skip to main |
skip to sidebar
If your tween is heading in a wellness checkup soon, the doctor should add a few more tests to the to-do-list. America’s pediatricians are now recommending that testing for cholesterol and depression begin at age 11. Children are developing high cholesterol levels at earlier ages, and depression is linked to higher risk for teen suicides. Source Link
The U.S. Attorney General is calling for a national standard for notifying consumers about data breaches like the theft of millions of credit card records from Target. A patchwork of state laws mean different definitions for a data breach, and that can leave consumers vulnerable to identity theft for months until it’s been revealed. Source Link
Dogs may be hard-wired to hear if you’re happy or sad. New research found that a dog’s brain can tune into the tone of a human voice and emotional sounds, like breaking glass. It’s similar to how humans process sound, and the combination may explain why dogs can distinguish a happy voice from a sad one. Source Link
Your main line to the Internet at home may be at-risk for hacking. A new survey found that many wireless routers are wide open to attackers because of software deficiencies and poor configuration. Experts say you should be sure to update the router’s software whenever it’s called for and change default usernames and passwords. Source Link
Does absence make the spouse grow healthier? A study found that men who work particularly long hours had wives who were in the best health. The benefit was not seen in the traditional “breadwinner” model with the husband working and the wife at home, and men actually had the best health with a wife who worked full-time. Source Link
First it was the drinking age that was raised to 21, and now several states are considering a hike in the age when smoking is legal. Utah and Colorado have measures before state lawmakers to raise the legal age for smoking to 21. Experts say keeping cigarettes away from young people until 21 could be important because 90-percent of smokers start as teenagers. Source Link
The federal government can’t make up its mind about cell phone calls on airline flights. The Transportation Department now says it wants to keep the ban on in-flight phone calls, even though the Federal Communications Commission has voted to consider lifting a ban on cell phone use. And some in Congress are pushing for a law to ban in-flight calls. Source Link
When you’re considering a new diet, an exercise plan, or a doctor visit, the best time to make the decision may be when you’re exhausted. A new study found that people make better health care decisions when they’re feeling tired and run down. Experts say ads for health products may have a bigger impact at the end of the day, or at the checkout after shopping. Source Link
Apple computer users could be at-risk for eavesdropping on their web browsing. A software flaw could allow hackers to monitor transactions on secure web sites when using the Safari browser on Mac computers. Until a fix can be made, their best advice is to use another web browser, such as Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Source Link
When you’re trying to convince young women to use sunscreen, skip the cancer scare and sell the wrinkles. A study found that sunscreen promotions work best on teenagers when the pitch talks about the sun’s adverse effects on how your skin looks. An appeal to avoid skin cancer did not increase the use of sunscreen. Source Link
Exercise offers many benefits for older adults , and you might add better eyesight to the list. Researchers say moderate aerobic exercise helps to preserve the structure and function of nerve cells in the retina. Soon, ophthalmologists could be prescribing exercise as a low-cost therapy to delay diseases like macular degeneration. Source Link
When it comes to finding the right man, size does matter for women and a taller guy wins. Researchers who looked at online dating ads say more than half of women want to date a man who’s taller. On the other hand, only about one-in-three men are looking for a woman who’s shorter than he is. Source Link
If you’re looking to rekindle the romance with your mate, think about dinner for four. New research found that striking up a friendship with another couple in which you discuss personal details of your life will bring you closer to your own partner. The experts say going out to dinner with another couple may be the best way to approach this. Source Link
Good mental health in older age might also be good for your heart. A new study found that treating depression in its early stages can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Those over 60 who got therapy and medicine had fewer heart attacks or strokes that those whose depression was not treated. Source Link
That wellness check-up for your child may be more unhealthy that you think. A study s that 700,000 colds are caused each year by germs that kids pick up during a visit to the doctor’s office. The solution is not for kids to skip the visits but for offices to do a better job keeping things clean and separating sick children from those who are well. Source Link
Lighting-up could speed up a woman’s biological time clock. New research found that heavy smokers entered menopause about one year earlier than women who do not smoke. And for some women smokers with a certain genetic makeup, menopause began up to nine years earlier. Source Link
Heart disease is America’s number-one killer, but most of us are clueless to the risks. A new study found that three out of four people aren’t worried about dying of heart disease, and many don’t know the early symptoms, such as unusual fatigue, disturbed sleep or jaw pain. And many mistakenly think that vitamins or fish oil supplements can prevent heart disease. Source Link
The time to start your kids on fluoride toothpaste is when that very first tooth appears. That’s the new recommendation from the American Dental Association. About one-in-four children enter kindergarten with at least one cavity, and dentists say it’s best to get the protection of fluoride toothpaste as soon as possible. Source Link
The price tag for a college degree is higher than ever, but so is the its value in earning power. The latest figures show that today’s young adults without a college degree earn only about 60-percent of what college graduates do. The loss of good-paying blue-collar jobs has made the gap grow for nearly 50 years. Source Link
Today’s teens are skipping soda and reaching for energy drinks and coffee to get that caffeine buzz. In a decade, the average caffeine intake from soda has dropped by nearly half, as caffeine from coffee has more than doubled and energy drinks appeared. Experts are concerned because scientists still don’t understand the effects of high caffeine intake for kids. Source Link
The debate over annual mammograms is being fueled by a long-term study that found the tests don’t lower breast cancer death rates. Researchers say improved treatments have made it less necessary to find the tiniest cancers so early, and too many women undergo intensive therapy and mastectomies. Source Link
TV schedules are becoming more of a personal thing. A new survey found that the average viewer is watching up to 13 hours of time-shifted programs each month. That’s about 10-percent of television viewing, and much of that time is being also shared with a second screen. About eight of of ten viewers say they use their smartphone or tablet while watching TV. Source Link
The battle over which popular non-prescription pain reliever is safer for your heart has come to a draw. An FDA panel has decided there isn’t enough evidence to say that naproxen is safer than ibuprofen. Some studies have shown that naproxen found in Aleve didn’t carry the same heart risks as ibuprofen, which is used in Motrin. Source Link
It sounds like a recipe for anarchy at the dinner table, but experts say it’s healthier to let kids serve up their own portions of food. A new study says young children will learn to recognize when they're full if they serve themselves instead of being given a plate with food already on it. Family-style meals give kids a chance to learn about portion size and food preferences. Source Link
Are you up-to-date on all your immunizations? If you’re a typical American adult, the answer is “no.” A new report says many people are skipping routinely recommended vaccines, including those for pneumonia and hepatitis. And if you missed your shot earlier, experts say it’s still not too late to be vaccinated against the flu for this season. Source Link
If you’re aiming to lose weight, keep an eye on your eating Monday thru Friday, and don’t worry so much about the weekend. A new study says people who successfully lose weight and keep it off are those who maintain healthy eating habits during the week. Researchers say almost everyone weighs the most on Sunday evening and the least on Friday morning. Source Link
What’s the taxpayer price tag to subsidize low-wage fast food jobs? A new report says public assistance programs like Medicaid and earned income tax credits for workers in the fast food industry costs federal and state governments over $7 billion a year. More than half of full-time fast food workers are enrolled in public assistance programs. Source Link
Don’t be in a rush to eat that frozen meal right after it comes out of the microwave. Instructions for many microwaved foods include waiting after removal from the oven, as the food continues to cook on the inside. An outbreak of salmonella that sickened nearly 50 people has been blamed on undercooking when microwave instructions were not followed. Source Link
Here’s another reason why women may want to start a daily aspirin regimen. A new study found that taking an aspirin a day reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 20-percent. Regular aspirin may cause internal bleeding and people should get their doctor's approval before starting to take aspirin daily. Source Link
Here’s another difference between men and women. A study using sleep journals found that women often have nightmares about social conflicts, like friendships gone bad. Bad dreams for men usually included some kind of disaster, like a flood or an attack. But both men and women had the same number of bad dreams. Source Link
Lawmakers in California are now considering a measure to make it mandatory to equip new cell phones with a “kill switch” to make a stolen phone inoperable. If passed, the law would likely mean that all cell phones sold in the United States would have the feature. Cell phone theft is one of the most common crimes in America. Source Link
Upping your intake of yogurt could lower your risk of developing type-2 diabetes. A new study found that yogurt eaters were less likely to become diabetic. Experts say foods with live active cultures like yogurt, cottage cheese, or low-fat cheese may interact with the gut microbes that play a role in the development of type-2 diabetes. Source Link
A new report says one-in-three Americans has taken sun worshipping indoors to a tanning bed. The same study says six out of ten university students have used indoor tanning. The pursuit of that bronze look can come at a high price, since ultraviolet light exposure from indoor tanning is known to cause skin cancer. Source Link
Imagine a simple breathalyzer test that could detect lung cancer in its early stages. The concept is one step closer to reality with successful testing of a device that looks for cancer-specific substances in air. Developers say the lung cancer breath test would be faster and easier than a biopsy that requires removal of a tissue sample. Source Link
As home births grow in popularity, there’s a new report that says safety can be an issue. A study found that the risk of a baby dying is nearly four times higher when delivered by a midwife at home than by a midwife in a hospital. Experts say that’s because a hospital is equipped to quickly deal with unforeseen complications. Source Link
What do Luke Bryan, Rush Limbaugh and Ira Glass all have in common? They represent the reason why most people listen to the radio today. A new report says country, talk and public radio are the most popular formats. Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop and R&B listenership is just a fraction of the total audience. Source Link
There are new guidelines to help women prevent strokes. Experts say a low-dose aspirin regimen could be useful for some pregnant women or those over 65 to lower the risk of stroke. And women who suffer migraines with an aura may be a higher risk and should be monitored for signs of a stroke. Source Link
Drinking diet soda doesn’t mean you’ll get fewer calories each day. That’s the finding in a new study showing that diet soda fans were eating more food to make up for what they save in sugar-free drinks. Most of the increase came from eating sweet snacks, and some studies have shown that diet soda can turn up the appetite. Source Link
A customized “Look Back” video with your Facebook posts and photos over the years is one of the hottest items in many news feeds after the social network launched the free feature on it’s 10th anniversary. And for those who may not like the automatic selections, there’s now a way to do your own edit. You can change your video at facebook.com/lookback. Source Link
If you’re pregnant now, avoiding that winter cold could help your baby have a healthier life. A new study showed that the more colds and other viral infections a woman has during pregnancy, the more likely her child is to have asthma or allergies. Experts say allergy and asthma can develop in the womb, as genetics play a factor in both diseases. Source Link
This year’s bone-chilling cold could have a silver lining -- shivering might also help you burn calories. New research shows that both moderate shivering and moderate exercise may convert bad white fat into healthier brown fat. White fat stores calories, but brown fat burns them. Source Link
It’s a high-tech version of the action movie were the spy sneaks inside through the air vents. Experts now think that a breach in computer security for the HVAC contractor for Target allowed hackers to access the store systems that run credit card scanners. Some 40 million Target shoppers had their card information stolen during the holiday season. Source Link
When it comes to giving a gift on Valentine’s Day, many men don’t know what women want. A survey found that dinner, flowers and chocolate were the top gifts that men had in mind, but women weren’t as excited about those. Jewelry, gift cards or even a romantic getaway were solid choices to put Cupid on-track for love come February 14th. Source Link
If your weekend plans include filling the gas tank, you’ll probably save some money. Figures from the price tracking site GasBuddy.com showed that more states have the lowest gas prices of the week on a Saturday or Sunday. Only a few states had the best deal on gas for mid-week fill-ups. Source Link
Would you notice an extra $9.84 charge on your credit card statement? If not, you could be an unwitting victim of fraud. Authorities are warning of a scam that puts a $9.84 charge on stolen credit cards. Experts say many people don’t examine their statements closely, and bogus charges that aren’t challenged can give thieves a green light for even bigger rip-offs. Source Link
That sweet tooth may be tough on your heart. A new CDC study says added sugar can more than double the risk of heart disease. A can of sugar-sweetened soda a day in a 2,000-calorie diet could increase your risk of heart disease by 20-percent. Added sugar is found in many foods, including bread, salad dressings, and yogurt. Source Link
The government wants cars to talk to each other to prevent accidents. New autos would be equipped with technology to transmit location and automatically brake to avoid a crash. The feature might even be added to existing cars using a smartphone app and GPS linked to the car’s on-board computer. Source Link
On the list of real heavyweight jobs, piloting a big rig takes the cake. A new study found that truck drivers and transporters had the highest rate of obesity, followed by police, firefighters and emergency responders. About a quarter of administrative and salespeople were obese, and high school teachers, along with doctors and dentists, had some of the lowest rates. Source Link
You really don’t need to break a sweat to get the benefits of exercise. A new study found that just getting up and moving around helped to improve insulin and blood fat levels. Some lightweight efforts that were beneficial included pacing while talking on the phone, standing at your desk, or walking while taking part in a meeting. Source Link
Here’s a good reason to not be curious about that missed call from an unknown number on your cell phone. The Better Business Bureau warns of a scam involving calls from area codes in Caribbean countries. The call only rings once and if you call back, you could be on the hook for a $20 fee and high per-minute toll charges on your wireless bill. Source Link
Could a weekly “movie night” for couples help to cut the divorce rate? A new study found that spouses who watched films about relationships and then discussed the issues together had just half the divorces. Experts say the “movie and talk” approach may be a good alternative for those who don’t want to go to counseling. Source Link
Would your drive be a safer one if your car could highlight road signs and potential hazards ahead? A system being tested puts a bright yellow box around objects in a heads-up display on the windshield. The technology is similar to what’s used to superimpose first-down marker lines on the field during football telecasts. Source Link
The fight to end childhood obesity may need to begin sooner than school-age. A new study found that children who were overweight at age 5 were four times more likely to become obese by age 14. Obesity in young children can be overlooked and experts say there needs to be a focus on maintaining a healthy weight during the first five years of life. Source Link
If you’re having trouble balancing your work and family life, the solution may be to get moving. A study found that people who exercise had more confidence in handling the challenges of work-life balance. Experts say feeling good about accomplishing your exercise goals can build confidence in other parts of life. Source Link
If you’re in the habit of checking work email at night, it may not be helping you do a better job. A study found that people who used their smartphones for business after 9 p.m. were more tired and less engaged the following day at work. Studies show about 60 percent of Americans don’t get enough sleep on most nights, and smartphone usage for work is often to blame. Source Link
Children’s multi-vitamins may be giving kids too much of a good thing. A study found that when used as directed, the daily vitamin doses were often much greater than recommended for children. Experts say you should consult with your doctor, because most young children who eat a balanced diet don’t need vitamin supplements. Source Link
An ancient form of exercise may be the newest way for breast cancer survivors to improve their health. Women who took part in yoga classes reported less cancer-related fatigue. Researchers say the women also had lower levels of inflammation. Those practicing yoga had better sleep, which led to the other health benefits. Source Link
