Lifestyle « Weekly Sauce

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel will decide on Tuesday whether to recommend the agency approve the emergency use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 6 to 17. The panel will analyze Moderna’s two-dose vaccine for children aged 6 to 11 at half the strength of the adult shot, and for… read on > read on >

The first pill to treat adults with severe alopecia was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday. Olumiant (baricitinib) is the first FDA-approved alopecia therapy that treats the entire body rather than a specific spot, the agency said in a news release announcing the approval. “Access to safe and effective treatment options… read on > read on >