ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning of more than two dozen cases of possibly drug-resistant salmonella cases across 13 states. In an update last week, the CDC said all 34 people — several of whom are children— have the same strain of salmonella, which has been linked to backyard poultry. To make matters more difficult, the CDC says an analysis of all 34 patients showed the strain may be resistant to the antibiotic fosfomycin. Samples from eight of those patients showed there could be resistance to other antibiotics commonly used in salmonella infections. (Bink, 4/28)

Dr. David Morens, a former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci at the National Institutes of Health, has been indicted on charges of skirting federal record-keeping laws and concealing emails related to the origins of the coronavirus outbreak in China. The indictment, unsealed on Monday by the district court in Maryland, accuses Dr. Morens of working in concert with scientists outside the federal government to protect their funding for virus research. (Mueller, 4/28)

A cohort study on systematic SARS-CoV-2 screening for asymptomatic hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that 36.5% of all positive results were false-positives, which led to unintended consequences. The study, recently published in JAMA Network Open, was based on 42,666 asymptomatic patients seen at the University Hospital Basel in Basel, Switzerland, from February 2021 through December 2022. (Soucheray, 4/28)

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a new report on hepatitis today, marking the World Hepatitis Summit. Since 2015, the annual number of new hepatitis B infections has dropped by 32%, and hepatitis C-related deaths have fallen by 12% around the world. But despite progress, the virus still causes significant mobility and mortality, with more than 4,900 new infections caused by hepatitis B and C every day, or 1.8 million each year. (Soucheray, 4/28)

Scientists shared transcripts with The Times in which chatbots described how to assemble deadly pathogens and unleash them in public spaces. (Dance, 4/29)

Tiny micro- and nanoplastic fragments seem to be turning up everywhere, including one of the most well-protected parts of the human body—the brain. In a recent study conducted by Chinese researchers, they found microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in nearly all the brain samples they tested, both healthy and diseased human brains. (Mondal, 4/28)

A drug taken by thousands of Americans to improve longevity might have an unexpected side effect, a study has found. It may blunt some of the health benefits of exercise. The drug, rapamycin, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent organ-transplant rejection in people. But recent studies in yeast, flies and mice showed that relatively low doses of the drug often increase the creatures’ lifespans, prompting many longevity enthusiasts to start using it off-label to extend their lifespans. (Reynolds, 4/28)

Nearly 13% of US adults are relying on medication, supplements or marijuana to help them sleep, a new federal study found, underscoring the potential need for new treatment options. They are relying on prescription medication, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, marijuana or CBD to help fall or stay asleep, according to a survey by the National Center for Health Statistics. The survey, conducted in 2024, included results from more than 31,500 people who were asked about their use of sleep aids over the past month. (Inampudi, 4/29)

It’s well-known that ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) are not good for overall health — but new research has uncovered further evidence that this diet could negatively impact the brain. The study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia by the Alzheimer’s Association, revealed that UPFs are linked to more than 30 adverse health outcomes, including several dementia risk factors, like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. (Stabile, 4/28)

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø News: Listen To The Latest 'ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø News Minute'

Arielle Zionts reads the week’s news: The Trump administration wants to kick off a new baby boom with big changes to Title X. Plus, tips to make sure a life change doesn’t leave you without health insurance. (Cook, 4/28)