Health Library

High-Frequency Noise Boosts Math Skills in Study THURSDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) -- Could you someday zap your way to a smarter brain? Preliminary new research suggests that it's a possibility: Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise. But don't go searching for a brain zapper at Walmart just yet. It's not clear why "transcranial random noise stimulation" might boost thinking skill...

Heart Risks Last Beyond Hospital Discharge, Study Finds THURSDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with heart failure or a heart attack appear to be at high risk of death or readmission to the hospital for at least one month after being discharged, researchers say. And the period of increased risk for these patients may be even longer after they leave the hospital. The study authors suggested that patients should continue to be careful about their health once they are home and seek immediate medical ...

Health Highlights: May 16, 2013 Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: U.S. Plans Overhaul of Government-Funded Child Care Centers Improved safety standards may be on the way at the nation's 500,000 federally funded child care centers, according to a new proposal released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to the Associated Press , about 1.6 million U.S. children attend these types of facilities, paid f...

H1N1 Flu Virus Detected in Seals Off California Coast THURSDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) -- Flu-causing H1N1 virus has been discovered in marine animals -- specifically seals -- for the first time. After the human H1N1 influenza pandemic began in 2009, researchers from the University of California, Davis, detected the virus in free-ranging northern elephant seals off the central California coastline. "We thought we might find influenza viruses, which have been found before in marine mammals, but we did n...

Health Tip: Before You Lift Something Heavy (HealthDay News) -- Lower back pain is among the leading causes of missed work in the United States. Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce your risk of hurting yourself. The American Council on Exercise suggests these techniques for proper lifting: Ask for help if you are trying to lift something that's too heavy. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, and stand as close as possible to the object you're lifting. Bend at the knees, never at the waist. Lift w...

Health Tip: Keep Nails Trim and Clean (HealthDay News) -- Nails collect dirt and may spread some infections, so keeping them neat and clean is important. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentions these suggestions for proper nail hygiene: Trim nails frequently. Use soap and water and a nail brush to scrub under the nails when you wash your hands. Before each use, clean any tools you use to groom your nails; sterilize nail tools when at a public nail salon. Don't bite or chew your nail...

Heart Attack? Doctors Soon May Have an App for That FRIDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- There are apps that turn your smartphone into a metal detector, a musical instrument and a GPS system, and now there's an app that may help doctors save your life if you're having a heart attack. The app, which was designed by engineers and critical care physicians, helps doctors rapidly diagnose certain kinds of severe heart attacks, called STEMIs, before patients get to the hospital. The app currently is in the expe...

HIV No Barrier to Getting Liver Transplant, Study Finds FRIDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- Liver transplants to treat a common type of liver cancer are a viable option for people infected with HIV, according to new research. The Italian study, published May 10 in the journal The Oncologist , found that the AIDS-causing virus doesn't affect survival rates and cancer recurrence after transplants among HIV patients with this particular type of liver cancer, called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study'...

Health Highlights: May 17, 2013 Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: U.S. Plans Overhaul of Government-Funded Child Care Centers Improved safety standards may be on the way at the nation's 500,000 federally funded child care centers, according to a new proposal released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to the Associated Press , about 1.6 million U.S. children attend these types of facilities, paid f...

Health Tip: Eating Vegetarian (HealthDay News) -- If you're eating a vegetarian diet, it's important to make sure you're getting enough nutrients and making healthy meat-free choices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers these suggestions for vegetarians: Don't load up on cheese. Instead, choose low-fat proteins such as rice, lentils or beans as a base for your meal. Drink calcium-fortified soy milk to cut down on cholesterol and fat, without scrimping on calcium. Substitute veggies in place of mea...