×
The Hypershell Pro X Exoskeleton Made My Hikes Feel Easier—Then I Checked My Stats

The Hypershell Pro X Exoskeleton Made My Hikes Feel Easier—Then I Checked My Stats

WIRED Editor Amit Katwala has traveled far and wide for a hands-on look at the future of robotic artificial limbs, and the technological progress he witnessed is beyond impressive. But in truth, his quest to become Superhuman is still stuck in the prototype phase. I, on the other hand, have been galavanting around the English countryside wearing the Hypershell Pro X, the first readily available leg-boosting, mile-eating, powered exoskeleton.

As a broader product category, exoskeletons have the potential to enhance mobility for those with disabilities, helping them regain independence and improve their quality of life. They can also reduce physical strain in the workplace, minimizing the chances of injury and boosting productivity. But the likes of Hypershell produces nonmedical, wearable exoskeletons that promise muscle-boosting power for us average Joes.

The majority of these designs, however, seem to be permanently on preorder, or ambitiously chasing the big bucks on Kickstarter, so it’s refreshing to be able to test something that’s available on Amazon.

Last year I reviewed a prelaunch version of the similar DNSYS X1 (WIRED 5/10) and found it to be glitchy, heavy, and generally disappointing, but it did show promise. It remains stuck in preorder however, as does the much-publicized pair of $5,000 Arc’teryx MO/GO powered pants.

So can Hypershell do it better? There are currently three versions of the Hypershell exoskeleton: the basic 400-watt, $900 Hypershell Go X, the $1,199 Pro X which has a 800-watt output, 10.8-mile range, and enhanced capabilities for running and even cycling assistance. And then there’s the Hypershell Carbon X, which uses a titanium alloy instead of carbon fiber and costs $1,500.

The Go X offers 7.5 miles per hour maximum speed assistance while the Pro X’s 800-watt motor can help up to speeds of 12.4 miles per hour. Each model collapses down to 16.9 × 10.2 × 4.9 inches, and the Go and Pro X weigh 4.41 pounds, while the Carbon version is 7 ounces lighter.

My Hypershell Pro X sample has a 5000-mAh 72-Wh battery, with quoted assisted range of 10.8 miles (17.5 kilometers) and 10 modes, including up and down stairs, down and uphill, cycling, running, race walking, and regular walking. I’ve been wearing the exoskeleton for the past few months while testing various outdoor gear, including hiking boots and rain jackets, and within seconds of turning it on I knew it was significantly more useful than the DNSYS X1, giving my legs a nice power-up on trails. Did I feel like a fool wearing it in public? Absolutely. Did my wife ask me “Why are you walking like Woody from Toy Story?” Yes. But for many people in need, the benefit of the assistance should outweigh the mild embarrassment.

Fit and Features

Hypershell Pro X Series Review An Exoskeleton You Can Actually Buy

Photograph: Chris Haslam

Strapping myself in for the first time, I’m impressed by the build quality, the ergonomic fit, and adjustability. The lower back and hip cushioning is particularly good. I’m 5′ 11′′ tall, and most adults—Hypershell estimates 80 percent—will have no fitting issues. The excellent app takes you through the whole process, with step-by-step video instructions on adjusting to fit, and then once you’re corseted in, it demos the various power modes and controls. When you first power on, the inert machine springs to life and tightens up, and once you’ve chosen a power mode, it instantly starts to work as you walk.

Source link
#Hypershell #Pro #Exoskeleton #Hikes #Feel #EasierThen #Checked #Stats

acknowledge the possibility of a connected outbreak in multiple Midwestern states. No specific food source linked to these cases has been identified as of yet, though local health officials have singled out lettuce or salad greens as potential culprits to avoid for residents in these hot spots.

A delayed alert

Cyclosporiasis is caused by various species of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, predominantly Cyclospora cayatenensis. Though rarely life-threatening, the disease is infamous for causing watery and explosively loud bouts of diarrhea, along with other common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.

Cyclosporiasis is endemic to tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and stateside cases tend to be traced back to imported food from these areas (particularly produce) or to people who initially caught the disease while traveling in these endemic regions. The incidence of cyclosporiasis seems to be increasing worldwide, however, and 2026 is gearing up to be an especially bad year for it in the U.S.

On July 1, the CDC first stated that 145 cases from 17 states had been reported to the agency as of mid-June. Even by then, though, it was clear the CDC’s reporting was woefully out of date. By July 4, health officials in Michigan (a state not included in the initial CDC tally) had reported over 500 cases in the state, which was already triple the number reported less than a week earlier. It would take an additional two weeks, on July 14, for the CDC to formally issue a health advisory on the growing clusters.

As of July 15, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis dating back to May 1, along with at least 141 people who were hospitalized as a result (no deaths). The agency is also aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis before they can be classified as domestic cases.

The Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak Is Officially Blowing Up
                If you ever wanted a good excuse for skipping out on the fresh salad for lunch, here’s one. Reports of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic disease that can cause explosive bouts of diarrhea, are skyrocketing in several parts of the country, and federal health officials are finally sounding the alarm about it after weeks of media reports. As of Wednesday, thousands of cyclosporiasis cases have been reported recently in more than 30 states. The true toll is likely higher, however, and it’s taken weeks for the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention to formally acknowledge the possibility of a connected outbreak in multiple Midwestern states. No specific food source linked to these cases has been identified as of yet, though local health officials have singled out lettuce or salad greens as potential culprits to avoid for residents in these hot spots. A delayed alert Cyclosporiasis is caused by various species of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, predominantly Cyclospora cayatenensis. Though rarely life-threatening, the disease is infamous for causing watery and explosively loud bouts of diarrhea, along with other common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.

 Cyclosporiasis is endemic to tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and stateside cases tend to be traced back to imported food from these areas (particularly produce) or to people who initially caught the disease while traveling in these endemic regions. The incidence of cyclosporiasis seems to be increasing worldwide, however, and 2026 is gearing up to be an especially bad year for it in the U.S.

 On July 1, the CDC first stated that 145 cases from 17 states had been reported to the agency as of mid-June. Even by then, though, it was clear the CDC’s reporting was woefully out of date. By July 4, health officials in Michigan (a state not included in the initial CDC tally) had reported over 500 cases in the state, which was already triple the number reported less than a week earlier. It would take an additional two weeks, on July 14, for the CDC to formally issue a health advisory on the growing clusters. As of July 15, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis dating back to May 1, along with at least 141 people who were hospitalized as a result (no deaths). The agency is also aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis before they can be classified as domestic cases.

 People infected with Cyclospora will eventually poop out larvae forms of the parasite called oocysts. The micrograph above shows two oocysts found in a stool sample. © Melanie Moser/CDC Cases of cyclosporiasis happen every year in the U.S., with the usual seasonal peak occurring between May and August. So some of these cases are part of the pattern we would expect to see around this time of year. But it’s also become clear by now that this isn’t a typical season overall, and that some states are being hit especially hard by the explosive diarrhea bug. According to the CDC, only 249 cases were reported nationally by this same time last year. And whereas the CDC previously stated there was “no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak” linking cases, it is now investigating a potentially linked outbreak in four midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. At least 400 confirmed cases have been tied to this single cluster, though the agency is aware of more reports. Michigan alone has reported 2,640 cases as of Monday, while Ohio has reported more than 300. All of these numbers are an underestimate. People generally don’t see their doctors when they get sick from foodborne illness, and cyclosporiasis is even harder to diagnose than other similar infections, since it requires more specialized testing that is not readily available.

 It’s also worth noting that the CDC chose to trim back its active surveillance of cyclosporiasis and other foodborne diseases last year, possibly due to funding cuts from the Trump administration. What to do Cyclosporiasis is spread through eating food and water contaminated with parasites shed from an infected carrier’s poop. However, infections usually don’t spread directly from person to person, since it takes several weeks for the pooped parasites to mature and become infectious.

 Health officials in Michigan and other possibly linked states have not identified a specific type of produce, grower, or supplier implicated in these outbreaks, but some common threads may already be emerging. “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement Monday, and federal and local health officials are reportedly also looking into whether Taco Bell restaurants might be linked to the midwestern cluster. Unless you live in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or Kentucky, you probably shouldn’t worry too much about the risk of catching cyclosporiasis from your next salad (at least right now).

 That said, health experts always recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables; washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking (if the produce is labeled prewashed, then you don’t need to do it again), and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours if possible).      #Explosive #Diarrhea #Outbreak #Officially #Blowingdiarrhea,foodborne illnesses,outbreaks
People infected with Cyclospora will eventually poop out larvae forms of the parasite called oocysts. The micrograph above shows two oocysts found in a stool sample. © Melanie Moser/CDC

Cases of cyclosporiasis happen every year in the U.S., with the usual seasonal peak occurring between May and August. So some of these cases are part of the pattern we would expect to see around this time of year. But it’s also become clear by now that this isn’t a typical season overall, and that some states are being hit especially hard by the explosive diarrhea bug.

According to the CDC, only 249 cases were reported nationally by this same time last year. And whereas the CDC previously stated there was “no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak” linking cases, it is now investigating a potentially linked outbreak in four midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. At least 400 confirmed cases have been tied to this single cluster, though the agency is aware of more reports. Michigan alone has reported 2,640 cases as of Monday, while Ohio has reported more than 300.

All of these numbers are an underestimate. People generally don’t see their doctors when they get sick from foodborne illness, and cyclosporiasis is even harder to diagnose than other similar infections, since it requires more specialized testing that is not readily available.

It’s also worth noting that the CDC chose to trim back its active surveillance of cyclosporiasis and other foodborne diseases last year, possibly due to funding cuts from the Trump administration.

What to do

Cyclosporiasis is spread through eating food and water contaminated with parasites shed from an infected carrier’s poop. However, infections usually don’t spread directly from person to person, since it takes several weeks for the pooped parasites to mature and become infectious.

Health officials in Michigan and other possibly linked states have not identified a specific type of produce, grower, or supplier implicated in these outbreaks, but some common threads may already be emerging.

“Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement Monday, and federal and local health officials are reportedly also looking into whether Taco Bell restaurants might be linked to the midwestern cluster.

Unless you live in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or Kentucky, you probably shouldn’t worry too much about the risk of catching cyclosporiasis from your next salad (at least right now).

That said, health experts always recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables; washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking (if the produce is labeled prewashed, then you don’t need to do it again), and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours if possible).

#Explosive #Diarrhea #Outbreak #Officially #Blowingdiarrhea,foodborne illnesses,outbreaks">The Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak Is Officially Blowing Up
                If you ever wanted a good excuse for skipping out on the fresh salad for lunch, here’s one. Reports of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic disease that can cause explosive bouts of diarrhea, are skyrocketing in several parts of the country, and federal health officials are finally sounding the alarm about it after weeks of media reports. As of Wednesday, thousands of cyclosporiasis cases have been reported recently in more than 30 states. The true toll is likely higher, however, and it’s taken weeks for the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention to formally acknowledge the possibility of a connected outbreak in multiple Midwestern states. No specific food source linked to these cases has been identified as of yet, though local health officials have singled out lettuce or salad greens as potential culprits to avoid for residents in these hot spots. A delayed alert Cyclosporiasis is caused by various species of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, predominantly Cyclospora cayatenensis. Though rarely life-threatening, the disease is infamous for causing watery and explosively loud bouts of diarrhea, along with other common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.

 Cyclosporiasis is endemic to tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and stateside cases tend to be traced back to imported food from these areas (particularly produce) or to people who initially caught the disease while traveling in these endemic regions. The incidence of cyclosporiasis seems to be increasing worldwide, however, and 2026 is gearing up to be an especially bad year for it in the U.S.

 On July 1, the CDC first stated that 145 cases from 17 states had been reported to the agency as of mid-June. Even by then, though, it was clear the CDC’s reporting was woefully out of date. By July 4, health officials in Michigan (a state not included in the initial CDC tally) had reported over 500 cases in the state, which was already triple the number reported less than a week earlier. It would take an additional two weeks, on July 14, for the CDC to formally issue a health advisory on the growing clusters. As of July 15, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis dating back to May 1, along with at least 141 people who were hospitalized as a result (no deaths). The agency is also aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis before they can be classified as domestic cases.

 People infected with Cyclospora will eventually poop out larvae forms of the parasite called oocysts. The micrograph above shows two oocysts found in a stool sample. © Melanie Moser/CDC Cases of cyclosporiasis happen every year in the U.S., with the usual seasonal peak occurring between May and August. So some of these cases are part of the pattern we would expect to see around this time of year. But it’s also become clear by now that this isn’t a typical season overall, and that some states are being hit especially hard by the explosive diarrhea bug. According to the CDC, only 249 cases were reported nationally by this same time last year. And whereas the CDC previously stated there was “no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak” linking cases, it is now investigating a potentially linked outbreak in four midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. At least 400 confirmed cases have been tied to this single cluster, though the agency is aware of more reports. Michigan alone has reported 2,640 cases as of Monday, while Ohio has reported more than 300. All of these numbers are an underestimate. People generally don’t see their doctors when they get sick from foodborne illness, and cyclosporiasis is even harder to diagnose than other similar infections, since it requires more specialized testing that is not readily available.

 It’s also worth noting that the CDC chose to trim back its active surveillance of cyclosporiasis and other foodborne diseases last year, possibly due to funding cuts from the Trump administration. What to do Cyclosporiasis is spread through eating food and water contaminated with parasites shed from an infected carrier’s poop. However, infections usually don’t spread directly from person to person, since it takes several weeks for the pooped parasites to mature and become infectious.

 Health officials in Michigan and other possibly linked states have not identified a specific type of produce, grower, or supplier implicated in these outbreaks, but some common threads may already be emerging. “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement Monday, and federal and local health officials are reportedly also looking into whether Taco Bell restaurants might be linked to the midwestern cluster. Unless you live in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or Kentucky, you probably shouldn’t worry too much about the risk of catching cyclosporiasis from your next salad (at least right now).

 That said, health experts always recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables; washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking (if the produce is labeled prewashed, then you don’t need to do it again), and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours if possible).      #Explosive #Diarrhea #Outbreak #Officially #Blowingdiarrhea,foodborne illnesses,outbreaks

the possibility of a connected outbreak in multiple Midwestern states. No specific food source linked to these cases has been identified as of yet, though local health officials have singled out lettuce or salad greens as potential culprits to avoid for residents in these hot spots.

A delayed alert

Cyclosporiasis is caused by various species of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, predominantly Cyclospora cayatenensis. Though rarely life-threatening, the disease is infamous for causing watery and explosively loud bouts of diarrhea, along with other common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.

Cyclosporiasis is endemic to tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and stateside cases tend to be traced back to imported food from these areas (particularly produce) or to people who initially caught the disease while traveling in these endemic regions. The incidence of cyclosporiasis seems to be increasing worldwide, however, and 2026 is gearing up to be an especially bad year for it in the U.S.

On July 1, the CDC first stated that 145 cases from 17 states had been reported to the agency as of mid-June. Even by then, though, it was clear the CDC’s reporting was woefully out of date. By July 4, health officials in Michigan (a state not included in the initial CDC tally) had reported over 500 cases in the state, which was already triple the number reported less than a week earlier. It would take an additional two weeks, on July 14, for the CDC to formally issue a health advisory on the growing clusters.

As of July 15, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis dating back to May 1, along with at least 141 people who were hospitalized as a result (no deaths). The agency is also aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis before they can be classified as domestic cases.

The Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak Is Officially Blowing Up
                If you ever wanted a good excuse for skipping out on the fresh salad for lunch, here’s one. Reports of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic disease that can cause explosive bouts of diarrhea, are skyrocketing in several parts of the country, and federal health officials are finally sounding the alarm about it after weeks of media reports. As of Wednesday, thousands of cyclosporiasis cases have been reported recently in more than 30 states. The true toll is likely higher, however, and it’s taken weeks for the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention to formally acknowledge the possibility of a connected outbreak in multiple Midwestern states. No specific food source linked to these cases has been identified as of yet, though local health officials have singled out lettuce or salad greens as potential culprits to avoid for residents in these hot spots. A delayed alert Cyclosporiasis is caused by various species of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, predominantly Cyclospora cayatenensis. Though rarely life-threatening, the disease is infamous for causing watery and explosively loud bouts of diarrhea, along with other common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.

 Cyclosporiasis is endemic to tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and stateside cases tend to be traced back to imported food from these areas (particularly produce) or to people who initially caught the disease while traveling in these endemic regions. The incidence of cyclosporiasis seems to be increasing worldwide, however, and 2026 is gearing up to be an especially bad year for it in the U.S.

 On July 1, the CDC first stated that 145 cases from 17 states had been reported to the agency as of mid-June. Even by then, though, it was clear the CDC’s reporting was woefully out of date. By July 4, health officials in Michigan (a state not included in the initial CDC tally) had reported over 500 cases in the state, which was already triple the number reported less than a week earlier. It would take an additional two weeks, on July 14, for the CDC to formally issue a health advisory on the growing clusters. As of July 15, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis dating back to May 1, along with at least 141 people who were hospitalized as a result (no deaths). The agency is also aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis before they can be classified as domestic cases.

 People infected with Cyclospora will eventually poop out larvae forms of the parasite called oocysts. The micrograph above shows two oocysts found in a stool sample. © Melanie Moser/CDC Cases of cyclosporiasis happen every year in the U.S., with the usual seasonal peak occurring between May and August. So some of these cases are part of the pattern we would expect to see around this time of year. But it’s also become clear by now that this isn’t a typical season overall, and that some states are being hit especially hard by the explosive diarrhea bug. According to the CDC, only 249 cases were reported nationally by this same time last year. And whereas the CDC previously stated there was “no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak” linking cases, it is now investigating a potentially linked outbreak in four midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. At least 400 confirmed cases have been tied to this single cluster, though the agency is aware of more reports. Michigan alone has reported 2,640 cases as of Monday, while Ohio has reported more than 300. All of these numbers are an underestimate. People generally don’t see their doctors when they get sick from foodborne illness, and cyclosporiasis is even harder to diagnose than other similar infections, since it requires more specialized testing that is not readily available.

 It’s also worth noting that the CDC chose to trim back its active surveillance of cyclosporiasis and other foodborne diseases last year, possibly due to funding cuts from the Trump administration. What to do Cyclosporiasis is spread through eating food and water contaminated with parasites shed from an infected carrier’s poop. However, infections usually don’t spread directly from person to person, since it takes several weeks for the pooped parasites to mature and become infectious.

 Health officials in Michigan and other possibly linked states have not identified a specific type of produce, grower, or supplier implicated in these outbreaks, but some common threads may already be emerging. “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement Monday, and federal and local health officials are reportedly also looking into whether Taco Bell restaurants might be linked to the midwestern cluster. Unless you live in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or Kentucky, you probably shouldn’t worry too much about the risk of catching cyclosporiasis from your next salad (at least right now).

 That said, health experts always recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables; washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking (if the produce is labeled prewashed, then you don’t need to do it again), and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours if possible).      #Explosive #Diarrhea #Outbreak #Officially #Blowingdiarrhea,foodborne illnesses,outbreaks
People infected with Cyclospora will eventually poop out larvae forms of the parasite called oocysts. The micrograph above shows two oocysts found in a stool sample. © Melanie Moser/CDC

Cases of cyclosporiasis happen every year in the U.S., with the usual seasonal peak occurring between May and August. So some of these cases are part of the pattern we would expect to see around this time of year. But it’s also become clear by now that this isn’t a typical season overall, and that some states are being hit especially hard by the explosive diarrhea bug.

According to the CDC, only 249 cases were reported nationally by this same time last year. And whereas the CDC previously stated there was “no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak” linking cases, it is now investigating a potentially linked outbreak in four midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. At least 400 confirmed cases have been tied to this single cluster, though the agency is aware of more reports. Michigan alone has reported 2,640 cases as of Monday, while Ohio has reported more than 300.

All of these numbers are an underestimate. People generally don’t see their doctors when they get sick from foodborne illness, and cyclosporiasis is even harder to diagnose than other similar infections, since it requires more specialized testing that is not readily available.

It’s also worth noting that the CDC chose to trim back its active surveillance of cyclosporiasis and other foodborne diseases last year, possibly due to funding cuts from the Trump administration.

What to do

Cyclosporiasis is spread through eating food and water contaminated with parasites shed from an infected carrier’s poop. However, infections usually don’t spread directly from person to person, since it takes several weeks for the pooped parasites to mature and become infectious.

Health officials in Michigan and other possibly linked states have not identified a specific type of produce, grower, or supplier implicated in these outbreaks, but some common threads may already be emerging.

“Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement Monday, and federal and local health officials are reportedly also looking into whether Taco Bell restaurants might be linked to the midwestern cluster.

Unless you live in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or Kentucky, you probably shouldn’t worry too much about the risk of catching cyclosporiasis from your next salad (at least right now).

That said, health experts always recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables; washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking (if the produce is labeled prewashed, then you don’t need to do it again), and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours if possible).

#Explosive #Diarrhea #Outbreak #Officially #Blowingdiarrhea,foodborne illnesses,outbreaks">The Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak Is Officially Blowing Up

If you ever wanted a good excuse for skipping out on the fresh salad for lunch, here’s one. Reports of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic disease that can cause explosive bouts of diarrhea, are skyrocketing in several parts of the country, and federal health officials are finally sounding the alarm about it after weeks of media reports.

As of Wednesday, thousands of cyclosporiasis cases have been reported recently in more than 30 states. The true toll is likely higher, however, and it’s taken weeks for the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention to formally acknowledge the possibility of a connected outbreak in multiple Midwestern states. No specific food source linked to these cases has been identified as of yet, though local health officials have singled out lettuce or salad greens as potential culprits to avoid for residents in these hot spots.

A delayed alert

Cyclosporiasis is caused by various species of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, predominantly Cyclospora cayatenensis. Though rarely life-threatening, the disease is infamous for causing watery and explosively loud bouts of diarrhea, along with other common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.

Cyclosporiasis is endemic to tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and stateside cases tend to be traced back to imported food from these areas (particularly produce) or to people who initially caught the disease while traveling in these endemic regions. The incidence of cyclosporiasis seems to be increasing worldwide, however, and 2026 is gearing up to be an especially bad year for it in the U.S.

On July 1, the CDC first stated that 145 cases from 17 states had been reported to the agency as of mid-June. Even by then, though, it was clear the CDC’s reporting was woefully out of date. By July 4, health officials in Michigan (a state not included in the initial CDC tally) had reported over 500 cases in the state, which was already triple the number reported less than a week earlier. It would take an additional two weeks, on July 14, for the CDC to formally issue a health advisory on the growing clusters.

As of July 15, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis dating back to May 1, along with at least 141 people who were hospitalized as a result (no deaths). The agency is also aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis before they can be classified as domestic cases.

The Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak Is Officially Blowing Up
                If you ever wanted a good excuse for skipping out on the fresh salad for lunch, here’s one. Reports of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic disease that can cause explosive bouts of diarrhea, are skyrocketing in several parts of the country, and federal health officials are finally sounding the alarm about it after weeks of media reports. As of Wednesday, thousands of cyclosporiasis cases have been reported recently in more than 30 states. The true toll is likely higher, however, and it’s taken weeks for the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention to formally acknowledge the possibility of a connected outbreak in multiple Midwestern states. No specific food source linked to these cases has been identified as of yet, though local health officials have singled out lettuce or salad greens as potential culprits to avoid for residents in these hot spots. A delayed alert Cyclosporiasis is caused by various species of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, predominantly Cyclospora cayatenensis. Though rarely life-threatening, the disease is infamous for causing watery and explosively loud bouts of diarrhea, along with other common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.

 Cyclosporiasis is endemic to tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and stateside cases tend to be traced back to imported food from these areas (particularly produce) or to people who initially caught the disease while traveling in these endemic regions. The incidence of cyclosporiasis seems to be increasing worldwide, however, and 2026 is gearing up to be an especially bad year for it in the U.S.

 On July 1, the CDC first stated that 145 cases from 17 states had been reported to the agency as of mid-June. Even by then, though, it was clear the CDC’s reporting was woefully out of date. By July 4, health officials in Michigan (a state not included in the initial CDC tally) had reported over 500 cases in the state, which was already triple the number reported less than a week earlier. It would take an additional two weeks, on July 14, for the CDC to formally issue a health advisory on the growing clusters. As of July 15, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis dating back to May 1, along with at least 141 people who were hospitalized as a result (no deaths). The agency is also aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis before they can be classified as domestic cases.

 People infected with Cyclospora will eventually poop out larvae forms of the parasite called oocysts. The micrograph above shows two oocysts found in a stool sample. © Melanie Moser/CDC Cases of cyclosporiasis happen every year in the U.S., with the usual seasonal peak occurring between May and August. So some of these cases are part of the pattern we would expect to see around this time of year. But it’s also become clear by now that this isn’t a typical season overall, and that some states are being hit especially hard by the explosive diarrhea bug. According to the CDC, only 249 cases were reported nationally by this same time last year. And whereas the CDC previously stated there was “no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak” linking cases, it is now investigating a potentially linked outbreak in four midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. At least 400 confirmed cases have been tied to this single cluster, though the agency is aware of more reports. Michigan alone has reported 2,640 cases as of Monday, while Ohio has reported more than 300. All of these numbers are an underestimate. People generally don’t see their doctors when they get sick from foodborne illness, and cyclosporiasis is even harder to diagnose than other similar infections, since it requires more specialized testing that is not readily available.

 It’s also worth noting that the CDC chose to trim back its active surveillance of cyclosporiasis and other foodborne diseases last year, possibly due to funding cuts from the Trump administration. What to do Cyclosporiasis is spread through eating food and water contaminated with parasites shed from an infected carrier’s poop. However, infections usually don’t spread directly from person to person, since it takes several weeks for the pooped parasites to mature and become infectious.

 Health officials in Michigan and other possibly linked states have not identified a specific type of produce, grower, or supplier implicated in these outbreaks, but some common threads may already be emerging. “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement Monday, and federal and local health officials are reportedly also looking into whether Taco Bell restaurants might be linked to the midwestern cluster. Unless you live in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or Kentucky, you probably shouldn’t worry too much about the risk of catching cyclosporiasis from your next salad (at least right now).

 That said, health experts always recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables; washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking (if the produce is labeled prewashed, then you don’t need to do it again), and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours if possible).      #Explosive #Diarrhea #Outbreak #Officially #Blowingdiarrhea,foodborne illnesses,outbreaks
People infected with Cyclospora will eventually poop out larvae forms of the parasite called oocysts. The micrograph above shows two oocysts found in a stool sample. © Melanie Moser/CDC

Cases of cyclosporiasis happen every year in the U.S., with the usual seasonal peak occurring between May and August. So some of these cases are part of the pattern we would expect to see around this time of year. But it’s also become clear by now that this isn’t a typical season overall, and that some states are being hit especially hard by the explosive diarrhea bug.

According to the CDC, only 249 cases were reported nationally by this same time last year. And whereas the CDC previously stated there was “no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak” linking cases, it is now investigating a potentially linked outbreak in four midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. At least 400 confirmed cases have been tied to this single cluster, though the agency is aware of more reports. Michigan alone has reported 2,640 cases as of Monday, while Ohio has reported more than 300.

All of these numbers are an underestimate. People generally don’t see their doctors when they get sick from foodborne illness, and cyclosporiasis is even harder to diagnose than other similar infections, since it requires more specialized testing that is not readily available.

It’s also worth noting that the CDC chose to trim back its active surveillance of cyclosporiasis and other foodborne diseases last year, possibly due to funding cuts from the Trump administration.

What to do

Cyclosporiasis is spread through eating food and water contaminated with parasites shed from an infected carrier’s poop. However, infections usually don’t spread directly from person to person, since it takes several weeks for the pooped parasites to mature and become infectious.

Health officials in Michigan and other possibly linked states have not identified a specific type of produce, grower, or supplier implicated in these outbreaks, but some common threads may already be emerging.

“Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement Monday, and federal and local health officials are reportedly also looking into whether Taco Bell restaurants might be linked to the midwestern cluster.

Unless you live in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or Kentucky, you probably shouldn’t worry too much about the risk of catching cyclosporiasis from your next salad (at least right now).

That said, health experts always recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables; washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking (if the produce is labeled prewashed, then you don’t need to do it again), and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours if possible).

#Explosive #Diarrhea #Outbreak #Officially #Blowingdiarrhea,foodborne illnesses,outbreaks
Mere moments after Argentina lost to France in a Round of 16 match during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, commentators were already predicting it would be his final time on a World Cup pitch. “This was Lionel Messi’s final World Cup match, surely,” one stated, “and maybe his final game for his country.” Messi was 31 at the time, and many assumed they had just watched his last appearance on soccer’s biggest stage.

They were wrong.

Instead, Messi came back four years later to lift the trophy in Qatar. Then he came back again this year at 39. However, Messi is not the exception any more.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has said that this World Cup will be his last after Portugal’s Round of 16 exit following the team’s loss to Spain. Brazil’s Neymar, 34, too, announced his retirement from international football, as did Germany’s Manuel Neuer, 40. Meanwhile, Guillermo Ochoa, who turned 41 this month, is stepping away from professional football after becoming the first goalkeeper to make six World Cup squads.

Even as this World Cup has felt like one long farewell tour, for many of these players, the goodbye came years later than anyone expected.

While there isn’t a definitive global dataset comparing retirement ages across generations, the evidence points in one direction: football’s elite has been getting older for decades. A 2019 peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers of Psychology tracking nearly 30 seasons of UEFA Champions League football found the average age of players rose from 24.9 years in 1992-93 to 26.5 years by 2017-18. That trend is now on full display at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which had eight players in their forties—more than every previous edition combined—including Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, one of the tournament’s breakout stars.

What’s striking is that this celebration of more veteran players on the pitch is happening during an era of football that has produced teenage stars like Lamine Yamal, Endrick, and Bara Sapoko Ndiaye. Soccer isn’t necessarily getting older because young players have disappeared; it’s getting older because veterans are leaving later.

Research suggests professional footballers still reach their physical peak in their mid-to-late twenties, though the exact age depends on position. And while aging is gradual, players in their thirties begin to lose their explosive speed and the stamina to maintain the high-intensity running that modern soccer demands most.

A long-term study of Spain’s top players found these reported losses in endurance were most notable among external defenders, external midfielders, and forwards, whose roles rely on explosive acceleration to either score a goal or shield their keeper’s box. Central defenders and central midfielders, meanwhile, became more accurate passers with age, suggesting that positioning, anticipation, and decisionmaking increasingly compensate for fading speed.

Messi may be the best example of how elite players adapt with age. Rather than constantly chasing the ball, he often spends long stretches walking, reading the game before deciding exactly when to get involved. According to The Athletic, FIFA tracking data shows Messi has spent 63 percent of his movement at this World Cup walking, conserving energy for the moments that matter most.

This just goes to prove that sports science hasn’t changed the biology of aging—it changed how soccer clubs respond to it. A 2024 review of athletes with extended careers found a correlation between professionals staying at the top of their game and increasingly individualized training.

Instead of prescribing the same program to an entire squad, coaches now tailor workloads around a player’s injury history, recovery, training response, and physical capacity.

However, as players get older, experience becomes a competitive advantage. Veteran footballers increasingly compensate for declining physicality with sharper decisionmaking, game intelligence, and a better understanding of their own limits.

#Lionel #Messis #Final #World #Cupand #Death #Early #Retirementworld cup 2026,sports,soccer,health,longevity">Lionel Messi’s Final World Cup—and the Death of Early RetirementMere moments after Argentina lost to France in a Round of 16 match during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, commentators were already predicting it would be his final time on a World Cup pitch. “This was Lionel Messi’s final World Cup match, surely,” one stated, “and maybe his final game for his country.” Messi was 31 at the time, and many assumed they had just watched his last appearance on soccer’s biggest stage.They were wrong.Instead, Messi came back four years later to lift the trophy in Qatar. Then he came back again this year at 39. However, Messi is not the exception any more.Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has said that this World Cup will be his last after Portugal’s Round of 16 exit following the team’s loss to Spain. Brazil’s Neymar, 34, too, announced his retirement from international football, as did Germany’s Manuel Neuer, 40. Meanwhile, Guillermo Ochoa, who turned 41 this month, is stepping away from professional football after becoming the first goalkeeper to make six World Cup squads.Even as this World Cup has felt like one long farewell tour, for many of these players, the goodbye came years later than anyone expected.While there isn’t a definitive global dataset comparing retirement ages across generations, the evidence points in one direction: football’s elite has been getting older for decades. A 2019 peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers of Psychology tracking nearly 30 seasons of UEFA Champions League football found the average age of players rose from 24.9 years in 1992-93 to 26.5 years by 2017-18. That trend is now on full display at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which had eight players in their forties—more than every previous edition combined—including Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, one of the tournament’s breakout stars.What’s striking is that this celebration of more veteran players on the pitch is happening during an era of football that has produced teenage stars like Lamine Yamal, Endrick, and Bara Sapoko Ndiaye. Soccer isn’t necessarily getting older because young players have disappeared; it’s getting older because veterans are leaving later.Research suggests professional footballers still reach their physical peak in their mid-to-late twenties, though the exact age depends on position. And while aging is gradual, players in their thirties begin to lose their explosive speed and the stamina to maintain the high-intensity running that modern soccer demands most.A long-term study of Spain’s top players found these reported losses in endurance were most notable among external defenders, external midfielders, and forwards, whose roles rely on explosive acceleration to either score a goal or shield their keeper’s box. Central defenders and central midfielders, meanwhile, became more accurate passers with age, suggesting that positioning, anticipation, and decisionmaking increasingly compensate for fading speed.Messi may be the best example of how elite players adapt with age. Rather than constantly chasing the ball, he often spends long stretches walking, reading the game before deciding exactly when to get involved. According to The Athletic, FIFA tracking data shows Messi has spent 63 percent of his movement at this World Cup walking, conserving energy for the moments that matter most.This just goes to prove that sports science hasn’t changed the biology of aging—it changed how soccer clubs respond to it. A 2024 review of athletes with extended careers found a correlation between professionals staying at the top of their game and increasingly individualized training.Instead of prescribing the same program to an entire squad, coaches now tailor workloads around a player’s injury history, recovery, training response, and physical capacity.However, as players get older, experience becomes a competitive advantage. Veteran footballers increasingly compensate for declining physicality with sharper decisionmaking, game intelligence, and a better understanding of their own limits.#Lionel #Messis #Final #World #Cupand #Death #Early #Retirementworld cup 2026,sports,soccer,health,longevity

World Cup pitch. “This was Lionel Messi’s final World Cup match, surely,” one stated, “and maybe his final game for his country.” Messi was 31 at the time, and many assumed they had just watched his last appearance on soccer’s biggest stage.

They were wrong.

Instead, Messi came back four years later to lift the trophy in Qatar. Then he came back again this year at 39. However, Messi is not the exception any more.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has said that this World Cup will be his last after Portugal’s Round of 16 exit following the team’s loss to Spain. Brazil’s Neymar, 34, too, announced his retirement from international football, as did Germany’s Manuel Neuer, 40. Meanwhile, Guillermo Ochoa, who turned 41 this month, is stepping away from professional football after becoming the first goalkeeper to make six World Cup squads.

Even as this World Cup has felt like one long farewell tour, for many of these players, the goodbye came years later than anyone expected.

While there isn’t a definitive global dataset comparing retirement ages across generations, the evidence points in one direction: football’s elite has been getting older for decades. A 2019 peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers of Psychology tracking nearly 30 seasons of UEFA Champions League football found the average age of players rose from 24.9 years in 1992-93 to 26.5 years by 2017-18. That trend is now on full display at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which had eight players in their forties—more than every previous edition combined—including Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, one of the tournament’s breakout stars.

What’s striking is that this celebration of more veteran players on the pitch is happening during an era of football that has produced teenage stars like Lamine Yamal, Endrick, and Bara Sapoko Ndiaye. Soccer isn’t necessarily getting older because young players have disappeared; it’s getting older because veterans are leaving later.

Research suggests professional footballers still reach their physical peak in their mid-to-late twenties, though the exact age depends on position. And while aging is gradual, players in their thirties begin to lose their explosive speed and the stamina to maintain the high-intensity running that modern soccer demands most.

A long-term study of Spain’s top players found these reported losses in endurance were most notable among external defenders, external midfielders, and forwards, whose roles rely on explosive acceleration to either score a goal or shield their keeper’s box. Central defenders and central midfielders, meanwhile, became more accurate passers with age, suggesting that positioning, anticipation, and decisionmaking increasingly compensate for fading speed.

Messi may be the best example of how elite players adapt with age. Rather than constantly chasing the ball, he often spends long stretches walking, reading the game before deciding exactly when to get involved. According to The Athletic, FIFA tracking data shows Messi has spent 63 percent of his movement at this World Cup walking, conserving energy for the moments that matter most.

This just goes to prove that sports science hasn’t changed the biology of aging—it changed how soccer clubs respond to it. A 2024 review of athletes with extended careers found a correlation between professionals staying at the top of their game and increasingly individualized training.

Instead of prescribing the same program to an entire squad, coaches now tailor workloads around a player’s injury history, recovery, training response, and physical capacity.

However, as players get older, experience becomes a competitive advantage. Veteran footballers increasingly compensate for declining physicality with sharper decisionmaking, game intelligence, and a better understanding of their own limits.

#Lionel #Messis #Final #World #Cupand #Death #Early #Retirementworld cup 2026,sports,soccer,health,longevity">Lionel Messi’s Final World Cup—and the Death of Early Retirement

Mere moments after Argentina lost to France in a Round of 16 match during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, commentators were already predicting it would be his final time on a World Cup pitch. “This was Lionel Messi’s final World Cup match, surely,” one stated, “and maybe his final game for his country.” Messi was 31 at the time, and many assumed they had just watched his last appearance on soccer’s biggest stage.

They were wrong.

Instead, Messi came back four years later to lift the trophy in Qatar. Then he came back again this year at 39. However, Messi is not the exception any more.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has said that this World Cup will be his last after Portugal’s Round of 16 exit following the team’s loss to Spain. Brazil’s Neymar, 34, too, announced his retirement from international football, as did Germany’s Manuel Neuer, 40. Meanwhile, Guillermo Ochoa, who turned 41 this month, is stepping away from professional football after becoming the first goalkeeper to make six World Cup squads.

Even as this World Cup has felt like one long farewell tour, for many of these players, the goodbye came years later than anyone expected.

While there isn’t a definitive global dataset comparing retirement ages across generations, the evidence points in one direction: football’s elite has been getting older for decades. A 2019 peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers of Psychology tracking nearly 30 seasons of UEFA Champions League football found the average age of players rose from 24.9 years in 1992-93 to 26.5 years by 2017-18. That trend is now on full display at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which had eight players in their forties—more than every previous edition combined—including Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, one of the tournament’s breakout stars.

What’s striking is that this celebration of more veteran players on the pitch is happening during an era of football that has produced teenage stars like Lamine Yamal, Endrick, and Bara Sapoko Ndiaye. Soccer isn’t necessarily getting older because young players have disappeared; it’s getting older because veterans are leaving later.

Research suggests professional footballers still reach their physical peak in their mid-to-late twenties, though the exact age depends on position. And while aging is gradual, players in their thirties begin to lose their explosive speed and the stamina to maintain the high-intensity running that modern soccer demands most.

A long-term study of Spain’s top players found these reported losses in endurance were most notable among external defenders, external midfielders, and forwards, whose roles rely on explosive acceleration to either score a goal or shield their keeper’s box. Central defenders and central midfielders, meanwhile, became more accurate passers with age, suggesting that positioning, anticipation, and decisionmaking increasingly compensate for fading speed.

Messi may be the best example of how elite players adapt with age. Rather than constantly chasing the ball, he often spends long stretches walking, reading the game before deciding exactly when to get involved. According to The Athletic, FIFA tracking data shows Messi has spent 63 percent of his movement at this World Cup walking, conserving energy for the moments that matter most.

This just goes to prove that sports science hasn’t changed the biology of aging—it changed how soccer clubs respond to it. A 2024 review of athletes with extended careers found a correlation between professionals staying at the top of their game and increasingly individualized training.

Instead of prescribing the same program to an entire squad, coaches now tailor workloads around a player’s injury history, recovery, training response, and physical capacity.

However, as players get older, experience becomes a competitive advantage. Veteran footballers increasingly compensate for declining physicality with sharper decisionmaking, game intelligence, and a better understanding of their own limits.

#Lionel #Messis #Final #World #Cupand #Death #Early #Retirementworld cup 2026,sports,soccer,health,longevity

Post Comment