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2026-02-23T08:03:00

(BPT) – As spring draws near, allergy season follows close behind. While blooming flowers and budding trees may be welcome, they can also bring allergens that trigger sneezing, congestion and itchy, watery eyes for millions. Allergies are nothing to sneeze at: they currently affect approximately 30% of adults and 40% of children in the U.S., making them an ongoing struggle for many.

To help you better understand the ins and outs of allergies, the experts behind Clorox™ PURE™ — a new line of daily allergen neutralizer sprays designed to stop indoor allergens like non-living pollen, dust mite matter and pet dander before they become allergies — debunk common misconceptions.

Myth number 1: Allergies only affect people in the spring

While springtime is typically peak allergy season as pollen from many varieties of plants, trees and flowers are prevalent, many people can experience allergies year-round. In the fall and winter, dust mites tend to increase once you turn on your heating, and mold tends to peak due to outdoor decomposing leaves and damp spots in the home. And while summer lends itself to warmer weather and more time spent outside, we still see pollen and dust mites working their way throughout the home.

Myth number 2: You can avoid allergies by staying indoors

Many people who experience allergy symptoms all year may be reacting to common allergens like dust mites, pet dander and mold that can live inside your home. And no matter how hard you may try, it can be impossible to keep all pollen out of your home. Whether or not you or the other members of your household currently experience allergies, you can actually develop allergies over time simply from repeated exposure to common allergens, meaning the more you are exposed, the more sensitive your immune system can become to potential allergy triggers.

To manage indoor allergens, add Clorox™ PURE™ Allergen Neutralizer Daily Air and Fabric & Carpet sprays to your daily routine. Developed with allergists, these daily sprays neutralize common household allergens like non-living pollen, dust mite matter and pet dander by changing allergens’ active protein structure so they can no longer bond to receptors in your body and trigger allergies. You can use Clorox™ PURE™ Daily Air Spray in common living spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, entryways and more while Clorox™ PURE™ Fabric & Carpet Spray is designed for use on soft surfaces where allergens can lurk. Think hard-to-clean areas like carpets, upholstered furniture, curtains, pet beds and more.

Myth number 3: Most people react only to one allergen

It’s common for people with allergies to be allergic to more than one thing. This can be because an overly sensitive immune system tends to overreact in multiple ways, causing allergies to appear in clusters. In other words, once allergies take hold, new sensitivities can follow. This is all the more reason to take action to neutralize allergens in your home before they become a bigger problem.

Myth number 4: If you weren’t allergic to something as a child, you won’t develop allergies to it later

It is entirely possible to develop allergies later in life, often without warning. New environmental exposures, lifestyle changes, like getting a pet, and immune system changes as you get older can all increase susceptibility. While you can’t control every trigger, you can take control of your environment. One way to help decrease the likelihood of developing allergies is by reducing your exposure to typical indoor and outdoor allergens.

Learn more about managing indoor allergens in your home year-round at Clorox.com/PURE, and find Clorox™ PURE™ Allergen Neutralizer products nationwide at Walmart.com, Amazon and in the air-care aisle.

2026-02-23T11:13:00

(BPT) – As hopeful parents start their reproductive journeys, they may be offered a variety of tests and screenings, which can be opportunities to learn more about their own health and about a pregnancy and developing baby. These tests and screenings may provide reassurance that all is well, or chances to seek further information.

Prenatal genetic screenings, in particular, can help determine whether your baby may be at risk for certain genetic or chromosomal conditions. With the help of a clinician, you’ll be able to navigate genetic screening information without feeling overwhelmed and make a plan for what comes next.

What is prenatal genetic screening?

Prenatal genetic screenings use a blood sample to test the parents or the pregnancy. These screenings allow expecting parents to learn about their own genes and how those may impact their baby, or get insights into the baby’s development and discover the baby’s predicted sex — well before birth.

There are two types of prenatal genetic screenings:

• Carrier screening: This prenatal genetic screening lets parents know if they’re carriers of a serious genetic condition and can help determine a baby’s chance of having specific inherited conditions like cystic fibrosis or fragile X syndrome. It’s possible to be a carrier of a genetic condition without showing any symptoms of the condition. Carrier screening can be done before or during pregnancy.
• Non-invasive prenatal screening: Cell-free DNA screening, also known as NIPS or NIPT, can help determine if a baby has a chance of having specific chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome. This screening is done during pregnancy.

Why does clear information matter?

Prenatal genetic screening can play an important role in helping expectant parents make informed decisions during pregnancy. By identifying potential genetic risks early, screening may provide valuable insight into a baby’s health risks giving families time to learn, ask questions, and consider next steps such as diagnostic testing or other care options recommended by their healthcare providers. These screens can help guide conversations between families and their health care providers as well as support personalized care and informed planning during an emotionally complex time.

“Knowing medical information early in their pregnancy can give expectant parents the most options,” said Dallas Reed, M.D., FACMG, FACOG, obstetrician-gynecologist and medical geneticist, and principal medical advisor of Women’s Health for Myriad Genetics^®. “Normal results can provide reassurance, while positive results open the door to thoughtful conversations about next steps between families and their healthcare providers, helping them feel more prepared and supported as they make choices for their pregnancy.”

A prenatal genetic screen for everyone

Any expecting parent can benefit from a genetic test, not just those who have a family history of certain inherited conditions. If you’re considering having a baby, ask your doctor about the Prequel^® Prenatal Screen and the Foresight^® Carrier Screen, non-invasive blood or saliva tests designed for everyone regardless of ancestry or BMI.

The Prequel screen checks for increased risk of certain common chromosome conditions by analyzing placental DNA in the pregnant person’s blood, and with most results available in seven to 10 days. This prenatal screening can be done as early as eight weeks, giving parents as much time as possible to make a plan with their healthcare provider based on the screening results. The Foresight screen can help determine whether parents carry inherited health conditions that they may pass on to their child.

While most reports deliver low-risk results, if you do want to talk them through, Myriad offers on-demand access to board-certified genetic counselors to help interpret results and answer questions about your baby’s health risks.

Determining next steps

If a screen reveals a high-risk result, it’s important to keep in mind that screening is just the first step. Genetic insights based on prenatal screening give you precious time to pursue diagnostic tests like amniocentesis, consult specialists, find the best-equipped medical facilities for your birth, and connect with parents who have been in your shoes.

Your healthcare provider may offer follow-up testing or a conversation with a specialist to explore results further and discuss options.

Feel empowered, not overwhelmed

Genetic testing helps parents understand what to expect, giving them insights to help make thoughtful choices for their family.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, check out Myriad’s Prequel Prenatal Screen, a screen that assesses common chromosomal conditions, as well as the Foresight Carrier Screen, which looks for genetic conditions that parents might pass down to their children, and SneakPeek^® Early Gender Test, which allows parents to learn about their baby’s predicted sex as early as six weeks.

Myriad Genetics also offers resources like Know More Sooner to help make the pregnancy journey clearer and more supportive for families, and debunk common myths about genetic screening.

2026-02-23T10:05:00

(BPT) – For Kevin and Karin Sweeney, the distress was immediate. Moments after the birth of their daughter, Klara, doctors and nurses gathered in the delivery room in a quiet cluster. Their whispers were a vivid and unnerving sign that something was troubling them about the baby. Karin sensed it, too. Klara wasn’t crying and would not latch on to nurse. She needed a feeding tube and further evaluation in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Soon after, genetic testing revealed that she had Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a rare disorder characterized by chronic hunger, growth hormone deficiency, and behavior changes.

Many questions, few answers

The diagnosis left the Sweeneys full of questions they couldn’t easily articulate. As parents of a newborn, their future felt uncertain.

“We felt isolated and alone,” says Karin. “But we refused to accept a future that was grim for our daughter. We focused on learning all we could about PWS to help us adapt to the new reality we were facing.”

“The hungriest you’ve ever been”

That new reality included dealing with one of the most challenging symptoms of PWS, called hyperphagia, or unsatisfiable hunger. If not proactively managed, hyperphagia-associated PWS can result in life-threatening obesity and lead to other health complications.

“People with Prader-Willi syndrome do not feel full. They usually cannot live independently because they are consumed with their overwhelming need for food,” says Jennifer L. Miller, M.D., professor of pediatric endocrinology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, who specializes in treating children and adults with PWS. “When I first started treating this disorder, a patient told me, ‘Imagine the hungriest you’ve ever been. That’s how I feel all the time.'”

A new version of life – in and out of the home

Families navigate the burden of PWS in different ways, often building their days around structure, including consistent mealtimes and controlled food access. For the Sweeneys, this has meant increased vigilance in controlling what and when their daughter eats. Inside their home, they have been able to keep Klara, now 15 years old, on a strict “clean” diet to help her maintain a healthy weight.

Other families coping with PWS often turn to more extreme measures to control their child’s food access, including locking fridges and pantries.

Outside the home, PWS can have a significant impact on quality of life. With less control over food access at parties and other social gatherings, families often are forced to isolate themselves from friends and loved ones.

“Hyperphagia is complex and challenging. If it were simple, we would have had an answer long ago,” says Dr. Miller. “Clinical research and education play a critically important role in giving hope to patients and families that we can find answers to help them thrive and have a better quality of life.”

The HERO study

One clinical research study being led by investigators such as Dr. Miller is exploring a potential treatment option for PWS. The clinical trial, called the Hunger Elimination or Reduction Objective (HERO) study, is focused on assessing the effectiveness and safety of an investigational drug for the treatment of hyperphagia in PWS. The therapy is being studied to see if it can help the body release certain gut hormones that may help reduce excessive hunger and food-seeking behaviors in people with PWS.

The study is open to males and females 7 years of age or older in the United States who have a documented diagnosis of PWS. Eligible participants will receive the study drug or a placebo orally twice daily for 12 weeks. Travel expenses and lodging, if required, for the participant and a primary caregiver will be covered. To learn more, visit www.heroforpws.com.

2026-02-21T11:01:01

(BPT) – By Jason Bittel, author of Grizzled: Love Letters to 50 of North America’s Least Understood Animals

North America is home to some huge and awe-inspiring creatures, from 800-pound alligators and surf-cracking great white sharks to rumbling herds of bison and mountain lions — the largest cat on Earth that is able to purr.

But for those who can’t get to a national park or seashore, there is still plenty of wonder waiting to be discovered on a backyard safari.

Death-Dealing Hummingbirds

The average hummingbird weighs about as much as a stick of chewing gum and lay eggs the size of jellybeans. And yet, if they were the size of a human, the tiniest birds on Earth would have to consume around 10,000 calories each day to perform their aerial acrobatics.

In fact, the hummingbird’s need for a constant supply of energy is so strong, putting a little sugar water in a special feeder is all it takes to draw the little wonders near. And if you watch a feeder long enough, you might just see the males do battle.

With speeds approaching 60 miles an hour and bills shaped like sharpened stilettos, male hummingbirds have been known to guard their territories with iridescent ferocity. The brightly colored sprites have even been documented attacking golden eagles, a predator that outweighs them by about a thousand times.

Amazingly, when hummingbirds battle each other, a beak to the heart can even result in fatalities.

The Opossum’s Oscar-Worthy Performance

Commonly spotted scurrying away from a tipped-over trash can or waddling along the roadways at night, opossums are about the size of a house cat and appear rather unconcerned about much of anything.

This may be because they have an evolutionary trick up their fluffy little sleeves.

When confronted by a predator, opossums can keel over and play dead. Scientists call this death-feigning, or thanatosis. You might know it simply as “playing possum.”

But opossums are not like fainting goats, falling over every time someone shouts BOO! Theirs is a last-ditch, all-or-nothing cascade of biological responses.

First the animal falls on its side and its legs and tail go stiff. The corners of its mouth tighten and drool starts gushing out. The opossum also poops itself and emits a stinky green goo out of its anal glands. The eyes remain open, while the rest of the creature appears to go positively catatonic.

You can’t help but admire the moxie of the opossum’s death dance.

Without big fangs or claws to fight off a foe, nor the ability to outrun a hungry predator, the opossum doesn’t fight or flee — it fouls, becoming so thoroughly inedible that the attacker turns its nose up at an otherwise free meal.

Bravo, indeed.

Fireflies Are Secret Savages

Scientists have discovered a whopping 2,000 species of fireflies on this planet, and their glowing lights can come in everything from pale blue and neon green to bright yellow and even burnt orange.

Also known as lightning bugs, fireflies typically use their flashes as a secret code to find and woo mates. But one type of firefly has found a way to use that code to its own diabolical advantage.

Meet the femme fatale fireflies. Females of the Photuris versicolor species complex mimic the flash patterns of other fireflies. And when an unsuspecting male touches down nearby, the femmes fatales pounce from the shadows and tear them limb from limb.

In addition to gaining an easy meal, evidence suggests the femmes fatales also steal defensive compounds from the fellas — nasty-tasting chemicals they cannot produce themselves. And the females actually lace their own eggs with those compounds as a way to protect them from predators.

So the next time you see a soft twinkle in the night, it could be a lightning bug looking for love. Or it might just be a femme fatale looking for blood.

But both are backyard magic.

Read more about these magical backyard animals in Grizzled.

2026-02-18T09:31:00

(BPT) – In the rolling foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, Oaklawn Hot Springs has evolved into something far bigger than its storied racing roots. Long synonymous with the thrill of Thoroughbred racing, the destination now stands as Arkansas’ most complete luxury resort — a distinction once again affirmed with its inclusion in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide and Star Awards for the third consecutive year.

That continued recognition places Oaklawn Hot Springs among a rare group of resorts worldwide, evaluated through Forbes Travel Guide’s anonymous, in-person inspection process. The Forbes Travel Guide depicts the hospitality industry’s gold standard. More importantly, it reinforces Oaklawn’s position as the state’s premier resort destination, where thoughtful design, elevated service and a sense of place come together.

“At every stage of Oaklawn’s growth, our focus has been on building a destination Arkansans are proud of,” said Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn Hot Springs. “Recognition from Forbes Travel Guide affirms that commitment and reflects the level of experience our team delivers to guests.”

Forbes Travel Guide Recognition

Oaklawn Hot Springs continues to draw national recognition from Forbes Travel Guide, with Astral Spa holding its distinction as Arkansas’ only Forbes Four-Star rated spa. The Oaklawn Hotel, The OAK room & bar and The Bugler restaurants are also recognized as Forbes Recommended experiences.

For many visitors, Astral Spa is a reason to visit on its own. The spa offers dedicated men’s and women’s wet lounges, heated loungers, steam rooms, infrared saunas, whirlpool tubs, cold rooms and a co-ed parlor — an array of amenities not commonly found together. Alongside customized treatments and a modern fitness center, the setting caters to travelers looking to balance relaxation with wellness.

“To see Astral Spa maintain a four-star rating, alongside recognition for our hotel and restaurants, reflects the level of care our team brings to the guest experience,” Cella said. “We want each visit — whether for a stay, a meal or a spa day — to feel thoughtfully done.”

A Full-Service Resort Destination

Luxury at Oaklawn Hot Springs extends well beyond the spa. Personalized touches — including valet service, attentive bell staff, room service and concierge support — help make each stay feel seamless from arrival to departure. Guest rooms feature upscale amenities, smart-room controls and contemporary finishes, while rooms look out to the bucolic racetrack or the scenic backdrop of the Ouachita Mountains.

The Oaklawn Hotel places guests steps from one of the country’s most storied Thoroughbred racing venues, where fans gather each season to follow the road to the Kentucky Derby. Just minutes from Hot Springs National Park and surrounded by outdoor recreation opportunities, the resort pairs a natural setting with full-service comforts. What began as a historic racetrack has evolved into a multifaceted destination resort offering Thoroughbred racing, gaming, sports betting, dining, spa experiences and live entertainment.

Plan your experience today at oaklawn.com.

Must be 18 for race gambling and 21 for casino gaming in Arkansas. Always bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-522-4700 or visit www.ncpgambling.org.