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In hypochondria paradox, Swedish study finds a higher death rate in those who fear serious illness

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

A large Swedish study has uncovered a paradox about people diagnosed with an excessive fear of serious illness: They tend to die earlier than people who aren’t hypervigilant about health concerns.Hypochondriasis, now called illness anxiety disorder, is a rare condition with symptoms that go beyond average health worries. People with the disorder are unable to shake their fears despite normal physical exams and lab tests. Some may change doctors repeatedly. Others may avoid medical care.“Many of us are mild hypochondriacs. But there are also people on the other extreme of the spectrum who live in a perpetual state of worry and suffering and rumination about having a serious illness,” said Dr. Jonathan E. Alpert of Montefiore Medical Center in New York. People with the disorder are suffering and “it’s important to take it seriously and to treat it,” said Alpert, who was not involved in the new study. Treatment can involve cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques...

More people are using CBD products. There’s still little research on the benefits and risks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

CBD use increased 50% in the past four years, according to a new survey published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. About 1 in 5 survey respondents said they used CBD in the past year. People who use cannabis are more likely to report using CBD, CBG and other hemp-derived compounds, the survey, done by NORC at the University of Chicago, showed. Also, people who live in a state where marijuana is illegal are more likely to use delta-8 THC, a mildly intoxicating sibling of delta-9 THC, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana.“Although there are a lot of survey studies out that show this increased use, we don’t have a lot of good data on what effects any of these things have, either harmful or beneficial,” said Angela Bryan, a University of Colorado-Boulder professor who has studied the public health implications of cannabis legalization for more than a decade. She was not involved in the JAMA study.CBD and similar compounds have boomed i...

New proposed license plate would support preservation of historical spots

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A historic preservation organization wants to create a new specialty group license plate that "highlights the importance of saving places."The Colorado Preservation, Inc. is a statewide nonprofit that promotes historic preservation by providing advocacy, education, outreach and preservation services, according to its website. The nonprofit wants to introduce a new specialty license plate that can be purchased to support historic landmarks across Colorado.“Colorado is fortunate to have many options for individuals to personalize their cars and show what is important to them.  While there are many options, there is not one yet that features the importance of place and the many historic landscapes, buildings, and cultures that make up communities across Colorado," said CPI Executive Director Jennifer Orrigo Charles. Starting soon, you can buy this dino-themed license plate for your car The design of the proposed license plate features the iconic white mountains w...

Biden considers new border and asylum restrictions as he tries to reach Senate deal for Ukraine aid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Biden administration officials were laboring on Wednesday to try to reach a last-minute deal for wartime aid for Ukraine by agreeing to Senate Republican demands to bolster U.S.-Mexico border policies to cut crossings.Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was expected to resume talks with Senate negotiators even as advocates for immigrants and members of President Joe Biden’s own Democratic Party fretted about the policies under discussion. Some were planning to protest at the Capitol, warning of a return to Trump-like restrictions.Congress is scheduled to leave Washington on Thursday, leaving little time to reach an agreement on Biden’s $110 billion request for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs. But White House officials and key Senate negotiators appeared to be narrowing on a list of priorities to tighten the U.S.-Mexico border and remove some recent migrant arrivals already in the U.S., raising hopes that a framework could be w...

Who will be Wales’ next first minister? The runners and riders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

LONDON — It’s a nation of 3 million people where Labour is riding a 101-year winning streak. Now the party is choosing a new leader in Wales — and Westminster will be watching closely.Whoever replaces Mark Drakeford, who confirmed he will step down by March after five years as first minister, faces a tricky in-tray at the helm of the U.K. devolved nation.Near the top is deciding how closely to follow U.K. Labour leader Keir Starmer — who polls predict will win a general election next year.Drakeford has tacked more to the left than Starmer. His policy of widespread 20-miles-per-hour road speed limits has unsettled some Labour MPs and opened up a fierce line of Conservative attack.With education and health policy devolved from Westminster to Wales — and their shaky performance scrutinized by Tory strategists — Wales is an early test of Labour’s relationship with the regions and nations to which it has promised more power.The new leader must also manage the delicate balance of power in...

One person taken to hospital for serious burns after house fire in Newton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

A person suffered serious burn injuries after authorities say a house caught fire in Newton Wednesday morning.According to the Newton Fire Department, the victim was located by firefighters and pulled from the home on Allen Avenue as flames ripped through the house.“We had the report that there was a victim trapped in the inside, so the initial companies didn’t hesitate and went right in,” Newton Fire Chief Greg Gentile told reporters.Crews were able to extinguish the fire soon after arriving, with one firefighter reportedly suffering a minor injury during the response.Another person at the home, the victim’s brother, was able to get out unharmed.As of noon, the State Fire Marshal’s office was investigating the cause of the fire, which appeared to cause extensive damage throughout the structure.No additional details were released.

The Noble Prize turns 122

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

The Nobel Prizes fascinate and here’s a synopsis in graphic form:

Social Security clawbacks hit a million more people than agency chief told Congress

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

David Hilzenrath, Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group | KFF Health News (TNS)The Social Security Administration has demanded money back from more than 2 million people a year — more than twice as many people as the head of the agency disclosed at an October congressional hearing.That’s according to a document KFF Health News and Cox Media Group obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Kilolo Kijakazi read aloud from the document during the hearing but repeatedly left out an entire category of beneficiaries displayed on the paper as well.The document indicates the fallout from Social Security overpayments and clawbacks is much wider than Kijakazi acknowledged under direct questioning from a House Ways and Means subcommittee that oversees the federal agency.In a statement for this article, SSA spokesperson Nicole Tiggemann described the numbers of people Kijakazi provided in her testimony and those she left out as “un...

Patriots offense gets good news at first practice before Chiefs game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots returned leading receiver Demario Douglas to practice Wednesday, his first since suffering a concussion against the Giants on Nov. 26.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bailey Zappe clarifies past remarks about passing Mac Jones on Patriots’ QB depth chart New England Patriots | Why Bill Belichick wanted to work with recently acquired Patriots defender New England Patriots | Bill Belichick responds to report Robert Kraft has already decided to part ways New England Patriots | Patriots attempted to keep Malik Cunningham before Ravens poached rookie QB New England Patriots | Patriots extra points: Bill O’Brien, Troy Brown preview Chiefs matchup Douglas missed the team’s last two games with the concussion, his second of the season. Douglas still leads the Patriots with 410 receiving yards. The 23-year-old trails only running back Rhamondre Stevenson and inj...

North Central’s Luke Lehnen resets bar for college QBs. Can Glenwood graduate do same for Cardinals?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:17 GMT

Perhaps no play better encapsulates North Central College junior quarterback Luke Lehnen’s special talent more than his touchdown pass to Charles Coleman on Saturday.It’s just a 7-yard TD pass in the box score. On film, however, it’s a work of art.Wartburg’s defense blew up the Cardinals’ play, but Lehnen’s instincts kicked in immediately. The Glenwood graduate ran to the far side of the field and kept moving backward to avoid the pressure, eventually firing the ball to Coleman in the flat from the 23-yard line. Coleman walked into the end zone.“It’s second nature at this point,” Lehnen said. “I have my legs. I can use them to extend the play as long as I can and find my receivers open.”Lehnen extended No. 1 NCC’s season, too, throwing three TD passes during its 34-27 victory in the NCAA Division III national semifinals in Waverly, Iowa.The defending national champion Cardinals (14-0), who have won 29 games in a...