Famed Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton may have suffered from a deficiency of the nutrient thiamine, a condition known as beriberi, say researchers who claim they have cracked this nearly 120-year-old mystery. Shackleton is known for his daring expeditions to Antarctica in the early 20th century. He experienced prolonged bouts of extreme shortness of breath and… read on > read on >
Increasing numbers of wildfires are making poor air quality more common throughout the Western United States, according to a new study. The findings suggest that many cities may soon have trouble meeting air quality standards, said lead author Kai Wilmot, a doctoral student in atmospheric sciences at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.… read on > read on >
The Middle East and North Africa are already among the hottest spots on the planet, but new research warns that if nothing is done to slow climate change there will be life-threatening heat waves with temperatures of 132 Fahrenheit or higher in those regions. “Our results for a business-as-usual pathway indicate that, especially in the… read on > read on >
Poor neighborhoods in the United States have fewer trees and are hotter than richer neighborhoods, new research shows. In the study, the researchers assessed tree cover in the 100 largest urban areas of the country. In nine out of 10 communities, there was less tree cover in low-income areas than in high-income areas. On average,… read on > read on >
Many conditions can trigger vertigo and the first step in treating it is to find out what’s causing it, an expert says. Middle ear fluid, dislodged crystals in the inner ear, Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis and vestibular migraine all can cause vertigo, according to Dr. Mina Le. She is an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon with… read on > read on >
More than 40% of Americans live with unhealthy air, according to the American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report. Certain cities, and certain types of Americans, are far more prone to be affected. People of color are 61% more likely to live in a county shrouded in unhealthy air than are white people… read on > read on >
Climate change has made North America’s pollen season longer and more severe, but there are ways to reduce your allergy misery, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). The best way to deal with worsening pollen seasons is to get ahead of them. “If you know it’s likely that your allergy… read on > read on >
Many U.S. parents don’t use child safety seats when they take ride-share vehicles like Uber or Lyft with their young children, a new study finds. “Our results are concerning, as ride-share services are increasingly popular,” said senior study author Dr. Michelle Macy, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital… read on > read on >
If you must travel during the spring break, be sure to follow recommended COVID-19 pandemic safety measures, an emergency medicine doctor advises. Millions of people are packing airports, while only one-quarter of the U.S. population has received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, noted Dr. Lewis Nelson, director of the department of emergency… read on > read on >
As NASA astronauts set their sights on reaching Mars and building an outpost on the moon, they are likely to need regular, rigorous exercise to keep their hearts in shape, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed data gathered from U.S. astronaut Scott Kelly during his year in space from 2015 to 2016 and from Benoît… read on > read on >
