The Germiest Thing in a Hotel Lobby (Hint: It’s Not the Sofa)
When you walk into a hotel lobby, your mind is usually on checking in, juggling luggage, or finding the elevator—not on the germs you’ve already touched. But microbiologists say hotel lobbies can act like hospital waiting rooms: high-traffic spaces where bacteria and viruses thrive. They accounted for nearly one-third of all touches, making them the ultimate germ hub. Next in...
Gabbard Revokes 37 Security Clearances, Citing Politicized Intelligence
In a sweeping move aimed at restoring public trust in the intelligence community, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced Tuesday that her office has revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former officials. Acting at President Donald Trump’s direction, Gabbard accused the group of politicizing and manipulating intelligence to advance partisan agendas. The list includes high-profile figures from...
3 Reasons to Use Mushrooms as Medicine
Medicinal mushrooms have been collected for millennia and used to make wonderful teas and tinctures that support health. Traditional cultures and modern natural health experts alike are big fans, because medicinal mushrooms have three huge benefits: 1) They cause no harm or side effects and place no additional stress on the body. 2) They help the body to adapt to various...
The Dirty Truth About Toilet Seats: What You Really Need to Worry About
Public bathrooms can feel like a germ minefield. From splattered seats to lingering odors, it’s no wonder people go to great lengths to avoid contact—hovering, lining seats with paper, or flushing with a foot. But are you actually at risk of catching diseases from sitting on a toilet seat? The answer: almost never. Microbiologists say the odds are vanishingly low....
Why Doctors Are Seeing More Poop Pics—and Why They Might Actually Help Your Health
It might sound funny—or downright gross—but more patients are showing up to doctors’ appointments armed with photo albums of their poop. From pediatricians to gastroenterologists, many physicians say they’re seeing stool snapshots on a regular basis. And while the “ick factor” is undeniable, experts agree: those pictures can sometimes make a big difference. “Stools carry a lot of diagnostic information,”...
When AI Gets It Wrong: Why Fact-Checking Health Advice on ChatGPT Could Save Your Life
Artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for learning, but when it comes to your health, blind trust can be dangerous. A recent case published in the Annals of Internal Medicine highlights this risk. A 60-year-old man was hospitalized for three weeks after following diet advice he believed he found on ChatGPT. The man wanted to cut salt from his...
Valley Fever on the Rise: What You Need to Know and How to Stay Safe
Valley fever, a fungal infection also known as coccidioidomycosis, is surging across California with nearly 12,500 cases reported in 2024—the highest ever recorded. Health officials warn the risk remains high in 2025, especially in dry, dusty regions where the fungus thrives. Where It’s Most Common Valley fever occurs mainly in the southwestern United States, with California and Arizona reporting the majority...
Late-Night Snacks or Early Dinners? The Truth About Eating for Better Sleep
When it comes to sleeping well, the internet is full of advice: drink warm milk, avoid carbs, eat more carbs, or never eat after dark. No wonder so many of us feel confused. With nearly half of adults reporting sleep problems, researchers are digging deeper into how what—and when—we eat affects our nightly rest. According to Dr. Charlotte Gupta, a...
Shred It or Regret It: The Financial Papers That Could Expose You to Fraud
Stacks of old bills, credit offers, and bank statements may seem harmless, but they can make you a prime target for identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with over 1.1 million reports of identity theft. Many of these crimes start with a single piece of paper tossed...
Hurricane Erin Churns Offshore: No Direct U.S. Strike, but Flood Threats Spark Evacuations
Hurricane Erin has held major strength for three days, roaring across the northwest Atlantic with winds near 140 mph and a sprawling wind field unusual even for a Category 4 storm. While its center remains on track to bypass the U.S. mainland, forecasters warn that Erin’s sheer size will still bring dangerous impacts along parts of the East Coast,...
