Ebola remains one of the world's most dangerous infectious diseases, with outbreaks in Central and East Africa repeatedly straining already fragile healthcare systems. And with the recent cuts to United States foreign aid, public health experts are raising concerns that could weaken Ebola surveillance and response efforts in parts of Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda.

Amid growing concerns over screen time addiction in the United States and worldwide, the Office of the Surgeon General issued a warning about its potential health risks, particularly for young people.

Many parents have heard the warning: Don't use baby talk with babies and toddlers. Instead, caregivers are often encouraged to speak properly and use adultlike language, out of concern that simplified speech could confuse children or delay language development.

Making children laugh can build deep emotional connections and soothe their nervous systems, making them more resilient and open to new ideas, says a leading child development expert. Dr. Jacqueline Harding, director of Tomorrow's Child and an early childhood expert at Middlesex University, has carried out extensive research into how laughter and play contribute to healthy brain growth, emotional well-being and social bonding.

New research by a collaboration of U.K.-based scientists has revealed that common indoor and outdoor air pollutants can alter both brain and respiratory function within just four hours of exposure, offering key insights into how air pollution impacts brain health and may contribute to dementia risk.

Australians may be drinking contaminated spirits without realizing it, according to new research showing illicit alcohol being sold alongside legal products at bottle shops. A preliminary investigation of licensed retailers in Melbourne revealed that illicit bottles of vodka are being sold—often at a cheaper price point than competitor products—in breach of food safety, liquor and tax regulations.

When it comes to cancer, tumor suppressor genes are usually thought of as the "good guys." These genes make proteins that protect and repair DNA in cells. If they stop functioning or there's not enough, cancer risk goes up. But there can be too much of a good thing: when cells overexpress the gene EXO1—meaning that they make more of the protein than they should—it can degrade the DNA it's supposed to repair. This causes damage that can disrupt the genome, which is a hallmark of cancer, according to a team of researchers from Penn State College of Medicine.

Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions worldwide, has a long preclinical stage. It potentially begins decades before clinical symptoms become apparent.

Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo updated the death toll from the Ebola outbreak to 204 late Saturday, hours after the Red Cross said three volunteers had died there and Uganda confirmed three new Ebola cases.

The first time 5-year-old Calvin Owens went outside in more than a month, he met up with his canine friend Hadley on a hospital patio. Despite being tethered to equipment with wires and tubes, the little boy managed to stand up near his wheelchair long enough to toss her a ball.