People with strong self-esteem are more likely to develop deep, supportive friendships, and new research suggests that the connection works the other way, too. “For the first time, we have a systematic answer to a key question in the field of self-esteem research: Whether and to what extent a person’s social relationships influence his or…  read on >

From Florida hurricanes to California wildfires, these events are reminders of the need to have a family natural disaster plan in place, no matter where you live. The following steps will help you be prepared for an evacuation due to fire or flooding, whether the source is environmental or starts in your own home. Start…  read on >

Menopausal women who get night sweats sleep longer and the longer they sleep, the more trouble they have thinking straight, a surprising new study concludes. Earlier studies have drawn a link between daytime hot flashes and worse memory. In this study, researchers looked at sleep time and night sweats among women with a history of…  read on >

It’s not uncommon for new moms to feel an emotional letdown shortly after baby is born. Though symptoms of these so-called “baby blues” can be wide-ranging, they last no more than two weeks and go away on their own. Some Signs of the Baby Blues: Mood swings Feeling sad or overwhelmed Being unable to concentrate…  read on >

Women, if you’re bothered by frequent hot flashes, it may be more than a mere annoyance. New research offers evidence that frequent or persistent hot flashes are linked to higher odds of heart attack and stroke. The finding stems from a 20-year study of about 3,300 women during menopause. Of those women, 231 had a…  read on >

Cyber attackers who target hospital databases mostly go after patient contact and financial information, not medical records, a new study finds. The data that hackers seek could lead to identity theft and financial fraud, according to investigators from Michigan State University in East Lansing, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Moreover, this is the focus…  read on >

More than one in 10 older female veterans experienced sexual assault while on active duty, a new study shows. Doctors “caring for older women veterans should recognize the prevalence and importance of [military sexual trauma] when assessing patients’ health concerns,” said study author Dr. Carolyn Gibson. Gibson is with the San Francisco VA Health Care…  read on >

Few families are able to escape squabbles completely, whether between spouses, children or other relatives. But a Danish study that looked at nearly 10,000 men and women, aged 36 to 52, warns that stressful social relations can be more than just unpleasant — they can increase your overall risk of early death. How can you…  read on >

Making a habit out of all-nighters or cramming can be unhealthy and lead to poor scholastic performance, says the American Psychological Association. To banish bad study habits, the group suggests: Create a new habit in 60 days. Embrace a routine. Find a way to enjoy your work. Take breaks. Develop realistic goals. Turn off your…  read on >