He sings, he plays games — and Huggable the ‘social robot’ teddy bear could be good medicine for kids in the hospital. In a study of 50 children, aged 3 to 10 years, the plush bear boosted spirits, eased anxiety and even lowered perceived pain levels, say Boston Children’s Hospital researchers. “It’s exciting knowing what… read on >
If you struggle with infertility, chances are you will be twice as likely to get treatment for the heartbreaking condition if you are white, college-educated or affluent. So claims a new study that analyzed data from more than 2,500 women aged 20 to 44 who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination… read on >
Children of mothers who are often exposed to solvent chemicals in the workplace appear to have an increased risk of autism, a new study finds. The study of almost 1,000 families can’t prove cause and effect, but researchers report that mothers of autistic children had more frequent exposure to solvents than mothers of children without… read on >
If you’re a woman who greets the early morning with a smile, new research delivers good news — you have a slightly reduced risk of developing breast cancer. For night owls and people who tend to sleep more than the usual seven to eight hours nightly, the analysis suggested a slightly increased risk of breast… read on >
Setbacks are a part of life for everyone, but these stumbling blocks can be extremely difficult, even debilitating, to navigate. Taking certain steps can make it easier for you to rebound, according to experts at the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. It’s easy to get caught up going over what happened again… read on >
A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal problem that causes irritation, discharge and itchiness, says Mayo Clinic. About 75 percent of women experience a yeast infection at some point, the clinic says. Common signs of a yeast infection include: Itching, irritation, pain and soreness. A burning sensation during intercourse or urination. Thick, white, odor-free discharge… read on >
Young women are far less likely now to get an annual pelvic exam than they were in decades past, a new report finds. In 1988, about 42% of those aged 15 to 20 got the standard gynecologic exam, but by 2017 that number had dropped by half, to just under 22%, according to researchers from… read on >
Sun protection should not be limited to those with fair skin, says the Skin of Color Society. People with darker skin are still at risk of skin cancer triggered by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The Skin of Color Society recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB… read on >
Experts agree that detecting breast cancer early offers a better outlook, but when to start screenings and how often to have them has changed repeatedly. The goal has been to balance early detection with the distress of false positives that lead to unnecessary testing. But leading medical organizations differ regarding the guidelines, making it incumbent… read on >
A possible link between World Trade Center dust and prostate cancer in first responders has been found by researchers. Exposure to dust at the New York City site after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks triggered chronic inflammation in the responders’ prostates, which may have contributed to their cancer, according to the Mount Sinai Health… read on >
