Think twice if you’re pregnant and craving a packaged pastry or a take-out burger and shake. That indulgence can do more than cause unwanted weight gain. A new study shows that phthalates, chemicals associated with plastics, can shed from packaging and even from plastic gloves worn by food handlers. If consumed during pregnancy, those chemicals… read on > read on >
Sleep apnea appears to be linked to an increased risk of heart failure among cancer patients, a new study says. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when relaxed muscles cause a blockage of the windpipe, interrupting breathing and causing a person to temporarily wake. The new study involved 296 general heart patients and 218 cancer patients with… read on > read on >
The doctor tapped at his computer, ordering a routine prostate exam for an 80-year-old man, when a dramatic yellow alert popped up on the patient’s electronic health record. “You are ordering a test that no guideline recommends,” it warned. “Screening with PSA can lead to harms from diagnostic and treatment procedures. If you proceed without… read on > read on >
Kids are more likely to lie to their parents if their parents have been lying to them — even with positive “white” lies, a new study shows. But researchers found a difference between encouraging white lies and “instrumental” lies that involve false threats or promises. Any sort of instrumental lie — “Behave or I’ll call… read on > read on >
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound can lead to better heart health for people struggling with excess weight or diabetes, a University of Michigan cardiologist says. However, these medications help the heart best when combined with lifestyle changes like more exercise and a healthy diet, according to Dr. Eric Brandt, director of preventive cardiology… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Feb. 9, 2024 (healthDay News) — Super Bowl party spreads famously include nachos, wings, burgers, hot dogs and other unhealthy fare, but one expert offers some advice on how to make watching the game a healthy affair. “Think about what food you anticipate will be there,” said Dr. Bethany Agusala, director of UT Southwestern… read on > read on >
While marriage can be hard work, a new survey suggests it can also be a powerful elixir for happiness. Adults who are married report being more satisfied with their lives than those in any other type of relationship, the Gallup poll showed. “Any way you analyze those data, we see a fairly large and notable advantage to… read on > read on >
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it is cracking down on air pollution. Specifically, the agency introduced a tougher air quality standard that takes aim at fine particulate matter — the tiny bits of pollution that can penetrate the lungs — by lowering the allowable annual concentration of the deadly pollutant that each… read on > read on >
Is ‘practice makes perfect’ true for the male erection, too? That’s the suggestion from a Swedish study involving amorous male mice. It found that getting erections regularly was important to the rodents’ overall erectile function. The key seemed to lie in connective tissue cells called fibroblasts. These cells have long been known to populate penile… read on > read on >
American teenagers cite stress as the leading reason they might get drunk or high, a new report reveals. That only underscores the need for better adolescent mental health care, according to the research team behind the study. Better “access to treatment and support for mental health concerns and stress could reduce some of the reported… read on > read on >
