Health
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Why are women twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as men?
Researchers focusing on chromosomes, menopause
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Meditation provides calming solace — except when it doesn’t
Researchers find ways to promote altered states of consciousness, reduce risks of distress that affect some
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Taking the measure of legal pot
Researchers detail what we know about consequences for revenue and health — and what we still need to find out
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Riskier to know — or not to know — you’re predisposed to a disease?
‘DNA isn’t a crystal ball for every kind of illness’ but potential benefits outweigh fears, says geneticist
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As wave of dementia cases looms, Law School looks to preserve elders’ rights
Academic experts seek improvements that could protect decision-making authority and autonomy
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Integrity may be good for your health
Study links ‘strong moral character’ traits with reduced risk for depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease.
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How America’s ageism hurts, shortens lives of elderly
Becca Levy ‘92, Ph.D. ’95 examines hidden stereotypes of aging, their insidious effects in excerpt from her new book
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Taking second look at daily multivitamins
“Most people would be better off just drinking a full glass of water and skipping the vitamin,” says Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
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The brain that defied Alzheimer’s
The brain of a woman with a family history of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease who lived dementia-free into her 70s is providing researchers with important information about the pathobiology of Alzheimer’s dementia and possible ways to prevent or treat it.
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Gorge today, sweat tomorrow? That’s not how it works.
Researcher I-Min Lee outlines fresh data showing that you can’t outrun a bad diet.
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Eating fish linked to skin cancer risk
In a new study researchers determined that people who eat about 2.6 servings of fish per week have a higher risk for the skin cancer melanoma.
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Can music improve our health and quality of life?
New research shows the use of music interventions — listening to music, singing, and music therapy — can create significant improvements in mental health, and smaller improvements in physical health-related quality of life.
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Breast milk tied to better outcomes for preemies
A 7-year study shows benefits in academic achievement and other neurodevelopmental measures.
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Spirituality linked with better health outcomes, patient care
Spirituality should be incorporated into care for both serious illness and overall health, according to a study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
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Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers can predict post-op delirium
Researchers have found a way to predict if an Alzheimer’s patient will develop postoperative delirium, a common complication in older patients.
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Drivers who are frustrated, distracted, mad — and somewhat rusty
Traffic stats show that roadway deaths spiked during the pandemic. Can it be that we were not only distracted and frustrated, but also out of practice?
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Coffee is good for you, probably
A recent study says you may not need to drink coffee without sugar to gain the health benefits. HMS’ Christina Wee discusses the state of science on coffee’s attributes as a health drink.
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Thunderstorm asthma
A new study reports an increase in cases of “thunderstorm asthma,” putting allergy and asthma sufferers on alert.
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Psychologist for back pain?
Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Studies suggest best treatment combines physical, behavioral therapy.
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Sifting the damage of pandemic-era drinking
As studies signal serious health consequences, specialists scramble to treat acute cases and reinforce limits that define moderate use.
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Optimism lengthens life, study finds
Women who reported a positive outlook were likelier to live past 90, regardless of race or ethnicity.
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Fight, flight, or freeze: how our bodies respond to doomscrolling
Experts examine how our bodies respond to doomscrolling.
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New tool models evolution of opioid crisis
To help combat the opioid crisis, researchers have developed a tool, known as SOURCE, which taps national data on opioids to track stages of use and misuse, including use initiation, treatment, relapse, and death by overdose.
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Poverty linked to worse outcomes in pediatric cancer
Race, ethnicity, poverty linked to worse outcomes in children treated for high-risk neuroblastoma, according to new study.
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Longevity starts when we’re young
A new study shows that health and habits as children and teens affect not only health as adults, but lifespan.
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Don’t let latest COVID surge overshadow progress, says Hanage
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Professor William Hanage explains how to stay on guard against subvariants, noting role of protective measures in transition to new pandemic phase.
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Researchers find sleep benefit in higher dose of melatonin
In a small study of healthy adults aged 55 and older, 5 mg of melatonin increased total sleep time compared to a placebo.
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How to cope with baby formula shortage
Harvard expert offers tips and cautions should the baby formula shortage hit home.
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U.S. heart attack death rate among highest
Across the six high-income countries reviewed, the U.S. heart attack death rate was among the highest, even with adherence to recommended treatments and faring well on other measures.
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Grandma’s workouts may have made you healthier
Researchers found that grandmothers’ exercise habits likely impact their grandchildren’s health.
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Sorry, fries are no match for almonds
A Harvard expert challenges a new study that suggests there is little difference between eating a 300-calorie serving of french fries and a 300-calorie serving of almonds every day for a month, in terms of weight gain or other markers for diabetes risk.
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How a bioethicist and doctor sees abortion
Director of Medical School’s Center for Bioethics discusses ethical dimensions of abortion and how a ruling against Roe might affect providers.
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Women can reduce risk of colon cancer
Researchers found a lower risk of colorectal cancer in women who started endoscopy screenings at age 45 compared to those who had not undergone screening at all.
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Examining a lesser-known dementia driver
A fourth disorder that causes dementia has been added to the list. It’s called LATE and is estimated to cause about 15 to 20 percent of all dementias.
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How to break a bad habit
Harvard experts say breaking an unhealthy habit can be done. It takes intent, a little white-knuckling, and some effective behavior modification techniques.