Time spent on Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook probably isn’t driving teenagers to depression, a new study contends. In fact, Canadian researchers found the relationship worked in the opposite direction — teenage girls who were already depressed tended to spend more time on social media, to try to feel better. These findings run counter to a… read on >
In drinking lore, it’s said that having beer before wine, instead of the other way around, can help prevent a hangover. Well, it’s not true, a new study finds. You’ll suffer the next day if you drink too much, regardless of how you sequence your drinks, according to researchers at Witten/Herdecke University in Germany and… read on >
You probably have sleep deficiency if you don’t get enough sleep in general, you sleep at the wrong time of day or you don’t fall asleep normally or stay asleep, the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says. The agency says you may be sleep deficient if you often doze off while: Reading or… read on >
Being overweight isn’t just an issue for people. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention says more than half of all dogs are overweight. A dog that weighs too much is at greater risk of osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, orthopedic problems, ligament injuries, skin disease, heart and respiratory disease, some cancers and lower life expectancy, the… read on >
The benefits of eating fewer calories may go far beyond losing weight. Three decades of animal studies have found that eating fewer calories can extend lifespan and reduce the risk of chronic diseases and even some cancers. And some, though not all, of these benefits are starting to be seen in men and women taking… read on >
When it comes to analyzing the effects of watching reality TV, well, it’s complicated. While some see these shows as a brief escape from daily life, they can have negative effects on some viewers, including impressionable teens. Researchers asked 1,100 girls aged 11 to 17 about their viewing habits. On the one hand, watching reality… read on >
Hospital germ detectives say the sinks next to toilets in patient rooms may harbor potentially dangerous bacteria. Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin checked a large Wisconsin hospital for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase. KPC is a type of bacteria that can cause health care-associated infections such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound infections or surgical site… read on >
There’s bad news and good news in a study of lives lost to suicide around the world. In sheer numbers, more of the world’s people are dying by suicide each year than ever before, the new report reveals. In 2016, about 817,000 deaths worldwide were attributed to suicide, the study showed. That’s an increase from… read on >
Measles outbreaks across the United States — including one in Washington state where 50 cases have now been identified — have again shone the spotlight on parents who resist getting kids vaccinated. These outbreaks are a clear sign of the fraying of “herd immunity,” the overall protection found when a large majority of a population… read on >
If step-parenthood is in your future, there may be pending bumps in the road between you and your new spouse, your younger children and the children’s other parent. The Nemours Foundation suggests these steps toward an easier transition: Start slow, and do not rush the relationship. Stay conscious of the children’s ages, how long you… read on >
