Kids, parents take DIY tests for science
In a comfy suburb just outside Nashville, a young family swabs their noses twice a month in a DIY study seeking answers to some of the most vexing questions about the coronavirus. How many U.S. children and teens are infected? How many kids who are infected show no symptoms? How likely are they to spread it to other kids and adults? “The bottom line is we just don’t know yet the... READ MORE
Tips to get better sleep in the hospital
If you or any of your loved ones has ever been hospitalized, one of the complaints you may have heard most is how hard it is to sleep in the hospital. There are lots of things about hospital routines that can make things difficult for patients to sleep, besides noise and illness. While some hospitals have taken steps to ensure that patients are not interrupted unnecessarily at night,... READ MORE
Antibodies may treat, prevent COVID-19
With a coronavirus vaccine still months off, companies are rushing to test what may be the next best thing: drugs that deliver antibodies to fight the virus right away, without having to train the immune system to make them. Antibodies are proteins the body makes when an infection occurs; they attach to a virus and help eliminate it. Vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking... READ MORE
To keep your brain sharp, eat smart
Brain food is very real, helping to shape your ability to remember simple things (well, allegedly simple things) like where you put your darn keys, as well as fighting serious memory-related disorders. Here are four food tips that may help boost your brain: Sip tea. Whether green or black, this brew is rich in micronutrients called polyphenols. These compounds can travel into the... READ MORE
NIH study to track post-COVID recovery
So far, there have been around 200,000 known coronavirus cases in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, with more than 6,300 deaths. If you are one of the unlucky people who falls sick, consider helping the National Institutes of Health learn more about the disease. NIH’s Clinical Center is conducting a clinical trial to learn more about COVID-19’s effects on the lungs, heart, ... READ MORE
Mexican rice made with homemade salsa
These recipes are reprinted with permission from Recipes from the President’s Ranch: Food People Like to Eat, by Matthew Wendel, White House chef to President George W. Bush and family, recently published by the White House Historical Association (WHHA). Mexican rice with a twist My twist on Mexican rice is very simple. For a base, I use my Prairie Chapel Ranch roasted ancho chili... READ MORE
Some good ways to avoid insect stings
Nothing can ruin a perfectly nice picnic or hike like an insect sting. It could lead to local discomfort, swelling, redness and pain. It could even cause an anaphylactic reaction to those people who are truly allergic to an insect’s venom. It’s not easy to train yourself to ignore insects. It’s more likely you’ll make sudden movements and wave your arms or swat the air. I totally ... READ MORE
Ways to limit eating from stress, boredom
You’ve had a bad day, so you grab a tub of ice cream, move to the couch and dig right in. You don’t feel physically hungry, but eating ice cream is comforting. This is referred to as emotional eating or stress eating. These terms are often used interchangeably, and both refer to turning to food to cope with emotions. This type of eating contrasts with wandering into the kitchen... READ MORE
Pros and cons of LASIK eye surgery
Dear Mayo Clinic: What are the risks of LASIK surgery, and will my vision deteriorate again over time, even after surgery? A: It is not typical for a person’s vision to regress after LASIK, or laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, and complications that result in a loss of vision after LASIK are rare. Although the procedure may lead to some side effects, they are uncommon. A... READ MORE
Silent kidney disease can creep up on you
Dear Savvy Senior, Do kidney problems run in families? My mother died from kidney failure 10 years ago at age 74 but didn’t know she had a kidney problem until it was too late. Just Turned 60 Dear 60, Anyone who has a family history of kidney disease, or who has high blood pressure or diabetes, is at increased risk and needs to have their kidneys tested. According to the... READ MORE
