Cold weather dangers — such as ice-melting chemicals and sleet — can affect your pet’s health, says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. To help keep your pet safe this winter, the ASPCA urges you to: Remove snow between your pet’s foot pads. Towel dry your pet after walks. Wash and… read on >
What’s the sleepiest day of the year? For a majority of Americans, that would be New Year’s Day, according to a survey of 2,003 adults by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The findings showed that 57 percent said they’re more tired on Jan. 1 than on other holidays and times of the year,… read on >
Air pollution from vehicles increases the risk of dangerously high blood pressure in pregnant women, U.S. government researchers report. Scientists from the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences’ (NIEHS) National Toxicology Program analyzed published studies on the links between traffic-related air pollution and preeclampsia. The analysis was reviewed by experts from academia and industry,… read on >
If you’re overweight or obese, shedding pounds can help improve your health and your longevity. What’s more, doing so may also significantly boost your bank balance. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore wanted to know how a person’s expenses and income might change if their weight went from obese to overweight to normal at… read on >
About half of marriages end in divorce, says the American Psychological Association. Though the end of a marriage often unleashes a flood of difficult emotions, it is possible to have a healthier breakup. The association provides advice for a healthier divorce: Be kind and compassionate to yourself and your former partner. Try not to think… read on >
A white Christmas is everyone’s wish, but navigating the snow and cold can land some folks in the ER during the holidays. Luckily, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has some helpful hints on having a safe and happy holiday. “Cold weather months put many people at greater risk of avoidable injuries,” said Dr.… read on >
There’s one type of green Christmas that’s likely to bring joy to gift-givers and recipients alike, a new Canadian study suggests. That’s one based on green consumerism — a push to buy gifts produced in ways that protect the natural environment. For this study, researchers at Concordia University in Montreal asked volunteers how a number… read on >
The holidays are peak buying time, and perhaps the worst time of the year for people who simply can’t control their urge to shop. Now, research shows that the ease of online purchasing could be making things worse for people with so-called “buying-shopping disorder” (BSD). BSD is still debated as a stand-alone diagnosis, and hasn’t… read on >
Smartphones, tablets and laptops are everywhere, and young children are fascinated by them. Now, new research suggests that parents might be able to harness that curiosity and use apps on the devices to boost early learning. The review found that apps could be particularly useful for teaching early math and language skills. “Screen time is… read on >
As an early flu season spreads its misery across the United States, new research shows that few child care centers require children or their adult caregivers to get a flu shot. Flu can be especially dangerous for children, who have a greater risk than adults for serious complications, hospitalization and even death, the researchers noted.… read on >
