Exposure to chemicals found in a wide array of personal care products has been linked to early puberty among girls, a new investigation warns. The issue centers on specific chemicals including phthalates, parabens and phenols. They’re found in an array of products, including perfumes, soaps, shampoos, nail polish, cosmetics, toothpaste, lipstick, hairsprays and skin lotions… read on >
If you’re shopping for toys this holiday season, make sure some simple, old-fashioned items are on your list, pediatricians say. In a new report, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is making recommendations on the best toys to buy for babies and young children. The bottom line: The traditional beats the digital. “This report is… read on >
More than 15 million homes in the United States get their water from private wells, according to federal estimates. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates public drinking water, people with private wells need to check their water themselves, along with other maintenance steps. This is especially important if you’re thinking about having a baby.… read on >
If you bicker a lot with your spouse, it could be because you’re running low on energy. Low energy translates to less self-control and a greater chance of aggression. The good news: A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that a steady blood glucose level can translate into fewer… read on >
Teens with behavioral problems are more likely than others to use marijuana — but the drug itself doesn’t increase conduct problems, a new study indicates. The findings suggest that a “cascading chain of events” predict marijuana use problems as teens become young adults, according to the University of Pennsylvania researchers. “Cannabis use in and of… read on >
Emotional abuse may add to the woes of menopause, a new study suggests. Researchers found that women who are emotionally tormented by a spouse or partner may suffer from more night sweats, painful sex and hot flashes when their periods stop. “The data show that experience of domestic violence and emotional abuse, sexual assault and… read on >
Ambulance response times for cardiac arrest are longer in poor U.S. neighborhoods than in rich ones, which means poor patients are more likely to die, a new study finds. “When it comes to a cardiac arrest, every minute counts,” said study author Dr. Renee Hsia, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of California,… read on >
Smokers who switch to vaping can have the occasional cigarette without a complete relapse, new research suggests. The study included 40 people who quit smoking by using e-cigarettes (vaping). About half said they had either brief or regular tobacco smoking relapses, particularly in social situations. However, they didn’t view such slip-ups as the end of… read on >
Women who live a healthy lifestyle during the transition to menopause may help keep their blood vessels healthy as they age, a new study suggests. Compared with women who had the least healthy lifestyle, those who led the healthiest lifestyle had less thickening and buildup of fatty plaque in their arteries, researchers found. “Midlife is… read on >
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of some plastics, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says. It also may be found in food and drink packaging, and as lacquers to coat metal products, such as food cans, bottle tops and water supply pipes. Some studies have linked BPA to… read on >
