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YOUR WEEKLY CHECKUP

This week: Some artificial sweeteners may actually increase the risk of diabetes or weight gain; the dangers of overdoing healthy eating; what you need to know about the new COVID boosters; innovative new methods for treating pain in infants; scientists are finally asking why some women struggle to breastfeed.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TRISTAN SPINSKI

Low-calories sweeteners might not be as good for us as we thought

Scientists have long suspected a link between artificial sweeteners and obesity in humans, but until now that connection had only been shown in lab mice. Now, in a first of its kind trial, scientists have shown that artificial sweeteners disrupt the microbes in our gut—possibly in ways that increase the risk of weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

PHOTOGRAPH BY LUCAS FOGLIA

Fruits and vegetables are less nutritious than they used to be

Evidence shows that many of today's whole foods aren't as packed with vitamins and nutrients as they were 70 years ago, potentially putting people's health at risk.

A LOOMING THREAT

BOBBI BOWERS/FLICKR/CREATIVE COMMONS

When it comes to eating, how healthy is too healthy?

"Orthorexia nervosa" can start small, with a desire to adopt a healthier lifestyle or to cope with a chronic medical condition. In some, however, it can topple into obsession.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENNY HOLSTON, THE NEW YORK TIMES VIA REDUX

6 big questions about new Omicron-targeting boosters answered

Health officials believe the newly formulated shots will offer stronger protection against severe COVID-19 as we head into the fall and winter.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG CUTLER

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ FROM THE ARCHIVES‌ ‌ ‌

Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants

For decades physicians believed that premature babies didn't experience pain. Even as recently as the 1980s, babies undergoing surgery were given a muscle relaxant to paralyze them—but were not given any pain medication. Here's what doctors know now, and the innovative solutions being embraced by today's caregivers.

WHAT WE KNOW NOW

THE MYSTERIES OF PAIN: Scientists are unraveling the biology of pain—and learning how to treat it +

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

NG STAFF

Free updated COVID-19 boosters are here

The U.S. has secured more than 170 million doses of the updated COVID-19 booster that targets Omicron's BA.5 subvariant, which is dominant in the United States.

TRACKING COVID IN THE U.S.

U.S. plans to shift to annual coronavirus shots, similar to flu vaccine (Washington Post)

New York's subway now has a 'you do you' mask policy. It's getting a Bronx cheer (NPR)

COVID-19 took a unique toll on undocumented immigrants

The number of children orphaned by COVID keeps rising (Scientific American)

MORE HEALTH NEWS

PHOTOGRAPH BY JENNIFER MCCLURE

Many women struggle to breastfeed. Scientists are finally starting to ask why.

We know more about cow’s milk than human milk. But new research about the makeup of breast milk and the factors influencing its production could change the lives of millions.

IT'S NOT YOU; IT'S BIOLOGY

Breast implants may be linked to additional cancers, FDA warns (New York Times)

FDA advisers recommend approval of controversial ALS drug (Washington Post)

Forehead thermometer readings may not be as accurate for Black patients, study finds (NPR)

U.S. monkeypox cases surpass 20,000, most of any country (US News)

Why does pain feel worse at night? New research may provide an answer. (Ars Technica)

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