Health and Fitness
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Double-dipping may seem gross, but it’s not as risky as you think
May 29, 2025 9:51 pm - Like George Costanza on “Seinfield,” many of us have done it — dip a chip into a communal bowl of salsa or stick a veggie into the hummus, bite it and then go for a double-dip. Yes, double-dipping can transmit bacteria and viruses from your mouth to the shared bowl. And yes, in theory, those microorganisms can be spread to other eaters. But in most cases, that might not be as risky as it seems.
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You should wear sunscreen even if you have darker skin. Here’s why
May 29, 2025 9:26 pm - People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen. Too much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn, dark spots and wrinkles and increased risk of skin cancer. The melanin in darker skin offers some extra protection from the sun, but dermatologists say that isn’t enough on its own.
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Get the most out of your 15.7 minutes with the doctorMay 29, 2025 8:27 pm - The median face time with a doctor is 15.7 minutes, according to one study. Here are some tips to help you squeeze the most value out of even a brief appointment with a pressed-for-time health care practitioner.
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A new variant of COVID-19 may be driving up cases in some parts of the world, WHO says
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Biking popularity surges with infrastructure improvements, events, clubsMay 28, 2025 8:13 am - Illinois has improved its bike safety and infrastructure since 2020, with more counties and municipalities adopting bike/ped plans. But fatalities remain high, indicating more focus on safety is needed.
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Alopecia areata triggered by immune responseMay 28, 2025 6:30 am - I am a healthy 23-year-old woman. I started noticing extra hairs in my brush, and then my mom found two bald spots on the back of my head. I did a telehealth appointment and they said it’s alopecia areata. What is that? Does the hair ever grow back? Will it happen again?
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Social media, body image and self-esteem: What’s the connection?May 28, 2025 5:00 am - Ever since social media burst on the scene in the early 2000s, parents and health experts have worried about the potential impact on kids, particularly those in their early teens. Now researchers are asking how the curated content kids see online makes them feel about themselves.
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‘Dirty dozen’ lists produce to clean extra carefullyMay 28, 2025 5:00 am - When people talk about the Dirty Dozen of produce, they are referring to a list of the vegetables and fruits that are the most likely to be contaminated by pesticide residue.
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Biden’s sudden diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer is unfortunately all too common
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Weight-loss drugs may lower cancer risk in people with diabetes, a study suggests