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Attempts to avoid coronavirus can increase the risk of physical and emotional harm from limited social contact. Two years ago, when Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the former surgeon general of the United States, started researching his book, “Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World,” he never anticipated how relevant the …

The Loneliness of Social Distancing, Take These Steps to Counter it. Read More »

A respiratory virus has spread from China to at least a dozen other countries, including the U.S. Here’s what you need to know. An international outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus has killed at least 132 people and sickened about 6,000, according to the Chinese health authorities. The outbreak began in Wuhan, China, apparently at …

What Is the Coronavirus? Symptoms, Treatment and Risks Read More »

Almost as many people are falling ill as did two years ago, in what was a particularly severe flu season. But this season’s virus is unusual, and it’s too early to tell how dangerous. The United States may be headed into a bad flu season, according to figures recently released by the Centers for Disease …

The Flu Season May Yet Turn Ugly Read More »

Hearing loss is the largest modifiable risk factor for developing dementia, exceeding that of smoking, high blood pressure, lack of exercise and social isolation. Every now and then I write a column as much to push myself to act as to inform and motivate my readers. What follows is a prime example. Last year in …

For Better Brain Health, Preserve Your Hearing Read More »

There is some evidence that eating fish may make children smarter. Does fish make children smarter? There is some evidence that it might. In two reviews of data from 44 studies, researchers have concluded that eating seafood during pregnancy and childhood is associated with improved performance on tests of mental skills. The analyses, published in the …

Why Children (and Pregnant Women) May Want to Eat More Fish Read More »

Calorie restriction led to weight loss, lower cholesterol and less inflammation. Whether it extends life span and wards off disease long-term remains unproven. Scientists have long known a fairly reliable way to extend life span in rodents and other lab animals: Reduce the amount of calories they eat by 10 percent to 40 percent. This …

Cutting 300 Calories a Day Shows Health Benefits Read More »

Many people say they don’t have the time to work out. But most of us spend hours each day viewing screens. If, like many of us, your New Year’s resolution is to find more time to exercise, you may be in luck. According to a recent study of how Americans typically spend their waking hours, …

No More Excuses Not to Exercise Read More »

Using C.D.C. data, researchers found that 98 percent of toddlers and 60 percent of infants consumed added sugar in sweetened drinks, baked goods and snacks. Nearly all American toddlers and about two-thirds of infants consume added sugar, despite nutritionists’ recommendations that children avoid the sweetener, according to a government study released this week. Researchers, using data from the …

Infants and Toddlers Eat Too Much Sugar, Researchers Say Read More »