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Shots - Health News

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Dr. Steven Lamm sits at a desk in an office in front of a large window.

Dr. Steven Lamm leads a comprehensive center for men's health at NYU Langone medical center in New York City. Ashley Milne-Tyte for NPR hide caption

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Ashley Milne-Tyte for NPR

Your Health

Men die younger than women. Is it time for a focus on men's health?

Researchers would like to see more study on how stress, the economy and attitudes toward medicine influence the well-being and longevity of men.

Greater attention to men's health could bridge life expectancy gap, researchers say

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is shown walking through a hallway surrounded by men who are likely aides and reporters.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, was on Capitol Hill in early January to meet with senators. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

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RFK Jr. appears on his way to being Trump's health secretary after a party-line vote

RFK Jr.'s nomination cleared the Senate Finance Committee by a 14-13 party line vote.

RFK Jr. appears on his way to being Trump’s health secretary after a party-line vote

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An illustration of the Vagus nerve, which is part of the autonomic nervous system.

An illustration of the Vagus nerve, which is part of the autonomic nervous system. Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library RF/Getty Images hide caption

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Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library RF/Getty Images

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Vagus nerve stimulation may tame autoimmune diseases

The next big advance in treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis could be tiny pulses of electricity delivered to the vagus nerve.

Vagus nerve stimulation may tame autoimmune diseases

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Blasts from military weapons may injure the brain through its blood vessels

U.S. Army Rangers fire an AT4 at a range on Camp Roberts, California.  Stocktrek Images/Getty Images/Stocktrek Images hide caption

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Stocktrek Images/Getty Images/Stocktrek Images

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Blasts from military weapons may injure the brain through its blood vessels

When military personnel fire certain powerful weapons, they may be exposed to blast waves that damage blood vessels in the brain.

Blast, brains, and blood flow

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Lower nicotine requirements in cigarettes could be coming soon

The FDA is expected to propose a new rule Wednesday that would mean cigarettes have lower nicotine limits to make them less addictive.

FDA moves to make all cigarettes less addictive with lower nicotine

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Survival of the luckiest? New study hints at the potential role of luck in evolution

An adult mouse is released from the lab into a semi-natural outdoor enclosure. These are its first steps out of an artificial lab environment into a dynamic, realistic ecosystem. Daniel Chang Kuo hide caption

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Daniel Chang Kuo

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Survival of the luckiest? New study hints at the potential role of luck in evolution

A new study on mice shows that luck in early life can determine success as an adult, especially when competition is high.

Survival of the luckiest - Mix 2

The body's circadian rhythms are sensitive to many different types of changes — but especially to sunlight.

The body's circadian rhythms are sensitive to many different types of changes — but especially to sunlight. Getty Creative hide caption

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Getty Creative

Your Health

Night owl or early bird? Here's how your inner clock impacts your health

In order to better understand her circadian rhythm, science journalist Lynne Peeples conducted an experiment in which lived for 10 days in a bunker, with no exposure to sunlight or clocks.

Night owl or early bird? Here's how your inner clock impacts your health

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Turkeys at a farm as California declares state of emergency to prevent new public health crisis on Bird flu in Pescadero, California, in December.

Turkeys at a farm as California declares state of emergency to prevent new public health crisis on Bird flu in Pescadero, California, in December. Anadolu/via Getty Images hide caption

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Anadolu/via Getty Images

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Bird flu Q&A: What to know to help protect yourself and your pets

Each week some revelation about bird flu seems to flutter through the news cycle. Here's what the latest research is saying about how it is spreading and how to keep yourself and your pets safe.

12/30 health seg - Bird flu consumer q & a

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A photo illustration shows many hands forming a heart around two kidney shapes made from photo images of the earth from space.

More than 100,000 people are on the list waiting for an organ in the U.S., according to government statistics. Living donors now can give parts of their lungs and livers, in addition to a kidney. Chinnapong/iStockphoto/Getty Images hide caption

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Chinnapong/iStockphoto/Getty Images

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Giving a kidney to a stranger? Researchers call it 'extraordinary altruism'

Only about 300 to 400 people a year give a kidney to someone they never met. It's an act of generosity so unusual, a neuroscientist studies the people who do this.

The science behind the selfless act of donating a kidney to a stranger

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A stereoscope is used to examine a sediment sample to identify microplastics within the sample.

Scientists are working hard to understand the impact of microplastic pollution in the environment and in human bodies. The research requires identifying and analyzing types of microplastics particles, which can range from 1 nanometer to 5 millimeters in size. Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images hide caption

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Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images

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Scientists know our bodies are full of microplastics. What are they doing to us?

Plastic particles are found in our organs, blood and even semen. But do they stay in us forever? What damage are they doing? Here are six questions scientists are trying to answer.

Teenage girl comforting sad friend on couch at home, showing empathy and compassion. Image captures genuine care and understanding between young women

When someone you love is struggling emotionally, it can be hard to know what to say. Author Kelly Corrigan says using certain words can make a big difference. FilippoBacci/E+/Getty Images hide caption

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FilippoBacci/E+/Getty Images

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To help someone going through a crisis, use these 7 words

Author and TV host Kelly Corrigan has a radical way to support a loved one through a crisis, big or small. Here's her technique to make someone feel like it's safe to open up.

Bravery in Relationships: Kelly Corrigan

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Research shows after a break from weight lifting, your strength may return quickly thanks to phenomenon called muscle memory.

Research shows after a break from weight lifting, your strength may return quickly thanks to phenomenon called muscle memory. EyeEm Mobile GmbH/iStockphoto/Getty Images hide caption

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EyeEm Mobile GmbH/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Your Health

After a break from strength training, muscle memory may help you bounce back

If the season or an injury has derailed your gym routine, don't sweat it. New research shows your muscles can regain lost strength faster than you might think.

If you take a break from the gym during the holidays, muscle memory will help you

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