An electrical zap to the brain can temporarily render a person more susceptible to hypnosis, a new study shows. Participants became more easily hypnotized after paddles placed against their scalp delivered two 46-second rounds of electrical pulses to a precise location in their brain, researchers reported Jan. 4 in the journal Nature Mental Health. This…  read on >  read on >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >