The loss of a loved one is one of life’s most stressful events. But new research suggests that having a furry loved one still at home may help ease the pain. Investigators looked at 437 older adults, some of whom lost a spouse, either through divorce or death. They found that having a cat or… read on >
There’s no shortage of reasons to get your omega-3s, which are abundant in fish and their oils. But high consumption of fish and their oils has created a shortage around the world. In addition, fish can be costly, and there are also concerns about toxins, like mercury, which affect many fatty fish to some degree.… read on >
Everyone goes through moments of worry, but for some people, anxiety takes over their lives. How can you tell if you’re an average worrywart or if you might have an anxiety disorder? Your degree of distress is often a good indicator. Normal anxiety typically comes from a specific source of stress, like an upcoming job… read on >
In a finding that suggests money may sometimes guide whether someone gets a new kidney, researchers report that patients at U.S. for-profit dialysis centers are less likely to receive a transplant. “For-profit dialysis facilities have a higher profit margin when they have more patients on dialysis,” while nonprofit centers don’t have “the same emphasis on… read on >
Color blindness is a vision deficiency that affects the perception of color, says the National Eye Institute. People with color blindness aren’t aware of differences among colors that may be obvious to those with normal vision. Sometimes, people who have color blindness aren’t aware of their condition unless they’re tested. Simple everyday tasks like selecting… read on >
Puberty can be a confusing and frustrating time for boys as their voices change. The larynx, also known as the voice box, grows during puberty because of bursts in testosterone. The growth and strengthening of the vocal cords help make the voice deeper. As your body adjusts to the change, your voice may crack or… read on >
Taking courses online has made it easier for thousands of college students to meet their degree requirements, but this type of learning may hold the most benefit for people who are interested in continuing education throughout their lives. Courses that let you explore a topic of interest or gain a new skill for work keep… read on >
From defective child car seats to deadly virus outbreaks at restaurant chains, you’re likely to learn of major product recalls and serious health warnings through various news outlets. But there’s such a large number of alerts, big and small, that you might not hear about all of them, or hear about them soon enough to… read on >
Scientists have found one more way Flipper is a lot like people: The sharp rise in antibiotic resistance affecting humans is also happening to dolphins. The discovery stems from a 13-year study of bottlenose dolphins in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. “We’ve been able to provide a large database of information in order to continue learning… read on >
When a child gets sick, doctors are increasingly relying on what’s known as “off-label” use of medications, a new study says. Off-label use of a drug means that it hasn’t been specifically studied and approved for the condition, age group or weight of the person getting the prescription. For example, kids with asthma may be… read on >
