Why does one person take a lot of risks and another proceed with more caution? Researchers came closer to that answer with a new study that shows risk-taking behavior may be related to characteristics in the brain. The study found there is no one risk area in the brain. Instead, there are many regions where… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Lockdowns Might Not Have Long-Term Psychological Effect: Study
While pandemic lockdowns may have initially triggered feelings of isolation and worry, stay-at-home stress dissipated with time as people adjusted to their “new normal,” research suggests. In the study, scientists did a state-by-state analysis of Google search trends between January and June of 2020, covering topics such as COVID regulation policies, mental health concerns and… read on > read on >
Women’s Menstrual Cycles Tied to Moon’s Phases
There have long been theories that women’s menstrual cycles align with the moon, and now a new study suggests there’s some truth to that. Using years of records kept by 22 women, researchers found that for many, menstrual cycles “intermittently” synced up with the phases of the moon. The link happened only about one-quarter of… read on > read on >
States Start to Loosen Restrictions as U.S. COVID Cases Level Off
Some states have started to ease tight social distancing restrictions as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations begin to plateau across the United States. Still, the emergence of more infectious coronavirus variants in this country has prompted many officials to proceed cautiously on reopening their economies, the Associated Press reported. The recipe for the balancing act seems… read on > read on >
Very Smart Dogs Learn Words Quickly, Study Shows
Think your dog is smart? New research suggests one way to find out. Most dogs can’t learn words without extensive training, but a few with exceptional abilities learn words without any formal training, researchers report. They learn words simply by playing with their owners. The team of Hungarian researchers investigated how quickly two of these… read on > read on >
Do Touchscreens Make Your Toddler More Distractible?
Too much screen time can make your toddler more distractible, British researchers warn. The use of smartphones and tablets by babies and toddlers has soared in recent years. “The first few years of life are critical for children to learn how to control their attention and ignore distraction, early skills that are known to be… read on > read on >
Legacy of Racist Neighborhood ‘Redlining’: Fewer Healthy Green Spaces Today
A racist mortgage appraisal practice used in the United States decades ago has resulted in less green space in some urban neighborhoods today, researchers say. Those so-called “redlined” neighborhoods have higher rates of air and noise pollution, racial segregation and poverty — all of which can contribute to poorer health. In the 1930s, the Home… read on > read on >
Retired Doctors, Nurses Will Be Approved to Give COVID Vaccine, White House Says
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Retired doctors and nurses are being called to the front lines of the U.S. coronavirus vaccination effort, the White House COVID-19 Response team announced Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is amending its rules to allow retired health professionals to administer COVID-19 vaccine shots,… read on > read on >
COVID Antibody Treatments Exceed Expectations in Early Trials
There’s some much-needed good news on both the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. On the treatment front, promising new data on two coronavirus antibody cocktails suggests these therapies can keep patients out of the hospital and even prevent illness altogether in some people. And in terms of prevention, on Tuesday Israel reported a sharp drop… read on > read on >
Nearly Half of Americans Want COVID Vaccine ASAP, Numbers Rising Since December: Poll
Nearly half of all Americans want to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they can, a new poll suggests. That percentage is even higher among those who know someone who has already been vaccinated. “Perhaps more important than any message is the impact of seeing a neighbor, friend or family member get their shots… read on > read on >