The words “calm down” are worse than unhelpful — they actually can increase blood pressure among new mothers of color, a study has found. Gender-based racism through such microaggressions significantly increased a new mom’s blood pressure, compared to women not subjected to these sort of comments, researchers reported in a study published Jan. 9 in… read on > read on >
Delivering meals to the infirm. Tutoring a student. Patrolling a city park. Helping out at a local library. All these activities not only serve the community, but also can help seniors avoid depression related to social isolation. Volunteering reduces the risk of depression by 43% among seniors, researchers reported in a study published Jan. 8… read on > read on >
When it comes to living a longer life, staying active may matter far more than what the scale says. Per the largest study yet on fitness, body weight, and longevity published recently in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers found that people who are aerobically fit (i.e., how well your heart, lungs, and muscles… read on > read on >
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs acetaminophen and ibuprofen are better at managing dental pain than opioids. People who had their wisdom teeth removed got better results from an acetaminophen/ibuprofen combo than with a hydrocodone prescription, researchers reported on Jan. 4 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Those given the off-the-shelf meds had less pain, better… read on > read on >
Movement is medicine, or so they tell people with knee osteoarthritis — but are they right? A recent evidence review calls into question just how helpful exercise can be for easing the pain of knee arthritis. “Exercise probably results in an improvement in pain, physical function, and quality of life in the short‐term,” concluded the… read on > read on >
Basking in a sauna can be a nice way to relieve stress or relax muscles following a workout. But soaking too long can increase a person’s risk of heat stroke, particularly if they aren’t well-hydrated, doctors warn. Most cases of heat stroke occur on hot days, due to overexertion, researchers say. However, “sauna use is… read on > read on >
Exercising now can increase your chances of successfully fighting cancer in the future. Even low levels of exercise provided protection against cancer, a new study published Jan. 7 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows. People were 47% less likely to die from cancer if they’d been engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity… read on > read on >
AI might be able to boost the success rates of in vitro fertilization among hopeful families. An AI program can help doctors analyze ultrasound scans to determine the best timing for a hormone injection associated with egg collection, researchers write in a new study published Jan. 8 in the journal Nature Communications. Getting the timing… read on > read on >
Some of the most effective public policies for suicide prevention aren’t crafted with suicide or mental health in mind, a new study says. Efforts to increase the minimum wage, prohibit gender discrimination, or reduce alcohol consumption “have spillover benefits in that they also prevent suicides,” lead researcher Jonathan Purtle, an associate professor of public health… read on > read on >
Public health officials must prepare to counter ongoing anti-vaccine sentiment in coming years, argues a leading pediatrician-scientist. “Antivaccine activism became a major lethal force in America” during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an estimated 200,000 deaths among the unvaccinated, according to an article in the journal PLOS Global Public Health written by Dr. Peter Hotez.… read on > read on >
