A few mice caused havoc in the United States during the summer of 2012, as officials from Yosemite National Park warned up to 10,000 park visitors that they might have been exposed to a deadly form of hantavirus (hanta virus). As of September 1, 2012, at least six people had fallen ill from infection with […]
Hantavirus Outbreak at Yosemite National Park a Grim Reminder Read More »
Nearly 70 percent of adults and children in the United States are deficient in vitamin D. Long known for its contribution to strong bones, recent research suggests that Vitamin D may play critical roles in cancer prevention, heart and blood vessel health, and pregnancy. In most cases, Vitamin D deficiency stems from to lack of
Vitamin D Deficiency Affects Nearly 70 Percent of Americans Read More »
Want to get your kids to eat more fruit? Cut it up. According to Mark Schuster, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher with the Prevention Research Centers (PRC) Program, children are often reluctant to bite into a whole fruit. But if you cut that fruit up into pieces, it’s far more likely to disappear into those little
Kids Eat More Fruit When It’s Cut Up Read More »
This year is shaping up to be the worst year ever for West Nile virus (WNV) infections. West Nile virus infection is a vector-borne disease that can cause serious illness, disability, and death. It is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. As of August 14, 2012, 693 cases of West Nile virus, including 26 deaths, had been
Worst Year for West Nile Virus Read More »
A daily dose of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) may help to improve memory and reasoning abilities in older people, whether or not they have mild problems with cognition. In a small randomized trial conducted by a University of Washington research team, people who received daily injections of GHRH did better on tests of mental function
Daily Hormone Shot May Help Memory in Older People Read More »
Did you know that just as many girls as boys may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? More than twice as many boys as girls (13.2% versus 5.1%) were diagnosed with ADHD in the United States in 2007. However, the difference may indicate a difference in diagnosis, not incidence, of the condition. Girls are less
ADHD Just as Common in Girls as in Boys Read More »
Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne illness in the United States, with about 30,000 confirmed and probable cases diagnosed in 2010. Lyme disease also occurs worldwide. In Europe, the tick that causes Lyme disease lives on sheep, not on deer. An estimated 70 to 80 percent of people with Lyme disease develop a characteristic
Lyme Disease is a Growing Threat Read More »
Parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often concerned about the safety and long-term effects of medications used to help manage ADHD symptoms. But a recent animal study by a Wake Forest Baptist research team suggests that these fears may be unfounded. In this study of juvenile monkeys, the researchers found that
Ritalin’s Longterm Effects Read More »
Love chocolate? Concerned that it will cause acne or make you break out in pimples the night before a big date? Go ahead and indulge without worrying about an onslaught of zits. Many people believe that chocolate, fatty foods, and sugar cause or aggravate acne. The most common myths about diet and acne involve chocolate,
The Chocolate and Acne Myth Read More »
Got wax in your ears? Forget the cotton-tipped swabs and over-the-counter preparations. Leave the cleaning to your doctor. Normally, earwax will clear out on its own. The ear has a natural self-cleaning mechanism. Ear skin normally sheds from the inside out. If you place a drop of ink on the eardrum and wait a few weeks,
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On Thursday, June 28, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 – popularly known as “health care reform.” The court upheld the law with a vote of 5 to 4, with four liberal justices and conservative Chief Justice John Roberts voting to uphold
Health Care Reform’s Real Mandate Read More »
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly known as “healthcare reform,” passed a major hurdle on Thursday, June 28 when the Supreme Court of the United States upheld all but one of the law’s major provisions. While the court ruled that the “individual mandate” (the requirement that almost all Americans purchase health insurance
What Healthcare Reform Means for You Read More »
