It’s well-known that dogs can learn words for spoken commands like “sit,” “stand” and “heel.” But a new study has found they also can tell their “ball-ball” from their “dolly,” “teddy,” “chewy” or “squeaky squeak.” Brain scans reveal that dogs generally know that certain words stand for certain objects, researchers reported March 22 in the… read on > read on >
Working stiffs in the United States are dying at higher rates than those in other wealthy nations, a new study finds. Death rates among working-age Americans are 2.5 times higher than the average of other high-income countries, researchers report in the March 21 issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology. These deaths among people ages… read on > read on >
Cuddly, friendly, fun: Your pet brings so much to your life, but experts warn that, in rare cases, they can also bring illness. The health benefits of pet ownership are many, noted Dr. Stacey Rose, an associate professor of infectious diseases and internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. For example, the presence… read on > read on >
Stressed out, anxious or desperately needing to recharge? Grab some knitting needles and a pretty ball of yarn — Swedish research shows yarncraft improves mental health without medication. “Knitters have a creative leisure interest that can also help them cope with life and so improve their mental health,” said first author Joanna Nordstrand, an occupational… read on > read on >
People with heart disease can stay healthier if they address their emotional problems as well as their physical ailments, a new study says. Treating anxiety and depression reduced ER visits and hospitalizations among patients with heart disease, researchers report in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Psychotherapy, mood-controlling medication or a combination of the… read on > read on >
For the first time, the United States has fallen out of the top 20 spots on the annual world’s happiest nations list. Americans are now No. 23, far behind the top five countries — Finland (No. 1), Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Israel. “The United States of America (23rd) has fallen out of the top 20… read on > read on >
Planting trees and bushes near busy highways helps clear the air of harmful air pollutants from motor vehicles, new research affirms. “They provide benefits that go beyond aesthetics,” Roby Greenwald, an associate professor of public health at Georgia State University in Atlanta, said in a university news release. “But,” he added, “I don’t want to… read on > read on >
Two of America’s leading health organizations are highlighting a global rise in measles cases as yet another reason for families to make sure they get the measles vaccine. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Medical Association (which represents the nation’s doctors), each issued advisories on Monday stressing the need for… read on > read on >
Grumbling and grousing to others isn’t an effective way of reducing rage, a new review shows. Folks who vent about a source of anger might feel better in the moment, but that won’t diminish their ire, researchers found. Instead, stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation and yoga are much more effective alternatives than griping,… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug to treat yeast ear infections in dogs. DuOtic is also the first ear infection medication that does not contain an antibiotic, the FDA said in its approval announcement. The drug will allow veterinarians to avoid using antibiotics when treating dogs with yeast-only ear infections,… read on > read on >
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