Radiation therapy for the most common childhood brain tumor can cause memory problems, new research suggests. Specifically, it can leave young survivors struggling to create memories of recent personal events, the small study found. But survivors’ ability to recall ones that happened before radiation wasn’t affected. “There are some known cognitive effects from radiation treatment,… read on >
The human voice is produced by two bands of muscle tissue called vocal folds. When you talk, the folds come together as the air from your lungs travels through them. Air blows through the folds and causes them to vibrate, making sound waves that travel through your mouth, nose and throat. The U.S. National Institutes… read on >
Maybe it’s time to retire the office cubicle. A new study suggests that open workspaces without partitions between desks encourage employees to be more active and help curb stress. “We are becoming an increasingly sedentary workforce, and anything that we can do, even passively, to nudge physical activity up will have enormous benefits,” said lead… read on >
Sports-medicine research has called into question the value of warm-ups and cool-downs, and cast doubt on whether they really prevent muscle soreness. However, there are still other benefits to these pre- and post-workout steps, and to stretching after both. But it’s important to get the sequence right. A warm-up preps your body for exercise by… read on >
Most American parents would forbid their teen from getting a tattoo due to concerns about possible infection and future job prospects, a nationwide survey finds. The poll of more than 1,000 parents found 78 percent said they would not let their 13- to 18-year-old get inked. About half expressed concern about infection, scarring or transmission… read on >
There are a number of things you can do to ensure your kids have a smooth start to the new school year. Don’t wait until the first day of class to seek help. Schools are open over the summer to address any concerns you or your child might have, and the best time to get… read on >
Nearly 40 percent of teen drivers in the United States say they text while driving, a new survey finds. Researchers analyzed survey data from teen drivers aged 14 and older in 35 states and found that more than a third said they’d texted while driving at least once in the month before the survey. In… read on >
E-cigarettes produce chemicals that can damage a person’s DNA, the first step on a path that might lead to cancer, a new study reports. The saliva of a small group of e-cigarette users contained increased levels of three DNA-damaging compounds, the researchers said. These chemicals are formaldehyde, acrolein and methylglyoxal. Further, four of the five… read on >
Each day, adults pass about 1.5 quarts of urine through the bladder, the National Institute on Aging says. Keeping your bladder healthy can help prevent infection and incontinence, which tend to become more common as you age, the agency says. It suggests: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Most people should drink at least six… read on >
While grapefruit is a great source of vitamin C and potassium, it may interact with your medication, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. The FDA says these types of medication may become an issue when taken with grapefruit juice or grapefruit: Some statins to control cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Some… read on >
