Search results

Some of the top health stories making news over the last 48 hours.

Researchers subjected rats to different exercises and assessed what effect if any they had on brain structure and function. And they learned that a good aerobic workout improves gray matter, a finding that could have healthy implications for humans.

Despite enormous news coverage, there's still very little known about the Zika virus. What we do know is that recently there have been two important studies that strengthen the link between the virus and birth defects, and that there are now 30 countries where it's found.

Your mother might have told you not to chew gum it's bad for your teeth, and it sticks your stomach together, etc. But in some cases, your doctor might actually prescribe a little gum chewing to help you recover from the effects of surgery.

If you suffer from migraines, you know how debilitating the pain can be; and we know you'd do anything to make them go away

Researchers have been able to identify a gene that determines maleness in mosquitoes, and if that were introduced into females it could potentially help wipe out the vector for the Zika virus infection. This method could also be applied to fighting other diseases such as yellow fever, Dengue and Chikungunya.

While Apple wages a legal battle with the FBI, and the debate rages on over whether the privacy of every cell user could eventually be jeopardized if Apple complies and unlocks a terrorist's phone, interestingly there may be some private information on your phone that you might voluntarily want to make available, under certain circumstances.

Despite the global ubiquity of the smartphone, there are still those who would like one of their own, but due to physical limitations involving their hands and fingers they remain out of reach. But with a new invention -- the world's first touch-free smartphone -- that is now changing.

A real-world chronic kidney disease comparison makes an important point about how positive science and health outreach gets done.

"Pop-up" clinics, which serve the uninsured around the country, are helping to bring health care to those who cannot afford even routine services. Services are free mainly because medical practitioners are work voluntarily. Many would-be patients sleep in their cars the night before to help ensure that they will be seen.

Wearable devices, like wrist phones and fitness trackers, have become one of the most popular trends in recent years. But drivers may get in on the action, with Ford training its high beams on wearable health monitors, which it hopes to use in its vehicles with the goal of increasing driver safety.

The belief that people are more likely to commit suicide during the holiday season is nothing more than a myth, and a dangerous one at that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And researchers say those who are vulnerable would be helped if mainstream media stopped perpetuating this falsehood.

Holiday decorations, including mistletoe, mint and holly can be toxic if eaten by a child. Small items can present choking hazards. Don't be concerned by so-called "toxic" chemicals, however, such as plastics.

A new report finds that few entities administering clinical trials governmental agencies, nonprofits and academic institutions and private companies are reporting data to the government, as is required. The most common reason given for failure to do so on time (or at all) was that it's too much work.

The FDA has proposed a ban on indoor tanning for those under the age of 18. The potential measure adds further support to the already well-known hazards of indoor tanning, with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancers, being the most concerning.

A new version of the Toxic Substances Control Act, called "reform," is well on its way to passage in Congress. Why is this necessary? It's not but a strange alliance of anti-chemical activists and some industry collaborators seem to agree that more onerous, expensive regulation is a good thing.

With the issue of drug pricing currently in the news, The New York Times ran an editorial decrying prices that are "too high," while failing to truly address the real issues. Instead, the paper took the easy way out by linking Turing's price gouging to pricing methods of established pharmaceutical makers.

Stress trackers monitor stress levels during the course of the day by recording the body's physiological responses. While some might find benefit from this emerging technology, critics have questioned not only the science behind these devices, but also the need for them.

It is estimated that the prevalence of self-reported abuse involves approximately 10 percent of the elder population. However, ask any clinician and he or she will likely disagree. A published review takes a look at this underreported issue.

A new study shows an inverse relationship between coffee consumption and death from a variety of causes. This benefit is also seen in decaffeinated coffee, as well as coffee that includes additives, such as cream and sugar. In addition, the health benefit grows as coffee consumption increases up to 4-5 cups per day.

Bariatric surgery is probably the most effective means of dealing with obesity, and with obesity-linked Type 2 diabetes as well. Some questions remain like, how long do benefits last and who should be eligible for this treatment? A couple of new reports shed some light.

For those unfortunate folks living in China's smog-ridden Beijing, there lies a breath of fresh air -- and it comes in a canister. Vitality Air is selling air from Alberta, Canada to Chinese consumers, and even at a startling $46 per unit, the Canadian company is making a killing.

A New York state court judge's ruling, revoking New York City's mandatory flu vaccination for pre-school and young school children, is a counterproductive public health move. Hopefully the state legislature can revise the law to allow the city to require such vaccinations, to protect its youngest kids.

A recent Australian study aimed to determine if parents perception of their child s body mass index is associated with any intention to change their child s weight. Surprisingly, it found that a majority of parents of overweight and obese kids seemed to ignore the issue -- and any need to intervene.

Federal and Minnesota law enforcement authorities swept numerous chiropractic offices in a widespread investigation of fraudulent practices, which include over-billing and the staging of auto accidents. We take the opportunity to counsel against using chiropractic services for any reason.