Talk therapy has the power to alter a person’s physical brain structure, a new study shows. Psychotherapy caused measurable changes in the brains of people with severe depression, MRI scans revealed. Specifically, most patients experienced growth in brain regions responsible for processing emotions, researchers reported Aug. 26 in the journal Translational Psychology. The brain changes…  read on >  read on >

A Mediterranean-style diet can significantly decrease risk of type 2 diabetes in people who are overweight or obese, a new study says. People had 31% lower odds of diabetes if they adhered to a Mediterranean diet, cut their calories and exercised regularly, researchers reported Aug. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. “With the highest-level…  read on >  read on >

Pediatricians should screen children annually for mental or developmental issues, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends in a new clinical report. The recommendation comes in response to a mental, emotional and behavioral health crisis that’s been brewing among America’s youth, the AAP says. Up to 1 in 5 children in the U.S., including kids…  read on >  read on >

It’s a simple and common prescription for global warming and fire suppression: Plant more trees. But where they’re planted makes a real difference, new research shows. “Our study found more cooling from planting in warm, wet regions, where trees grow year-round,” study first author James Gomez, a graduate student at UC Riverside, said in a…  read on >  read on >

With a longtime vaccine critic leading the nation’s health departments, you might be wondering whether there’s a new flu shot this fall. There is —  and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says most Americans should get it. He’s basing that recommendation on the advice of a board he appointed to advise…  read on >  read on >