Regularly drinking very hot tea or coffee may raise the risk of a type of esophageal cancer, according to a large study at the University of Oxford.

People who reported drinking beverages "very hot" had about three times the risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of cancer that begins in the cells lining the esophagus, compared to those who drank warm beverages.

Drinking six or more hot drinks per day was associated with a 71% higher risk of the disease. The same link was not seen for esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC), a type of cancer that develops in the lower part of the esophagus.

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The study included nearly 1 million U.K. adults, making it the largest investigation of its kind to date, according to lead study author Keren Papier, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford.

Roughly half of the participants were from the Million Women Study (MWS), who were followed for an average of 14 years, and the other half were from the UK Biobank (UKB), who were followed for 11 years.

"Compared with people who reported drinking their beverages ‘warm,’ those who drank them ‘hot’ had around a 1.7 times higher risk of SCC, while those who drank them ‘very hot’ had around a three times higher risk," Papier told Fox News Digital.

The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer.

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The researchers estimated that, if the observed association reflects a true cause-and-effect relationship, about 14% of SCC cases could potentially be prevented if people drank beverages "hot" rather than "very hot."

The biggest limitation, according to the researchers, is that beverage temperatures were self-reported rather than directly measured. Because people's tolerance for heat differs, participants may have classified similar temperatures differently.

"A limitation of our study was that, although we examined associations by self-reported preferred drink temperature, we did not have data on directly measured drink temperatures, and, therefore, cannot determine how self-reported drink temperature is likely to relate to absolute drink temperature," Papier noted.

"These findings don't mean people need to stop drinking tea or coffee. Just let your drinks cool down a little before drinking them."

An outside cancer specialist agreed the findings are biologically plausible but said they should be interpreted in context.

Dr. Aaron Sasson, chief of surgical oncology and co-director of the gastrointestinal oncology team at Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York, said it’s been known that drinking hot beverages or liquids can be irritating to the esophagus and that it could contribute to the development of esophageal cancer.

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The hotter the liquid, the higher the risk of a "thermal injury," the doctor told Fox News Digital.

"Similar to burning your hand, if you were to get a burn on your hand, you have an increased risk of getting squamous cell carcinoma of the hand, of the skin developing in the burned area," Sasson said. "So, think of that as constantly repeating a burn to the esophagus."

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The doctor reiterated that this study specifically looked at the risk of squamous carcinomas, not adenocarcinomas.

"In the United States, about 85% of all of our cancers are adenocarcinomas. So, the incidence of squamous carcinomas in the esophagus is quite low, just to put it into perspective," he noted.

The lifetime risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in the U.S. is less than 1%, the doctor said.

Sasson agreed that there was no "objective measurement" of the drinks’ temperature, which poses an unknown variable.

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"If you are a heavy consumer of hot tea or coffee, maybe you'd want to cool it down a little bit," he advised. "But I think, for practical purposes, for most people, [it’s] not the predominant risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus."

Smoking, heavy alcohol use, acid reflux and obesity are among the better-established risk factors for esophageal cancer, Sasson said.

"If you were to limit alcohol consumption and eliminate cigarette smoking, you will have done wonders for your esophagus."

As the nation marks 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001, the weight of the loss of loved ones still looms.

Podcaster David Ferrugio, author of the new book "You're Not Dead Yet," joined Fox News Digital to discuss how his own grief persists 25 years after 9/11.

The host of the "DEAD Talks" podcast lost his father, David Frances Ferrugio, who worked at the World Trade Center, in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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Ferrugio, who was 12 years old and living in New Jersey at the time, recalls watching television footage of the towers collapsing and "breaking down."

"It was like a dividing moment in my memory and my life, because I was one person on September 11th, and then on September 12th, it was a whole new reality I walked into, which inspired what I'm doing."

After years of internalizing his emotions, Ferrugio discovered the power of sharing stories of grief. 

On his podcast, he invites guests to discuss their own experiences with death and loss.

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"Eventually, I got comfortable expressing myself and learning the importance of just sharing [my] story and telling people how I feel and opening up," he said.

Drawing from his own experiences, Ferrugio shares several lessons that have helped him navigate grief.

Although discussions of grief can be difficult, even decades after a traumatic event like 9/11, Ferrugio said "embracing the uncomfortable" and talking it out is "an important piece of this complex puzzle."

Sharing stories of loss can provide emotional release while also helping others feel less alone, he noted, adding that he's seen firsthand how those conversations can make a difference.

"Even when I have my days of just not feeling it, I'm reminded by the people who reach out and the way they share their story ... how much it is impacting so many people."

Finding a sense of community can be especially meaningful at a time when so many people are experiencing loneliness, whether they're grieving or not, Ferrugio added.

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"I've learned so much through the eyes of others, and I think the storytelling is just so vital."

Fear of judgment often keeps people from sharing their stories, even though doing so can bring a sense of "liberation," according to Ferrugio.

More than two decades after the attacks, Ferrugio shared that his mental health has improved after putting in "a lot of effort," including shifting his perspective on life and death.

"Life and death are the same coin, just two different sides – and there's a thin veil between them," he said.

"It’s completely shifted the way I live my life through seeing what other people are going through ... understanding the pain people are experiencing, how they manage it ... how they reframe it, and understanding that as alone as this life can feel, we're not as alone as we think."

Grief can reshape how people approach life, Ferrugio said, encouraging them to be more present, embrace the full range of emotions and give themselves grace, even during life's most difficult times.

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"Ultimately, all these conversations I've had are conversations about grief, but they're really conversations about how we can live this life."

When painful emotions or a wave of grief start to roll in, Ferrugio's go-to technique is to allow himself to feel it and "breathe it out."

"A lot of breath work works wonders for me," he said. "A deep breath is going to do more for you than you think."

Along with breath work, Ferrugio said exercising and spending time in nature have helped calm his nervous system, noting that what works best varies from person to person.

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"We forget to look inward, and we all have that intuition and that guttural feeling – we have to trust what we're saying to ourselves," he said. "What feels good? Does this feel like it's working?"

It’s important to allow for moments of joy, even during times of grief, said Ferrugio.

"Give yourself permission to feel moments of levity, to feel moments of joy, even if it is for five seconds. … Just take those moments and cherish them, because the contrast of the joy and pain exists for a reason."

"It's not easy to feel however you feel, but it takes a lot of effort and discomfort to try to step out of that. … Whatever we go through in life, it's an ebb and flow, and sometimes both are happening at the same time."

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Ferrugio acknowledged that the pain of losing his father remains.

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"For anyone else who's been part of that day, I just hope they look back at the days they've gone through and see that they're still here," he said. 

"You're still with us, and you’re still grinding. You're showing up for the people in your life."

"It's important to zoom out and realize, ‘I've done this for 25 years, and I'm still here.’"

Annual U.S. cancer deaths tied to alcohol consumption more than doubled over a three-decade period, according to a recent study led by researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, revealed that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths jumped from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.

Researchers analyzed more than 30 years of data from the Global Burden of Disease study to track the trends.

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While alcohol has long been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, surveys show that awareness of its link to cancer remains limited.

"The most surprising finding was the breadth of alcohol’s potential impact across cancer types," Chinmay Jani, M.D., corresponding author of the study and chief fellow in hematology and oncology at Sylvester, told Fox News Digital.

"Although its relationship with liver cancer is widely recognized, its contribution to cancers such as colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer is less understood by the public."

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The research showed that older adults and men bore the highest overall burden of alcohol-related cancer deaths. Among older men, liver cancer was the primary cause of alcohol-attributable mortality, followed closely by esophageal and colorectal cancers.

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Breast cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths among women overall, the study found.

Among younger adults between the ages of 20 and 54, colorectal cancer emerged as the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in men and the second leading cause in women, surpassing liver cancer in both groups.

The authors noted that the findings carry significant weight for public health messaging, particularly because general awareness surrounding alcohol's connection to various cancers remains low compared to known risks like tobacco use.

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Because no minimum "safe" level of alcohol has been established, researchers said drinking less may help lower long-term cancer risk.

Because the study used existing national data rather than following individuals over time, researchers couldn’t determine each person’s exact drinking habits or account for every lifestyle factor.

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As a result, the findings show a strong association between alcohol use and cancer deaths, but they cannot prove that alcohol directly caused those deaths or establish a specific "safe" drinking limit.

"What this study makes clear is that alcohol-related cancer risk is not limited to one disease or one group of people," Gilberto Lopes, M.D., senior author and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School, told Fox News Digital.

"As physicians and cancer researchers, we have an opportunity to help patients understand that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor and that even small, informed changes can be part of a broader strategy to reduce cancer risk in our community."

Those who were present at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, continue to experience the physical effects of their exposure.

As Lower Manhattan was engulfed in dust and debris from the remnants of both towers, first responders and survivors were forced to breathe in toxic air.

More than 400,000 people were exposed to toxic contaminants, physical-injury risks and stressful conditions in the days, weeks and months following the attacks, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

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As of March 2025, 8,215 people who had enrolled in the WTC Health Program had died, including 5,844 responders, as reported by the CDC. The figures include deaths from all causes; the program does not track whether a member’s death was related to 9/11 exposure.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Mordechai Shedrowitzky, a volunteer EMT who responded on 9/11, shared how his exposure led to multiple hospitalizations and, ultimately, major surgery.

Queens-born Shedrowitzky, 51, was living in Brooklyn at the time of the attacks. After helping cover his local area for much of the day, he headed into Lower Manhattan that evening to assist with the response.

"My most vivid memory was actually entering Manhattan from Brooklyn," he said. "As we approached the tunnel, the first thing we noticed was there were no lights, there was no electricity in the area, it [was] pitch black."

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"When we entered the tunnel, there was a tremendous amount of swirling debris, at speeds that I just can't even imagine."

Once Shedrowitzky and his team arrived at South Street Seaport, where his ambulance was staged with others, he described the debris as "overwhelming."

"I remember the engine actually sputtering at times," he said. "I would imagine that it was taking in a tremendous amount of dust."

"We were definitely not cognizant of what effect ... the air might have on us. And therefore, we did spend a significant amount of time outside of the ambulances, just commiserating with the people around us."

Shedrowitzky said he "thought it was over" once he left the scene. But years later, he noticed small symptoms that were turning into a big problem.

His pre-existing asthma — which typically flared during seasonal changes and caused coughing that required an inhaler — was worsening each year.

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"I started to require oral steroids," he said. "I would have wheezing; I would have coughing. It would last longer; it would be more serious ... I wouldn't be able to go to work, wouldn’t be able to take care of my kids. So, the effects were definitely increasing over time."

Shedrowitzky added that his condition was "getting to the point where it was leading to frequent respiratory infections and hospitalizations."

"It took a number of years, many years, for us to realize that what was going on with my health was probably related to 9/11."

In 2019, Shedrowitzky described that his condition got "significantly worse," after experiencing a cough that wouldn’t resolve itself, even after the "highest doses" of steroids and antibiotics.

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Shedrowitzky ultimately was put in touch with the World Trade Center Health Program – a federal program administered by the CDC – where his condition was classified as 9/11-related and was monitored.

It was eventually confirmed that Shedrowitzky had tracheobronchomalacia, a condition in which the walls of the windpipe and major airways weaken and collapse during breathing.

"[It] was probably secondary to both the asthma getting worse as well as steroid use over the years to try to treat those symptoms," he said.

In 2024, Shedrowitzky underwent a procedure called a tracheobronchoplasty to structurally reinforce his trachea and main bronchi.

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Two years after the procedure, he said he is feeling "much better," although he still experiences occasional infections. He hopes to return to work as a physical therapist soon.

"Even a couple of months ago, I wouldn't have been able to speak for more than a very short time," Shedrowitzky said.

As a father of six, Shedrowitzky – who is now also a grandfather of two – said his condition made it difficult for him to spend time with his children as they were growing up.

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"Things as simple as lifting my children, even speaking to them," he said. "The amount of time that I spent in the hospital and its effect on them was quite significant."

"Now, they're older, but my ability to spend time, interact with them ... has been greatly improved."

Dr. Denise Harrison, medical director of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine WTC Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, has been involved in post-9/11 healthcare since 2002.

The program has since grown to provide screening, monitoring and treatment for people experiencing health effects related to their 9/11 exposure.

The doctor noted that the dust on 9/11 was "highly alkaline," which can be "very irritating" to the airways.

"Usually, the larger size dust gets deposited in the upper airways and the smaller size dust gets deposited in the lower airways," she told Fox News Digital. "Because of the overwhelming nature of the disaster, a significant number of large particles got deposited into the lower airways as well. So, this is not just the airways, but also the digestive tract, in the esophagus."

Harrison said patients often report sinus problems, asthma and COPD. These conditions can occur alongside other "aerodigestive" issues, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, which may complicate diagnosis and treatment.

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Other 9/11-related conditions may also be interlinked.

"We have patients with asthma and PTSD who might perceive their asthma symptoms differently than the patients without PTSD, so that requires a combination of providers," the doctor said.

Shedrowitzky urged other first responders who are experiencing health issues to not wait to get help and to confirm that what they’re experiencing may be linked to 9/11.

"Continue to be monitored so that potential issues can be picked up early," he advised.

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"If we can look back and see the quality of life that it's robbing you of, it might push you to contact the World Trade Center Health Program, get the help that you need."

As of March 31, 2025, the WTC Health Program had more than 130,000 currently enrolled members.

The program, which is authorized through 2090, operates branches across multiple health systems, including NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai, Northwell, Stony Brook and Rutgers.

Harrison reiterated that the health effects of 9/11 exposure remain "persistent," and can be exacerbated by the environment and other illnesses. Experts predict that the fallout will continue for decades to come.

"Symptoms are still ongoing and research is still ongoing," she said, urging the public and responders to "have patience."

"While it might not directly benefit them or may provide some benefits now, it could be more beneficial in the future and help the overall response to disasters."

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Adults who reported using prescription weight-loss medication in the last year had higher rates of depression, mental-health counseling, suicidal thoughts and suicide-related behaviors compared to people who did not take the drugs, according to an observational study.

The research, conducted at Asan Medical Center in South Korea, analyzed data from 27,741 adults (10,908 men and 16,833 women).

Of these participants, 846 had been taking prescription medications for weight control during the previous year, while 26,895 did not take them.

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The weight-loss drug users were 1.9 times more likely to experience depression and twice as likely to seek mental health counseling.

They were also 2.7 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and 1.7 times more likely to make a suicide attempt.

The associations were stronger among those using the medications who gained or regained weight.

"The tendency for depression and suicide-related indicators to increase as weight rebounds after using weight-loss drugs may reflect not only the neuropsychiatric effects of the drugs themselves, but also a complex interplay of psychological and social factors associated with failed weight control," the research team wrote in the study.

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The findings were published in the Korean Journal of Family Practice on Aug. 23.

Bonnie Mitchell, doctor of behavioral health and licensed professional clinical counselor in California, noted that this was an observational, cross-sectional study.

"It shows a correlation between weight-loss drug use and self-reported mental health symptoms, but it cannot prove causation," she told Fox News Digital. "It does not demonstrate that weight-loss medications directly induce depression or suicidal thoughts."

The data was collected between 2013 and 2022.

"During most of this period, modern GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists used for weight loss (such as high-dose semaglutide/Wegovy or tirzepatide/Zepbound/Mounjaro) were either not yet on the market or had very limited real world uptake in South Korea," Mitchell said.

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"The study sample captures older anti-obesity agents historically prescribed in South Korea during that decade, including phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, topiramate and orlistat."

Central nervous system stimulants – including phentermine-based drugs – have been shown to carry risks of anxiety, mood changes and insomnia, the counselor noted.

"The study highlighted a striking sub finding that found users who gained weight despite taking the medication had 4.2 times higher odds of suicidal ideation compared to non-users," Mitchell noted.

Weight regain or perceived "failure" in weight management can trigger profound guilt, shame, helplessness and psychological distress, according to the expert.

"Individuals with severe obesity have higher baseline rates of depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia," Mitchell said. "A cross-sectional survey cannot separate pre-existing mental health struggles from new symptoms that arose after starting a medication."

More research is needed to determine whether weight-loss medications themselves affect mental health, or whether depression and other symptoms are related to factors such as obesity or difficulties losing weight.

The researchers also need to determine whether mental health risks differ between specific weight-loss drugs.

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"Even though GLP-1 clinical trials show low absolute risk, the FDA’s product labels for chronic weight management drugs (like Wegovy and Zepbound) include warnings to monitor for mood changes," Mitchell noted.

She recommends that a physician conducts a baseline mental health history before prescribing new weight-loss medications, evaluating past or current depression, bipolar disorder, or history of suicidal ideation or behavior.

"Doctors can inform patients and caregivers about potential mood changes so they know what to watch for," Mitchell said. "The next important step for ongoing monitoring would be to schedule check-ins at 4- to 8-week intervals during dose escalation, to evaluate both physiological progress and psychological well-being."

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Patients should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they notice new or worsening depressive symptoms, including the following.

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"Any active suicidal thoughts require immediate emergency medical care," Mitchell advised.

"If a patient develops emergent depression or suicidal ideation during treatment, clinicians should discontinue the weight-loss medication and connect the patient with psychiatric support."

Eli Lilly, manufacturer of the tirzepatide weight-loss medication Zepbound, explicitly mentions "depression or thoughts of suicide" in its safety information.

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"You should pay attention to changes in your mood, behaviors, feelings or thoughts," the website reads.

It further advises patients to contact a healthcare provider if mental health changes are "new, worse or worry you."

On Lilly's medical-information site, the company says that after reviewing clinical trials and medical reports, "no increased risk" of suicidal ideation or psychiatric adverse effects was identified.

Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of the semaglutide weight-loss medication Wegovy, states in its trials that less than 1% of participants experienced suicidal ideation or behavior during treatment. It also says there was "no difference between semaglutide 2.4 mg and placebo."

Fox News Digital reached out to Lilly and Novo Nordisk for comment.

Former President Joe Biden shared an update on his battle with prostate cancer Tuesday, revealing that radiation treatment he underwent last fall "worked as intended" while urging American men not to delay conversations with their doctors about cancer screening.

Biden, 83, issued the update in a lengthy social media post marking Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, saying the occasion was more personal for him following his diagnosis last year.

"The radiation treatment from last fall worked as intended, and I continue to do the things I care about, like finishing my memoir," Biden wrote.

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He also thanked the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who have treated him, saying their "skill, dedication, and compassion mean so much."

Biden used much of the message to urge men to discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctors, pointing to the dramatically higher survival rate when the disease is detected early.

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"Talk to your doctors. Ask the hard questions. Do it for yourself, and do it for the people who love you," Biden wrote.

Biden said men at average risk should begin discussing prostate cancer screening with their doctors around age 50, while Black men and those with a family history should begin those conversations earlier.

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The American Cancer Society recommends discussing screening at age 50 for average-risk men, age 45 for Black men and certain men with a family history, and age 40 for some men at even higher risk.

Biden’s office announced in May 2025 that the former president had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones.

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The diagnosis came after Biden experienced increasing urinary symptoms and doctors discovered a prostate nodule. His office said at the time that the cancer had a Gleason score of 9, Grade Group 5, but was hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management.

Biden later underwent radiation therapy and completed that course of treatment last fall.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Biden’s office for additional comment on his current health, treatment and prognosis.

Biden closed Tuesday's message by thanking those who have continued to pray for him and his family.

"It’s my hope and prayer that by sharing our experience and being part of this important conversation, we can help save lives," he wrote. "And no matter what, keep the faith. God bless you."

Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price and Robert McGreevy contributed to this reporting.

A drug being developed to treat a serious lung disease may also help to slow the aging process, researchers say.

In a small clinical study, patients who took rentosertib – developed by Insilico Medicine in Massachusetts – showed changes in blood proteins that made them appear biologically younger.

Several tests estimated that after treatment, the patients were biologically about three to four years younger.

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"There is a promising trend in age reversal in addition to treating the disease, and it came as a bonus for disease treatment," first author Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, founder and co-CEO of Insilico Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

"It basically means that you are predicted to be younger using a validated set of aging clocks. We don’t know what that means yet."

The results were published in Nature Biotechnology and presented Monday at the Nature conference at Sorbonne University in Paris.

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The researchers caution, however, that this does not yet prove the drug can actually reverse aging or help people live longer.

"It’s early days," Zhavoronkov noted. "The drug is still investigational."

Rentosertib is an experimental drug, discovered with the help of artificial intelligence, that is being developed to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious disease that causes scarring in the lungs.

In an unexpected outcome, the drug was found to change patterns of proteins in the blood in ways that made patients appear an average of three to four years younger, in one case up to six years.

Six different aging tests showed the same general pattern, with patients who took rentosertib "scoring" biologically younger than those who received a placebo.

The strongest effect was seen after four weeks in patients taking 30 mg of the drug twice a day.

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When researchers compared the results with data from more than 55,000 people in the UK Biobank, they found that the drug changed several blood proteins in the opposite direction from what is normally seen with aging.

The researchers also found signs that the drug may affect aging at the cellular level, as it changed processes involved in how cells function and respond to damage.

Zhavoronkov said the company's approach uses AI to search for what he calls "molecular criminals" — biological targets that may contribute to both aging and disease.

The study – which was published in Nature Biotechnology – involved researchers from Insilico Medicine as well as Harvard Medical School, Stanford University, the Broad Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Peking University and Westlake University.

Zhavoronkov stressed that the findings are preliminary. "This is a pilot," he said. "It is early [and] exploratory."

The study had some limitations, including the small sample size – just 42 patients were analyzed over a 12-week period.

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The participants all had IPF, which can change many of the same proteins researchers use to measure biological aging. This means it’s possible that the improvements in the participants’ lung disease was related to the changes in blood proteins.

The findings don’t prove that the drug actually slows aging, keeps people healthier longer or extends their lives, the researchers acknowledged.

The results were based only on changes in proteins in their blood, and do not yet support the use of rentosertib as an anti-aging treatment.

The risks and side effects associated with rentosertib were found to be "manageable," according to Dr. Carol Ann Satler, senior vice president of clinical development for Insilico Medicine.

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The most common potential side effects included mild diarrhea, slightly lower potassium levels in the blood and temporary increases in liver enzymes.

"Once you stop the drug, essentially, they return to normal," Satler told Fox News Digital.

In the next trial, the doctor said, "We'll be looking to adjust the doses of the drug based on the side effect profile so that people can stay on it longer."

Rentosertib has now progressed into a year-long phase 3 study of more than 300 patients in China, according to Insilico.

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Larger and longer trials – including healthy older adults and populations without IPF – are needed to determine whether the drug truly has anti-aging effects and whether they could lead to better health.

While more research lies ahead, Zhavoronkov said the findings have given him more confidence to continue pursuing drugs that could target both age-related diseases and aging itself.

"Everybody agrees that living longer should be a fundamental human right for everyone," he said.

A Texas woman who just turned 105 attributes her long life to "the good Lord." 

While Blynda Vidock's faith may have played an important role in her longevity, the Baytown resident has also followed many of the habits that experts say can contribute to a longer, healthier life.

"The good Lord put me here for so many years, and it’s His life through me," she told FOX 26 Houston at her recent birthday celebration. "But I’ve always been very athletic, played tennis, swam all my life and ate good food."

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Vidock joked that she preaches to her children, grandchildren and "great-grands" to eat healthier, but said, "They still eat junk food!"

"We live faster nowadays," she said. "We used to have time to sit down and have a meal together."

Vidock was born in 1921 and grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. While working for $15 a week at a bank in West Palm Beach, she crossed paths with big-name movie stars Clark Gable and Fred Astaire, and also recalled encountering a young John F. Kennedy.

She met Coast Guardsman Charles "Chuck" Vidock while volunteering with the USO during World War II. The two married and moved to Texas in 1946 and spent decades traveling the world together.

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Vidock is "completely sharp, independent and full of stories from a century of living," according to the report.

A video from her birthday party shows the centenarian walking around and chatting animatedly with the many friends and family members who gathered to honor her.

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"It’s wonderful to have you people here, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to dance or sing or get up on the table," she said. "I think I've been made queen for a day, and I've got my 15 minutes of fame, so you better enjoy it because it won't come again."

Every morning when she wakes up, Vidock said she wonders, "‘This is another day, Lord, why am I here?’" adding, "Every day is a blessing!"

She said "the saddest part about getting old" is watching people lose their mental sharpness and credits "the good Lord" with allowing her to keep hers.

Vidock said a few simple habits have helped her live so long.

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"Living like you know you’re supposed to live, being kind to people, and everything in moderation helped, and I got blessed with good genes, but then I took care of my body," she said.

Dr. Annu Navani, chief medical officer at Le Reve Wellness in San Jose, California, recently told Fox News Digital that longevity medicine is more about adding life to years than adding years to life.

Rather than splurging on costly biohacks, procedures or supplements, Navani recommends focusing on simple daily practices that can enhance quality of life.

Getting high-quality sleep — about seven hours a night for the average person — is necessary for people to perform optimally and has been linked to a healthier lifespan, the expert said.

Managing stress is another key factor in healthy aging, according to Navani. Regular physical activity and social interaction — two other factors linked to longevity — can also help people keep stress in check, as can regular meditation.

Eating a nutritious diet that includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein and dairy, while limiting added sugars and ultraprocessed foods, is another important component of healthy aging.

Longevity experts David Cravit and Larry Wolf, authors of "The SuperAging Workbook," previously told Fox News Digital that maintaining a positive attitude is the No. 1 factor linked to living a longer life.

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"People with a positive attitude outlive people with a negative attitude because it reduces stress, which, in turn, reduces inflammation, and inflammation is the cause of most age-related diseases," Cravit said.

The authors also recommended setting and working toward new goals, building strong relationships and maintaining a sense of independence as people age.

Melissa Rudy and Angelica Stabile of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Florida mosquito-control agencies are stepping up surveillance, inspections and spraying, as officials expect the number of locally acquired dengue fever cases in Tampa Bay and across the state to rise in the coming weeks.

As of Sept. 1, the number of dengue fever cases originating in Florida this year had climbed to 33 in Tampa Bay and 41 statewide. Cases are predicted to increase, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported.

Locally acquired cases mean people contracted the illness where they live rather than while traveling abroad.

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The Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) reported 30 confirmed cases in Hillsborough County, seven in Miami-Dade County, three in Pinellas County and one in Palm Beach County.

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are under mosquito-borne illness alerts issued by the Florida Department of Health.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, severe aches, nausea, rash and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The virus is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa. Though less common in the continental U.S., locally acquired cases have been recorded in Florida, California and Texas.

Hawaii has recorded past outbreaks, and the virus is common in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

The CDC reported in May that 2024 was a record year for dengue in the U.S.

A total of 3,798 cases were reported from U.S. states and the District of Columbia, a 359% increase over the annual average for 2010 through 2023. About 97% of those cases were travel-associated, and roughly 3% were locally acquired.

Florida reported the most dengue cases among U.S. states and Washington, D.C., in 2024, with 1,044 cases, or more than a quarter of the total. Florida recorded 85 locally acquired cases across 10 counties that year, compared with 18 in California and two in Texas.

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"Dengue does not stop at county lines," Pinellas County Mosquito Control Director Alissa Berro told Fox 13.

"The mosquitoes that transmit the virus generally stay within a relatively small area, but people travel throughout the Tampa Bay area every day. When someone infected with dengue enters a new area, a local mosquito can bite that person and later spread the virus to others. As cases rise across the region, so does the potential for additional local transmission."

Mosquito-control crews in Florida are increasing aerial and ground treatments in areas showing dengue virus activity, while also inspecting private properties for potential mosquito breeding sites, according to local reports.

FMCA is urging residents to empty or cover standing water around their homes. The mosquito that spreads dengue is a container breeder, meaning it lays eggs in buckets, planters, plant saucers, tires, discarded toys and other objects that collect small amounts of water, experts say.

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The FMCA also advises people to follow what it calls the "three Ds."

Many people infected with dengue have no symptoms, and most people who do become sick recover within a week or two, according to Mayo Clinic.

In some cases, however, the illness can progress to severe dengue, a potentially life-threatening condition.

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Warning signs can develop quickly, often within a day or two after the fever subsides. Those may include severe stomach pain, repeated vomiting, unusual bleeding or bruising, difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness and irritability, or restlessness. 

People experiencing warning signs of severe dengue should seek immediate medical care.

As "biohacks" like peptides, cold plunges and high-tech wearables grow in popularity, some advocates promote the idea of dramatically extending human life — but others say it’s better to focus on more healthy years rather than living forever.

Dr. Annu Navani — chief medical officer at Le Reve Wellness in San Jose, California, where she leads advanced regenerative and longevity medicine programs — said the biggest myth is that people will be able to live for a "very, very long period of time."

"I do feel we have extended the human lifespan to some extent," Navani, who is also founder of the World Institute of Regenerative Medicine, told Fox News Digital. "So yes, we are making progress, but I think it would be a false promise if we said people would live beyond 120 or 130 years of life."

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Instead, Navani said the goal should be to improve the quality of the years people have.

"Longevity medicine is all about adding life to those years, not so much years to life," she said.

Longevity medicine does not necessarily have to mean costly procedures, supplements or biohacks, according to Navani.

For those who have limited time or money, the doctor recommends "starting from within the daily routines of smart practices."

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Navani shared the following four pillars of health that form the foundation of longevity, all of which "don't cost much money at all."

"I think sleep is really understated in terms of its importance for overall health and longevity," she said.

"Studies have shown that at least seven hours of sleep is [generally recommended] for a human being to be able to perform optimally, and has been linked to a good life and a decent health lifespan."

The CDC's guidance recommends seven or more hours for adults, but individual sleep needs vary.

Navani recommends eating at least three or four hours before bed, avoiding stimulating activities such as laptop use, and practicing calming routines like meditation, gratitude or journaling.

Health agencies recommend managing stress through a combination of physical activity, optimal sleep, relaxation techniques, proper nutrition and social connections.

Navani said she begins her day with 20 minutes of meditation and gratitude, which helps calm her mind and relieve stress.

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She also recommends meditating in the evening as a way to unwind before bed.

General dietary guidance recommends building meals around a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or fat-free dairy, while limiting added sugars, saturated fat and sodium.

A balanced eating pattern should also be tailored to a person’s age, health needs and preferences, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guidance.

The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity — or 75 minutes of vigorous activity — plus muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days per week.

Navani identified high-intensity resistance training as her pick for the most important habit for people in their 50s and beyond. 

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"Studies have shown how it builds bone health and helps musculoskeletal blood flow," she said. "Muscle strength and muscle resilience are linked to health span and longevity, as they impact cardiovascular and neurovascular health."

Navani also identified VO₂ max — which is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during intense exercise — as an important marker of overall health and longevity.

"I think VO₂ max is a really important key biomarker that has been shown in quite a few studies to be linked positively to good health and longer lifespan," she said.

The metric is widely used as a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, reflecting how efficiently the heart, lungs and muscles work together.

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For some older adults or people with health conditions, lower-intensity or supervised strength training may be more appropriate, experts say.

Navani emphasized that it’s never too late to meaningfully improve health span. 

"I often say if you didn't start in your 20s, the best time to start is today," she said. "I have a lot of patients who come to me when they are 55 and 60 and we start the journey then."

The longevity doctor shared her own simple morning routine that she follows to kick-start each day, which includes breaking the first hour of the day into three 20-minute segments.

The first segment focuses on meditation and gratitude.

"The first 20 minutes is just meditating and waking up and kind of just being grateful and thankful," she shared. "That helps calm me down and relieves stress."

The second 20-minute segment is devoted to movement, which includes stretching, exercising and resistance training.

The final 20 minutes are reserved for reading, she said: "I read something that I really want to capture in my brain, something I want to remember."

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Navani advised against immediately reaching for the phone or opening email first thing in the morning, instead recommending using that time to read something intellectually engaging.

Multiple Taser deployments failed to stop Pamela Cisneros, 49, during a roughly four-minute standoff in Times Square last Monday, after she allegedly stabbed two people. The attack left a 32-year-old woman dead and a 68-year-old man wounded.

"As multiple officers discharged Tasers, which proved to be ineffective, the subject continued to advance toward our officers with the knives," Jessica Tisch, New York City police commissioner, said in a news conference that evening. 

When the Tasers failed to subdue Cisneros — who stated, "I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you" — two officers opened fire, striking her. Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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The incident sparked broader questions about why Tasers sometimes fail and whether obesity or body composition can impede their effectiveness.

A standard Taser is designed to fire two small, barbed probes connected to the device by insulated, conductive wires, according to Axon, the manufacturer.

"Electrical pulses travel along those wires and into the body, triggering involuntary muscle contractions," Axon’s website states. "For NMI to occur, it is best that two probes make contact 12 inches (30 cm) or more apart."

Steve Keller, a retired police sergeant in Blue Ash, Ohio, said the most common causes of Taser failure include clothing, probe placement, substance abuse by the perpetrator and connectivity between probes.

However, obesity can affect the Taser, he said, as a large layer of body fat could interfere with the connectivity.

"The purpose of the Taser is neuromuscular in capacity," Keller told Fox News Digital.

"Your large muscle masses are your back and thighs. Officers are trained to aim for those areas," he said, just as they are also trained to adjust their aiming for clothing and the distance between them and the subject.

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If one of the probes hits the abdomen and the person is obese, it can affect the connectivity of the two probes, according to Keller.

"If one probe hits the person and the other probe misses, the Taser will not work," he said.

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For example, if one probe hits a subject in the thigh and the other probe hits a thick bubble jacket, there’s a good chance the officer won’t have good connectivity, Keller said.

"The same could be considered if there is a large layer of body fat — they could still feel it, but it might not be as effective."

Referring to Cisneros’ case, Keller emphasized that mental health may also play a significant role in how a person responds to a Taser.

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Tisch confirmed at the press conference that the suspect had a documented mental health history with the NYPD, with one incident in 2018 and another in 2019.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed that body composition can affect the Taser’s effectiveness.

"Tasers are much more effective for muscle than fat because muscle conducts electricity much better, and the Taser delivers a high voltage," he said. "In an obese person, it is more difficult to find an area that conducts electricity."

Fox News Digital reached out to Axon, the NYPD and obesity organizations requesting comment.

A Georgia woman who just celebrated her 112th birthday credits her longevity to staying close to her family and embracing her strong religious faith.

Mabel Dunbar, of Fayetteville, Georgia, was born in Jamaica in 1914. She is the mother of one, grandmother of four and a great-grandmother, and was honored by loved ones on her birthday Sept. 5 with a custom berry cake, flowers and a crown, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.

"God is love and I love my families," Dunbar said at her party. "I love all my families and strangers."

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Those who know her describe Dunbar as "deeply religious, pleasant and talkative," according to FOX 5.

She spent her life serving others and remaining active, the station reported. Until recently, Dunbar still enjoyed cooking and made breakfast for herself every morning. She also enjoyed sharing stories with visitors.

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After moving to Florida to live with her daughter in 1994, Dunbar relocated to Fayetteville in August 2025 to live with her granddaughter and grandson-in-law.

Family remains an important part of Dunbar’s daily life, according to FOX 5.

"Treat them the best you can, because they are important," Dunbar said of younger generations, specifically her grandchildren. "You need them when you can't help yourself like me. These good people are on me all the time, and I'm happy to see them when they come."

Leading oncologist and University of Pennsylvania bioethicist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel has identified several principles for living longer and reducing disease risk.

They include prioritizing an active social life, staying mentally active with new hobbies and opportunities to learn, limiting processed and sugary foods and drinks without being overly restrictive, engaging in moderate exercise and getting proper sleep, Fox News Digital previously reported.

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Emanuel also recommends avoiding obviously dangerous activities and behaviors.

Religious involvement has also been associated with greater longevity, research has suggested.

In a 2016 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health examined religious service attendance and health outcomes among 74,534 women over 16 years.

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They found that women who attended religious services more than once a week had a 33% lower risk of dying during the follow-up period compared with women who never attended religious services.

Weekly attendance was associated with a 26% lower risk, while attendance less than once a week was associated with a 13% lower risk. Regular attendees also tended to smoke less, experience fewer depressive symptoms and have stronger social support, the researchers reported in 2016.

The world’s oldest documented living person is Ethel Caterham, of England, who turned 117 in August.

Caterham previously told The Associated Press that she credited her long life to "never arguing with anyone," adding, "I listen, and I do what I like."

Flirting may do more than spark romantic interest — experts say it can also benefit emotional well-being, as long as it stays within appropriate boundaries.

Mindy DeSeta, Ph.D., a clinical sexologist and mental health counselor in Miami, Florida, defined flirting as a "one-on-one interpersonal experience," delivering a message that someone is interested in learning more about another person.

Flirting in general "feels good," the expert told Fox News Digital, adding that there are both emotional and physiological effects.

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Flirting may activate brain chemicals involved in pleasure, reward and social bonding, DeSeta said. It can also lower the stress hormone cortisol.

"It builds confidence, it's a positive social interaction that improves self-esteem," she went on. "What I also hear is that people want to flirt in general because it makes them feel attractive and desired … That's a normal human feeling."

DeSeta said she views flirting as a signal of attraction and believes it should remain between romantic partners or people pursuing a romantic relationship.

"It’s really hard to be platonic because it does release that bonding hormone," she said.

‘QUIET QUITTING’ IN MARRIAGE: THE SUBTLE SIGNS A SPOUSE HAS EMOTIONALLY CHECKED OUT

For those who feel the need to flirt with someone who is not their partner, the expert suggested this could be a "red flag" for what’s happening in the relationship.

"As a sexologist, I'm a huge believer that we must date and flirt with our partner every day," DeSeta said.

It's normal for relationships to sometimes need a "reboot," she said.

"In one marriage, you're going to get many, many marriages… You'll find people getting stale or very hollow in their relationship, and that's when you will start looking outside to get those needs met, especially in flirting, because it's something that's very easy to do."

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If flirting begins to extend beyond the relationship — from a coffee-shop barista to a colleague at the office — DeSeta advised stopping "immediately" and redirecting that energy toward the partner.

"Be vulnerable and go in with, ‘I miss this about us. I want to bring this back into our relationship,’" she said. "And don't forget to share, ‘This is what would make me feel attractive and desired by you.’"

Anna Elton, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist in Massachusetts, said couples struggling with intimacy often miss the fun they shared at the beginning of their relationships.

As couples devote more attention to schedules, errands, bills and childcare, other aspects of the relationship can get pushed aside, Elton said. 

Affection, physical touch, flirting and playfulness may become less frequent, making room for "stress, conflict and growing resentment."

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Body changes, aging and stress can also affect how confident or desirable people feel, Elton noted.

"When couples have been together for a long time, I ask them, ‘So, how do you flirt with your partner? How do you let them know about your erotic intentions?’ And they say, ‘Oh, we don’t flirt.’"

Creating a "new language of flirting" can help couples reconnect and spark intimacy, Elton said.

Elton suggested small ways to rebuild connection, including a 20-second hug or a six-second kiss.

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Small acts of self-care, such as applying lotion or following a skincare routine, can also help people "feel more connected with themselves," she said.

DeSeta cautioned, however, that flirting may not always be welcomed by a partner, depending on timing and mood.

"I’ve heard from my couples, ‘They were trying to flirt with me when I was unloading the dishwasher,’" she noted as an example. "There’s a time and place for flirting, and you have to be in the right headspace."

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"Maybe when someone's in a stressed mood, they're really focused on work, or they're just doing a task that does not make them feel sexy — this is not the right time."

Positive signals from a partner, such as leaning in, making eye contact and smiling, can indicate that flirting is welcome. 

Still, partners should communicate about when flirting feels appropriate, DeSeta added.

If you’re a woman who regularly reaches for coffee throughout the day, you may want to think twice about that next cup — or consider switching to tea.

Researchers at Flinders University reported in a study published in the journal Nutrients that high coffee consumption may be associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) in older, postmenopausal women.

The scientists analyzed coffee and tea consumption among 9,704 women age 65 and older over a 10-year period. During that time, they also measured participants’ BMD at the femoral neck and hip, areas where osteoporosis-related fractures commonly occur.

The researchers found that drinking tea was associated with higher total hip BMD, while drinking more than five cups of coffee per day was associated with lower BMD.

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Moderate coffee consumption — about two to three cups a day — was not associated with negative effects on bone health.

The study also identified differences based on other health and lifestyle factors. Coffee consumption was associated with lower femoral neck BMD among women with higher alcohol intake, while the positive association between tea and bone density was more pronounced among women with obesity.

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The researchers wrote that osteoporosis, which is characterized by low BMD, "is a major global public health concern affecting individuals across all ages, genders and ethnicities."

About one in three women and one in five men age 50 and older worldwide experience osteoporosis-related fractures, according to the study.

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Women face a particularly high risk because they generally have lower bone mass and experience accelerated bone loss after menopause.

In the U.S., the number of adults age 50 and older with low BMD in the hip or spine is projected to increase by 17.2 million by 2030, adding to the healthcare costs and long-term disability associated with osteoporosis-related fractures, the researchers noted.

The scientists wrote that they studied the relationship between coffee and tea and bone health because dietary factors play a "crucial role in the prevention of noncommunicable disease and may influence bone health," and these are two of the most widely consumed beverages globally.

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Study co-author Ryan Liu told ScienceDaily "compounds called catechins, abundant in tea, may promote bone formation and slow bone breakdown."

"Coffee’s caffeine content, by contrast, has been shown in laboratory studies to interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, though these effects are small and can be offset by adding milk," Liu said.

"Our results don't mean you need to give up coffee or start drinking tea by the gallon," Liu added. "But they do suggest that moderate tea consumption could be one simple way to support bone health and that very high coffee intake might not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol."

"This study offers an interesting look at how everyday beverages might relate to bone health, but the findings should be interpreted with caution," Lisa Young, registered dietitian and adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University, told Fox News Digital.

"Because it followed women over time without assigning them to drink coffee or tea, it can only show associations, not prove that coffee weakens bones or that tea strengthens them."

The study had limitations, including differences in participants’ lifestyles, its focus on bone density rather than fractures and relatively small effects seen mainly in older women, Young noted. 

Symptoms of osteoporosis and early bone loss include back pain, loss of height over time and stooped posture, according to the Mayo Clinic.

"The bottom line for the public is reassuring: Moderate coffee intake appears fine, and there is no need to switch drinks for the sake of your bones," Young said. 

"The most proven ways to protect bone health remain getting enough calcium and vitamin D, staying physically active and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol," she added. 

"With that said, I do make a case for moderate amounts of coffee for good health. Too much of anything is never a good thing."

Much like the workplace term that means doing the bare minimum, "quiet quitting" could also happen in marriage, sometimes gradually.

The informal term, which is not a clinical diagnosis, refers to spouses who remain together while reducing their emotional effort, communication or involvement in the relationship, according to experts.

New York City divorce lawyer James Sexton described what "quiet quitting" can look like at home and at work.

 "I'm not going to go through the dramatic gesture of ending this thing," Sexton said. "I'm just going to stop. I'm going to stop paying attention. I'm going to stop participating."

‘QUIET QUITTING’ IN MARRIAGE: THE SUBTLE SIGNS A SPOUSE HAS EMOTIONALLY CHECKED OUT

Silently pulling away from the relationship may seem to be easier than going through the "trauma" of divorce, Sexton told Fox News Digital, and the person avoids looking like the "bad guy" for ending the relationship.

"Very often, you actually receive more sympathy because you're perceived as the victim of the breakup as opposed to the perpetrator," he added.

A lack of effort in a relationship can be a bigger warning sign than frequent conflict, according to Sexton.

"When people are fighting, it kind of means there’s still skin in the game," he said. "The opposite of love is not hate … it’s indifference."

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Dr. Mindy DeSeta, a clinical sexologist and licensed mental health counselor in Miami, said some couples seek help after about 30 years of marriage, when the demands of family life have eased.

"The kids are gone, or they're hitting that retirement age, so they don't have the life distractions, and they're realizing, ‘Wow. I actually quiet quit my relationship when my kids were toddlers,’" she told Fox News Digital.

DeSeta identified four relationship principles, including the following:

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Couples experiencing quiet quitting may continue to function well as a team, managing the household and other responsibilities while becoming emotionally disconnected.

DeSeta said this disconnection can develop gradually as spouses begin living increasingly separate lives.

"When you stop spending the evenings together … you each are kind of doing your own thing. Your shows are different. You're going to bed at different times. … You may have different friend groups. You're working out at different times," she said.

Both experts shared tips for addressing emotional disconnection between romantic partners.

Reconnection often requires small, active steps that restart the momentum, rather than making grand gestures, Sexton suggested.

The divorce lawyer encouraged revisiting the simple acts and gestures that both partners enjoyed early in the relationship.

His suggestions included sending sweet "good morning" texts, writing a note complimenting a partner or sharing a song that sparked a romantic memory.

"It costs nothing, takes 30 seconds to do it," he said. "What does it cost to write an email with a list of 10 things I like about you? These are not only things we welcome receiving under any circumstances, but they're actually reminders."

Oftentimes, quiet quitting looks like zoning out during moments of quality time, DeSeta said.

If one partner scrolls on a phone while watching a movie together, the device can become "the third member of the relationship," signaling where that partner’s attention lies, the expert cautioned.

"When you're on your phone, you're actually saying, ‘I'm choosing to do this versus spending quality time with you,'" she added.

In addition to paying attention during one-on-one activities, the act of asking personal questions — as simple as "how was your day?" — can also help to restore a connection, DeSeta said.

Instead of leading with a complaint about the relationship, Sexton suggested using a positive approach.

For example, instead of saying, "We never spend time with each other anymore," try calling back a positive memory and suggest recreating it.

"Focusing on what we need to work on is harder than focusing on what it is that we really like about this person, what drew us to them to begin with," he said. "Chances are, they might feel far away from who they were at the beginning of the relationship.

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"And maybe our job in a relationship is to try to remind each other of the 'you' and the 'me' before we became the 'we.'"

Making an active effort to flirt with a partner can boost your mood while signaling continued romantic interest, according to DeSeta.

"Let your partner know that you are there to earn them every day," she said, emphasizing the importance of continuing to learn about and pursue a partner throughout the relationship.

"Let them know in the most subtle ways every single day that you care about them, that you're thinking about them. And if you do that, you kind of break this cycle of the quiet quitting, and, eventually, it starts coming back to you."

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Sexton reminded couples that their time together is limited, so illness or tragedy should not be the catalyst for renewed effort.

"Every single person in your life is not permanently gifted to you. They're loaned," he said. "There’s a finite number of times that you're going to be with this person, see this person, tell this person that you love them."

Scientists in China have identified a previously unknown tick-borne virus that can cause flu-like illness, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms, according to a new study.

The newly discovered virus, the Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV), which is part of the orthonairovirus group, has also been found to cause thrombocytopenia (reduced blood platelet counts) and laboratory evidence of liver-cell injury or inflammation.

Since 2009, Chinese researchers have been tracking patients with unusual illnesses, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), according to Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital in New York.

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"Thrombocytopenia is low platelet count, so those patients bled, and it had about a 30% mortality, which is quite high," she told Fox News Digital. "So, they kept following those patients."

Many of the cases were linked to Dabie bandavirus (DBV), a tick-borne hemorrhagic fever, but it was not the most common virus.

After extensive testing of blood samples and viral fragments, researchers identified the new virus, ALTNV, which is genetically distinct from DBV.

Researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity in Beijing identified the virus in 10.4% of 3,163 patients who had been bitten by ticks.

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Patients who had both ALTNV and DBV were more likely to have respiratory issues and kidney complications. Seven (18.4%) of these patients died during the course of the study.

"The cocirculation of ALTNV and DBV in the same areas, coupled with their shared tick vector, underscores the need for improved differential diagnosis between infections with these viruses in regions where SFTS is endemic," the authors concluded.

The findings were published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"The big picture is that ticks carry lots of viruses," Nachman said. "We're getting smarter at identifying those viruses. And when one blood sample is negative, it's important to say, 'Maybe there was a new virus there, and let's look for it.'"

Illness from ALTNV can initially resemble the flu, causing fever, muscle aches, fatigue and sometimes respiratory symptoms.

Although an ALTNV infection can cause low platelet counts, the study did not link the virus alone to severe bleeding or deaths. The fatal cases involved patients who were also infected with DBV, which causes severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

Because tick-borne viral symptoms can overlap with many infections, Nachman emphasized the importance of identifying the specific virus.

"Effective antivirals exist for flu, but not for many tick-borne viruses, including the newly identified one," she said.

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For most patients, supportive care is given to help manage symptoms, "but it's also about being smart and not giving patients the wrong medication," Nachman noted. "And we certainly don't want to use antibiotics because those only work for bacteria, not for viruses."

Nachman shared the best practices she recommends to families looking to avoid tick bites.

"Wear the right clothing, meaning long pants, tucking them into your socks, and use tick repellents on your skin if you're an adult or on your clothing if you're a young child," she advised.

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It’s also important to be on the lookout for ticks on the skin.

"The longer the tick is on your skin, the more it's engorged, the more it’s likely to pass an infection to you," Nachman said. "So, removing them after you've gone hiking or walking on the beach will be really important."

While the Asian longhorn tick is not yet seen in the U.S., Nachman noted there are "lots and lots of other ticks, and those ticks carry other diseases."

"I don't want to say one tick is worse than another tick. It's rather all about the diseases they carry and who you are," she said.

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"So, if you're a healthy adult, and you get babesiosis, you often get better without any medications. But if you're an immune-compromised adult, you're going to be quite sick.

"It’s not really about the ticks. It’s about the patient. Who are you? What's your underlying illness if you have any? How old are you, and how healthy are you?"

Starting statin therapy shortly after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis may not only protect the heart — it may also be linked to a lower dementia risk.

A large study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich on Aug. 30 found that adults who began taking a statin within one year of their type 2 diabetes diagnosis had a 15% lower relative risk of developing dementia over 10 years compared to those who did not take the medication within five years.

Even for those who delayed starting a statin for one to five years, there was still a 10% lower relative risk, according to the findings, which were published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.

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A statin is a prescription medication that lowers "bad" LDL cholesterol and helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Researchers conducted the study by tracking health data from 132,585 patients in Denmark who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2006 and 2019 and had no prior history of statin use or dementia.

During a median follow-up of 7.1 years, the team analyzed how the timing of statin treatment impacted overall dementia rates.

Dr. Liron Sinvani, a geriatrician and director for research and innovation at the Northwell Institute for Healthy Aging in New York, said this was a "well-designed, large-scale observational study that adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that statins may help protect brain health."

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She noted that while a 15% reduction is a modest improvement, it remains "very significant."

People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of cognitive decline and heart disease, consistent with previous research.

Although guidelines generally recommend statins for many adults ages 40 to 75 with diabetes, statin treatment is not always started soon after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

The study also examined whether the timing of treatment was linked to dementia risk. People who started statins within a year of their diagnosis had a lower risk than those who did not begin treatment.

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"The message here is that maybe waiting is actually not the right approach," Sinvani said, supporting earlier consideration of statin therapy in routine diabetes care.

The expert said she found the results "especially compelling" because the benefit was driven by a lower risk of vascular dementia rather than Alzheimer's disease.

"And that makes biological sense, because we know statins lower cholesterol, reduces inflammation and protects blood vessels," she added, pointing out that these same mechanisms prevent vascular damage to the brain.

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Statin therapy should be viewed as one piece of a broader health strategy alongside exercising regularly, adhering to a healthy diet and staying socially connected, according to the expert.

Almost half of dementia cases may be preventable or delayable by addressing modifiable risk factors, according to the Lancet Commission.

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The study did have limitations. Because it was observational rather than a randomized clinical trial, the researchers could not definitively state that statins directly prevent dementia.

As Sinvani cautioned, "This is not proof that statins prevent dementia, but I think it's an important step in this literature."

The doctor encouraged people with type 2 diabetes who are not taking a statin to ask their doctor whether the medication is appropriate for them."

A new study warns that driving after eating cannabis edibles can significantly impair road performance and reaction times, even if blood tests show THC levels far below the legal limit.

The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, highlight a potential challenge for impaired-driving enforcement in Canada and some U.S. jurisdictions.

Most previous cannabis-driving studies have involved smoked or inhaled marijuana, which more rapidly spikes levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis) in the bloodstream.

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Edibles are absorbed more slowly and can produce driving impairment even when blood THC concentrations remain relatively low.

Researchers found that drivers who consumed higher doses of edible THC struggled with lane control, had slower reaction times and experienced greater speed fluctuations. Yet, their blood tests stayed below the standard legal cutoff used to prove impairment at roadside traffic stops.

To assess how oral cannabis impacts driving, researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto conducted a trial with 40 healthy adult volunteers who regularly use cannabis.

Each participant attended four separate sessions in which they consumed soft-chew gummies containing either 0, 2, 10 or 20 milligrams of THC.

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The researchers then tested the drivers using a driving simulator at two, five and 24 hours after consumption, tracking how well drivers stayed in their lane, how quickly they reacted to road events and how consistently they maintained their speed.

Blood samples and self-reported ratings of intoxication were also collected.

The results showed driving impairment at two and five hours after consuming 10- and 20-milligram gummies. Compared with placebo, participants who consumed those doses had greater variability in lane position, while the 20-milligram dose was also linked to slower reaction times and less consistent speed control.

Participants also recognized their own limitations, reporting a lower willingness to drive and reduced confidence in their driving skills after taking the gummies.

The highest blood THC concentrations averaged 1.6 nanograms per milliliter after the 10-milligram dose and 3.4 nanograms per milliliter after the 20-milligram dose. Those levels were below the commonly used 5-ng/mL threshold, although THC limits vary by jurisdiction and some individual samples exceeded 5 ng/mL.

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By comparison, participants in the team’s previous smoked-cannabis study showed similar levels of impairment while reaching an average peak blood THC concentration of 30.3 nanograms per milliliter, nearly 10 times higher than the 20-milligram edible group.

The study did have some limitations. Tests were conducted on virtual simulators rather than actual roads, meaning drivers faced no real physical risk during the experiments. It also focused on regular cannabis users, so it is unclear how occasional users might react to similar doses.

Additionally, minimal residual effects were detected after 24 hours. While maximum speed remained slightly higher among participants on the 10-milligram and 20-milligram doses, subjective feelings of intoxication had completely faded.

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In an accompanying commentary, Dr. José Ignacio Nazif-Munoz of the Université de Sherbrooke noted that these biological differences pose a challenge for law enforcement.

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Because edibles are absorbed slowly through the digestive system, standard blood tests may fail to identify unsafe drivers, leaving policymakers searching for more reliable roadside tools.

"The delayed absorption and prolonged duration of effects of edible cannabis distinguish it from smoked or inhaled cannabis, complicating the interpretation of biological measures," he wrote.

A Chicago resident has died from West Nile virus, marking the city’s first death linked to the mosquito-borne illness this year, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Several other cases have been reported throughout Illinois.

The virus is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, although the disease cycle also includes infected birds. When mosquitoes feed on infected birds, they can pick up the virus and transmit it to humans.

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"2026 has seen the rainiest summer in Chicago in years, giving mosquitoes ample opportunities to breed," CDPH Commissioner Garth Walker said in a statement.

"The best way to protect yourself from West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites and take measures to stop them from breeding around your home."

In an attempt to prevent infections, the CDPH has sprayed insecticide in the following community areas: Beverly, Burnside, Chatham, East Garfield Park, the Lower West Side, Morgan Park, the Near West Side, North Lawndale, O'Hare, Pullman, Roseland, South Deering, Washington Heights, West Lawn and West Pullman.

For most people, West Nile produces mild symptoms — such as fever, aches and rashes — or none at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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In rare serious cases, the virus invades the nervous system, causing meningitis, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), paralysis or death.

People over 50 or those with compromised immune systems are at highest risk, experts caution.

"Of those who do have symptoms, about 20%, maybe 25%, will have the flu-like symptoms — fever, headache, body aches — and it’s very hard to distinguish between that and flu," Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious diseases and addiction medicine doctor and associate professor at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

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There are also rare, severe neuroinvasive cases, when the virus infects the brain.

"When there's inflammation that leads to meningitis or encephalitis, that's very bad," warned Evans, who is also the CEO and chief medical officer for Wellness Equity Alliance.

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"So if there's ever any severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation, vision loss, feeling like you're just really confused, and if you're over the age of 65, or have immunocompromising conditions like severe diabetes or cancers, that's when you're going to want to seek emergency management as quickly as possible."

While there are no vaccines or specific treatments for West Nile virus, there are supportive treatments.

"For the flu-like symptoms, generally speaking, if you're not over the age of 65 and you're not immunocompromised, you don't have to go to the emergency room," Evans advised.

"But if you are over the age of 65 and/or have those immunocompromising conditions, and you're starting to experience confusion, headache, stiff neck … ER immediately, [call] 911."

Avoiding mosquito bites is the first line of defense, according to Evans.

"In areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes, DEET is going to be key," he said, recommending repellents that are at least 30% DEET for adults.

In high-burden mosquito areas, he also recommends avoiding the outdoors during sundown.

Health officials also recommend wearing loose, long-sleeved clothing; applying insect repellent (especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active); and ensuring that window screens are secure.

Around homes, eliminating standing water (like that found in buckets, tires and gutters) can help keep mosquitoes from breeding.

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There have been 407 reported human cases of West Nile virus in the U.S. this year, including 285 severe neuroinvasive cases and 23 deaths, according to the latest preliminary CDC data, current as of Sept. 1.

Most West Nile cases are reported in August and September.

The keto diet may have surprising benefits for liver health, a new study suggests.

The research, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, studied 42 adults who had obesity, prediabetes and excess liver fat.

In a randomized clinical trial, the participants were assigned to three weight-loss diets – a low-carb ketogenic diet, a Mediterranean diet and a low-fat, mostly plant-based diet.

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The keto diet’s calories consisted of about 4% carbohydrates and 73% fat, according to the study. The Mediterranean diet provided about 50% of calories from carbohydrates and 35% from fat, while the low-fat diet provided about 70% of calories from carbohydrates and 15% from fat.

In all three groups, muscle insulin sensitivity improved by about 50%, helping the muscles take up blood sugar more efficiently.

Liver insulin sensitivity improved two to three times as much in the keto group as in the other diet groups.

Liver fat decreased by roughly 67% among people following the keto diet, compared with about 45% among those on the other diets. The reduction was linked to a decrease in the liver’s production of new fat.

Glucose and insulin measures also generally improved more in the keto group. About 50% of participants in that group no longer met the criteria for prediabetes by the end of the trial, compared with 29% of those following the Mediterranean diet and 7% of those on the low-fat diet.

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The study’s short duration and small sample size — about 14 people in each diet group — limit how broadly the findings can be applied to the general population, the researchers said.

The researchers concluded that, among people with obesity, prediabetes and excess liver fat, the composition of a weight-loss diet may influence certain metabolic outcomes beyond the effects of weight loss alone. The keto diet produced the greatest improvements in liver fat and liver insulin sensitivity in this small trial.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein reflected on the study findings.

"I love more and more validation and recognition that calories are not equal," the California-based expert told Fox News Digital.

Muhlstein said people often reduce weight loss to "just a calorie deficit," but this study showed that differences in macronutrients were associated with different changes in health markers despite similar weight loss.

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Although weight loss occurred across all three groups, Muhlstein said the participants experienced different internal metabolic changes. The keto group showed a greater reduction in the liver’s production of new fat, along with metabolic changes consistent with greater fat burning.

Muhlstein explained that excess calories and metabolic dysfunction can cause fat to accumulate in the liver, even in people who do not drink alcohol.

She recommends that anyone with a fatty liver should consider transitioning to a lower carbohydrate diet.

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Muhlstein said reducing carbohydrate intake may encourage the body to use more stored fat for energy.

The findings were notable because the keto group did not experience higher cholesterol or blood-fat measurements during the short study, the expert noted.

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"This is a really interesting study for someone who has prediabetes, someone who had blood sugar irregularity, but maybe still something to be cautious of if someone has heart disease in the family or is at high risk of heart disease," she added.

Overall, Muhlstein said the findings suggest keto may be worth discussing as a short-term option for some people with obesity or prediabetes, particularly because the study found greater reductions in liver fat and higher rates of prediabetes remission — even though weight loss was similar across the three groups.

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"Keto is not something I recommend for anyone long-term because of the high saturated fat, and usually it translates into a lower-fiber diet, which is not good for heart health," Muhlstein said.

"So potentially, it should be something used short-term early on for someone with prediabetes, and then they can transition into Mediterranean, which would be overall helpful for your heart, your brain and so much more."