TIME Health is reporting that a study published in the journal Nature offers new insights into the role of genetics in personality. Veronique Greenwood wrote for TIME that researchers, after studying data from more than a million people, found certain genetic variants were linked to common personality traits. It said approximately 13% of personality can be predicted by genetics, reinforcing the psychological view that personality is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
The publication also reports that Cyclospora infections continue to rise across the U.S. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least 18,445 people have been sickened by the parasite since May. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce to include Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas, bringing the total affected states to 20. Food-safety expert Gerardo Lopez told TIME that lettuce is likely not the sole cause of the illnesses, and the FDA is investigating six other Cyclospora outbreaks. Lopez said challenges in pinpointing sources include reductions in the FDA workforce and the complexity of tracing ingredients in food preparation.
Separately, TIME Health, through Angela Haupt, offers advice on how to vent emotions constructively. It said healthy venting has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and allows for participation from the listener. The article suggests watching for signs of unhealthy venting, such as monologues or feeling angrier after the conversation. It advises setting clear expectations with friends, such as asking, "Can I complain for 10 minutes? I don’t need advice—I just need you to hear how irritating this was."
In other health news, TIME Health notes that a survey by the consulting firm Marsh predicts employer-sponsored health plan costs will increase by 11% in 2027, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth. It also highlighted an Associated Press report about 91-year-old Dale "Grey Beard" Sanders, who has again become the oldest person to complete the entire Appalachian Trail. Additionally, TIME Health mentioned a Smithsonian report on two gene-edited beagles that do not produce a major dog allergen, raising the possibility of truly hypoallergenic dogs in the future.