FRIDAY July 7, 2023Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Erin Okawa works in a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood and sees many parents worried about their kids’ height. “I have a clinic in Manhattan Beach, which was apparently settled by ex-volleyball players and ex-soccer players,” she said. “So there are a lot of very tall parents in Manhattan Beach.… read on > read on >
Sunny summer days may improve the odds for successful in vitro fertilization (IVF), a new study suggests. For women undergoing IVF, the season in which her eggs are retrieved could affect the success of embryo transplantation and her chance of delivering a live baby, researchers reported July 5 in the journal Human Reproduction. The investigators… read on > read on >
Dogs can sniff out and track someone based on their scent, a trait that has aided scores of criminal investigations. Laboratory scientists working with human odors report that a new discovery may also further crime solving: They’ve determined that the scents of women and men differ, at least in their palms. The researchers were able… read on > read on >
The use of antipsychotic medication in children is continuing to plummet, likely because of better policies and education, new research shows. The study found a 43% drop in antipsychotic prescriptions for Medicaid-enrolled children in 45 states, a stark contrast from the sharp rise in the 2000s. “The decline we observed likely reflects the convergence of… read on > read on >
One way to get real peace of mind: Start doing something creative. Americans who engage in creative activities — from crafting to playing the piano to painting — report better mental health, according to a new poll from the American Psychiatric Association. “We live in stressful times, and sometimes our jobs and responsibilities can drain… read on > read on >
Getting regular exercise can help protect against mental decline in an aging brain. But poor sleep can take away those benefits. A new study found that people who were more active but slept less than six hours on average had faster cognitive (mental) decline. After 10 years, their cognitive function was equivalent to that of… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday gave full approval to the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, clearing the way for insurance coverage of the pricey drug. “The full FDA approval will open the floodgates for people with early Alzheimer’s to get this drug. It’s a big deal because it’s very expensive at $26,500 per year,”… read on > read on >
Add risk of developing memory problems later in life to the list of consequences linked to poor oral health. Not taking care of your mouth and teeth has already been associated with heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and preterm birth. Now, a new study finds that folks with gum disease or tooth loss have evidence… read on > read on >
“Forever chemicals” are widespread in the environment, and new research finds they can be detected in about 45% of U.S. tap water samples. The chemicals are per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, and their spread through drinking water — both tap and well — may be even higher because researchers from the U.S. Geological… read on > read on >
Record-breaking heat waves are pummeling the United States and the world, causing many to wonder how much of this a body can take and still survive. The limit is somewhere between 104 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit if you’re sitting perfectly still, according to a small study conducted in the United Kingdom. Researchers say they are… read on > read on >
