TIME is reporting that the question of whether a single "addictive personality" profile exists is a ripe area of scientific research. It said staff writer Stacey Colino examined the topic in a new piece, and that experts had plenty to say on the subject.
TIME also is reporting on reader guidance about chronic postnasal drip. It said Dr. Matt Hershcovitch, an ear, nose and throat and sinus specialist in Burbank, Calif., advises that relief depends on identifying what is driving the drip. TIME said allergies and chronic sinus inflammation are common culprits, and that reflux and a nose overly reactive to smoke, strong smells or changing weather can contribute as well. It said antihistamines might not help if allergies are not responsible, and that patients whose symptoms have persisted for years should see an ENT rather than continue what it called drugstore roulette. TIME said care should be sought promptly if drainage is bloody, occurs only on one side, or comes with facial pain. It quoted Hershcovitch saying the condition is "a very manageable one."
TIME is reporting that 15.1 million Americans live in a county without a general surgeon, citing a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. It said many of those Americans may live near a hospital, but not every hospital has a full-time surgeon. TIME said readers can check how many surgeons live in their county using an interactive map.
Separately, TIME is reporting that a new mRNA-based flu shot is available for older adults this flu season, as reported by Alice Park. It also said the Guardian explored the common but little-studied phenomenon of pet aversion during pregnancy, and that the Associated Press reported on an Indiana dance program that helps people with disabilities move, make friends and perform onstage.
TIME additionally reported comments from Jane Muncke, a chemist and founder of the Swiss NGO Food Packaging Forum, on the risks of food-packaging chemicals. It quoted Muncke saying regulators, governments and industry are aware that carcinogens in food packaging get into food, adding, "They are accepting that, and I find that so incredibly infuriating."