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Protecting Against HPVCommon Viruses Can Lead to CancerHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. There are many types of HPV. Most are fairly harmless. Some can cause genital warts, and others certain cancers.Anyone who is sexually active can get one of these harmful types of HPV. Most people don’t know they have the virus.“Over a lifetime, up to 80% of people will be exposed to this virus,” says Dr. Aimée Kreimer, an NIH expert on cancer and HPV. For …

Autism Spectrum DisorderEngaging in a Social WorldBeing social and making friends isn’t always easy. Relationships have many subtleties. But people with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, struggle more than most. For them, communicating with others can be very difficult.Autism is called a “spectrum” disorder because it’s not the same for everyone. Generally, people with autism both have difficulties with social communication and engage in repetitive behaviors.ASD can also affect learning and prob …

A new study shows that stress really can give you gray hair. Researchers found that the body’s fight-or-flight response plays a key role in turning hair gray.Your hair color is determined by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. New melanocytes are made from melanocyte stem cells that live in the hair follicle at the base of your hair strand.As we age, these stem cells gradually disappear. The researchers showed that stress also leads to the loss of these pigment-producing stem cells in mi …

Maintain Your MuscleStrength Training at Any AgeYou’ve likely heard that exercise can help you live a longer, healthier life. When you hear the word ‘exercise,’ you might think of going for a run or hopping on a bicycle. Or maybe playing soccer with your kids or basketball with your friends after work. But these activities don’t include all the types of movements that are important for your health.The examples above are endurance exercise. Also called cardiovascular exercise, activities like the …

As you might already know, the COVID-19 pandemic has been very difficult for many of us to carry on our normal daily lives. Public gatherings have been canceled. Businesses have either closed to foot traffic and employees sent home. Travel to and from places within neighborhoods and elsewhere have put everyone on edge. As we cope through these difficult times, know that there's always GOOD things even in the worst of times. If you have love ones in your home, these days make it a great time to s …