Scottish researchers analyzed data on nearly 66,000 people who were born in 1936 and discovered that those with a higher IQ test score in childhood had a 28% reduced risk of death from respiratory disease, a 25% lower risk of death from heart … [Read more...]
Mental Attitude
Slower Walking Speed May Be Harbinger of Mental Decline…
In this study, researchers followed 175 seniors with normal brain function for 14 years and found that those whose walking speed slowed during the course of the study also experienced shrinkage of the right hippocampus. This area of the brain not … [Read more...]
Radon Exposure May Increase Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
A new study that compared data concerning radon exposure and deaths attributed to Alzheimer's disease (AD) appears to indicate a correlation between ionizing radiation exposure and the development of this neurodegenerative condition. The authors of … [Read more...]
Elite High School Students at Higher Risk of Addiction
Teens at elite high schools in the United States seem to face a greater risk of addiction as young adults. In this study, researchers followed more than 500 students from affluent communities starting in their senior year of high school, through … [Read more...]
Screen Time Tied to Speech Delay
An analysis of data concerning nearly 900 young children revealed that for each 30-minute increase in time a child spends on a smartphone, tablet, or electronic device at 18 months of age, they have a 49% elevated risk for expressive speech delay. … [Read more...]
Children Bullied in Fifth Grade at Risk for Substance Abuse in High School
In this study, researchers analyzed data concerning nearly 4,300 children from three larger cities in the United States and found a dangerous trajectory between being bullied at age ten or eleven and worrisome behaviors in high school, such as using … [Read more...]
Sleep Helps Memory
If you want to give your memory a boost, make sure to get enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says that sleep benefits your memory the following ways: it helps your body retain what you’ve learned, it fosters new neuron connections that … [Read more...]
Music May Soothe Post-Op Pain
Patients recovering from major surgery often struggle with pain and anxiety. In this study, 30 post-surgical patients participated in a 30-minute music therapy session within 72 hours of their operation that included singing, rhythmic drumming, and … [Read more...]
A Lonely Heart May Worsen Cold Symptoms
Being lonely may mean more misery when you’re sick. Investigators tracked the mental and physical health of 159 volunteers and found that people who said they had less social support had cold symptoms that were more severe than individuals who felt … [Read more...]
PTSD May Be a Systemic Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) normally stems from witnessing a shocking, dangerous, or life-threatening event. Researchers recently conducted an analysis of nearly 300 Australian military veterans from the Vietnam War era and found those with … [Read more...]
Do Dental Visits Make You Anxious?
It is not uncommon to be fearful of going to the dentist, but there are ways to help minimize your anxiety. The American Dental Association offers the following tips to put you at ease: talk with your dentist about your anxiety; schedule your … [Read more...]
Pros and Cons of Instagram for Teens’ Mental Health
Researchers tracked Instagram use by teens for six months and found a link between frequent use and a greater risk for depression. However, the research team also observed that Instagram use can help adolescents feel closer to their friends, leading … [Read more...]
Volunteer Work Is Good for the Brain
An analysis of data from the 2010, 2012, and 2014 Swedish National Prescribed Drug Register reveals that seniors who regularly perform volunteer work in their community are significantly less likely to develop dementia than those who don't do … [Read more...]
Are Common Insecticides Linked to Behavior Issues?
Exposure to a commonly used group of insecticides may lead to an increased risk of behavioral problems among children. A French research team found that children with the highest levels of pyrethroid metabolites in their bodies are about three times … [Read more...]