Is your plastic water bottle widening your waistline? Could be. In a new study, Norwegian researchers said that chemicals in common plastic products like water bottles or food packaging may put you at risk of piling on the pounds. “Our experiments show that ordinary plastic products contain a mix of substances that can be a… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Screens Near Bedtime Bad for Preschoolers’ Sleep
It’s crucial to keep preschoolers away from screens and other sources of light in the hour before bedtime if you want them to get a good night’s sleep, researchers say. That’s because even a little bit of light exposure can trigger a sharp drop in the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, according to the research team at… read on > read on >
Pesticides at Work Could Raise Odds for COPD Lung Disease
Workplace exposure to pesticides may boost a person’s risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study finds. COPD is a group of lung diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing problems. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main types of COPD. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s… read on > read on >
Take These Winter Workout Tips to Heart
Tempted to take your workout into the great outdoors? Be aware that there are both benefits and risks to exercising outdoors during the winter. “There’s actually some advantages to working out in cold weather – with no heat and humidity to deal with you may be able to work out longer in cold weather which… read on > read on >
Getting Your School-Age Child Into a Healthy Sleep Routine
Most parents have dealt with having to hurry a sleepy child out the door on a school morning, but experts say taking the time to establish good sleep routines for your kids is worth the effort. Amid the pandemic, there can be a great deal of uncertainty around school, but a set sleep regimen can… read on > read on >
Your Gas Stove Might Make You (and the Planet) Sick
That gas stove in your kitchen fires up quickly and cooks evenly. What’s not to love? A lot, as it turns out. The emissions from gas stoves are considered major contributors to climate change and damaging to human health. Now, new research suggests they’re troublesome even when they’re turned off. The problem is sizable: Over… read on > read on >
Rehab or Steroid Shots: What’s Best for Arthritic Knees?
Physical therapy for knee arthritis tends to cost patients more out-of-pocket and involves a lot more hassle than a quick steroid shot to soothe an aching joint. But in the long run, physical therapy is at least as cost-effective as steroid injections and is more likely to provide longer-term relief, a new study concludes. “Even… read on > read on >
Beyond Antibodies: Vaccines Teach Your Immune T-Cells to Fight COVID Long Term
COVID-19 vaccines activate long-lasting immune system T-cells that target coronavirus variants of concern, including Delta and Omicron, new research shows. The research team at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in California studied adults who were fully vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or Novavax vaccines, but had not received boosters. “The vast… read on > read on >
In a First, a Robot Performs Laparoscopic Surgery on Pig Without Human Help
A robot performed challenging keyhole surgery on pigs without any human help in what could be a major step toward fully automated surgery on people. “Our findings show that we can automate one of the most intricate and delicate tasks in surgery: the reconnection of two ends of an intestine,” said senior study author Axel… read on > read on >
Shorter Life Spans for Elderly Living Downwind of Fracking Sites: Study
Older people who live near or downwind of fracking sites have an increased risk of premature death, likely due to airborne contaminants from the sites, according to a new study. “There is an urgent need to understand the causal link between living near or downwind of [unconventional oil and gas development] and adverse health effects,”… read on > read on >