Health Problems

Obesity could set stage for heart issues in pregnancy

(HealthDay)—Young pregnant women who are obese may face a higher risk of changes in heart structure and function, a small new study suggests. The changes seen might lead to a pregnancy complication known as preeclampsia, according to the researchers. This disorder is a dangerous form of high blood pressure that can develop during the second […]

Health Problems

Microfluidic system incorporates neuroinflammation into ‘Alzheimer’s in a dish’ model

Building on their development of the first culture system to replicate fully the pathology behind Alzheimer’s disease, a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research team has now produced a system that includes neuroinflammation, the key biological response that leads to the death of brain cells. The investigators describe their system, which incorporates the glial cells that […]

Health Problems

A better way to predict heart attacks and strokes in space

Researchers may have developed a more reliable way to predict the risk of heart attack and stroke in astronauts – and the technique may eventually help gauge the same danger for regular folks on Earth, too. NASA astronauts currently undergo a special screening method that scans coronary arteries for a buildup of calcified plaque. This […]

Health Problems

Fitness trackers prove helpful in monitoring cancer patients

Fitness trackers can be valuable tools for assessing the quality of life and daily functioning of cancer patients during treatment, a new study has found. The trackers, also known as wearable activity monitors, include commercial devices worn on the wrist that log a wearer’s step counts, stairs climbed, calories, heart rate and sleep. “One of […]

Health News

Calories in vodka: Nutrition facts

However, this does not necessarily mean that vodka is a good choice for a person looking to lose weight. In this article, we compare the nutritional profiles of vodka and other types of alcohol. We also describe how drinking alcohol can interfere with weight loss. How many calories does vodka have? A 1.5-ounce serving of […]

Health Problems

New research underscores the importance of language development in low-income, high-risk children

Language sets the stage for how children grow, develop, and learn. University of Miami Assistant Professor of Psychology Lynn Perry, whose research focuses on language and cognitive development in children, says a child’s early years of language development are critical for the fundamentals of school readiness, such as literacy skills and social and emotional growth. […]