Health

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How your dog can tell if you are happy or feeling ruff

Dogs do more than respond to the sound of a human voice – they appear to read our emotions visually, too. A new study has identified a region of the canine brain that responds differently to happy and sad human expressions, suggesting they can distinguish between a smile, a frown and tears. Researchers at the University of Vienna found that the rew...

2026-08-10T15:30:41Z

I tried 4 different workout classes at a sold-out fitness festival

I'm elbow-deep in a plate of chicken limone at an Italian restaurant in Chicago's West Loop.

2026-08-04T12:53:40Z

What is kombucha and why are Chinese youth obsessed with the fermentation health trend?

Some youngsters are making their own fermented drinks at home and are surprised to find that their parents did the same in the 1980s Young people in China are homemaking kombucha, reviving a 1980s fad from the previous generation after the drink became a globally recognised health product. In recent years, kombucha has gone viral in Western countri...

2026-07-24T06:33:41Z

What we’re not talking about when we talk about Ariana Grande

Content Warning: This article includes discussion of eating disorders. Ariana Grande is currently the internet’s main character — but it’s for a pretty distressing reason. Over the past several years the Petal singer and Academy Award-nominated star of Wicked has been everywhere. But recently, the conversation around Grande hasn’t been about her performances or her latest album, but rather her body and increasing concerns over her health as well...

2026-08-11T20:59:48Z

Strawberry blush, burnt banana eyeliner: What is this TikTok trend that has dermatologists concerned?

Strawberry blush, cherry lip gloss, and burnt banana eyeliner are popping up everywhere on TikTok, featured in videos that promise 100% natural and budget-friendly makeup. Behind the “freshly picked fruit” aesthetic, dermatologists remain cautious. Carcinogenic compounds, phototoxic citrus fruits, irritating acids, and allergies: these are the reas...

2026-08-13T12:31:25Z

4 morning moves to help rebuild muscle after 60

Trainer James Bickerstaff shares 4 morning exercises to reverse muscle loss after 60, no gym required.

2026-08-14T16:50:20Z

4 daily exercises to address love handles after 60

D.C.'s #1-ranked trainer Jacob Siwicki shares 4 daily exercises to firm side fat after 60 and build core strength.

2026-08-14T15:35:21Z

5 steakhouse chains with the best prime rib, according to diners

Discover which steakhouse chains serve the best prime rib, according to real diner reviews.

2026-08-14T11:50:27Z

The cancer symptoms people mistake for ageing or stress

“Nobody wants to think they’ll be affected by cancer,” says Dr Anisha Patel, GP. “Many people dismiss cancer symptoms as stress or ageing, or worry they’re wasting my time. Some have waited for months before coming to see me.” Dr Patel, author of Everything You Hoped You’d Never Need to Know About Bowel Cancer, understands that instinct only too we...

2026-08-13T06:05:32Z

Vape chemical puts unborn babies at risk, scientists warn

A chemical commonly found in vapes could harm unborn babies, scientists have warned. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have urged the NHS to warn pregnant women after finding that vanillin, a common flavouring in e-cigarettes, could impair foetal development. They examined the impact of the chemical on embryonic stem cell...

2026-08-13T05:05:37Z

Scientists name three midlife dementia warning signs

Dementia can be delayed for 13 years by avoiding three major risk factors in midlife, scientists have said. Those with diabetes, high blood pressure and who smoked between the ages of 45 and 65 developed dementia quicker than those who did not, a study has found. Experts from NYU Langone Health in the US studied 12,409 people from the age of 45 for...

2026-08-05T20:05:15Z

5 wall exercises to help strengthen your upper body after 55

A doctor and an exercise scientist share 5 no-equipment wall exercises that firm and strengthen your upper body after 55.

2026-08-14T16:50:30Z

The CHEK2 gene caused my breast cancer. Why has no one heard of it?

Two years ago, at my father’s funeral, I gave a eulogy highlighting a genetic trait that runs through our family: we are incredibly strong-willed and never follow the crowd. Those of us who inherited this idiosyncrasy cheered; those who have to live with us groaned. I did not address the reason we had gathered to mark Dad’s death: cancer. Dad had d...

2026-08-10T10:10:44Z

Psychedelic in magic mushrooms can ease depression

A single dose of the natural psychedelic found in magic mushrooms could ease depression, according to a study. Four in 10 participants in a trial by King’s College London found that their symptoms of depression were reduced enough to be considered in remission after taking psilocybin for three weeks. One person described the treatment as “very emot...

2026-08-06T13:25:30Z

Nurses collapse in hospitals 'not fit for humans' during heatwave

Nurses collapse in hospitals ‘not fit for humans’ during heatwave

2026-08-13T06:05:27Z

The six mistakes we all make when trying to stay hydrated

We all know water is essential for life. It makes up more than 60 per cent of our body and is vital for keeping us lubricated from the surface of our eyes to the joints in our toes. It’s the reason we’re able to maintain a steady core temperature and rid our bodies of waste. Yet we’re constantly losing water as we breathe, sweat and urinate, and mo...

2026-08-12T12:05:34Z

I'm a trainer and here are 4 standing exercises to help rebuild strength in women over 60

A 40-year trainer and TRAINFITNESS co-founder shares 4 strength exercises for women over 60, no jumps or floor work required.

2026-08-14T17:20:25Z

5 best boxed scalloped potato mixes, according to shoppers

Discover the best boxed scalloped potato mixes for quick weeknight sides, rated by real shoppers.

2026-08-14T11:35:33Z

5 restaurant chains with the best steak tips and sirloin bites, according to chefs

Find the best steak tips and sirloin bites at Texas Roadhouse, IHOP, Texas de Brazil, Cracker Barrel, and Steak-Out

2026-08-14T11:50:26Z

How Erling Haaland gets great sleep and its role in fighting chronic inflammation

Quality rest, diet and lifestyle are vital for the prevention of chronic, low-grade inflammation - which accelerates as our bodies age Over the last several weeks, Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland has captured the interest of World Cup fans around the globe for reasons that go further than his extraordinary performances on the pitch. Beyond his ...

2026-07-29T03:18:47Z

Patients waste 75 swimming pools of medicine a year, say pharmacies

Medicines that end up thrown away could fill 75 swimming pools each year, pharmacies have said. Some 3,400 tonnes of prescription drugs had been returned for safe disposal in England in 2024-2025, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said. It is equivalent to filling about 75 25-metre swimming pools or the same weight as 272 double-decker London...

2026-08-08T05:05:41Z

Why men’s sex lives peak after 40

Sex is exciting after the age of 50, goes the joke, because you never know whether it will result in an orgasm, cramp or a stroke. For decades we’ve accepted that men are at their most sexually driven in youth, fuelled by testosterone, and by the mid-40s sexuality is either a crisis, a comedy or a pharmaceutical marketing opportunity. But a growing...

2026-08-13T14:00:52Z

5 grocery stores with the best frozen aisles, according to shoppers

Discover the grocery stores with the best frozen aisles, featuring everything from organic meals to premium ice cream.

2026-08-14T12:35:27Z

Laser hair removal changed my confidence, but finding the right place took years

After being burned during a laser hair removal appointment years ago, I thought I’d never go back. Not only did the experience leave me physically scarred, but it also made me question whether laser clinics truly understood how to safely treat melanated skin. So, for years my relationship with laser hair removal was inconsistent at best — until I recently went to Milan Laser and finally experienced what laser hair removal should actually feel...

2026-08-06T17:59:48Z

How this Indian influencer couple got fit after 50 to beat back pain and knee pain

Tara and Sushila Thapa overcame chronic pain by getting fit in midlife. Now their Instagram page and running group encourage others Tara and Sushila Thapa, from Dehradun, an Indian city nestled in the Himalayan foothills, are rewriting the script on what fitness can look like in our fifties. Their journey is proof that health and wellness are not s...

2026-07-24T23:33:46Z

The best puzzles for adults to order right now

From trendy to artsy to fun, here are the best puzzles for every level.

2026-03-19T18:56:59Z

I'm a trainer and here are 2 bed exercises to help address belly bulge after 50

A CSCS trainer shares an 8-minute bed routine to help address belly bulge after 50, alternating two moves for full-body work.

2026-08-04T15:35:26Z

COVID-19: Study on excess mortality retracted

Thursday, August 13. The BMJ Group has retracted a 2024 study on the excess mortality observed during the COVID pandemic, according to a statement from the publisher reported by Agence France-Presse. According to the BMJ Group's statement, the article was retracted because it relayed "misinformation on the possible causes of excess mortality". The ...

2026-08-13T13:31:19Z

He’s 90 and still runs half-marathons. How this retired Korean-Canadian defies age

Meet Yul Kwon, a nonagenarian who maintains his endurance through daily exercise, a Mediterranean diet and a focus on sleep Yul Kwon rises at 6am and starts his day with stretches and a fitness regimen that includes planking for 60 to 90 seconds, 50 sit-ups, 50 squats, and standing on one leg for a minute and then the other - twice. He then eats a ...

2026-07-22T03:18:45Z

Hepatitis C to be eliminated in England

Hepatitis C is on track to be eliminated in England, health officials have said. NHS England said that since 2015, more than 100,000 people had been diagnosed and treated for the virus, which attacks the liver and is spread through contact with infected blood. The World Health Organization (WHO) set a target in 2016 that 80 per cent of all known ca...

2026-08-11T06:55:32Z

Manatee with paralysed face cured with acupuncture

Whether it’s to fix a stiff shoulder or make it less painful to quit smoking, many people turn to acupuncture. And so, it turns out, do vets at a zoo in Florida, where the needle therapy is being used on animals. One recent patient is a manatee named Sloth, which had developed a chronic nerve condition that paralysed the right side of its face. The...

2026-08-10T10:50:16Z

I'm a trainer and here are 2 chair exercises to help rebuild leg strength after 65

A CSCS trainer shares a 10-minute chair routine to help build leg strength after 65, using two moves in place of squats.

2026-08-14T16:05:21Z

Common painkillers raise risk of sunburn, health chiefs warn

Common painkillers such as ibuprofen increase the risk of sunburn, Britain’s health watchdog has warned, as another heatwave is expected to bring high temperatures across the country. Some medicines make skin more sensitive to sun exposure, and prone to burning more quickly and more severely than usual. Along with ibuprofen, a number of common drug...

2026-08-08T17:05:41Z

7 best orders at Steak 'n Shake, according to diners

Discover the best Steak ’n Shake orders, from classic burgers and fries to hand-dipped milkshakes.

2026-08-14T13:05:27Z

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 suspected of reawakening dormant viruses in the body

A SARS-CoV-2 infection could rouse from their sleep viruses that have long been established in the human body, including in people who were healthy until then. This is what research conducted by the University of Texas at Austin and published in the journal Nature reports. Viruses lurking in the body for years Few people are aware of it, but the hu...

2026-08-12T12:01:19Z

5 best frozen crab rangoon, according to shoppers

Discover the best frozen crab rangoon brands available at grocery stores, according to real shoppers.

2026-08-14T12:35:21Z

Everyone’s obsessed with tretinoin — but I don’t have a prescription

With 38.1K posts waxing lyrical about the topical skincare medication on TikTok, there’s simply no escaping it: Tretinoin is a skincare sensation. And with each scroll, we bet you’re asking yourself, Should I get in on the hype? You can’t just go out and buy tretinoin; you need a prescription from a dermatologist. That said, if you’ve recently come across tretinoin online, you can infer that it’s more widely prescribed today than ever before....

2026-08-06T15:14:50Z

Matt Damon's stuntwoman just dropped her workout routine

At this point, Devyn Dalton's biceps deserve their own Oscar.

2026-08-06T21:08:38Z

The best new grocery products of 2026 so far, according to shoppers

Discover the best new grocery items of 2026 so far, according to glowing reviews from shoppers.

2026-08-14T12:35:26Z

5 restaurant chains with the best crab cakes, according to chefs

Discover five chain restaurants with crab cakes praised by chefs for their crab-forward flavor and texture.

2026-08-14T11:35:25Z

The dangers of taking weight-loss drugs after 60

Do over-60s need to be more cautious when taking weight loss drugs? Questions are certainly being raised by an inquest that has been examining the extent to which the GLP-1 medication Mounjaro might have played a role in the sudden and tragic death of a 73-year-old grandmother. Caroline Savage, wife of a former local Tory councillor, had been takin...

2026-08-07T12:40:33Z

Can you really be scared to death?

On August 20, 1968, a consultant NHS psychiatrist called John Barker dropped dead. He’d suffered a brain aneurysm at only 44 years old. Six months earlier, he’d published a book, Scared to Death, that had examined the neurological possibility of dying from fear. Barker’s own untimely death followed the chilling predictions of two people who believe...

2026-08-13T12:30:43Z

Organic, raw or regular? A guide to the bewildering world of cow’s milk

Browsing the milk aisle of my local Tesco recently, I was struck by the range of options. Where once there would have been a simple selection – the classic trio of blue, green and red tops in the chiller cabinets, some UHT milk a few aisles down – I found a wide, and frankly wild, variety. Unhomogenised, Guernsey, lactose-free, “barista”... (and th...

2026-08-10T12:05:30Z

I Tried 6 Canned Chilis & One Wins Before the First Cold Night

Discover the best canned chili for easy meals, ranked from worst to best in our latest taste test.

2026-08-09T11:50:33Z

More than 200 deaths linked to weight-loss jabs, health agency suggests

Health officials have received reports of more than 200 deaths suspected of being linked to weight-loss jabs, figures suggest. Regulators have also learnt of more than 158,000 bad reactions linked to the popular medications. If people suspect that an adverse reaction is linked to a medicine, they can report it to the Medicines and Healthcare Produc...

2026-08-06T19:40:28Z

The #1 dish to order at Texas Roadhouse in 2026, according to regulars

Discover which menu item regulars rate as the best order at Texas Roadhouse.

2026-08-14T12:35:25Z

Ebola outbreak 'doubling every 20 days', warns UN chief

Ebola outbreak ‘doubling every 20 days’, warns UN chief

2026-08-12T16:10:27Z

Birdsong similar to human language, study finds

Birdsong shows patterns similar to human language, according to a new study. Researchers say Bengalese finches – known for their complex songs – organise their singing using the same mathematical formula found in human speech. Language has long been considered a uniquely human trait, with features that mark it out as distinct from the communication...

2026-08-07T18:00:55Z

All the lifestyle, wellbeing & experience picks R29 loved in July

At least once a week — let’s face it, at least once every day — the writers and editors across Refinery29 discuss the latest and greatest products in our lives, from some cool new water bottle that’s been absolutely saving our lives to a state-of-the-art sleep product that’s changed our eight hours for the better. And gatekeeping isn’t in our vocabulary, so we’re here to share the wealth and highlight our favorite products, just for you, each...

2026-08-06T11:30:12Z

Ebola doctors step back from WHO in drug trial ethics row

Ebola doctors ‘step back’ from WHO in drug trial ethics row

2026-08-14T13:25:34Z