A simple rule change for youth soccer dramatically reduced concussion risk among athletes, a new study says. Banning or limiting headers — plays where the head is used to pass or shoot the ball — is linked to a nearly 26% reduction in soccer-related concussions treated in emergency rooms, researchers are scheduled to report at…  read on >  read on >

Firefighters might face a higher risk of brain cancers caused by exposure to chemicals in fire extinguishers, a new small-scale study says. Veteran firefighters appear to have a higher risk of brain tumors called gliomas, which can be caused by gene mutations linked to flame retardant chemicals called haloalkanes, researchers reported in a study published…  read on >  read on >

A mother’s diet during pregnancy can influence her child’s risk of ADHD and autism, a new study says. In particular, the unhealthy hallmarks of a typical Western diet appeared to increase a child’s risk of developmental disorders, researchers reported in the journal Nature Metabolism. “The greater a woman’s adherence to a Western diet in pregnancy…  read on >  read on >

Sleep-deprived night shift nurses are at greater risk for the common cold and other infectious diseases, a new study says. Shift work and its impact on quality sleep can wreak havoc on nurses’ immune systems, making them more vulnerable to infection, researchers report in the journal Chronobiology International. “Sleep debt and irregular shift patterns, including…  read on >  read on >

LED light therapy is touted by social media influencers as a trendy way to treat acne. And it actually appears to work, a new evidence review suggests. Both red and blue LED light therapy are safe and effective in clearing up mild to moderate acne, researchers reported in JAMA Dermatology. “We found individuals who use…  read on >  read on >

Cardiovascular disease is a general term that refers to many different types of heart problems. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. In fact, one American dies from heart disease every 33 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These are common types of…  read on >  read on >

A new risk prediction model can help identify people who are likely to develop early-onset colon cancer or small non-cancerous growths on other organs, researchers say. The model relies on four factors associated with early-onset colon cancer: a family history of colon cancer, BMI, sex and smoking. (BMI is shorthand for body mass index, an…  read on >  read on >

Music therapy can help lift the spirits and ease depression in people with dementia, a new evidence review has found. Findings suggest that music-based therapy probably improves depressive symptoms and might even improve behavioral issues by the end of treatment, researchers reported. “This review increases our understanding of the effects of music therapy and strengthens…  read on >  read on >