The fluid-filled spaces around the brain’s blood vessels need proper waste “clearance” every few hours. When that fails to happen, a baby’s risk for autism appears to rise, new research shows. It’s too early to say that trouble within these “perivascular” spaces causes autism, but it seems to be an early marker for the condition,… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
New Clues To Origins of Lower Back Pain
Some people might be prone to low back pain because of specific cells contained in their spinal disks, a new study suggests. The research could explain why only certain people develop back pain due to the degeneration of their spinal discs, which are jelly-filled spacers that act as shock absorbers between the small bones of… read on > read on >
Scientists Finally Figure Out Why Pee Is Yellow
Golden news for a new year: Scientists now know why urine is yellow. It’s only taken 100 years, but researchers say they’ve pinpointed the enzyme in urine behind its buttery hue. “This enzyme discovery finally unravels the mystery behind urine’s yellow color,” said study lead author Brantley Hall. He’s an assistant professor in the University… read on > read on >
Resolve to Get a Free Memory Screening in 2024
There are so many New Year’s resolutions from which to choose, but an important one could be to schedule a memory screening, experts say. Memory screenings consist of a series of questions that gauge memory and brain function, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). These regular screenings are an important way to detect… read on > read on >
Tips From an Expert as You Start ‘Dry January’
TUESDAY, Jan. 2, 2024 — Many folks’ New Year resolutions include having a Dry January, and that’s a wise move, experts say. Taking even a one-month break from booze can lead to significant improvements in physical and mental health, said Jennifer Steiner, an associate professor at Florida State University. Your cancer risk and blood pressure… read on > read on >
‘Substantial Demand’ for Abortion Pills Ordered in Advance, Study Finds
A U.S. online provider of the mifepristone/misoprostol abortion pill combo saw a ten-fold jump in orders when the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade was first leaked in 2022, a new study finds. Such orders declined a bit in the months after the decision was officially announced, but have risen once again as women remain… read on > read on >
Defibrillators Now Mandatory at Some Gyms, Stadiums — Why Aren’t More People Using Them?
Because athletes young and old can suffer cardiac arrest, some states have mandated the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in gyms, stadiums and other sports venues. But a new study finds the use of AEDs by bystanders for cardiac arrest at athletic sites didn’t improve much after states enacted these laws. The bottom line:… read on > read on >
More Americans Will Only Have to Pay $35 a Month for Insulin in 2024
Managing diabetes will be a less expensive proposition for more Americans in 2024. Sanofi has officially joined Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in lowering the cost of insulin to $35 a month for many patients. The three drugmakers are also drastically lowering the list prices for their insulin products. The price-cutting moves were first announced last… read on > read on >
Living With a Depressed Loved One Can Take Mental, Financial Toll
Reduced income, unemployment and mental health issues are more common among people who live with a loved one diagnosed with depression, new research shows. “These findings indicate that the impact of depressive symptoms may extend beyond the affected individuals, imposing a burden on other adults in their households,” study lead author Paul Greenberg, of the… read on > read on >
Know the Facts About Glaucoma
Glaucoma can steal your sight before you even realize it, and early diagnosis is the best way to prevent it. Many of the 3 million Americans who have glaucoma are unaware of it because they have no symptoms, according to the Glaucoma Foundation. In glaucoma, a buildup of fluid in the front part of the… read on > read on >