Health Tips Line

We’ve all heard the feel-good stories about DNA testing exonerating the wrongly accused, catching a killer or reuniting long-lost relatives. These situations are often framed by local news anchors and law enforcement as triumphs of technology, and sometimes they are. But voluntarily submitting your DNA to a genealogy testing company—as 21% of Americans have, according to a 2025 YouGov poll—can have unintended consequences. I can hear you thinking: What could be the harm? I’m not a criminal! And I would love to meet my fourth cousin twice removed ! Of course, a family reunion sounds fun (and hopefully you’re not on the FBI’s Most Wanted list), but once you give that spit or swab sample over to one of those companies, the “good” and “bad” tentacles of DNA testing can be impossible to untangle. “Nobody is against catching serial killers,” says Natalie Ram, a professor of law at the University of Maryland Francis King C...

Debate time: Would you wear a Halloween costume on a flight? Would you look askance at someone who did? What if they sat right next to you or draped their Morticia Addams wig all over your tray table from the next row up? I have not had the pleasure of sitting next to a costumed Halloween reveler, and due to my rather reserved personality, I can’t imagine wearing one myself, but hey—you be you! ‘Tis the season for fall travel , and during this last stretch of October, there are bound to be people all over this country wondering if the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will even let them dress up for Halloween on their flights. So, to help all you outgoing types plan around the spooky season, I checked in with someone who knows what he’s talking about: a former TSA official. “I can tell you that TSA officers have seen just about everything come through a security checkpoint,” says Keith Jeffries, a 20-year veteran of the TSA who is now a vi...

If anyone knows how to keep readers under her spell, it’s Leigh Bardugo. The No. 1 New York Times– bestselling fantasy author is the mastermind behind the wildly popular Grishaverse, which includes the Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology (and inspired a Netflix series). Known for creating worlds filled with dark magic, morally complicated characters and plot twists that leave readers reeling, Bardugo has built a literary universe fans can’t get enough of. And with millions of books sold worldwide and a Goodreads Choice Award to her name, it’s safe to say she’s worked a little magic of her own. Now, Bardugo is closing another chapter with Dead Beat , the third and final installment in her Alex Stern trilogy, released in September. But whether you’re new to the series or haven’t reached the final page yet, don’t assume you’ve seen the last of its characters. “All of my finales end with a little bit of an open door...

Aries: Scream (March 21–April 19) Yes, Aries, you’re a little unhinged and impulsive, and we love you for it (most of the time). It’s also what makes Scream perfect for you: You have no patience for slow, dramatic buildups, and this movie gets right to the good stuff. In the first five minutes, the movie delivers two pretty gruesome deaths, and from there, the action and clever dialogue ramps up, making it pretty much impossible for your antsy self to get bored. We also know that once you get hooked on something, you can’t stop, so you’ll be binge-watching all seven movies in a single weekend. (Don’t even try to deny it.) Finally, Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of war, sex and vengeance, and the movies are all about personal vendettas, painful memories, and plans to frame innocent bystanders. Hey, Aries loves a good strategy, what can I say? Plus, Scream ‘s “kill or be killed” energy is the kind of high-stakes vibe that only y...

You bring that stained silk blouse or rumpled blazer into the dry cleaner, drop it off with the attendant at the front desk, then come back a few days later (or more if, like me, you forget) to pick up your cleaned, pressed items, hanging neatly on a hanger and wrapped in plastic. It’s a ritual that has been going on for decades, but what happens once your clothing or linens leave your hands? Do they go on a whimsical ride through dry-cleaning land, where industrious elves work their magic? Sort of! Just replace elves with launderers and finishers, and you’re close. To get the full picture, we spoke with Mike Astorino, who has more than 34 years of experience in the business and is the owner of Fabricare, a luxury dry cleaner in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Read on to find out exactly what happens to your clothes at the dry cleaner. Get Reader’s Digest ’s Read Up newsletter for more cleaning, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long. Why is dry cleanin...