“Food insecurity” — not having enough money to afford sufficient food — increases the risk of premature death, new research suggests. For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 510,000 adults in Canada between 2005 and 2017. Over the study period, nearly 25,500 people died prematurely. The average life expectancy in Canada between 2008… read on >
Turning to Facebook for help is probably the wrong move for depressed college students, new research shows. In a small study of 33 students who posted on Facebook about feelings of depression, not one was advised to reach out to a mental health professional for help. Rather, friends sent supportive and encouraging messages. “It makes… read on >
Sepsis kills more than twice as many people worldwide as once believed, and children in poor regions account for an excessive number of such deaths, researchers say. Sepsis is an out-of-control immune response to infection that harms organs. People who survive sepsis can have lifelong disabilities. In 2017, there were 48.9 million cases of sepsis… read on >
In another step toward using artificial intelligence in medicine, a new study shows that computers can be trained to match human experts in judging the severity of prostate tumors. Researchers found that their artificial intelligence system was “near perfect” in determining whether prostate tissue contained cancer cells. And it was on par with 23 “world-leading”… read on >
From carpal tunnel to a stiff neck, too much time on the computer can cause a slew of health problems. But what if you ditch the keyboard and mouse for virtual reality? New research from Oregon State University in Corvallis showed that even stepping into virtual reality may be bad for the body. Virtual reality… read on >
Feeling exhausted, with too few hours in the day to do what needs to be done? Be careful of burnout — especially after a new study finds it can raise your risk for the dangerous irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation. “A-fib” — long tied to higher odds for heart attack and stroke — is… read on >
A diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder need not be a life sentence, a large Canadian study suggests. “It’s so exciting,” said lead author Esme Fuller-Thomson, director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging at the University of Toronto. People with generalized anxiety disorder worry excessively for long periods, and most days they struggle to… read on >
Most women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its uncomfortable symptoms may include burning and itching. A yeast infection is typically treated with an antifungal medicine. This drug usually can be purchased over-the-counter, and comes in the form of a cream, tablet, ointment… read on >
Teens spend as many as nine hours each day on social media, says Abington Hospital in Pennsylvania. While social media is a great way to stay connected to friends and get information, it can also take a toll on mental health, the hospital says. To be a healthier social media user, it suggests: Be aware… read on >
Going to the gym is supposed to improve your health, but it can also be a hotbed of cold and flu bugs, an expert warns. “The biggest thing about the gym is there are a lot of areas where germs, viruses and fungus can be year-round,” said Bryan Combs, a nurse practitioner in the University… read on >
