As Americans sweat through another scorching summer, one expert warns that while extreme heat can cause physical harm it can also wreak havoc with your mental health. Sizzling temperatures can make anyone irritable, but it can be far worse for some, especially those with mental health conditions, said Dr. Asim Shah, executive vice chair in…  read on >  read on >

A wearable brain scanner could improve research into Parkinson’s disease, dementia and other debilitating disorders, new research shows. The brain scanner — called the Ambulatory Motion-enabling PET (AMPET) — fits on a person’s head much like a construction worker’s hard hat, the researchers explained.  “What we like about the AMPET is that it moves with…  read on >  read on >

There’s a good chance that if one child in a family has autism, another will also develop the disorder, a new study suggests. Children are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with autism if an older sibling has the disorder, researchers reported recently in the journal Pediatrics. “Pediatricians and family members have to keep…  read on >  read on >

Pollen is a known trigger for seasonal allergies and asthma, but new research suggests that certain plant species release pollen that are especially tough on asthmatics. Species-specific pollen alerts could help keep people with asthma safe, the Cornell University researchers reasoned. “Even though the percent of asthma-related emergency department visits associated with pollen overall was…  read on >  read on >

Plenty of women know that having an IUD inserted in their uterus can be an excruciating experience, but new government guidance issued Thursday may soon make the experience less painful for many. For the first time, updated recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise doctors to counsel women about pain control…  read on >  read on >