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Shots - Health News

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The federal government says it has taken steps toward developing a vaccine to protect against bird flu should it become a threat to humans. skodonnell/Getty Images hide caption

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is ordering dairy producers to test cows that produce milk for infections from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) before the animals are transported to a different state following the discovery of the virus in samples of pasteurized milk taken by the Food and Drug Administration. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

After an alarming spike in 2021, maternal mortality numbers the next year went back down, according to a report released Thursday. CDC Director Mandy Cohen says the rates are still too high. Rich Legg/Getty Images hide caption

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Rich Legg/Getty Images

Low-dose estrogen can be taken orally, but it's also now available in patches, gels and creams. svetikd/Getty Images hide caption

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svetikd/Getty Images

Hormones for menopause are safe, study finds. Here's what changed

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The medical community dates pregnancy to the first day of a woman's last period, even though fertilization generally happens two weeks after that. It's a long-standing practice but a confusing one. Nikola Stojadinovic/Getty Images hide caption

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Nikola Stojadinovic/Getty Images

Instructions for a fingernail filing gadget for infants says, "Stay away from children." It's enough to make a new parent holler. Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images hide caption

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Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images

The new guidelines were prompted by increased rates of breast cancer in women in their 40s. They recommend mammograms every other year, starting at age 40. izusek/Getty Images hide caption

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Mammograms should start at age 40, new guidelines recommend

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This image shows a brain "assembloid" consisting of two connected brain "organoids." Scientists studying these structures have restored impaired brain cells in Timothy syndrome patients. Pasca lab, Stanford University hide caption

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Pasca lab, Stanford University

Scientists restore brain cells impaired by a rare genetic disorder

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When he arranged to undergo top surgery, Cass Smith-Collins of Las Vegas selected a surgeon touted as an early developer of the procedure who does not contract with insurance. "I had one shot to get the chest that I should have been born with, and I wasn't going to chance it to someone who was not an expert at his craft," he says. Bridget Bennett for KFF Health News/Bridget Bennett for KFF Health News hide caption

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Bridget Bennett for KFF Health News/Bridget Bennett for KFF Health News

Sign here? Financial agreements may leave doctors in the driver's seat

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Cases about transgender people and their rights have been working their way through the court system for years. Here, people demonstrate in favor of trans rights in front of the Supreme Court in 2019. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Transgender health care must be paid for by state insurance, says an appeals court

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Climbing stairs is a good way to get quick bursts of aerobic exercise, says cardiologist Dr. Carlin Long. lingqi xie/Getty Images hide caption

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lingqi xie/Getty Images

Elevator or stairs? Your choice could boost longevity, study finds

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Siblings may not be obvious fodder for the therapist's office, but experts say maybe they should be. "People just don't perceive those relationships as needing the type of attention and tending one might bring to a spouse or child," says Kelly Scott of Tribeca Therapy in New York. Lily Padula for NPR hide caption

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Lily Padula for NPR

All grown up, but still fighting? Why more siblings are turning to therapy, together

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A caprese salad prepared with Norfolk's Purple Tomato. The tomato was created using genes from a snapdragon. Norfolk Plant Sciences hide caption

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Norfolk Plant Sciences

Employers are required to make accommodations for pregnant women and new moms like time off for doctor's appointments. Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images hide caption

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Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images

Menthol cigarettes are popular among Black and Latino smokers, and a Biden administration official cited civil rights as a reason the ban is being dropped. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Katie Krimitsos is among the majority of American women who have trouble getting healthy sleep, according to a new Gallup survey. Krimitsos launched a podcast called Sleep Meditation for Women to offer some help. Natalie Champa Jennings/Natalie Jennings, courtesy of Katie Krimitsos hide caption

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Natalie Champa Jennings/Natalie Jennings, courtesy of Katie Krimitsos

Bird flu is spreading through U.S. dairy cattle. Scientists say the risk to people is minimal, but open questions remain, including how widespread the outbreak is and how the virus is spreading. DOUGLAS MAGNO/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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DOUGLAS MAGNO/AFP via Getty Images

Dr. Jeffrey Stern, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, prepare the gene-edited pig kidney with thymus for transplantation. Joe Carrotta for NYU Langone Health hide caption

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Joe Carrotta for NYU Langone Health

A woman with failing kidneys receives genetically modified pig organs

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The Biden administration is establishing new standards for how much time each day a nursing home resident gets direct care from a nurse or an aide. picture alliance/Getty Images hide caption

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