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Science & Health

Concise briefs built from multiple trusted reports, with every original source clearly attributed.

Science & HealthSee all

Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After Brief Battle with Cancer, Reps Confirm

Country music legend Dolly Parton passed away at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer, according to a statement from her representatives. The statement, provided to People magazine, said she died at Vanderbilt‑Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. While the specific type of cancer was not disclosed, the reps highlighted her lifelong contributions to music, philanthropy, and her enduring generosity. The news was reported by both Variety and Deadline on August 25‑26, 2026.

Updated 10 days ago2 sources

Deadline, Variety

Science & HealthSee all

Two Unvaccinated Pennsylvanians Die as Measles Cases Surge Nationwide in 2026

State health officials confirmed that two unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have died from measles, marking the first measles deaths in the state in 35 years and the first reported in the United States this year. Pennsylvania has recorded 393 confirmed measles cases across 28 counties, while the United States has tallied 2,777 cases in 2026, the highest total since 1991. Vaccination coverage has slipped nationally to roughly 92%, below the 95% herd‑immunity threshold, and kindergarten‑age vaccination in Lancaster County is estimated at about 86%, well under the level needed to curb spread. Health Secretary Debra Bogen expressed sympathy for the families and urged increased uptake of the MMR vaccine, noting that many people are unfamiliar with the disease’s severity after decades of elimination.

Updated 10 days ago2 sources

Ars Technica, BBC News