Health

Experts say blood and skin tests are not reliable in diagnosing food allergies, leaving many children needlessly avoiding particular foods.

A new study found that the hormone oxytocin, which fosters mother-infant bonding and trust, helped people with Asperger’s syndrome improve their social learning skills.

Bringing an end to a 5,000-year mystery, scientists have discovered three genetic mutations in the brains of people who stutter.

Research shows that teens' natural sleep cycle is to sleep later in the morning. Some schools are responding by pushing back start times.

The nation's largest outbreak of mumps in years has spread, calling into question whether those afflicted had the mumps vaccine.

Fish oil was found to reduce progression to full-blown psychosis in young people with symptoms of mental illness, adding to evidence that intervention may decrease the severity of mental disorders.

A controversial study linking autism to the popular MMR vaccine has been retracted by The Lancet, after the study's author, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, was discredited in an investigation by a British Fitness to Practice Panel.

Spain’s proposed ban on late night beauty ads coincides with fashion industry trends touting healthier, more realistic images of women.

A new study found that whether a child is diagnosed with a concussion or a brain injury makes a big difference in how serious the injury is perceived to be.

What could save animals, end world hunger and protect the environment? Scientists are hoping that meat engineered in the lab might do the trick.

Experts wonder whether popular culture’s emphasis on physical appearance, wealth and status is to blame for the increase in mental health issues.

An eight-year study of women over 50 found that optimistic women were less prone to heart disease and less likely to die from other causes, reported the British Medical Journal. A number of similar studies support the theory that optimists live longer, healthier lives.

A U.K. study finds that one in six children struggle with speech, due in part to busier parents, but the outlook may not be as bleak as it seems.

Smoking is one of the toughest addictions to break; if you smoke, that isn’t news. What might be news, though, is that the Web has some great sites that explain why you smoke and the best ways to stop. These sites even include advice for nonsmokers who are trying to encourage others who have quit.

While there may not be a cure to over-drinking (or, for that matter, overeating), there is still a trove of good Web sites and products that can help you feel better after one or several nights of dehydrating, calorie-packed revelry. Use the expert tips and insights contained in the sites below to take the sting out of the requisite holiday drinking.

With the arrival of winter 2010, it’s time to turn your New Year’s resolutions into newly discovered passions, and boost your energy. Spark your inner adrenaline junkie by tapping into cool winter sports that take place both indoors and outdoors. Plus, get tips for maintaining a positive attitude all winter long.

A study published last year by the British Medical Journal found evidence disproving some popular holiday health myths.

Going solo for the holidays? Though you may be by yourself, you’re not alone.

While NHL officials work to improve players’ safety equipment, hockey has now been linked to brain damage caused by head injuries. How can head trauma be prevented?

The prevalence of nearsightedness among people in the U.S. has increased dramatically in recent decades. What role have computers, cell phones and other “nearwork” played in this change?

The population of Menhaden, a small fish used for fish oil pills, is rapidly depleting, prompting calls for protective legislation and shedding light on alternative sources of omega-3s.

Although research shows the importance of eating a healthy breakfast, many students continue to skip it. Some schools are changing that by moving breakfast out of the cafeteria.

European scientists claim an Italian amputee is the first to control complex movements of a robotic hand connected to his nervous system.

Exercise has long been viewed as an important factor for maintaining health and vitality in old age. Now, its anti-aging benefits are being understood on a genetic level.

Living up to 30 years with no trace of cancer, the naked mole rat may offer important clues about human health and longevity.

New screening guidelines for cervical cancer say girls can wait until age 21 to begin Pap tests, though it is unclear how these recommendations will impact current HPV vaccination guidelines.

As access to the Internet grows, so does access to online medical information and misinformation. Some e-patients now trust the Web rather than their doctor.

“Functional foods” are attracting consumers across the country with their promise of a healthier lifestyle, though many may be little more than glorified junk foods.

With flu season approaching, the scare of the H1N1 pandemic has hospitals in the Northern Hemisphere developing procedures to handle an influx of flu patients.

The guidelines issued suggest women begin regular breast cancer screening at age 50 instead of age 40, and continue at two-year intervals. They also discourage doctors from teaching self-screening techniques.