From the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of monkeypox to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, school shootings and devastating wildfires, there’s been no lack of doom and gloom lately, and many folks are glued to the news. For more than 16% of people, however, compulsive news watching can be seriously problematic and is linked to… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Michigan Officials Puzzled by Mysterious Deaths of 30 Dogs
Health authorities are investigating a parvovirus-like illness that has killed more than 30 dogs in northern Michigan, most within three days. The dogs died in Otsego County after showing symptoms such as vomiting and bloody stool, signs of canine parvovirus, but tests were negative for the virus, according to a Facebook posting by the Otsego… read on > read on >
COVID Boosters Targeted to Latest Variants Could Be Ready After Labor Day
The Biden Administration plans to roll out updated booster shots that target Omicron variants shortly after Labor Day, in an effort to protect Americans against a possible winter surge in COVID-19 cases. Dr. Peter Marks, the top vaccine regulator for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, told the New York Times on Tuesday that his… read on > read on >
America’s Love Affair With Sleeping Pills May Be Waning
Fewer Americans are turning to sleep medications to fight insomnia. After a dramatic rise in prescriptions for drugs like Ambien, the trend has ebbed, according to a new study, and fewer doctors are prescribing sleep medications. Use of these sleep aids dropped 31% between 2013 and 2018, researchers found. “There are several possible reasons for… read on > read on >
Pfizer COVID Shots 73% Protective in Kids Under 5
Pfizer’s modified COVID-19 vaccine for use in children under 5 was 73% effective in shielding them from infection during the Omicron surge this spring, company data released Tuesday shows. The specially formulated doses for America’s youngest children were approved for distribution in June, although the American Academy of Pediatrics says uptake has been low. Just… read on > read on >
As Pandemic Eases, It’s Boom Times for Cosmetic Surgeons
Even after dropping 25 pounds, Megan Gilbert still had some insecurities when she looked in the mirror. “After breastfeeding two kids and losing weight, my breasts no longer looked how I wanted them to,” she said. “And I thought, ‘Why be unhappy with this one part of my body after working so hard to make… read on > read on >
Poor Sleep Can Make Folks Selfish, Study Finds
The health risks of losing sleep are well known, ranging from heart disease to depression, but who knew that too little sleep can also make you selfish? That’s the takeaway of new research from the University of California, Berkeley. “This new work demonstrates that a lack of sleep not only damages the health of an… read on > read on >
Breakfast Might Be Good for a Child’s Emotional Health, Too
What your kids eat for breakfast and where they eat it could matter for their social and emotional health. That’s the upshot of a new nationwide study from Spain that concluded that eating breakfast away from home was almost as detrimental as skipping the meal altogether. Researchers said this could be because meals away from… read on > read on >
Too Much TV Time May Really Harm Your Brain
Older adults who get a lot of “screen time” may have an increased risk of developing dementia — but a lot depends on what type of screen they use, a new study suggests. Researchers found that among older British adults, those who spent a lot of time watching TV were more likely to be diagnosed… read on > read on >
Unrelated Folks Who Look Alike Share Similar DNA
A person’s unrelated lookalike, commonly known as a doppelganger, may actually share genes that affect not only how they appear, but also their behavior. In a new study, scientists did DNA analysis on 32 sets of virtual twins — people with strong facial similarities — and found they possessed similar genetic variants. “Our study provides… read on > read on >