Getting vaccinated against shingles can reduce the risk of developing dementia, a large new study finds. The results provide some of the strongest evidence yet that some viral infections can have effects on brain function years later and that preventing them can help stave off cognitive decline. The study, published on Wednesday in the journal … Read more
Gum’s the word — and a new study links chewing the right kind to a decrease in preterm birth and delivery of low-birthweight babies in an impoverished African country. “It surprised us all that such a simple intervention could have such a dramatic effect,” said lead study author Dr. Greg Valentine, associate professor of pediatrics at … Read more
Sit back, relax and let the sound waves wash over you. Sound baths — which do not involve water, but rather laying on a yoga mat and listening to instrumental music, such as the sounds of gongs, bells and singing bowls — have been shown to relieve stress and could even reduce pain, according to University … Read more
How did you sleep last night? Not too well, if you’re like many Americans: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 35% of US adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis. This is more than just annoying, because sleeping less than seven hours a day is linked to a greater risk … Read more
Taking stimulant drugs like Adderall and Ritalin without having ADHD can make you less productive, a new study finds. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Melbourne conducted the study — published Wednesday in the journal Sciences Advances — that tested the effects of three “smart drugs” on 40 “healthy” participants aged between … Read more
High levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, can be dangerous. The substance raises your risk of heart disease and stroke if it starts to build up on the inside of your blood vessels. But a growing body of research is finding that it can be reduced by dietary changes – such as … Read more