Fitness and calorie counting apps are meant to boost people’s spirits, helping them become healthier by tracking their progress. But many find them to be a complete downer and an utter detriment, a new study says. Some experience a sense of shame, disappointment, frustration and futility when using these apps, undermining their attempts to improve… read on > read on >
A family riven by divorce or separation could triple the risk of a child developing psoriasis later in life, a new study says. The severe stress caused by such family upheaval might tax a child’s immune system in ways that increase their chances of this autoimmune skin disease marked by rapid cell growth that causes… read on > read on >
Artificial intelligence (AI) might be able to help doctors make glaucoma screening widely available, a new study says. A trained AI program correctly identified patients with glaucoma 88% to 90% of the time, compared with 79% to 81% for human graders, researchers reported Saturday at a meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in… read on > read on >
An advanced form of LASIK eye surgery that uses a virtual 3D model of a person’s eye appears to offer patients better vision, a new study says. About 98% of eyes treated with the “wavelight plus” form of LASIK gained improved vision, compared to 82% of eyes treated with a competing process called SMILE Pro,… read on > read on >
Antidepressants are widely used to treat depression and anxiety, but a new study finds that some of these medications can cause noticeable changes in weight, heart rate and cholesterol levels. The study, published Tuesday in The Lancet, analyzed data from more than 58,000 participants to compare 30 different antidepressants or a placebo for an average… read on > read on >
Pet food manufacturers Foodynamics and Raw Bistro are recalling several dog and cat food products because they may be contaminated with salmonella, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Salmonella can make both pets and people sick. Humans can become infected after handling contaminated pet food, especially if they don’t wash their hands… read on > read on >
If you need another reason to brush and floss, here it is: Research suggests keeping your mouth healthy might also protect your brain and heart. Two new studies published Oct. 22 in Neurology Open Access linked gum disease and cavities to a higher risk of stroke and brain damage. In the first study, adults with… read on > read on >
Imagine popping by your eye doctor’s office for a quick cataract surgery. That appears to be the future for this vision-enhancing procedure, researchers reported Saturday at the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Hundreds of patients successfully received cataract surgery in a doctor’s office after taking sedative pills, as opposed to IV… read on > read on >
Any boozing can cause your blood pressure to go up, a new study shows. Even slight increases in alcohol consumption are associated with higher blood pressure, researchers reported Oct. 22 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Stopping drinking, or even cutting back, might lead to reductions in blood pressure that would lower… read on > read on >
You may have seen recent news stories reporting that a national data investigation found that routine childhood vaccination is slipping across much of the United States, leaving classrooms and daycares with growing gaps in protection against highly contagious diseases like measles and whooping cough. That’s a warning sign for every family with children — and… read on > read on >
