Radio Health Journal
The latest in health, science, technology, and the intersection of medicine and public policy.
Doctors have learned that childhood allergies and asthma may have their start in dry, dysfunctional skin in infancy, when allergens such as food particles enter the body through cracks in the skin. A noted pediatric allergist discusses this ”atopic march” and ways to combat it.
A new study calls into question the six foot social distancing guidelines. Then, eating green vegetables and fiber can cut your risk of colon cancer in half, and spinach is especially effective. And finally…where you live may protect you from dementia.
Patients have to make medical choices today that they never did before. But do they have enough information to make those choices? Are normal people able to understand the flood of information and the medical terms to make good choices? An expert discusses how patients can work through these issues.
Headaches affect far more lives far more severely than most people realize. A sufferer and an expert physician discuss headaches and their treatment.
Research shows Covid vaccines have no effect on fertility and vaccinated mothers can pass along immunity to babies in the womb. A study shows the rules restricting how many passengers teen drivers can carry are working. Then, a new study says it's not just about how many steps you take per day, it matters how fast you walk. And finally, if the pandemic’s got you down and kept you from exercising, …
Researchers believe “SynBio” may eventually help address hunger, pollution, and other modern problems. Yet in the wrong hands, synthetic biology could unleash terrible biological weapons. Experts discuss.
Addiction specialists are seeking to change the words we use to describe addictive behaviors, as they’ve learned the wrong language creates stigma and drives people away from treatment. Experts discuss the problem and solutions.
An analysis finds vaccinations could have prevented more than 340,000 Covid hospitalizations in the U.S. A new study finds people with weakened immune system still get an immune response from Covid vaccination. And finally, turns out sugar is just as bad as high fructose corn syrup?
Grief is unfortunately more common during the Covid-19 pandemic. But many people don’t know what to do when their pain does not follow the road map they expect--the well-known five stages of grief. Two experts on grief discuss what can happen under various scenarios when a loved one dies, and what people can do to make it through their pain.
Music is more than a fun pastime. Studies show that especially in children, studying music rewires the brain in beneficial ways, giving them an advantage in other cognitive skills. The scientist who’s done much of this pioneering work discusses its ramifications and impact.
Children as young as five may soon be part of the tug of war over vaccine mandates. Then, several important studies on Covid and vaccination are released by CDC. And finally, a study finds that people with a history of trauma get more of a high from morphine than people who’ve been trauma-free.
Loneliness has been increasing across all ages even before the pandemic. It’s especially noteworthy among seniors, and it can dramatically affect health. An expert geriatrician who has studied the effects of loneliness and the leader of an organization that provides friendly visitors to the isolated elderly discuss.
As much as 16 percent of the population suffers from trypophobia, which makes them uneasy at the sight of holes clustered together, as in a honeycomb. Two experts and a sufferer discuss this phobia, which can be remarkably debilitating.
A study suggests recovery from concussions might take twice as long as we thought. Then, researchers say they have a solution for "Zoom fatigue." Next, a study finds cannabis use may hurt men's fertility. Plus, new research finds that certain kinds of people are more susceptible to conspiracy theories. And finally, turns out craft beer really is different?
Government reports say more than 265 million healthcare records have been stolen, lost, or improperly disclosed in the last decade. It may create a financial risk, but it could also mean your health conditions and secrets are all over the internet. One of the nation’s top health data experts discusses.
Heart disease is often preventable, but how people look at it often keeps them from doing as much about it as they could. Often this is a result of myth and misinformation. An expert physician discusses some of the most harmful of these myths.
With the Delta variant of Covid-19 spreading, far more Americans are worried about getting infected. American children and adolescents now get two-thirds of their calories from ultra processed foods. And finally... it’s good to be productive but if you think leisure is a waste of time, you’re likely to be unhappy overall.
Entertainer Britney Spears claims in court that her conservator father won’t let her remove birth control. It’s merely the most celebrated recent case of something most people find surprising: forced sterilization still exists in the US, usually in cases of guardianship. Experts explain its legality, history & use.
Nail biting is an extremely common habit, but some people bite their nails so badly and so often that they suffer damage to their hands. Experts discuss why so many of us are driven to bite our nails, what can be done to stop it, and the damage that can occur when we can’t stop.
A new study shows that naps don't make up for lost sleep. Then, research finds that people who have someone they can count on to listen to them have brains that age much slower than others. Next, a study suggests that for teens, a close, supportive bonds with their fathers is even more important than previously thought. And finally... a study says social media 'shares' and 'likes' have altered …
Schools that just a couple of months ago imagined opening free of great pandemic worry are now facing a Delta variant that’s even more contagious than the original. Yet last year’s experience is telling experts and administrators that school can be held safely if masking and other protocols are followed. Two pediatricians who are experts in how infectious disease affects schools discuss reopening …
Scientists are developing 3D printing technology using human cells to build human organs. The technique could be used to grow organs for transplant, relieving the long waitlist. Experts discuss.
Growing up in poverty physically changes the brain, making it much more likely poor kids have cognitive and behavioral difficulties later. A study showing almost a quarter of all substances used to make plastic either cause cancer, damage organs, or are toxic. And finally, it’s no secret that people who are good looking are more likely to get hired and be paid more than the rest of us, apparently, …
Many people in prison have a mental illness that keeps them from following the rules of society. Prison, its rules, and often its punitive intent may be the worst place for them, especially since treatment is often lacking there. A noted prison psychiatrist and behavioral scientist discusses this, and alternatives that may produce less recidivism when these inmates are released back into society.
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