A new study warns that the social media giant TikTok is filled with confusing and wrong information about the heart-healthy, plant-based approach to eating dubbed the Mediterranean diet. For the study, researchers analyzed 200 videos posted to the platform last August. They were the first to pop up on a search for content tagged #mediterraneandiet.… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Telemedicine Could Really Help People Battling Advanced Cancers
As a bill that would expand Medicare coverage for telehealth services makes its way through the U.S. Senate, a new study of people with advanced cancer suggests the practice could improve the lives of patients. The use of telehealth skyrocketed during the pandemic: A U.S. Health and Human Services report found that usage grew 63-fold,… read on > read on >
FDA Advisors Back Moderna Shot for Older Children, Teens
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend the agency approve the emergency use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 6 to 17. Despite the unanimous support, some panel members worried that trials of the vaccine were conducted before the emergence of the Omicron variant. They noted… read on > read on >
Breeding Puts English Bulldogs at High Risk of Multiple Ailments
English bulldogs are plagued by health problems due to their breeding, which needs to be changed to improve their well-being, British researchers say. The short skull, protruding jaw, skin folds and squat, heavy build that are part of their breed standards put English bulldogs at increased risk of breathing problems and eye and skin conditions,… read on > read on >
Kids’ Access to Insulin Pumps: Race, Income Matters
Overall use of insulin pumps among U.S. youngsters with type 1 diabetes has climbed in recent decades, but those who are poor or from minority groups are less likely to have the devices, a new study finds. Insulin pumps, which do away with the need for numerous painful injections, have been shown to improve control… read on > read on >
Cats’ Smart, Secret Reason for Loving Catnip
Catnip may do more than give cats a wicked buzz: A new study finds it may also help protect them from pests such as mosquitoes. The leaves of catnip and its Asian counterpart, silvervine, contain nepetalactol and nepetalactone — two types of compounds called iridoids, which repel insects. Researchers in Japan investigated how cats’ chewing… read on > read on >
Bitter or Savory, Taste Genes Could Influence Your Diet
People who have never outgrown an aversion to broccoli, or an addiction to potato chips, can place part of the blame on their genes, preliminary research suggests. The study, of over 6,200 adults, turned up correlations between certain taste-related genes and people’s preferences for particular food groups. Those whose genes made them sensitive to bitter… read on > read on >
Americans Think They Eat Healthier Than They Really Do
Many people think they make healthy food choices, but they may be viewing their diet through rose-colored glasses. That’s the main finding of a new study that aimed to identify disconnects between how healthfully Americans think they eat and how they actually do. “It appears difficult for adults in the United States to accurately assess… read on > read on >
In Rare Cases, Your Cat Can Give You COVID
The first reported case of a cat giving COVID-19 to a person shouldn’t alarm pet owners, but a Canadian expert says it’s a reminder to take precautions. “I think it’s important for us to recognize this virus still can move between species,” veterinary specialist Dr. Scott Weese recently told the New York Times. The case… read on > read on >
Why Getting Along in Preschool Is So Important
The expression “plays well with others” is often tossed around to describe people who are less likely to ruffle feathers, and new research shows these sandbox skills really matter. It turns out that kids who play well with others in preschool are less likely to experience mental health issues as they grow up. The findings… read on > read on >