Want smoother ice cream that’s also slower to melt? Scientists might have found a way to make that happen. The secret, they say: adding extract from the banana plant. “Our findings suggest that cellulose nanofibers extracted from banana waste could help improve ice cream in several ways,” Robin Zuluaga Gallego said in a news release… read on >
Get ready for extreme heat. Researchers warn that climate change will soon trigger more severe summers across the United States. Heat waves — the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States — have increased in number and severity in recent decades. The new analysis of heat wave patterns predicts that is about to… read on >
Pet owners care deeply about what their furry family members eat. So should they worry about a new study that finds chemical preservatives known as parabens are often in dog and cat food, as well as in urine samples from the animals? Maybe, researchers say, though there’s no need to panic. “Parabens are reported as… read on >
Millions of Americans living with diabetes use a blood glucose meter to keep track of their blood sugar. Since these are medical devices, they are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA offers these suggestions when using a blood glucose meter: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Ask your health care provider to… read on >
A high chair is a staple in a baby’s household, but it must be used safely. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests: Make sure the chair cannot be tipped over easily. If the chair folds, be sure it is locked in the open position each time you use it. Whenever your child sits in the… read on >
Losing weight comes down to eating fewer calories than you burn. But beyond that basic rule, studies done at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, Calif., show that when you eat those calories could have an effect on your weight and your health. Unlike our ancestors who went to sleep at a reasonable hour, people… read on >
Warning signs of heart disease in women, such as fatigue, body aches and upset stomach, may be shrugged off as symptoms of stress or a hectic lifestyle. But heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women, so it’s important to listen to your body, according to experts at Penn State Health… read on >
Sharp increases in Alzheimer’s disease cases, deaths and costs are stressing the U.S. health care system and caregivers, a new report reveals. About 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease — 5.5 million of them aged 65 and older. By 2025, the number of seniors with Alzheimer’s could reach 7.1 million, up nearly 29 percent. And,… read on >
Tiny pellets could treat arthritic knee pain, delaying the need for knee replacement surgery, a small study has found. Microparticles inserted into small blood vessels around the knee helped reduce the pain and improve function in eight arthritis sufferers, according to clinical trial results. The results were presented Monday at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s… read on >
Husbands who are less than satisfied with their sex lives might want to fire up the vacuum. Why? New research suggests that when partners in a marriage feel the division of housework is fair, sexual satisfaction improves for both. “Feelings of unfairness in housework and other aspects of your marriage can be corrosive to the… read on >
