When unborn babies kick in the womb, they may be developing awareness of their bodies, British researchers say. “Spontaneous movement and consequent feedback from the environment during the early developmental period are known to be necessary for proper brain mapping in animals such as rats. Here we showed that this may be true in humans,… read on >
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of some plastics, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says. It also may be found in food and drink packaging, and as lacquers to coat metal products, such as food cans, bottle tops and water supply pipes. Some studies have linked BPA to… read on >
Regular eye checkups are important, especially for children, the American Optometric Association says. The newborn checkup at the hospital isn’t enough, the group warns. By age 6 months, the association recommends that all children have a thorough eye exam. If your child has a healthy prognosis from the eye exam, the AOA says the child… read on >
Methamphetamine and opioid use has soared among pregnant American women, putting the health of baby and mother at risk, a new study finds. While addiction among pregnant women has dramatically increased across the country, it disproportionally affects women living in rural America, where access to addiction treatment and prenatal care is limited, the researchers added.… read on >
It’s no surprise that many Americans are working overtime. Conservative estimates say that 19 percent of adults put in 48 hours or more a week and 7 percent log in 60 or more. But what you might not realize is that, after a certain point, extra hours could be hurting both your health and your… read on >
Have you ever wondered why hair grows on some parts of your body, but not others? New research offers a possible explanation. Scientists found that hairless skin secretes a protein that blocks a signaling pathway (WNT) that controls hair growth. Called Dickkopf 2 (DKK2), the protein is found in specific embryonic and adult tissues and… read on >
Love your time in the local sauna? Your heart may love it, too. New research from sauna-loving Finland suggests that for people aged 50 and older, saunas may lower their odds of risk of dying from heart disease. Specifically, just 5 percent of Finns in the study who spent more than 45 minutes in a… read on >
The hearts of women who snore appear to become damaged more quickly than those of men who “saw lumber” at night, a new study suggests. Evaluating nearly 4,500 British adults who underwent cardiac imaging, researchers also learned that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be vastly underdiagnosed among snorers. This finding surprised study author Dr. Adrian… read on >
Bottled water is the fastest growing drink choice in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency says. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water as a packaged food under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The EPA defines the different types of water available: Artesian water, ground water, spring water, well water… read on >
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed to fight bacterial infections. But if used improperly, the bacteria they are meant to kill can become resistant. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these guidelines for safe antibiotic use: Use the medicine exactly as directed. Make sure the recipient takes the entire course of antibiotics, even if the person is… read on >
