

Syphilis among newborns continues to rise. Pregnant moms need treatment, CDC says

Unless mothers are treated during pregnancy, newborns can sicken, die or face lifelong disabilities. The CDC is urging public health providers to connect more people to testing and medication.

Syphilis among newborns continues to rise. Pregnant moms need treatment, CDC says

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Wednesday

Health

Nearly half of all health workers want to quit. A campaign aims to reverse that

A new federal campaign is pushing hospital leaders to change policies and practices to reduce burnout in the health care workforce.

Nearly half of all health workers want to quit. A campaign aims to reverse that

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Friday

Tuesday

Long COVID brain fog may originate in a surprising place, say scientists

Corona virus Radoslav Zilinsky/Getty Images hide caption

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Radoslav Zilinsky/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Long COVID brain fog may originate in a surprising place, say scientists

Scientists studying the causes of long COVID symptoms are proposing a surprising pathway. Their research weaves together several prominent lines of evidence on what might be driving the condition.

Long COVID brain fog may originate in a surprising place, say scientists

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Sunday

Ready to cold plunge? We dive into the science to see if it's worth it

Mikki Smith lets out a cry as she adjusts to the frigid water. It was her first time with the Puget Sound Plungers in Seattle, Washington. Mike Kane for NPR hide caption

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Mike Kane for NPR

Shots - Health News

Ready to cold plunge? We dive into the science to see if it's worth it

When it comes to the health benefits of cold water dips, the hype is ahead of the science. NPR talked to researchers about what's true, what's not, and the latest on how to get the most out of it.

Ready to cold plunge? We dive into the science to see if it's worth it

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Monday

Health

Is it true that taking a dip in freezing cold water has health benefits?

Lots of people are touting the benefits of cold water immersion but is there research to back up these claims? We check with scientists.

Is it true that taking a dip in freezing cold water has health benefits?

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Wednesday

Health

A common ingredient in over-the-counter decongestants does not work, experts say

A panel of experts has concluded that a common ingredient in over-the-counter decongestants does not work. This could lead to the product being pulled from store shelves.

A common ingredient in over-the-counter decongestants does not work, experts say

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Saturday

Unraveling long COVID: Here's what scientists who study the illness want to find out

Researchers looking for root causes of long COVID work in the autopsy suite inside the Clinical Center at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Unraveling long COVID: Here's what scientists who study the illness want to find out

At a recent medical gathering, researchers presented their latest hypotheses about what causes – and what could treat – the lingering disease.

Saturday

Health

Scientists are meeting in Santa Fe to unravel the mystery of long COVID

Scientists from around the world met face to face in Santa Fe, NM, this week to present the latest findings on long COVID and discuss studies of potential treatments.

Scientists are meeting in Santa Fe to unravel the mystery of long COVID

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Friday

Health

Scientists gathered in New Mexico to address persistent symptoms of long COVID

Progress on long COVID may seem slow, but scientists say they're closing in on some potential explanations for the disease. That will hopefully point the way to treatments.

Scientists gathered in New Mexico to address persistent symptoms of long COVID

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Wednesday

Health

Scientists look at the progress made toward understanding — and treating — long COVID

Scientists gathered this week to unpack what we know about the underlying cause of long COVID and potential treatments.

Scientists look at the progress made toward understanding — and treating — long COVID

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Saturday

There's a way to get healthier without even going to a gym. It's called NEAT
Laura Gao for NPR

Shots - Health News

There's a way to get healthier without even going to a gym. It's called NEAT

All those daily activities we'd rather avoid — taking the stairs, cleaning the house etc. — have a big metabolic payoff. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis can help manage weight and boost health.

There's a way to get healthier without even going to a gym. It's called NEAT

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Thursday

Tuesday

An old drug offers a new way to stop STIs

Scientists have shown that the antibiotic doxycycline can ward off illnesses like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. It's a prevention tool called doxy-PEP. MirageC/Getty Images hide caption

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MirageC/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

An old drug offers a new way to stop STIs

Taken after sex, the antibiotic doxycycline can ward off some sexually transmitted illnesses. Doctors are already prescribing it and the CDC is expected to share guidance soon for how best to use it.

Thursday

Medical Treatments

Opioids are not the best way to treat short-term back pain, study finds

A carefully conducted study of treatments for short-term back pain finds that opioids aren't the best approach. The results throw into question current guidelines.

Opioids are not the best way to treat short-term back pain, study finds

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Wednesday

Tuesday

Health

Intermittent fasting may be equally as effective for weight loss as counting calories

Patients trying to lose weight are often counseled to count calories, but new research finds intermittent fasting can be just as effective. (Story aired on All Things Considered on June 26, 2023.)

Intermittent fasting may be equally as effective for weight loss as counting calories

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Monday

Health

Intermittent fasting may be equally as effective for weight loss as counting calories

When trying to lose weight, patients are often counseled to count calories, but this can be cumbersome and hard to stick with. New research finds that intermittent fasting can be just as effective.

Intermittent fasting may be equally as effective for weight loss as counting calories

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Intermittent fasting found as effective for long-term weight loss as counting calories

New research finds that people who try time-restricted eating have success losing weight comparable to those who count calories. Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images hide caption

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Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Intermittent fasting found as effective for long-term weight loss as counting calories

Limiting when you eat to a six- or eight-hour window can help reduce caloric intake, a new study finds. While the weight loss isn't dramatic, it may be easier to stick to than counting calories.

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