Teens who drink or smoke already have stiffening arteries, and the risk is highest for those who are both heavy smokers and heavy drinkers, a new study reports. Arterial stiffening is a sign of blood vessel damage that increases the chances for heart attack and stroke later in life. The good news is that teens… read on >
Limiting online access used to be the main parenting strategy to protect kids from internet hazards like cyberbullying and sexual predators. But research suggests that teaching them how to avoid these risks in the first place is a smarter and safer approach. Thanks to photo- and video-sharing apps, much of a teen’s and even a… read on >
Your child’s backpack may be incredibly handy and reflect a personal sense of style. It should also be functional and help protect your child’s back, the Nemours Foundation says. If a backpack is poorly worn or too heavy, it can strain muscles and joints and cause back pain. Doctors recommend that kids keep backpacks filled… read on >
For years, nutritionists have warned Americans to minimize dairy in their diets, especially high-fat dairy products. But new research involving 24,000 U.S. adults suggests milk and milk-derived products don’t pose the dire health risks suggested by prior research, and maybe those old warnings should be relaxed. “In light of the protective effects of dairy products,… read on >
Depression, anxiety or other forms of mental distress may significantly boost the risk of heart disease among older adults, new research from Australia suggests. The finding is from a four-year study that tracked psychological distress among nearly 222,000 seemingly healthy men and women, aged 45 years and older, with no prior history of heart disease.… read on >
When it comes to sleep, people seem to have different needs. But how much sleep is best for your heart? A new analysis of 11 studies that included a total of more than 1 million adults without heart disease suggests the sweet spot is six to eight hours a night. The studies were published within… read on >
City birds age faster than their country cousins and traffic noise may be the reason why, a new study suggests. The research focused on telomeres — caps on the ends of chromosomes that protect genes from damage. Shortening of telomeres indicates faster aging. At 120 days of age, Zebra finches that were exposed to traffic… read on >
In a new study of patients with the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation (a-fib), 4 in 10 had previously undetected brain damage, though none had a history of stroke or mini-stroke. This brain damage could put them at risk for mental decline and dementia, researchers said. Their study included nearly 1,400 patients in Switzerland, average… read on >
Senator John McCain’s long battle with brain cancer ended on Saturday afternoon when he passed away at his home in Arizona. His family had announced Friday that McCain was no longer receiving treatment for his glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive of brain tumors. The 81-year-old Republican Arizona senator and Vietnam War hero had been… read on >
As parents send their kids back to school, they need to remember the school day includes the hours before and after classes, a leading pediatrician’s group says. Children in grade school and middle school require supervision, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). An adult should be available to get them ready and off… read on >
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