New research warns that the normalisation of ‘plus-size’ body shapes may be leading to an increasing number of people underestimating their weight – undermining efforts to tackle England’s ever-growing obesity problem. While attempts to reduce stigmatisation of larger body sizes – for example with the launch of plus-size clothing ranges – help promote body positivity,...
Health
Daily Cannabis Use Is on the Rise in American Adults
Cannabis use may be decreasing among teens, but a new study by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health showed that American adults have increasingly used cannabis daily since 2007. The findings are published online in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. The legal status of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use...
Neonics Are Being Ingested by Free-Ranging Animals, U of G Study Finds
Health impacts of neonicotinoids may go well beyond bees, according to a new University of Guelph study. U of G researchers found residues of the insecticides in the livers of wild turkeys, providing evidence that this common agrochemical is being ingested by free-ranging animals. The researchers from the Ontario Veterinary College are among the first to...
What a Pain: the iPad Neck Plagues Women More
Is your iPad being a literal pain in the neck? The answer is likely yes — especially if you’re a young adult or a woman. “iPad neck” — persistent pain in the neck and upper shoulders caused by slouching or bending into extreme positions while using tablet computers — is a growing problem among Americans,...
Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About Vaginal Dryness (Or Doing Anything About It)?
It’s a common problem that only gets worse during the menopause transition; yet, no one wants to talk about it, and even fewer women are doing anything to correct it. A new study identifies those factors that contribute to the taboo problem of vaginal dryness. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of...
A Hangover Pill? Tests on Drunk Mice Show Promise
“Civilization begins with distillation,” said William Faulkner, a writer and drinker. Although our thirst for alcohol dates back to the Stone Age, nobody has figured out a good way to deal with the ensuing hangover after getting drunk. As a chemical engineering professor and wine enthusiast, I felt I needed to find a solution. As...
Your Shampoo, Hair Spray and Skin Lotion May Be Polluting the Air
Millions of Americans apply personal care products every morning before heading to work or school. But these products don’t stick to our bodies permanently. Over the course of the day, compounds in deodorants, lotions, hair gels and perfumes evaporate from our skin and eventually make their way outdoors. Now there’s new evidence to suggest that...
Breast Cancer Places Greater Financial Burden on Black Women
Having breast cancer placed a significantly greater financial strain on black women than white women, according to study by researchers at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The researchers, who published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, surveyed women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in North Carolina between 2008 and...
Daily Photography Improves Wellbeing
Taking a photo each day and posting it online has complex benefits say researchers who say it supports improved wellbeing. This is a popular social phenomenon, with Instagram having over 1.5million photos tagged #365 for each day of the year while there are thousands of members of Blipfoto, a key photo-a-day site. A study co-authored...
Aging: the Natural Stress Reliever for Many Women
While some research suggests that midlife is a dissatisfying time for women, other studies show that women report feeling less stressed and enjoy a higher quality of life during this period. So, which is it? A recent University of Michigan study by Elizabeth Hedgeman, a doctoral graduate of the U-M School of Public Health, and...