Lighting that mimics natural night-day patterns might improve sleep and mood problems for Alzheimer’s patients living in nursing homes, new research suggests. The lighting intervention, designed to stimulate dementia patients’ circadian rhythm — which regulates sleep and wake cycles — led to significant decreases in sleep disturbance, depression and agitation, the study authors said. “One… read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Woman May Have Passed on Ebola a Year After Recovery
A new report suggests that people can survive Ebola and still possibly infect others up to a year later. The finding could mean that continued monitoring for the disease is still necessary after a country has been declared Ebola-free, the researchers said. The case study involved a family in Liberia, which had more than 4,800… read on >
Supportive Managers Key When a Worker Is Depressed
Employees struggling with depression take less time off from work if they receive support and help from their managers, a new study suggests. Many people suffer depression at some point during their working lives. But they often don’t disclose their condition or seek help because they’re afraid of repercussions, according to the researchers. The new… read on >
Gluten-Free Kids’ Foods Fall Short on Nutrition
Gluten-free foods are one of the latest nutritional trends, with many parents assuming foods with a gluten-free label are healthier than foods with gluten. But new research says that’s just not true, unless your child truly must avoid gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley and rye — due to celiac disease or other… read on >
Why Alzheimer’s May Be Tougher to Spot in Women
If your memory starts slipping, your gender may play a role in whether or not you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. How? Women excel in a skill called verbal memory — the ability to learn and remember verbal information such as stories or grocery lists. At the moment, tests to detect… read on >
Many Struggle With High Cost of Breast Cancer Care
The cost of treatment for early stage breast cancer can be devastating for many patients, but they get little guidance or help from their doctors, a new study suggests. “We have made a lot of progress in breast cancer treatment, which is wonderful. But this study shows we are only part of the way to… read on >
Life Is Short After Dementia Diagnosis, No Matter Your Age
Your age doesn’t determine how long you’ll live after a dementia diagnosis, new research contends. “These findings suggest that, despite all efforts, and despite being younger and perhaps physically ‘healthier’ than older people, survival time in people with young-onset dementia has not improved since 2000,” said study author Dr. Hanneke Rhodius-Meester, from VU University Medical… read on >
How Common Is Dementia Among LGBT Seniors?
Dementia strikes about one in 13 lesbian, gay or bisexual seniors in the United States, a new study finds. “Current estimates suggest that more than 200,000 sexual minorities in the U.S. are living with dementia, but — before our study — almost nothing was known about the prevalence of dementia among people in this group… read on >
Daily Low-Dose Aspirin May Be Weapon Against Ovarian Cancer
One low-dose aspirin a day could help women avoid ovarian cancer or boost their survival should it develop, two new studies suggest. In fact, daily low-dose aspirin — the type many older women already take to help their hearts — was tied to a 10 percent reduction in developing ovarian cancer. It was also tied… read on >
Later-Life Fractures Up Risk of Early Death
A broken bone in older age may increase your risk of death for the next 10 years, researchers say. “A fracture is the starting point for much wider health issues that persist long after the fracture has healed, and can ultimately result in earlier death,” said study author Jacqueline Center, who’s with the Garvan Institute… read on >