More Americans believe in the effectiveness of vaccines developed to protect newborns and seniors against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). More than half of U.S. adults (52%) think the RSV vaccine given to pregnant women will protect newborns from the infection, up from 42% a year ago, say survey results from the Annenberg Public Policy Center… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Northwest Naturals Pet Food Linked to Bird Flu in Cat, Issues Recall
A batch of pet food has been voluntarily recalled nationwide after a cat in Oregon died of bird flu, an illness state officials linked to contaminated food. The recall, according to a news release published Dec. 25, 2024, involves Northwest Naturals’ Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food with sell-by dates between May 21, 2026,… read on > read on >
Air Quality, Not Just Fitness Level, Impacts Marathoners’ Finish Times
Runners put a lot of thought into how much they must eat and drink to endure a 26.2-mile marathon, properly fueling their bodies to sustain a record-setting pace. But the quality of the air they huff and puff during endurance events could also play a key role in their performance, a new study says. Higher… read on > read on >
Flu Cases Start to Surge as Americans Prepare for Holiday Gatherings
Predictably, flu season is in full swing, with cases surging across the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Friday in a report. Thirteen states, including Tennessee and Louisiana, report high or very high levels of flu-like illness, double the number from the previous week, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases… read on > read on >
Feeling Appreciated by Partner is Critical for Caregiver’s Mental Health
Everyone needs to feel appreciated — but especially someone who’s caring for a spouse with dementia. A study published recently in the journal Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology shows that the mental health of caregivers dramatically improves when they feel supported, understood and appreciated by the person they’re looking after. Feeling appreciated was so important it even helped… read on > read on >
More of America’s Pets Are Overdosing on Stray Coke, Meth
Hundreds of beloved pet dogs and cats were reported as being unintentionally poisoned by cocaine and methamphetamine left out in their owners’ homes, new data from one U.S. pet poison control hotline shows. When a dog or cat consumes cocaine or meth, it can quickly prove fatal, warned a team led by Orrin Ware, an… read on > read on >
The Most Therapeutic Kind of Me-Time
What type of “me-time” is more restorative to a person — hiking by yourself deep in a forest, or reading a book while sipping a latte in a coffee shop? Surprisingly, you’ll do best with a cup of joe and a good book, alone with yourself while surrounded by people, a new study published recently… read on > read on >
Are Microplastics In the Air Putting Your Fertility At Risk?
Microscopic plastic particles in the air could be contributing to a wide variety of health problems, including lung and colon cancers. Tires and degrading garbage shed tiny pieces of plastic which become airborne, creating a form of air pollution that’s not very well understood, a new review says. “These microplastics are basically particulate matter air… read on > read on >
Non-heterosexual Women Report Better Sexual Functioning During Midlife
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2024 A woman’s sex drive often diminishes with age, particularly during perimenopause when issues like pain and vaginal discomfort arise. A new study, however, reveals that sexual identity may play a key role in sexual well-being during midlife. The study, published Dec. 18 in the journal Menopause, found that non-heterosexual women were… read on > read on >
Feeling ‘Techno-Strain’ From Work? You’re Not Alone
Research out of the United Kingdom finds workers often feel overwhelmed by digital technology and the need to always be connected online. It’s a worldwide issue, the study authors believe. “What we have found in our research is that there is a potential dark side to digital working, where employees can feel fatigue and strain… read on > read on >