An adolescent starts thinking like an adult right around the age of 18, according to new research. That provides some of the first definitive evidence that executive function matures by that time. Executive function is a set of mental skills that include the ability to plan, switch between tasks, resist tempting distractions and focus. For… read on > read on >
Adults who received a high school equivalency diploma have significantly poorer health outcomes than traditional graduates, according to a new study. Older Americans with a General Education Development (GED) certificate had a higher risk for mental, hearing and vision impairments, limitations in activities of daily living and mobility issues, University of Toronto researchers found. “Although… read on > read on >
Women can help protect their heart health as they go through menopause. The American Heart Association (AHA) offers some tips for protecting that most critical organ while hormone levels and body composition change. “More women in the U.S. are living longer, and a significant portion of them will spend up to 40% of their lives… read on > read on >
Women who have a false-positive result on a screening mammogram may have an increased risk of breast cancer for up to 20 years, a large new study finds. False-positives occur when a screening mammogram seems to show something abnormal that, with follow-up testing, is declared non-cancerous. The new study — published online Nov. 2 in… read on > read on >
The first new antibiotic for gonorrhea — the second most common sexually transmitted disease — has shown promise in a clinical trial. That news should come as a relief to public health experts, because gonorrhea has become resistant to all but one of the existing antibiotics used to treat it. This new antibiotic, called zoliflodacin,… read on > read on >
Advisors to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected to approve new draft guidelines for hospital infection control this week, the first update since 2007. But healthcare workers worry whether the guidelines, which suggest that surgical masks are as good as N-95 masks at preventing the spread of respiratory infections during routine… read on > read on >
Put down the saltshaker — especially if you’re at risk of type 2 diabetes. While the condition brings to mind the need to avoid sugar, a new study links it to frequent salt consumption. “We already know that limiting salt can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, but this study shows for the… read on > read on >
Drowsy driving causes thousands of car crashes a year and teen drivers say they are often sleepy behind the wheel. In a new survey, teens reported high rates of drowsy driving. School and job commitments were the top factors keeping them up at night. A corresponding survey of U.S. adult drivers showed similar trends. Both… read on > read on >
Warnings about the dangers of vaping may be reaching American teens: A new U.S. government report shows e-cigarette use is down among high school students. In fact, use of any tobacco product over the past 30 days declined among this age group during the 2022-2023 school year, from 16.5% to 12.6%. This was driven largely… read on > read on >
The American Cancer Society has expanded its recommendations for who should get lung cancer screening. The updated guidance now says annual screening should start at a younger age and among those who smoke less, and it should continue regardless of how many years ago a former smoker may have quit. “If you are a person… read on > read on >
