The term artificial intelligence (AI) might bring to mind robots or self-driving cars. But one group of researchers is using a type of AI to improve lung cancer screening. Screening is important for early diagnosis and improved survival odds, but the current lung cancer screening method has a 96 percent false positive rate. But in…  read on >

Vaccines are big news in the United States these days. Measles outbreaks in unvaccinated clusters around the country have highlighted the importance of immunization, reviving debate over whether vaccines should be required for all children. Meanwhile, the flu continues to plague all parts of the United States so the flu shot is still worth getting,…  read on >

A good night’s sleep is important for physical and mental health. Long-lasting sleep problems can increase your risk of anxiety or depression, the U.S. National Institutes of Health says. The NIH suggests these ways to manage insomnia: Talk to your doctor. Seek cognitive behavioral therapy or relaxation therapy. Set good bedtime habits. Consider sleep medicine.…  read on >

The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical, throat, vulvar, vaginal, penile and anal cancer. To reduce your child’s risk, the American Cancer Society encourages the vaccine. Here are some fast facts from the ACS. The HPV vaccine: Is for boys and girls. Is recommended at age 11 or 12. Contains no harmful ingredients. Does not…  read on >

Many parents who smoke try to shield their kids from their unhealthy habit — but those who vape may not take the same precautions, a new study suggests. The study surveyed over 700 parents who smoked cigarettes, used e-cigarettes or both. The researchers found that most — regardless of their product of choice — had…  read on >

Smoking during pregnancy is never a good idea, but new research shows it might double the risk of a baby dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). “Any maternal smoking during pregnancy — even just one cigarette a day — doubles the risk of sudden unexpected infant death [SUID, another term for unexplained infant deaths],”…  read on >

More Americans than ever are trying to reshape their bodies with breast and butt implants, liposuction and “thigh lifts,” a new report shows. Almost 18 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States in 2018, nearly a quarter-million more than in 2017, according to newly released data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons…  read on >

Has your hectic lifestyle turned you into someone who gulps down meals? People who eat quickly tend to eat moreand have a higher body mass index (a measure of body fat based on height and weight) than those who eat slowly. People who eat slowly feel full sooner and eat less in the process. Part…  read on >

“Athlete’s heart” — an enlarged heart created by intense physical training — is a common and often brushed-off condition within elite and professional sports. But a new study of National Football League players is raising concern about the long-term consequences of athlete’s heart when it comes to retirees who have long left the field. These…  read on >

New research uncovers more damage wrought by the opioid epidemic: Cases of a dangerous heart infection linked to injection drug use have spiked in recent years at an Ohio medical center. Researchers found that admissions for infective endocarditis at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center doubled between 2012 and 2017, and that a 436…  read on >