Radio Health Journal
The latest in health, science, technology, and the intersection of medicine and public policy.
Professional athletes are among the most superstitious of all people. While we may be tempted to think these rituals have no effect on performance, psychologists say that if an athlete believes it helps, then it actually does. Experts explain how superstitions work in sports and in life.
New statistics from the American Cancer Society show that cancer deaths are continuing to drop. Then, a study finds that reopening schools doesn’t increase hospitalizations for Covid-19… at least not in areas where hospitalizations are low. Then, a new study showing that saliva tests are just as accurate and much more convenient than nose swabs. And finally… If you’ve received cosmetic facial …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that a new, more contagious version of Covid-19 will become the predominant strain by March, testing the new vaccine’s effectiveness. At the same time, researchers are trying to find ways to get the vaccine to more people more quickly by lengthening time between doses, with unknown results. Infectious disease experts discuss where we are in …
During the Super Bowl, leftovers from gatherings—even small ones--may threaten to take over the refrigerator. An expert discusses consumer-friendly how-to’s, including how to read labels, that can lengthen food life and help avoid food waste.
The world may cross the point of no return on climate change sooner than we thought. Then, taking glucosamine could be just as beneficial to your health as exercise. Finally, the key to treating intractable depression may be magic mushrooms.
Surveys show that as many as 80% of people omit information, stretch the truth or outright lie to their doctors. Experts discuss why it happens, consequences, and methods that might reduce the amount of less-than-truthful answers to doctors’ questions.
Experts believe that humans need a certain amount of germs for our immune systems to work properly. One expert discusses her concern that we’re living too clean in the pandemic, and how we can benefit from “good bugs” without danger from the bad ones.
A study finding that 60 percent of all cases of Covid-19 are spread by people who have no symptoms. Then, children under age two may suffer effects from antibiotics later in childhood. And finally, new recommendations suggesting kids under age two should have no added sugar in their diet.
Some Americans say there is no way they’ll get a Covid-19 vaccine, yet some may have no choice if they want to keep their jobs.
Scientists are discovering that our food preferences are much more than a matter of taste, and that taste itself is more complicated than we thought. Psychology also plays a role. An expert discusses what determines preferences, such as why some people like jalapeno peppers & black coffee, and some don’t.
Glaucoma is the world’s number one cause of blindness and those daily eye drops are not always successful. Then, the number of times a woman has given birth affects how quickly she ages. Plus, you can expect another decline in Covid-19 transmission as we head into spring. And finally, if you want to make shots hurt less… make the right kind of face.
Cars will soon be able to provide data as well as receive it. Experts explain how cars can talk with roads, traffic signals and central computers, and how roads themselves may collect data on the cars they carry. In the future, autonomous cars may use these links to greatly speed travel and make it much safer.
Success of Covid-19 vaccines depends on about 75 percent of people getting them, but distrust of medicine and of vaccines among African-Americans means they may not come close to that milepost. Two experts discuss historical reasons for distrust, how the system will have to come through in ways it has not in the past, and how community leaders will make a huge difference in how the new vaccines …
Doctors consider people at high risk for a stroke if they have medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. But maybe they should consider whether they’re depressed as well. Then, children under age two may suffer effects from antibiotics later on in childhood. And finally, mom may have always told you to eat your vegetables… but a little meat and dairy keep people from breaking bones.
Poor communication and mixed messages have contributed greatly to poor acceptance of anti-coronavirus actions such as masking and social distancing, and experts fear it may be the same with the new vaccines. Experts discuss what we’ve done right in messaging and the lessons from what we’ve done wrong.
Researchers have found that severe emotional trauma in childhood triggers physical disease later in life, and has a cumulative effect. An award-winning science writer who has researched the topic discusses findings.
The incidence of cancer is increasing among teenagers and young adults. Then, This is the time to make new year’s resolutions… but mental health experts say this year may not be the time to make big changes. And finally… your Roomba may be spying on you through your wi-fi network.
Two physicians discuss pancreatic cancer and its symptoms, as well as their research into methods to find the disease in earlier stages.
Millions of Americans are in financial straits due to Covid layoffs and furloughs. A doctor describes how he gets patients to talk about why they’re in trouble and what they do about it to create an eye-opening portrait.
Nearly 40 percent of Americans are attending family gatherings with more than 10 people this weekend, despite authorities’ continuing pleas to stay home. Then, if you have type two diabetes… drinking green tea and coffee are good for you. And finally… it’s seemingly a given that “mindful” people cope with stress better, but a new study finds that’s not true.
Medical campaigns account for a third of monies raised on crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe, and many people who’ve fallen through the holes of the safety net have been helped this way. But studies show that fraud is rampant with fake patients and medical providers. Experts discuss.
This holiday season will be unlike any we’ve ever had before, with “loss” as a major theme. Two experts weigh in on how families can navigate this season while keeping it festive.
New Covid-19 vaccines won’t be available for most people until spring, and the months until then may have a staggering cost in lives and illness. A noted infectious disease expert discusses probable time lines and events between now and the vaccine’s availability, and how adherence to social distancing and masking could change outcomes.
Hiccups are annoying and uncomfortable, and doctors don’t know why we (and most other species) get them. An expert explains what we know about what hiccups are and why most home remedies actually work.
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