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19 Oct

Online Sexual Abuse of Kids Is Common, New Study Finds

Researchers say a considerable number of children have been victims of online sexual abuse and the perpetrators are most often NOT strangers.

18 Aug

Allergy Info on YouTube Is Often Misleading, New Study Finds

More than one third of hay fever videos on YouTube contain misinformation, researchers say.

Health News Results - 260

Too Much Time Online Might Raise Kids' Odds for Mental Health Woes: Study

Children’s screen use could be altering their developing brains as they enter adolescence and increasing their risk for mood disorders, a major new study finds.

Children ages 9 and 10 who spend more time on smartphones, tablets, video games and TV exhibited higher levels of depression and anxiety by the time they were 11 and 12, researchers found.

Further, the investigators linked...

Too Much Social Media Could Raise Risk for Eating Disorders

Curated images of perfect bodies -- often highly filtered and unrealistic -- are common on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

And a broad new review of 50 recent studies across 17 countries finds that relentless online exposure to largely unat...

Buzzkill: Don't Try the Burt's Bees TikTok Trend

Don’t put lip balm on your eyelid, even if you saw it on TikTok.

It’s bad for your eyes, according to a Michigan Medicine expert.

The trend first began back in the 2010s, but has seen a resurgence in 2023.

Called “beezin',” because the trend is to use Burt’s Bees lip balm in particular, some believe it gets them high, heightens the sensation of being drunk or high,...

You Can't Trust Sleep Advice Found on YouTube: Study

If you’re struggling to find ways to get a good night’s sleep, you may not want to use YouTube videos as a resource.

Researchers found what they described as an alarming amount of medical misinformation in YouTube videos about sleep disorders.

"What's tricky is that so much of health information is very nuanced, and a lot of popular YouTube videos have clickbait and appeal to sh...

Feds Will Start Limiting Telehealth Prescriptions for Painkillers, ADHD Drugs

MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) – Federal officials plan to tighten access to drugs that have the potential for abuse by reinstating federal prescribing requirements that were loosened during the pandemic.

The Biden administration will require that patients see a doctor in person, rather than through a telehealth appointment, to get a first prescription for opioid painkillers an...

Cutting Down on Social Media Brings Quick Boost to Teens' Self-Image

All those images of beautiful-looking people on social media can deflate a young person's self-image, but there may be an easy fix: limiting time spent on TikTok, Instagram and the like.

A new Canadian study finds that teens and young adults who already had symptoms of anxiety or depression a...

Emailing Your Doctor Could Soon Cost You

Email has become an easy and essential form of communication between patients and physicians -- so much so that doctors are deluged daily with messages from patients.

Now, some hospitals and health systems have started charging for doctors' responses to those messages, depending on the amount of work needed to respond. Only a handful of health systems have started billing for these, and t...

TikTok Videos on Abortion Pills Are Largely Accurate: Study

While you can't trust everything you read or see on social media, some information is reliable.

Researchers from Duke University studied popular videos on the social media site TikTok. The videos offered information on ways to obtain a medication abortion.

These were typically informative and useful, the study authors said.

“When we started the study, we expected to find mor...

Patients Give High Ratings to Pre-Surgery Telemedicine Consultations

Despite distance and occasional technical glitches, a new study finds that most patients like seeing a surgeon for the first time via video.

The study was published Jan. 19 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

"We see patients ...

Ransomware Attacks on U.S. Hospitals Have Doubled Since 2016

Ransomware attacks on America’s health care systems have more than doubled in recent years, disrupting needed medical care and exposing the personal information of millions, a new study reports.

These attacks — in which computer systems are locked down by hackers until the victim agrees to pay a ransom — hit all levels of health care, from your doctor’s or dentist’s office ...

Pennsylvania Man Found Guilty of Massive Fraud Involving Bogus Dog Cancer 'Cures'

A Pennsylvania man who persuaded desperate pet owners that he could help cure their dogs’ cancer was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and interstate shipment of misbranded animal drugs.

Jonathan Nyce, 73, of Collegeville, Pa., was charged in February 2020 in a years-long scheme to defraud pet owners by falsely claiming to sell canine cancer-curing drugs, according to U.S. Attor...

New Insight Into How Dry Eyes Can Weaken Corneas

Researchers studying dry eye disease in mice have found that the condition can alter how the cornea heals itself. They have also identified potential treatments.

“We have drugs, but they only work well in about 10% to 15% of patients,” said senior researcher Dr. Rajendra Apt...

What Is Glaucoma, and How Can You Prevent It?

A comprehensive eye exam could be the key to determining if you have glaucoma, a silent thief of sight.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve, and the leading cause of preventable blindness, according to The Glaucoma Foundation.

But most people are unaware of their risk...

Smartwatch Study Finds No Unusual Heart Effects From COVID Boosters

COVID vaccine boosters appear to be perfectly safe for your heart, data gathered from nearly 5,000 smartwatch wearers shows.

Researchers tracked the heart health of thousands of Israeli smartwatch users, including more than 2,000 who received a booster dose of Pfizer's COVID vaccine.

The result: no lasting effect on a person's heart after they got the vaccine, compared to others who...

Frequent Social Media Checks May Affect Young Brains

Social media's impact on young people is a hot topic, with most kids and teens wanting to do whatever their friends are doing and parents worrying about setting limits.

A new study examines whether frequent checking of social media sites (Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat) is associated with changes in functional brain development in these early adolescents, about age 12.

Using brain...

Anger Management Treatment Via the Internet Shows Promise

Swedish researchers studying anger say it appears there is a pent-up need for anger management and that an internet-based treatment can work.

Scientists from the Centre for Psychiatry Research at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, had to close its recruitment site after a few weeks because there was so much demand for help with anger issues.

"It is usually very difficul...

Can Too Much Screen Time Raise a Child's Odds for OCD?

Preteens who spend much of their free time watching online videos or playing video games may have a heightened risk of developing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), a new study suggests.

Researchers found that among 9,200 9- and 10-year-olds they assessed, the odds of developing OCD inched up ...

Using Devices as Babysitters Can Backfire on Parents

It's an all-too-familiar scenario for many parents: Your preschooler starts to act up just as the phone rings or you start dinner.

Maybe you hand over an iPad or smartphone to soothe the child so you can get down to business.

And this probably does the trick. But if this is your go-to strategy, your child may be at risk for developing longer-term behavioral issues — especially boy...

Buying Testosterone on the Internet Comes With Dangers: Study

With more American men turning to testosterone therapy as a way to boost energy levels, build muscle and tackle erectile dysfunction, it's no wonder that web-based merchants have stepped into the breach, seeking to grab market share away from doctors and pharmacies.

But are online testosterone purchases safe? No, a new investigation warns.

The conclusion follows an anonymous te...

1 in 10 Teens Have Sexted, Many See Porn by 6th Grade: Study

A high number of preteens and teens in the United States have viewed pornography and many have also sent or received nude or seminude photos -- sexting -- over their smartphones, a new study reveals.

“The prevalence rates we found in this study suggest that school counselors must be prepared to talk about sexting and pornography use with students, and to change the narrative about the...

Using an Online Pharmacy to Buy Meds? It's Buyer Beware, FDA Says

It might be tempting to buy prescription medication online, but buyers should beware, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

While some pharmacy websites operate legally and can offer convenience, privacy and lower costs, others may be selling unapproved, counterfeit and unsafe medications, the

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 18, 2022
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  • Telemedicine's Popularity Has Risen During Pandemic

    Telemedicine became widespread during the pandemic, and that may have shifted patient views about using technology as way to communicate with their doctors, a new study suggests.

    Certain groups, including Black patients and those with lower education levels, became especially more apt to use it.

    "Our findings suggest that more Americans are becoming comfortable with telehealth and u...

    How the Pandemic Affected Americans' Blood Pressure

    Although blood pressure levels among Americans rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research suggests things could have been far worse.

    "We expected blood pressure control to be worse due to decreased physical activity, stress, poor sleep and other cardiovascular disease risk factors that worsened during the pandemic," said study leader

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 3, 2022
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  • New TikTok Trend of Mouth Taping During Sleep Carries Dangers

    A new trend promoted on the social media platform TikTok has people taping their lips shut at bedtime -- a practice that could be dangerous, an expert warns.

    The purpose of mouth taping is to keep from breathing through your mouth at night.

    "If you have obstructive sleep apnea, yes, this can be very dangerous," sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasgupta told CNN.

    "There is lim...

    Video Games May Bring Cognitive Benefits to Kids: Study

    School-age kids who spend hours a day playing video games may outperform their peers on certain tests of mental agility, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that compared with children who never played video games, those who regularly spent hours gaming had higher scores on two standard cognitive tests: one measuring short-term memory and another gauging impulse control.

    Experts...

    Online Sexual Abuse of Kids Is Common; Perps Usually Friends, Partners

    Substantial numbers of kids and teens are being tracked, lured and sexually abused online, and adult strangers aren't always the perps.

    In many cases, it's friends and dating partners who are doing the grooming, a new study shows.

    The prevailing image of online sexual abuse is an older predator ...

    Telehealth Boosts Odds That Patients Show Up for Post-Surgery Care

    Telehealth became a common way for doctors to see patients during the early days of the pandemic.

    New research suggests that surgical patients offered virtual care are far more likely to keep appointments before and after their operation than those who rely on in-per...

    Most Docs Want Telehealth for Opioid Abuse Treatment to Stick Around

    Many doctors who used telehealth to treat patients with opioid addiction because of the COVID-19 pandemic would like to make it a permanent part of their practice.

    A new study from Yale School of Public Health surveyed more than 1,100 physicians who treated opioid-use disorder patients via telehealth.

    Researchers found that 6 out of every 7 physicians were in favor of making this ...

    Patient Care Delayed at Large Hospital Chain After Ransomware Attack

    A ransomware attack at one of the country's largest hospital chains disrupted care at hospitals from Seattle to Tennessee last week.

    The attack on CommonSpirit Health, the

  • By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 10, 2022
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  • Instagram 'Post-Baby' Body Shots Don't Reflect Average Women, Study Finds

    Millions of women routinely check Instagram after giving birth, only to see posts by other new moms showing off how fast they got back into svelte shape.

    Of course, photos like those can be a real downer for women who don't have the time or resources to lose pregnancy weight...

    One App Is Especially Bad for Teens' Sleep

    Many teens look at screens at bedtime, but some apps are more likely to keep them awake than others, leading to sleep problems.

    That's the upshot of a new study in which researchers found YouTube fans experienced consistent and negative effects on sleep. Surprisingly, traditional TV was associated with earlier bedtim...

    Telemedicine Diagnoses Match Those of In-Person Doctor Visits Most of the Time

    With online medical visits growing in popularity, a new study offers some reassurance: Diagnoses made via video are usually on the money.

    Mayo Clinic researchers found that of preliminary diagnoses made during video appointments at their centers, 87% were later confirmed during in-person visits.

    The caveat is, the accuracy varied somewhat according to the type of medical condition: ...

    Used During Pandemic, Telehealth Lowered U.S. Opioid Overdoses

    Telehealth flourished during the pandemic, and now a new study shows it saved lives: The practice meant more people struggling with opioid addiction stayed in treatment longer and thereby lowered their risk of dying from an overdose.

    For the study, researcher...

    'Digital Self-Harm': When Teens Cyberbully Themselves

    Up to 9% of American teens say they've engaged in what's known as "digital self-harm" -- anonymously posting negative comments about themselves on social media.

    As is the case with acts of physical self-harm such as cutting, this "virtual" self-harm is associated with a higher risk for thinking about or attempting suicide, according to a startling

  • Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 2, 2022
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  • Many Teens Easily Fooled by Fake Online Health Messages

    Many teenagers have a hard time discerning between accurate health messages and “fake news," a new study finds.

    Presented with a choice between fake and true health messages, about two in five teenagers considered both messages equally trustworthy, researchers found...

    Too Much TV Time May Really Harm Your Brain

    Older adults who get a lot of "screen time" may have an increased risk of developing dementia — but a lot depends on what type of screen they use, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that among older British adults, those w...

    'Virtual' Museum Visits Are Good Medicine for Seniors

    By combining technology with interactive art activities, older people at home can have museums come to them -- and this can support their physical, mental and social well-being, a new study reports.

    "This participatory art-based activity could become a model that could be offered in museums and arts institutions worldwide to promote active and healthy aging," said lead author Dr. Olivier...

    Looking for Reliable Hay Fever Advice? It's Probably Not on YouTube

    Need information about hay fever? Steer clear of YouTube, a new study advises.

    Researchers found misinformation about allergic rhinitis, the medical name for the disorder, in a large numbers of posts on the popular video-sharing site.

    That's significant, because 7 in 10 patients wi...

    Skip the Texts: Face-to-Face Meetings Make College Students Happier

    In a world where everyone spends more and more time with eyes fixed on their phones, new research suggests young people feel happier after socializing with friends in person rather than virtually.

    The conclusion is an outgrowth of nearly four years spent analyzing how social habits of more than 3,000 college students affected their state of mind.

    "The findings of

  • Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 4, 2022
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  • Telehealth, Phone Visits a Lifesaver for Veterans Addicted to Opioids

    There are many obstacles to opioid addiction treatment, but a new study shows one that one outgrowth of the COVID pandemic -- telehealth -- is enabling more U.S. veterans to get help.

    Researchers examined care given to vets before and after a transition to telehealth visits in early 2020 for treatment of their opioid use disorder. Telehealth for patients receiving the prescription drug

    Telehealth Visits Can Boost Prenatal, Maternal Care

    Seeing their doctors via telehealth instead of in person during the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have been as good, and sometimes even better, for pregnant women and new moms.

    Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University reviewed 28 randomized clinical trials and 14 observational studies that included more than 44,000 women. The goal was to determine the effectiveness and any harms...

    Facebook, Instagram Take Down Posts Offering Abortion Pills

    Facebook and Instagram have started taking down posts that offer abortion pills to women who may not be able to get them after the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade.

    These posts told women how to get

  • By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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  • June 28, 2022
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  • Want Reliable Diet Advice? Don't Head to TikTok

    A new study warns that the social media giant TikTok is filled with confusing and wrong information about the heart-healthy, plant-based approach to eating dubbed the Mediterranean diet.

    For the study, researchers analyzed 200 videos posted to the platform last August. They were the first to pop up on a search for content tagged #mediterraneandiet. By definition, that tag, or label, sugge...

    Telemedicine Could Really Help People Battling Advanced Cancers

    As a bill that would expand Medicare coverage for telehealth services makes its way through the U.S. Senate, a new study of people with advanced cancer suggests the practice could improve the lives of patients.

    The use of telehealth skyrocketed during the pandemic: A U.S. Health and Human Services ...

    Is Telemedicine Closing the 'Race Gap' in Primary Care?

    Here's one way in which the pandemic did not exacerbate health care disparities: A new study shows that telemedicine has closed the gap in access to primary care between Black and non-Black Americans.

    The use of telemedicine boomed during the pandemic, so University ...

    Week Off Social Media Boosts Mental Health: Study

    It's no secret that too much social media can be bad for one's mental health. Now, research suggests that taking even a brief break from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can ease symptoms of depression and

  • Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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  • May 11, 2022
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  • Misinformation on Cancer Nutrition Abounds on Pinterest: Study

    About one-third of cancer nutrition information on the social media site Pinterest is misleading and posted by businesses trying to sell products, according to a new study.

    "Our results revealed a significant amount of misinformation about cancer and nutrition," said study co-author Tracy Crane, an assoc...

    Teens on TikTok: Fun, But Addictive and Maybe Harmful

    In the fall of 2021, TikTok announced a major milestone to coincide with its fifth anniversary: The amassing of roughly 1 billion global users, many of them young, turning to the app every month as a way to view, make and share bite-sized videos.

    But what exactly do those young users think of the app? Is it a boon to their self-esteem and creativity, or an addictive time-waster that crea...

    Do Zoom Meetings Kill Creativity?

    Zoom meetings became the lifeblood of many workplaces during pandemic, but a new study points to a downside: They may limit employees' capacity for creative thinking.

    In experiments with workers in several countries, researchers found two broad phenomenon: Coworkers te...

    Virtual Learning Didn't Slow Preschoolers' Reading Skills

    Preschoolers can learn reading skills in a virtual classroom, University of Washington researchers say.

    "Children are ready to learn to read at the age of 5. But the pandemic robbed children of the opportunity for in-person reading instruction," said Patricia Kuhl, co-director of the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS), in Seattle. "What we've shown here is that an online rea...

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