Owning a dog linked to healthier heart and longer life
The findings of two recent studies support the American Heart Association’s position that dog ownership may be helpful in reducing cardiovascular risk.
Health
Hunting accidents are a lot less common in Minnesota than they used to be. But you can still get shot in the nose
Accidents are rare, but that’s small consolation to the victims.
Minnesota kids need more mental health services. Intensive outpatient treatment programs could be one solution
The Wilder Foundation released a report earlier this year that found clear needs for intensive mental health services in Minnesota, and that there is a particular shortage of treatment options for adolescents.
Opioids trial, 1952: The downfall of Hennepin County Coroner Russell Heim
Federal drug agents had become curious about the unusual number of prescriptions for morphine and other narcotics that Heim issued from his 12 West Lake Street office.
Study: running a race makes people feel better in all kinds of ways
Recreational runners’ sense of well-being — measured by such factors as self-esteem, self-confidence and overall life satisfaction — tends to be highest during weeks in which they participate in races.
Vaping cases highlight Minnesota governor’s lack of power to address health emergencies
In Minnesota, where there has been 50 confirmed cases of vaping-related lung damage and at least one death, Gov. Tim Walz’s authority is essentially limited to shouting, “Don’t!”
Study: Regularly getting a good night’s sleep is linked to better test scores and grades in college
When it comes to academic performance, sleep “really, really matters.”
State Fair food: still pretty safe
MinnPost examined the health inspection reports from the 2019 Great Minnesota Get Together.
Optimists are less likely to have a heart attack or stroke, a major study has found
They are also less likely to die prematurely of any cause.
Teens’ need to stay up late continues into young adulthood, study finds
Hormonal changes that occur with puberty affect young people’s circadian rhythms, the internal “clocks” that set the timing of the body’s physiological functions — including the daily sleep/wake cycle.
The stress of partisan politics is taking an emotional, physical and social toll on Americans, study finds
The study found that one in five Americans claims politics has damaged at least one of their friendships.
People — and the media — are more likely to cite video games as a factor in school shootings when shooter is white
“When a violent act is carried out by someone who doesn’t match the racial stereotype of what a violent person looks like, people tend to seek an external explanation for the violent behavior,” explains Patrick Markey, the study’s lead author.
Want to reduce suicides? Follow the data — to medical offices, motels and even animal shelters
Data revealed a surprising number of suicides at hotels and motels. It also showed a number of those who killed themselves had experienced eviction or foreclosure or had a medical visit within weeks or days of their death.
People make personality judgments based on the sounds of their names, study finds
The reason we do this has to do with something known in linguistics as sound symbolism, the way humans associate certain vocal sounds with particular characteristics.
Watching TV and playing video games (but not overall screen time) linked to poorer performance in school
An international team of researchers analyzed 58 studies involving more than 480,000 children and teens aged 4 to 18.
Minnesota ranked 6th healthiest state for women and children
Rhode Island is cited as the healthiest state for women and children, followed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut.
Youth of color will take the lead at Catalyst Initiative’s upcoming Youth Cultural Healing Summit
The daylong summit will be anchored with edgy, topical performances by youth-run arts ensembles and feature breakout sessions on a range of topics, including zine-making as a form of radical self-care, the use of Native languages as empowerment and the power of healing circles in African immigrant and refugee communities.
Study: Washing your hands — even without soap — is more effective than hand sanitizers for flu prevention
The reason: When wet mucus surrounds the virus, it acts as a protective hydrogel, keeping the disinfectant from reaching and killing the germs.
What young children should and shouldn’t drink: experts’ new guidelines
Example: All kids 5 and under should avoid drinking flavored milks, toddler formulas, plant-based/non-dairy milks, caffeinated beverages and sugar- and low-calorie sweetened beverages.
Millions of Americans’ medical images and data are available on the internet. Anyone can take a peek.
Hundreds of computer servers worldwide that store patient X-rays and MRIs are so insecure that anyone with a web browser or a few lines of computer code can view patient records. One expert warned about it for years.
