When given a small amount of sugar beforehand, babies are less likely to cry when receiving injections, according to new research published in the May 12 issue of the Archives of Disease in Childhood. A team of researchers from Canada, Australia and Brazil reviewed 14 studies examining how a boost of sugar affected pain experienced [...]
Walgreens pharmacy has decided to postpone the sale of an at-home genetic testing kit manufactured by Pathway Genomics after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that the tests had not been proven safe or accurate, and genetics experts said that the product claims go beyond available science.
An article in this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated examining the latest science on genetic influence over athletic ability suggests that the world’s elite athletes aren’t necessary equipped higher proportions of superpowered genes. In fact, David Epstein writes that when it comes to genes that research has linked to athletic performance and endurance, the world’s [...]
A review of 13 trials analyzing the effects of caffeine on the performance of shift workers — or those whose hours require them to stay awake while most people are sleeping — reinforces what many of us intuitively know: a caffeine boost can make a significant difference.
Fewer than 10% of Americans have food allergies, yet sloppy studies, wrong diagnoses and inaccurate testing have been leading a far larger portion of the population to believe they too are allergic to certain foods, according to a new review of allergy studies published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. As the [...]
Just hearing Mom’s voice over the phone may have the same soothing effect as getting a hug in person, according to new research to be published tomorrow in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
It’s a busy week in heart health news. The American Heart Association (AHA) released a new statement (PDF) yesterday on the impact of particulate pollution on heart health — suggesting that there is now enough evidence to indicate that this form of fine pollution can contribute to heart disease and even trigger heart attacks. Meanwhile, [...]
Our cells are constantly replenishing themselves — with new ones replacing old ones that die off during routine apoptosis, or programmed cell death. According to new research published this week in the journal BMC Physiology, strenuous exercise might slow down the process of apoptosis, effectively making your cells live longer.
A new study from Canadian researchers contributes to evidence suggesting that Restless Leg Syndrome — the condition characterized by extreme discomfort in the legs when sitting or lying down — is hereditary. Researchers studied 671 people diagnosed with restless leg syndrome, and then asked their family members to participate in diagnostic interviews. After speaking with [...]
Fifty years after the birth control pill first emerged, we are still grappling with how it has impacted society — and our private lives. A new study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that women on oral contraceptives may experience lower sex drive than those not taking the pill, adding to a varied [...]
