Flu Warnings + Other Stories
Every week, we corral the best wellness stories from around the internet—just in time for your weekend bookmarking. This week: a less-invasive option for colon cancer screening, the mental health impact of nature, and a new strain of the swine flu—and how to stay protected.
You Might Not Need a Colonoscopy to Be Screened for Colon Cancer
Popular Science
New research shows that an at-home test—which is significantly less invasive than a colonoscopy—could be just as effective.
Cases of a New, More Deadly Flu Strain Are on the Rise, According to the CDC
Prevention
There’s an uptick in cases of H3N2, a variation of the swine flu. And doctors are concerned the influenza season isn’t nearing an end. Here’s what you need to know.
Greener Childhood Associated with Happier Adulthood
NPR
Spending time in nature may have long-term mental health benefits—especially for children. A new study notes, “Growing up near vegetation is associated with an up to 55 percent lower risk of mental health disorders in adulthood.”
Have Dark Forces Been Messing with the Cosmos?
The New York Times
According to reporter Dennis Overbye, astronomers at John Hopkins University are trying to explain a troubling phenomenon: “The universe seems to be expanding faster than it should be.”