Long-term exposure to air pollution can wreak havoc on your lungs and heart, but new research suggests another vulnerability: It may increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. For the study, the researchers analyzed health information on more than 81,000 people in Italy submitted by more than 3,500 doctors between June 2016… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Research Supporting Homeopathy Is Often Biased, of Poor Quality: Review
Homeopathy’s effectiveness may be significantly overestimated because most research supporting this form of complementary medicine is of poor quality, according to a new analysis. Homeopathy is a popular alternative to conventional medicine in many developed countries, including the United States, but remains highly controversial. This new paper found that many clinical trials involving homeopathy haven’t… read on > read on >
Mental Issues Can Linger More Than a Year After Severe COVID
People who have severe COVID-19 are at higher risk for depression and other mental woes that can last more than a year, a large study suggests. Researchers reported that COVID patients who were bedridden but not hospitalized for a week or more can experience depression, anxiety, distress and trouble sleeping up to 16 months after… read on > read on >
Suicide Rate Is Spiking Upwards in Preadolescent Children
In the past two decades, a growing number of preteens have taken medicines or other chemicals as a way to end their lives, new research warns. The mental health of children has become a big talking point in light of the pandemic, but the study data showed the problem has been percolating for years: There… read on > read on >
Could Air Pollution Help Trigger Depression in Teens?
Even “safe” levels of ozone air pollution may increase adolescents’ risk of depression, a new study shows. Researchers analyzed four years of mental health data from 213 adolescents, ages 9-13, in the San Francisco Bay area and compared it with air quality data for their home addresses. Those who lived in areas with relatively higher… read on > read on >
Mental Health of America’s Children Only Getting Worse
A fresh review of recent government surveys suggests the well-being of 73 million American kids is under strain and seems to be getting worse. The upshot: anxiety, depression and behavioral problems appear to be on the rise, while the amount of time kids spent being physically active or getting preventive care has been on the… read on > read on >
Some Teens Are Overdosing With Meds Prescribed for ADHD, Anxiety
Taken correctly, prescription drugs used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can help teens and young adults navigate their condition, but a new study finds many are dying from overdosing on these medications. In 2019, benzodiazepines like Xanax and stimulants like Adderall accounted for more than 700 and 900 overdose deaths, respectively, in the United States,… read on > read on >
‘Deltacron’ Variant Rare and Not a Major Concern
A recently identified hybrid of the Omicron and Delta coronavirus variants is unlikely to become a serious threat, scientists say. The new hybrid, first found in samples collected in France in January, is formally called the AY.4/BA.1 recombinant but has been nicknamed Deltacron by some. Thirty-three samples of the new variant have been found in… read on > read on >
About 1 in 6 U.S. Couples Disagrees on COVID Vaccination
Vaccine politics can apparently lead to some mismatched bedfellows, a new study suggests. It found that about 1 in 6 U.S. couples have one partner who is vaccinated against COVID-19 and one who is not, and there are several reasons why. “The numbers might be small in this study, but in terms of public health… read on > read on >
Scientists Discover Cause of Swallowing Disorder in German Shepherds
German shepherds are one of the most noble dog breeds on the planet, but they can fall prey to an often deadly swallowing disorder. Now, researchers report they have not only identified a gene variant that explains this susceptibility, but they have also designed a test to spot the disease — congenital idiopathic megaesophagus (CIM)… read on > read on >