Health Tips Line

Folks, a new study has confirmed what we all expected: Chihuahuas are a breed all their own. The feisty little spitfires and national dogs of Mexico were the focus of research published this summer in Nature Communications , and it turns out they have a certain wild-animal DNA that will make so much sense once you hear it. If you’ve ever parented a Chihuahua or happen to have crossed one of their paths, you know these attitude-heavy canines pack a lot of punch in their tiny bodies . Ahead, I’ll walk you through the results of this study and explain how the heck researchers even determined this mind-blowing revelation. Read on to learn more about this fascinating study. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more pet news, tech, humor, travel and fun facts all week long. So what type of animal is in a Chihuahua? Your ferocious but lovable little lap dog has coyote blood coursing through his veins! Researchers confirmed this astounding fact whil...

It’s officially pumpkin spice season, and you know what that means! Cozy sweaters, pumpkin patches and, of course, that first glorious sip of a pumpkin spice latte. Whether you’re the type to order one the second it hits the menu or you’ve already lost count of how many you’ve had this fall (no judgment!), there’s just something about a PSL that makes the season feel complete. But just when you thought your favorite fall drink couldn’t get any more festive, the internet said, “Hold my pumpkin.” That’s right! A viral fall tradition is making its annual comeback on TikTok and Instagram, and it’s giving everyone’s favorite seasonal coffee order an adorable twist. You might have seen this trend pop up on your feed in previous years, but if you’ve never actually tried it yourself, consider this your sign to finally get in on the fun. And the best part? You don’t need to be a social media influencer to join the pum...

There’s something special about Jonathan Bailey. The award-winning English actor does it all: singing, dancing, comedy, drama—and in every single role, a certain “spark” comes shining through. As my colleague said the other day: “That man could have chemistry with a wall.” And he’s always thrown himself into his craft. As a child, he acted in Royal Shakespeare Company productions, and by the time he turned 8, he had a key role in Les Misérables in London’s West End. But on this side of the pond, he’s probably best known for starring as the rakish Anthony Bridgerton in Bridgerton and the charming Prince Fiyero Tigelaar in Wicked . Well, now he’s in a new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula , and even though the role is voice only, his natural charisma is on full display. This full-cast adaptation of the horror masterpiece has Bailey working that accent—and that go-for-it attitude … in a way you have to...

Who’s ready for some weather news? The United States is currently taking a beating on multiple fronts: We just had a nor’easter smash into New England, a heat wave blister the West and South, and here in Dallas, four straight days of rain after months of nary a drop. As we mercifully move into winter after summer’s record temps, you’ve probably been hearing all sorts of predictions about El Niño, that mysterious little weather pattern that pops up every so often like a bratty little brother. Well, he’s back again, and this year, he’s super-charged. What does that mean, and who will feel the impacts the most? Ahead, we’ll take a look at which states El Niño will be visiting this winter (sorry in advance—it’s a lot), and which ones might be spared. Read on to learn everything you ever wanted to know about El Niño. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more weather, travel, tech, hu...

One of the best parts of Halloween is figuring out what you’re going to be. And sure, you could pull out the same witch hat or vampire cape you’ve worn before, but where’s the fun in that? Every year brings a whole new batch of costume inspiration, thanks in large part to the movies, shows and other pop-culture moments we haven’t been able to stop talking about. So what will everyone be dressing up as in 2026? Spirit Halloween just revealed its best costumes of the year, and you’ll see some familiar favorites along with plenty of new looks based on what’s trending right now. “The reality is we’re watching them develop all year long,” said Kym Sarkos, the executive vice president of Spirit Halloween, in a press release. “From blockbuster entertainment and gaming to social media and nostalgia, our team is constantly tracking what’s capturing attention so we can be ready with the looks fans want most.” Ready to start...

From the sheet-draped ghosts we drew as kids to Nearly Headless Nick floating through Hogwarts, we all seem to have the same picture in our heads when someone says “ghost.” Pale, wispy and usually glowing like they’ve never seen a day of sunshine in their afterlife, spirits have been showing up this way in spooky stories and on screens for generations. Even Casper got the memo. But why are ghosts white in the first place? It turns out that our idea of what a ghost should look like has a long—and fascinating—history. To find out how ghosts became the spectral figures we picture in ghost stories , we spoke with Susan Owens, PhD, author of The Ghost: A Cultural History , and Troy Taylor, co-host of the American Hauntings Podcast . We traced their changing appearance through the ages and even found out what paranormal experts believe ghosts actually look like. (Spoiler: Hollywood may not have the whole story.) Read on to discover how ghosts got their signatur...