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    "story_id": "mp-2026-07-28-013",
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    "headline": "The Sauna Sent Immune Cells Into Circulation",
    "slug": "the-sauna-sent-immune-cells-into-circulation",
    "dek": "A 30-minute sauna session with a brief cold shower temporarily increased every measured type of circulating white blood cell.",
    "summary": "A 30-minute sauna session with a brief cold shower temporarily increased every measured type of circulating white blood cell.",
    "body_text": "Finnish researchers observed that neutrophils, lymphocytes and other white blood cells rose during a single sauna session, with key counts returning toward baseline within about 30 minutes afterward. Cytokine averages changed little, although some responses tracked how much body temperature rose. The study shows short-term cell mobilization in the bloodstream, not that sauna prevents infection, strengthens long-term immunity or replaces exercise or medical care; longer-term effects remain unresolved.",
    "why_it_matters": "A 30-minute sauna session with a brief cold shower temporarily increased every measured type of circulating white blood cell.",
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      "The study shows short-term cell mobilization in the bloodstream, not that sauna prevents infection, strengthens long-term immunity or replaces exercise or medical care; longer-term effects remain unresolved."
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    "first_published_at": "2026-07-28T09:00:00.000-04:00",
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        "text": "A 30-minute sauna session with a brief cold shower temporarily increased every measured type of circulating white blood cell.",
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        "qualification": "The study shows short-term cell mobilization in the bloodstream, not that sauna prevents infection, strengthens long-term immunity or replaces exercise or medical care; longer-term effects remain unresolved."
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    "tags": [
      "sauna",
      "white blood cells",
      "immune response",
      "physiology"
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  "sources": [
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      "source_id": "source-2026-07-28-013",
      "title": "University of Eastern Finland via ScienceDaily: Acute sauna immune-cell response",
      "publisher": "University of Eastern Finland via ScienceDaily",
      "url": "https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260727012141.htm",
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      "accessed_at": "2026-07-28T08:31:00.000-04:00",
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    "title": "The Sauna Sent Immune Cells Into Circulation",
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