Articles by Tabitha Laffernis
Yoga may prompt a drop in cortisol levels among breast cancer sufferers
Research has found that breast cancer sufferers who undertook a committed yoga regime had a lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those who simply stretched or remained sedentary.
USDA expands the WIC food assistance scheme to include fresh fruit and veggies
The U.S. Depart of Agriculture has now broadened its WIC food assistance scheme to include fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables. The scheme, intended to provide food assistance to low-income women and children, has been running for forty years.
Inconceivable! Kids are eating more fruit and veg, says Harvard study
The USDA's nutritional guidelines, introduced in 2012, have seen increased consumption of fruits and vegetables at low-income school cafeterias.
TV and video games may have opposite influence on childhood weight management
Children with TVs in their bedroom were found to gain an average of an extra pound per year; however, active video games were seen to increase physical activity and thus curb weight gain.
ASAP54 brings image searching to the world of fashion e-commerce
Former Farfetch COO Daniela Cecilio was sick of scouring the Internet for the perfect pair of Chanel sunglasses, so she sought to fix it. Her newly-released app, ASAP54, uses image searching technology to identify clothes and accessories.
Incidence of food allergies spikes among black children
Food allergies have risen 2.1 percent in black children, compared to 1.2 percent in Hispanic children and 1 percent in white children. Doctors are urging children with suspected allergies to undergo formal testing.
Women overlooked in medical research, study suggests
Researchers have found that data from female test subjects is rarely considered when treatments are developed, due to a higher proportion of male test subjects and inaccurate reporting of the gender breakdown.
Brain structure of young smokers throws a curve ball at scientists
Scientists have found the insula - or the decision making part of the brain - is thinner in smokers who pick up at habit at an earlier age.
Sound machines may be a detriment to early auditory development
Research from the University of Toronto has found that some white noise sound machines used to soothe babies may be harmful to their hearing.
Google donates $6.8 million to San Francisco youth transit project to ease tension
Google has donated $6.8 million to the Free Muni for Youth project, a venture that allows 5 - 17 year olds from low-income families free transit. Google, along with other tech companies, has been blamed for gentrification of the Bay Area, and subsequently sharp housing prices and increased eviction rates.
Insomniacs have hyperactive brains, study suggests
A new study shows that insomniac brains don't know how to switch off, with brain activity remaining high throughout both day and night. Plasticity - or brain adaptability - is also higher than average in restless sleepers.
Hand hygiene falls by the wayside in twenty percent of U.S. hospitals
A new study analyzing the implementation of the World Health Organization's (WHO) hand hygiene guidelines has found that approximately one in five hospitals in the U.S. fails to have alcohol-based hand sanitizer in all required rooms.
Patch it up! Flu vaccines may soon be available in patch form
Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have tested patch-style methods of vaccination delivery. They're hoping that introducing flu vaccines in patch form will increase vaccination rates, though the study is yet to test the efficacy of the vaccine.
Plastic surgery rates jumped by three percent in 2013
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (2013), the incidence of cosmetic surgery procedures jumped by three percent in 2013. Brazilian butt lifts, neck lifts, eyelid surgeries, and facelifts were all popular plastic surgery options, as was minimally-invasive favorite Botox.
Passive smoking linked to miscarriage, stillbirths
A recent study has found that non-smoking women continually exposed to secondhand smoke were at a higher risk of miscarrying than those who were not. Active smokers were also found to be at a higher risk of miscarriage, stillbirths, and ectopic tubal pregnancies.
Indoor tanning teens engage in other risk-taking behaviors, study finds
Research from the CDC has found that teenagers who tan indoors may participate in several other risky habits - including binge drinking, smoking, illicit drug and steroid use, and sexual promiscuity.
Proposal for revamped nutrition labels unveiled by the FDA and Michelle Obama
The FDA, along with first lady Michelle Obama, have announced plans for improved nutritional data on food packaging. The current system has been criticized for lack of clarity around serving sizes and added sugar content.
Welcome to the dark side: Dark chocolate could be a boon for vascular health
A Dutch study has shown that flavanols in dark chocolate may be beneficial for easing artery plaque buildup, called atherosclerosis. The condition can lead to stroke, heart attacks, and high blood pressure.
Nearly 500 bread products contain yoga mat chemical
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has identified the presence of azodicarbonamide, or ADA, in almost 500 bread products. The chemical has been linked to respiratory issues and skin allergies, and is used to make plastic products more elastic.
Funnyman Seth Rogen criticizes senators who walked out of Alzheimer's testimony
Actor and comedian Seth Rogen delivered a touching testimony in favor of further Alzheimer's research and awareness, only to have just two of eighteen senators present. Rogen took to Twitter and Hardball to express his disappointment.
Study: Revised APA autism guidelines result in 31% reduction of diagnosed cases
Revised APA guidelines have seen a dramatic reduction in autism spectrum disorder diagnoses, with a study from Columbia University noting that several undiagnosed children may not receive the social and medical support they require.
The pressure is on Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer to veto controversial anti-gay bill
Arizona's SB 1062 bill, which allows business owners to prohibit service to gay customers, is set to become law on Saturday if Governor Jan Brewer does not veto it. Several large corporations, rights groups, and politicians (Republican and Democrat alike) have urged Brewer to stop passage of the bill.
3-person embryo technique, mitochondrial replacement, scrutinized by the FDA
The FDA has begun proceedings to determine whether or not a controversial technique of fertilization should be allowed. Using the embryos and DNA of three people, mitochondrial replacement could put an end to hereditary diseases. However, the process is fraught with ethical dilemmas, with some saying it could lead to an increase in 'designer babies.'
Where there's smoke, there's ire: EU ministers approve tough anti-smoking legislation
The European Union has approved tougher anti-smoking legislation, with all 28 nations tightening laws from 2016 onwards. This includes the ban of flavored products, stricter regulation of electronic cigarettes, and larger photographic health warnings.
Overcrowded facilities witness exodus of California's prison lifers
Californian inmates sentenced to life in prison have been receiving parole at a higher rate than ever before, with Governor Jerry Brown agreeing with the state's parole board on 82% of cases. 1,400 'lifers' have now been released.
Death looms closer for heterosexuals with anti-gay bias
A study conducted at Columbia University has found that those with anti-gay prejudices die earlier than their more tolerant counterparts. Homophobia reduces life spans by an average of 2.5 years.
Aetna and Tenet team up for more accessible healthcare options
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp has announced the signing of a two-year contract with health insurance provider Aetna. The agreement gives coverage to members of Aetna and Coventry's commercial and Medicare Advantage health plans at all of Tenet's facilities.
Childhood obesity rates take a 43% nosedive, finds study
A recently study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that childhood obesity rates have dropped an estimated 43% in the past decade. However, researchers caution that the data may not be as promising as it initially appears, with obesity rates across the board remaining stasis or increasing.
Médecins Sans Frontières exposes deplorable healthcare conditions in Afghanistan
NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has condemned Afghanistan's health care landscape, saying that a decade of foreign aid has done little to improve conditions. The non-government organization published a study entitled Between Rhetoric and Reality, reporting that one in four Afghan residents had lost a close friend or relative as a result.
Groundbreaking study sees scientists turn skin cells into liver cells
In a breakthrough for the medical profession, scientists have revealed that attempts to grow mature human liver cells from skin cells have been successful. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, and the Gladstone Institutes used stem cell techniques for the basis of their research, testing the resultant cells on mice with engineered liver failure.
