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Researchers traced a COVID-19 outbreak to a shared ventilation system in a multifamily building

• A new study suggests airborne viruses can move between some apartments through shared bathroom ventilation systems.

• Researchers investigated a COVID-19 outbreak in a Spanish apartment building and found ventilation ducts were the most likely transmission route.

• The findings highlight the importance of building ventilation and indoor air quality in multifamily housing.

A study published in PLOS One examined a COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in a seven-story apartment building in Santander, Spain, during the early months of the pandemic. Researchers found evidence suggesting the virus likely spread between apartments through a shared bathroom ventilation system rather than through direct contact between residents.

The findings add to growing research showing that airborne viruses can move through connected indoor spaces. While the study focused on one specific building design, it offers new insight into how ventilation systems may influence the spread of infectious diseases in multifamily housing.

We tend to think that if we shut the door in our apartment, we are safe and cant get infected. But our study shows that, depending on the ventilation system in place, that may not be the case, senior author Shelly Miller said in a news release.

The study

The outbreak occurred in June 2020 when 15 residents living in four vertically stacked apartments became infected with COVID-19.

To understand how the virus spread, researchers analyzed epidemiological data, genetically sequenced virus samples, measured airflow and air pressure within the building, and used computer simulations to model the movement of airborne particles.

The building used a shared vertical bathroom ventilation shaft, a design common in many older buildings in Spain. Unlike modern systems that rely on mechanical fans, these ducts use natural airflow to move air upward and out of the building.

The findings

Researchers discovered that weather conditions could sometimes reverse airflow within the shaft, pushing air back into apartments. They also found that running a kitchen exhaust hood could increase air movement between units.

In one experiment, elevated carbon dioxide levels were detected inside a vacant apartment, suggesting that air from occupied units was entering the space.

Based on the combined evidence, the researchers concluded that the shared bathroom ventilation duct system was the most likely pathway for transmission during the outbreak.

What this means for consumers

The study does not suggest that all apartment buildings pose the same risk. In fact, the researchers note that the ventilation design examined is uncommon in newer buildings and is relatively rare in the United States today.

Still, the findings underscore the importance of ventilation and indoor air quality in multifamily housing. According to the researchers, connected air spaces can sometimes allow contaminants to move farther than people might expect.

While this is a special building design more common in Spain, it illustrates a broader concern that even if you are far from the source, if your air is connected, you can still get sick, said Miller. This can happen in a multifamily apartment building through the ducts, in a hotel between the hallway and rooms off the hallway, in office buildings between offices, or on a cruise ship.

The authors say building designers, managers, and policymakers should pay closer attention to ventilation systems, particularly in older buildings. They also point to measures such as properly designed exhaust fans with backflow prevention features as potential ways to reduce risk.

For renters and homeowners, the study serves as a reminder that healthy indoor air depends not only on what happens inside a single apartment, but also on how an entire building is designed and ventilated.

The service just might be what many parents are looking for

• Human-reviewed content: Every video is screened by human moderators before it reaches kids, helping reduce the surprises that can come with algorithm-driven recommendations.

• Built for families: Parents get age-based filters, screen-time controls, and custom child profiles to create a safer viewing experience.

• Budget-friendly option: The service is free with ads or $4.99 per month without ads, with access to more than 40,000 kid-friendly episodes.

Between monitoring YouTube videos, managing screen time, and worrying about what an algorithm might recommend next, many parents feel that keeping their kids safe online is a never-ending job.

On the heels of my article on YouTube-style' kids content invading streaming apps, I wanted to share a solution that can actually help parents in the fight.

Enter the safe streaming service called Kidoodle.TV.The company believes the problem isn't that parents aren't doing enough. It's that many online platforms place too much of the responsibility on parents in the first place.

What exactly is Kidoodle.TV?

Launched back in 2014, Kidoodle.TV is a streaming service designed specifically for children and families.

Unlike your traditional video-sharing platforms that rely heavily on algorithms to recommend content, Kidoodle.TV says every piece of content on their platform is reviewed by human moderators before it becomes available to viewers.

The company's goal is to create a streaming environment where parents don't have to constantly worry about what video might appear next.

That approach has helped the platform stand out, as many parents grow increasingly frustrated with content recommendations, autoplay features, and the challenge of monitoring what children watch online.

Cost breakdown of Kidoodle.TV

If you dont mind watching some ads, the streaming service is completely free. If you want ad-free, youll pay $4.99/month for the premium version.

Here is whats included in both plans:

• 40,00050,000+ episodes of kid-friendly content
• Human-vetted content rather than open-user uploads
• Individual child profiles
• Age-based content filters
• Screen-time controls and bedtime settings
• Access on phones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming sticks, and web browsers
• Available on more than 1,000 devices in over 160 countries

Why parents are taking notice

One of the biggest concerns parents have with mainstream platforms is unpredictability.

A child may start watching an age-appropriate video, only to be served recommendations that parents find questionable, overly commercialized, or simply not aligned with their family's values.

Kidoodle.TV says its human-review process is designed to reduce that risk.

Instead of relying solely on automated systems, content is screened before it reaches the platform. The result is a curated library focused on children's entertainment, educational programming, music, games, and family-friendly content.

For many parents, that can provide a level of reassurance that is difficult to find on larger platforms.

Features built with families in mind

Beyond content moderation, Kidoodle.TV includes several tools designed specifically for parents.

These features include:

• Custom viewing profiles
• Age-based content controls
• Screen-time management settings
• Parental controls
• No public comment sections
• Child-focused programming libraries

The service allows parents to tailor the viewing experience to the age and maturity level of each child rather than relying on one-size-fits-all settings.

A different approach to screen time

Kidoodle.TV isn't positioning itself as a way to eliminate screen time. Instead, the company argues that parents should have access to platforms that make screen time safer and easier to manage.

That distinction matters because many families aren't trying to remove technology from their children's lives. They're trying to find age-appropriate ways to use it.

New research suggests refeeding could matter more than the fast

• A new study found that the benefits of fasting may depend heavily on what happens when eating resumes.

• Researchers discovered that shutting down fat-burning processes after a fast appeared to be important for lifespan extension in laboratory worms.

• The findings could help scientists better understand the biology of aging, though the research has not yet been proven in humans.

Fasting has long been studied for its potential effects on health and longevity. Scientists have known for years that calorie restriction and intermittent fasting can extend lifespan in a variety of organisms, but exactly why that happens has remained something of a mystery.

Now, researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center say they may have uncovered an important piece of the puzzle.

Their findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that the life-extending benefits associated with fasting may not come from the fasting period alone. Instead, a critical factor could be how the body responds when food becomes available again after a fast.

Our discoveries shift the focus toward a neglected side of the metabolic coin the refeeding phase. Our data suggest that the health-promoting effects of intermittent fasting are not merely a product of the fast itself, but are dependent on how the metabolic machinery recalibrates during the subsequent transition back to a fed state, study leader Peter Douglas, Ph.D., said in a news release.

The study

The study was conducted in Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny roundworm frequently used in aging research because many of its biological pathways are similar to those found in other animals.

While the results don't directly translate to humans, they provide new clues about the cellular processes that may influence aging.

During fasting, the body shifts from using readily available glucose for energy to breaking down stored fat. The researchers focused on a protein called NHR-49, which helps activate this fat-burning process when nutrients are scarce.

The results

Initially, scientists expected that this fat-burning activity would be responsible for the lifespan benefits linked to fasting. However, experiments revealed something unexpected.

Even when the worms lacked NHR-49, fasting still increased lifespan and helped older worms maintain more youthful movement.

The more significant finding emerged after the fasting period ended. Researchers discovered that when worms were refed, a separate biological mechanism switched off NHR-49 and slowed fat breakdown. When scientists interfered with this shutdown process and kept fat-burning pathways active after refeeding, the lifespan benefits of fasting disappeared.

In other words, the ability to transition efficiently from a fasting state back to a fed state appeared to be crucial.

What this means for consumers

The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that metabolic flexibility the body's ability to adapt to changing nutrient conditions may play an important role in healthy aging. Rather than focusing solely on what happens during fasting, scientists may need to pay closer attention to the biological changes that occur when eating resumes.

It's important to note that this study was conducted in laboratory worms, not people. The researchers say much more work is needed before these discoveries could lead to recommendations for human health or aging.

Still, the research offers an intriguing new perspective. If future studies confirm similar mechanisms in humans, scientists may eventually be able to develop treatments that mimic some of fasting's benefits without requiring people to follow strict fasting regimens.

For now, the study highlights just how important the body's recovery and rebuilding phase may be after periods without food.

The new couponing hack: Let ChatGPT do the work

• Ask smarter questions: Have ChatGPT look for coupon codes, cashback offers, rewards, free shipping deals, and other discounts all at once.

• Skip the coupon-site rabbit hole: ChatGPT can quickly identify the most promising savings opportunities without opening a dozen browser tabs.

• Build a savings plan: Use ChatGPT to compare discounts, find the best deal, and even determine the best time to buy.

If you've ever searched for a coupon code online, you already know the drill. You click on a coupon site that promises "27 active promo codes." You copy one. It doesn't work. You try another. Still nothing. Five minutes later you're staring at a checkout page, wondering why you wasted your time.

The good news is that ChatGPT can dramatically speed up the process.

No, ChatGPT can't magically create secret coupon codes that don't exist. But it can help you find likely working discounts, identify the best places to look, uncover overlooked savings opportunities, and even help test different savings strategies before you buy.

Here's how savvy shoppers are starting to use AI to save money.

Start by asking the right questions

The biggest mistake people make is being too vague when coming up with their prompts.

Instead of asking: "Are there any coupon codes for Macys?"

Try asking ChatGPT: "Find the best current ways to save money at Macys, including coupon codes, student discounts, cashback offers, free shipping promotions, and loyalty rewards."

That broader question often uncovers savings opportunities that are actually worth more than a simple promo code.

For example, many retailers offer:

• Student discounts
• Military discounts
• Teacher discounts
• First-time customer offers
• Email signup coupons
• App-exclusive discounts
• Cashback opportunities

ChatGPT will tell you exactly whats available and often those savings will beat a coupon code.

Pro tip: Ask ChatGPT, "What's the best stackable discount strategy for this retailer?" Many stores allow shoppers to combine multiple promotions and coupons. So instead of digging through the boiler plate on the stores site to find the rules, just ask ChatGPT and itll tell you the best strategy to maximize your savings.

Let ChatGPT do the research

One of the biggest advantages of ChatGPT is that it can quickly summarize information from multiple sources.

Try prompts like:

• "Find current coupon codes for Kohl's."
• "What's the best discount available at Home Depot right now?"
• "Are there any hidden discounts for Target shoppers I should know about?"
• "What's the best way to save money at Ulta this week?"

Instead of opening ten browser tabs yourself, ChatGPT can often narrow down the most promising options.

That doesn't guarantee a code will work, but it can eliminate a lot of the junk.

Ask ChatGPT to compare coupon codes

Suppose you find several offers for a particular retailer. Perhaps like the following:

• 15% off
• $20 off $100
• Free shipping
• 10% cashback

Have ChatGPT help you figure out which one actually saves you the most.

Instead of guessing or pulling out your calculator, ask ChatGPT to quickly compare different offers based on your cart total.

For example, say something like: "My cart total is at $135. Which discount will save me more: 15% off or $20 off $100?"

The answerisn't always obvious. Especially when you factor in taxes, shipping costs, and any minimum purchase requirements that enter into the equation.

Pro tip: Paste your actual cart contents into ChatGPT and ask: "What's the cheapest way to buy these items?" Sometimes the answer involves splitting orders or buying a "filler item"so youll qualify for a higher discount threshold.

Use ChatGPT to uncover hidden discounts

It's worth mentioning this again: many retailers offer discounts that don't necessarily show up on your typical coupon sites. But ChatGPT will uncover them for you!

So get creative and askChatGPT stuff like: "Does Costco offer any discounts that most shoppers overlook?"

Or: "What savings programs does Lowe's offer besides coupon codes?"

By doing so, youll discover things like price matching policies, rebate programs, membership discounts, cashback portals, employee discounts, and loyalty rewards.

Keep in mind that these hidden discounts can often provide bigger savings than a standard promo code can.

Have ChatGPT build a savings plan

This is where things get interesting and how you can really take your discount savings to the next level.

Instead of asking for a single coupon code, ask ChatGPT: "How would a professional couponer buy this item at Kohls?" Then add,"I want to buy a Ninja air fryer from Kohl's."

ChatGPT will suggest things you probably never considered like:

• Waiting for a Kohl's Cash event
• Using a percentage-off coupon
• Earning rewards
• Shopping through a cashback portal
• Timing the purchase around a sale

Suddenly you're saving far more money at Kohls than the typical shopper.

Pro tip: Timing matters, too. For example, ask ChatGPT for the best time to buy. Take a prompt like this: "Should I buy this at Kohl's today or wait for a better promotion?" The answer herecan help you avoid pulling the trigger before an upcoming Kohl's Cash event, Friends & Family sale, or major clearance markdown.

Watch out for expired coupon codes

The one limitation that ChatGPT currently has is the inability to control a retailers coupon systems.

In other words, even when a coupon code appears valid, retailers can:

• Expire it early
• Limit it to certain products
• Restrict it by region
• Limit it to first-time customers

That's why every coupon should still be tested at checkout before you click the buy button.

Think of ChatGPT as more of a shortcut to finding promising discounts and coupons, not a guarantee.

The smartest coupon prompt you can use

If you're in a hurry, try this: "Help me save the most money possible at [RETAILER NAME]. Include coupon codes, loyalty rewards, cashback opportunities, student or military discounts, free shipping offers, and any stacking opportunities."

That single prompt often reveals multiple ways to save that many shoppers never discover.

The bottom line

Couponing used to mean countless Google searches, digging through a bunch of shady coupon websites, then hoping something might actually workwhen you typeit into the coupon code box.

Today, ChatGPT can act like your personal shopping assistant that helps you identify discounts, compare offers, explain store policies, and uncover savings opportunities you might otherwise miss.

New research suggests coaching and accountability could make healthy habits more effective

• A two-year clinical trial found that structured lifestyle programs improved measures of frailty in older adults.

• Participants who received coaching, goal-setting support, and regular check-ins saw greater benefits than those following a self-guided approach.

• Researchers say combining healthy eating, exercise, social engagement, and cognitive activities may help support healthier aging.

Many people know that eating well and staying active are important parts of healthy aging. But new research suggests that how those habits are implemented may matter just as much as the habits themselves.

A study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that older adults who participated in a structured lifestyle program experienced greater improvements in a key measure of aging compared with those who followed a more independent approach.

"These findings suggest that adopting accessible healthy behaviors may help slow important aspects of aging, researcher Mark A. Espeland, Ph.D., said in a news release.

The study

The findings come from the U.S. POINTER trial, a large clinical study designed to examine whether lifestyle changes can help protect brain health in older adults who are at increased risk for cognitive decline.

In this latest analysis, researchers looked at another important marker of aging: frailty, which reflects the accumulation of health-related challenges that can increase the risk of chronic disease, disability, and other age-related problems.

The study included more than 2,100 adults between the ages of 60 and 79 who were considered at increased risk for accelerated cognitive decline. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups and followed for two years.

One group took part in a structured program that included coaching, goal setting, regular monitoring, and support for adopting healthier behaviors. The program focused on several areas at once, including physical activity, healthy eating, social engagement, cognitively stimulating activities, and monitoring of health risk factors. The second group received guidance as well, but followed a more self-directed approach.

What the study found

Both groups showed improvements over the course of the study. However, participants in the structured program experienced significantly greater reductions in frailty scores.

Researchers found that these benefits were consistent across a variety of participant characteristics, including age, sex, body weight, and diabetes status.

The study does not suggest that any single habit can slow aging on its own. Instead, the findings point to the potential value of a comprehensive approach that combines multiple healthy behaviors and provides ongoing support to help people stick with them.

This shows the benefits of taking a structured approach to a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Espeland said. We know exercising and eating right is going to improve our health, but making efforts to participate in programs that offer guidance and accountability could be especially effective at keeping us healthy as we age.

Researchers also noted that improvements in frailty did not fully explain the cognitive benefits observed in the broader trial, indicating that healthy aging is likely influenced by multiple interconnected factors.

The results also add to growing evidence that targeting multiple areas of health at once, rather than focusing on a single behavior may be the key to maintaining independence and quality of life later in life, Dr. Espeland added.