Playing fetch or grooming Fido isn’t just good for your precious pooch — it also benefits your brain. Such interactions appear to strengthen brain waves associated with rest and relaxation, South Korean researchers report in the March 13 issue of the journal PLOS One. Their small study compared people’s mood or hormone levels before and… read on > read on >
There’s a toxic stew of chemicals in polluted air that can all trigger asthma attacks in kids, new research shows. Also, where a child lives — for example, near factories or highways — greatly influences how much they’re exposed to these toxins, reports a team from Washington State University in Spokane. “It’s not just one… read on > read on >
Combat veterans who suffered traumatic brain injuries due to explosive blasts may have markers in their spinal fluid similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease, new research finds. “Previous research has shown that moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries may increase a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” said senior study author Dr. Elaine Peskind, of the… read on > read on >
The blockbuster weight-loss medication Zepbound (tirzepatide) appears to help folks quickly shed pounds regardless of how overweight they are, or how long they’ve lived being overweight or obese. Those are the findings of two separate analyses of a major trial of the injected drug that was funded by maker Eli Lilly. “Regardless of baseline BMI,… read on > read on >
Do you struggle to sleep during the week and play catch up on the weekend? Do you toss and turn all night long and start the day in a fog? Are you a napper? Or are you among the lucky folks who have no problem getting enough shuteye? Researchers at Penn State University report that… read on > read on >
College students who use drugs like Adderall to help them focus on their studies may be setting themselves up for trouble. Researchers asked 700 undergraduates across the United States about drugs commonly used by students — including ADHD medications like Adderall, cannabis, nicotine, alcohol, MDMA and ecstasy. They also asked about students’ academic performance and… read on > read on >
Folks with sinus issues often turn to neti pots or “nasal rinsing” to help clear their clogged passages. Unfortunately, too many don’t follow standard advice to avoid using tap water, and that’s leading to sometimes fatal amoebic infections, a new report finds. “A recent study showed that nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults think tap water… read on > read on >
Why humans, five whale species and some chimpanzees are the only known mammals to go through menopause has long been a mystery. Now, researchers at the University of Exeter in the U.K. think they’ve found the answer: It’s all about survival of the species. It turns out that females of five toothed-whale species that experience… read on > read on >
For years, U.S. health officials have been sounding the alarm over a steady rise in pregnancy-related deaths among American women, with numbers that appeared to far outstrip those of other wealthy nations. However, the statistics behind those trends could be flawed, researchers report in a new study. Their detailed reanalysis of government data from 2002… read on > read on >
Following a cyberattack on the largest health insurer in the United States last month, health care providers continue to scramble as insurance payments and prescription orders continue to be disrupted and physicians lose an estimated $100 million a day. That estimate was generated by First Health Advisory, a cybersecurity firm that specializes in the health… read on > read on >
