MEDICARE

An international group of scientists has identified three genetic regions that predispose Asian women who have never smoked to lung cancer. The finding provides further evidence that risk of lung cancer among never-smokers, especially Asian women, may be associated with certain unique inherited genetic characteristics that distinguishes it from lung cancer in smokers.

Learn about American Indian Populations, Tribes and Languages: American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month goes back to 1916. Learn about populations, tribes and languages.

Many members of the military with student loans are spending way too much to pay off those loans. They are not accessing the student loan repayment protections and forgiveness benefits that have been granted to them under federal rules. Unfortunately, those rules are extremely complex, and not all loan servicers are properly handling the loans … Read more

This is one of the eight tentacled snakes born at the National Zoo last month. The birth of the snakes was a surprise to zookeepers because the parents have not given birth to viable offspring in the last four years, despite past breeding attempts. This species of snake is aquatic and gets its name from the … Read more

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, announces that Kenneth Kendler, M.D. will deliver the 17th Annual Mark Keller Honorary Lecture. Kendler is a world-renowned expert on the genetics of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. His presentation is called “The Genetic Epidemiology of Alcohol Use Disorders: … Read more

Admission to National Parks is Free this Weekend: You can visit any national park this weekend for free. Find a national park near you.

When planning ahead in these uncertain financial times, it’s important to think about long-term care for yourself and your loved ones. Long-term care (LTC) is a range of services and supports you may need to meet your health or personal needs over a long period of time. These services might include emergency response systems, senior … Read more

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird photographed at the Quabbin Reservoir near South Athol, MA. Photo by Bill Thompson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Image description: A full moon rises over Mt. Everts in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by the Yellowstone National Park Service.

Researchers will study pre-symptomatic lung disease in infants and young children with cystic fibrosis (CF), under a new grant program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Results could reveal how CF develops, which in turn could lead to interventions that delay or prevent disease progression. The studies also could provide critical information … Read more

Most people prepare for job interviews and plan before going on a trip or taking an exam. But how many people actually get ready before going to the doctor’s office? Preparing for a doctor’s appointment will help you make better decisions about your health, especially if your diagnosis requires medicines or surgery. The following tips … Read more

National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers have discovered a significant new mechanism of action for a class of chemotherapy drugs known as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, or PARP inhibitors. They have also identified differences in the toxic capabilities of three drugs in this class which are currently being tested in clinical trials. The study, by … Read more

Don’t Forget about Ballot Measures on Election Day: Use this map to find your state’s election website and learn about ballot measures in your area.