This year’s flu season is shaping up to be the worst in nearly a decade, experts say. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself. If you do develop symptoms including high fever, severe body aches, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea, you probably have the flu, the… read on >
Forging new friendships and maintaining old ones may help slow cognitive decline among seniors, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says. For seven years, researchers at Northwestern University studied a group of so-called “superagers” — people 80 and older who had maintained long-standing friendships. The researchers found that the group collectively had memories of past… read on >
Teaching kids about telling the truth is a critical life lesson. And your approach can determine how motivated your kids are to be honest. Younger children are more likely to tell the truth because they want to please you; older ones understand that it’s the right thing to do. Older kids also are less motivated… read on >
A new study calls for regular monitoring of “moderate” cervical lesions that might point to the potential for cancer later on, rather than immediate treatment. Moderate cervical lesions — formally known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) — are abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. CIN is not cervical cancer, but does… read on >
Though the dangers of smoking during pregnancy to both mother and baby are well-known, just over 7 percent of women still light up while pregnant, a new government report shows. Younger and less educated moms-to-be were the most likely to continue puffing on cigarettes while pregnant, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, part… read on >
A vegetarian diet is safe for a person with diabetes, the American Diabetes Foundation says. In fact, a vegetarian diet is naturally higher in fiber, and much lower in saturated fats and cholesterol than the typical American diet. These factors, particularly the higher fiber content, may help lower blood sugar levels, the foundation says. The… read on >
The expression “my better half” — used to describe one’s spouse — may be more than a cliche. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis conducted a five-year study that involved nearly 5,000 married people of all ages, and included questionnaires about spouses’ job satisfaction, raises and promotions. Their findings show that having a spouse… read on >
A simple urine test apparently can reveal how old your body really is — showing its biological, not chronological age. That information can then help determine your risk for age-related diseases and even death, a new study suggests. The test checks for a substance — called a marker — that indicates cellular damage from a… read on >
Along with reducing conventional smoking, anti-tobacco laws in the United States may tamp down use of electronic cigarettes, a new study suggests. New York University researchers found that states with anti-tobacco regulations — such as smoke-free air laws and cigarette taxes — had fewer vapers as well as fewer cigarette smokers. “Our research adds to… read on >
Being a good student in high school seems to translate into a better job and higher pay down the road, a new study suggests. “Our research found that specific behaviors in high school have long-lasting effects for one’s later life,” said study lead author Marion Spengler. Those behaviors and achievements included being a responsible student,… read on >
