Author: Michelle Korhonen
When inflation started to spike in 2022, the Federal Reserve made the only move it could: raising interest rates. Over the course of 18 months, rates shot from near zero to above 5 percent and have remained there since. Now inflation appears under control, having fallen steadily since July 2022. But while the Fed may be done raising rates, it’s not cutting them back to zero anytime soon.According to the central bank’s most recent projections, rates will stay where they are for most of 2024 and will fall only slightly in 2025, ending the year at about 4 percent—more than…
Protesters marched in Phoenix, Ariz., when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022. This week, the state Supreme Court will determine which of two abortion bans will be enforced in Ariz. Ross D. Franklin/AP hide caption toggle caption Ross D. Franklin/AP Protesters marched in Phoenix, Ariz., when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022. This week, the state Supreme Court will determine which of two abortion bans will be enforced in Ariz. Ross D. Franklin/AP The future of reproductive rights for a wide swath of the Mountain West may be decided next week, as…
The latest GOP presidential debate demonstrated again that Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley are pursuing utterly inimical strategies for catching the front-runner, Donald Trump.The debate, on Wednesday evening, also showed why neither approach looks remotely sufficient to dislodge Trump from his commanding position in the race.DeSantis delivered a stronger overall debate performance than Haley. But the evening mostly displayed the structural limitations of the theory that each campaign is operating under, and the limited progress either candidate has made toward surmounting those obstacles.As he showed during the debate, DeSantis is grounding his coalition on the right by defining himself as…
For breast cancer survivors over 50, the question of whether they can reduce frequent mammograms is a complex one with no easy answer. Continue reading to learn the details of new research.A mammogram is an X-ray image of the breast used for early detection of breast cancer. By capturing images of the internal breast tissue, mammograms can reveal abnormalities such as tumors, cysts, or calcifications, even before they are noticeable through physical examination.The frequency of mammograms, also known as breast cancer screening, varies depending on individual factors and recommendations from different organizations. Here’s a breakdown summary of the current research and…
The health organization’s director-general says needed humanitarian aid isn’t possible without a cease-fire but the resolution provides a platform to build from.(Image credit: Adel Hana/AP)
I like your eyes. Their startling weather like the bract of the bougainvillea, a leaf turned suddenly dawn, peach or cloud, drawn out from the sun and dark water. No. Your eyes are arid and say nothing. I am looking at you. I don’t know what I’m thinking. You look at me—what, you say; nothing I say. No. Tell me something. I like it when suddenly your hands are on my shoulders when I had intended to get up, get a beer, and walk around looking out the windows at the bougainvillea and be startled by it again, standing against…
Skipping Radiotherapy May Be Safe for Low-Risk DCIS Patients After Surgery – Study A landmark study published in December 2023 sheds light on a potentially transformative approach for treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a noninvasive stage of breast cancer. The study, presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, suggests that low-risk DCIS patients can safely skip the traditional post-surgical radiotherapy, paving the way for a personalized and less invasive treatment paradigm.This novel approach hinges on two key tools:1. Bilateral Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This imaging technique offers a clearer picture of the breast tissue compared to traditional mammography,…
On Saturday Night Live, the actor’s trademark intensity served as an antidote to bland winter cheer.Will Heath/NBCDecember 10, 2023, 12:16 PM ETWhen this week’s Saturday Night Live host, Adam Driver, explained in his opening monologue that he had a “very deep and personal relationship with Santa,” it was pretty obvious that whatever was to follow wasn’t going to be your typical holiday cheer.The Oscar-nominated actor sat down at a piano, demonstrated that he really could play it, and then started barking his wish list to the jolly man in the North Pole. Among his wants for Christmas: “One of those…
Anti-Obesity Drugs May Offer New Hope for Preventing Kidney Disease – Data from Australian researchers could partly explain why a trial of a new drug for diabetes, semaglutide, was recently halted because it was found to be so effective. Importantly, the data also reveals how anti-obesity drugs, like Ozempic, actually work, which to date has been a mystery.New drug trial shows remarkable resultsIn early November, the FLOW trial of the drug semaglutide on the progression of renal impairment in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease was halted ahead of schedule because of the drug’s efficacy.Research sheds light…
India outlawed this form of forced labor: An employer pays a cash sum in exchange for weeks of labor and extracts penalties if terms are not met. But it persists — and appears to be on the rise.(Image credit: Ruchi Kumar for NPR)