Screen Time Is Not All Bad For Kids' Brains

• HealthDay Staff HealthDay Reporter
• August 14, 2026
• Full Page

More screen time isn’t always bad for kids' brains.

It may even have some surprising benefits, according to a new study from Finland published in the journal Pediatric Exercise Science.

Researchers followed 260 children for eight years, tracking thei...

Sleep Disturbances Linked To Genetic Alzheimer's Risk

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 14, 2026
• Full Page

A person’s sleep patterns could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study says.

A greater number of micro-awakenings during sleep is linked to a greater genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, researchers reported recently in the journal Sleep...

Pre-K Sets Kids Up For School Success, Study Says

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 14, 2026
• Full Page

Parents who want their kids to do great at school should get them into pre-kindergarten, a new study suggests.

Children who attend public school pre-K perform better academically through high school compared to kids who stay home with their family, researchers reported r...

Expect Other Seniors To Act Their Age? Then Expect Problems With Your Own Memory, Study Says

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 14, 2026
• Full Page

They say you’re as old as you feel, but you also might be as old as you expect other seniors to behave, a new study says.

Older folks who have strong beliefs about “acting one’s age” tend to report more memory problems, researchers reported Aug. 1...

Rare Bacteria In Coastal Waters Has Killed 7 This Summer

• Ellyn Vohnoutka HealthDay Reporter
• August 13, 2026
• Full Page

At least seven people in Florida and Louisiana have died in recent weeks from a rare bacteria that can destroy skin and tissue. 

Louisiana reported five deaths so far this year, while Florida recorded its second death of the year from Vibrio vulnificus, rep...

Socializing: A Prescription For Healthier Brain Aging

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 13, 2026
• Full Page

Imagine heading to a doctor’s office for memory problems and getting a prescription to hang out with friends.

Prescriptions calling for “doses” of social engagement could help seniors’ brains age more gracefully, a new study says.

Activities...

Taking The Stairs May Lower Your Risk Of Dying From Heart Disease

• HealthDay Staff HealthDay Reporter
• August 13, 2026
• Full Page

Taking the stairs instead of the elevator may do more for your health than you think.

A large study published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs found people who regularly climbed the stairs were 39% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. A...

Sweet Tooth? It Could Be Shaping Your Decisions, Study Says

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 13, 2026
• Full Page

A taste for sweets — ice cream, candy, chocolates, pastries — might provide a window into the way you make decisions, researchers say.

People with a sweet tooth are more apt to make impulsive choices — but not necessarily because they are impatient, res...

Gambling Linked To Mental Health Problems Among College Students

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 13, 2026
• Full Page

Gambling is a powerful temptation for today’s college students, and those hooked have a greater risk of deeper mental health issues, a new study says.

Student gambling frequently occurs alongside depression, anxiety and substance use, researchers reported recently ...

Stressed Parents Turn To Screens For Help, Study Finds

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 13, 2026
• Full Page

Parents under stress are more likely to use screens to help manage their children, a new study says.

As stress levels rise, parents tend to use screens to help calm or occupy their children, researchers reported recently in the journal Family Relations.

Th...

FDA Wants More Information From Food Makers On New Food Chemicals

• Ellyn Vohnoutka HealthDay Reporter
• August 12, 2026
• Full Page

For decades, food manufacturers have been able to decide what food chemicals were safe enough to add to their products based on general government guidelines. 

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants more information first. 

A proposal anno...

Aspirin/Omega-3 Combo Matches Antibiotics In Treating Gum Disease, Trial Finds

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 12, 2026
• Full Page

People with severe gum infections might be able to forego antibiotics by taking low-dose aspirin and omega-3 fatty acid supplements instead.

Patients’ gum disease improved just as well with an aspirin and omega-3 treatment as it did with antibiotics, researchers re...

Endometriosis Linked To Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk

• HealthDay Staff HealthDay Reporter
• August 12, 2026
• Full Page

New research is drawing a surprising link between two conditions that affect millions of women.

A major study — published Aug. 6 in the journal Diabetologia — finds women with endometriosis face a 46% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

...

Experimental Pulse Oximeter Accurate Regardless Of Skin Tone, Researchers Say

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 12, 2026
• Full Page

Pulse oximeters became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic, as doctors used the finger clip devices to tell whether a respiratory infection was robbing patients of needed oxygen. 

But skin tone impairs the effectiveness of pulse oximeters, causing them to over...

'Normal' Can Backfire During Doctor/Patient Discussions

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 12, 2026
• Full Page

A positive bedside manner might sometimes be the worst thing for doctors to provide patients, researchers say.

Patients might come away thinking they don’t need treatment — even if they really do — after a doctor reassures them by saying their symptoms ...

Tamiflu Helps Keep Severely Ill Kids Out Of The ICU, Study Finds

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 12, 2026
• Full Page

Children with the flu who receive prompt treatment with Tamiflu are less likely to land in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU), a new study says.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) given as soon as possible reduced children’s risk of needing ICU care by 31%, researchers report...

Executive Order Calls For Fewer Routine Childhood Vaccines, Doctors Push Back

• Ellyn Vohnoutka HealthDay Reporter
• August 11, 2026
• Full Page

A new executive order calls for American children to be routinely immunized against 11 diseases instead of the 17 now recommended by federal health officials.

President Donald Trump signed the order Monday — the third such order in less than a year. Whether it carr...

Real-World Performance Of Alzheimer's Drug Matches Trial Data, Study Finds

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• August 11, 2026
• Full Page

Sally Osmer jumped at the chance to be treated with the cutting-edge Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab.

Osmer has a family history of the disease, and was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s at age 74. She didn’t notice any problems at first, but imaging an...