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Summer jobs can give teens valuable life experience that help them transition to adulthood — not just a paycheck, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Benefits of summer jobs include: Career exploration: Summer jobs and internships help high school students explore different careers that might interest them. They also provide opportunities to network and find future mentors. Financial independence: Teens learn financial skills such as budgeting and money management. Time management: Teens learn to manage their time, set deadlines and be accountable. Communication skills: Teens learn how to interact with their supervisors, customers and colleagues. Work ethic: Teens learn values such as teamwork, respect and responsibility. Self-confidence: Working in the real-world boosts self-esteem and self-confidence. When looking for a summer job, suggest that your teen consider these factors: Is it a good fit? Look for jobs that align with your interests and skills. Is it flexible? Summer jobs should be flexible to accommodate a teen’s schedule. Is there time for family fun? Teens will need to take family vacation plans into account. Teens should consider their priorities and achieve a balance between work and other commitments. More information For more about the benefits of a summer job, visit Kids Health. SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics, news release, July 27, 2023 read on >

When it comes to falling down stairs, young women are more prone to take a tumble than their male counterparts. According to a new study, this is because they are more likely to be distracted or to wear impractical footwear. Going down a staircase while talking or texting on the phone or engaging in other distractions is an invitation to take a header, researchers report. Women were more likely to be talking to another person than men while on stairs in the study. “When we found that women were talking to a friend more than men, it was like a groan because we’re confirming the stereotype, which you never want to do,” researcher Shirley Rietdyk, a professor of kinesiology at Purdue University, told NBC News. “But when we only looked at people who were walking with someone else, there was no difference in the rate of talking, so it’s not that women talk more than men — it’s that they’re more likely to be with a friend than a man is.” Falling on the stairs is more likely to result in injuries than other falls. In the United States, children under the age of 3, young adults in their 20s and adults over 85 are those most at risk for falling down stairs, the researchers said. For the study, published online July 26 in the… read on > read on >

Bronny James, son of basketball superstar LeBron James, was released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Thursday, just three days after the 18-year-old suffered cardiac arrest during a college basketball practice. Consulting cardiologist Dr. Merije Chukumerije said in a statement that James was “successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest.” Chukumerije credited “the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff” after the incident Monday at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center, where the incoming freshman guard was participating in basketball practice.” Bronny James arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center conscious, neurologically intact and stable, Chukumerije said. “Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting. Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support,” Chukumerije said. Meanwhile, in a message posted on social media, LeBron James said his family is “safe and healthy.” “I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers,” LeBron James wrote. “We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us!”… read on > read on >

Too little fiber in Mom’s diet during pregnancy may slow a baby’s mental development, Japanese research suggests. Animal studies have found that a low-fiber diet during pregnancy slows brain nerve function in offspring. The new study, published July 27 in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, shows the same effect in humans. “Most pregnant women in Japan consume far less dietary fiber than what is the recommended intake,” said study leader Kunio Miyake, an assistant professor of environmental genetics at the University of Yamanashi. “Our results provided reinforcing evidence that undernutrition during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delay in children,” Miyake said in a journal news release. For the study, the researchers compared the development of children whose mothers ate the most fiber to those of mothers who consumed less fiber. The study included 76,000 mother-infant pairs who were part of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. Compared with children whose mothers ate the most fiber during pregnancy, those whose moms ate the least were more likely to show neurodevelopmental delays. The delays affected communication, problem-solving and personal-social skills. Researchers also saw delayed development of movement and coordination. In Japan, the recommended daily dietary fiber intake is 18 grams; in the United States and Canada, it is 28 grams. “Our results show that nutritional guidance for pregnant mothers is crucial to reduce… read on > read on >

As kids prepare to return to school, a new poll warns that the many children who found the last school year challenging are likely to be apprehensive this time around. The online survey, conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of the nonprofit On Our Sleeves Movement for Children’s Mental Health, found that 71% of American parents say their children experienced challenges last school year. These included safety concerns (37%), academic challenges (26%), bullying (24%), ongoing social challenges related to the pandemic (24%) and mental health challenges (22%). “Between academic struggles, behavioral challenges, increased depression and anxiety and challenges making social connections, we’ve been hearing firsthand from families about how tough last school year was for many kids,” said Whitney Raglin Bignall, associate clinical director of On Our Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “As we head into the new school year, it’s crucial to understand how kids are thinking and feeling about returning to the classroom,” she added in a hospital news release. “Checking in and having conversations with them is a simple, yet critical, way to help minimize any lingering issues before they turn into even bigger challenges this upcoming school year. “Talking about mental health can be difficult but it’s recommended that parents and caregivers initiate daily conversations. This helps children feel comfortable and supported enough… read on > read on >

Tick bites can cause crippling infections like Lyme disease in humans, but new research suggests they can also trigger a serious meat allergy in far more Americans than thought. Called alpha-gal syndrome, the condition may affect hundreds of thousands of Americans, U.S. health officials announced Thursday, but many doctors are not familiar with the condition, or how to diagnose or treat it. According to one of two studies from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome reported between 2010 and 2022. But because diagnosis requires a diagnostic test and a clinical exam, many people may not get tested. On that basis, the CDC researchers estimated that as many as 450,000 Americans might be affected. In that study, researchers looked at lab results from 2017 to 2022 from a laboratory that, until August 2021, was the primary commercial lab offering such testing in the United States. More than 300,000 samples were tested, and more than 30% showed AGS infection. “Alpha-gal syndrome is an important emerging public health problem, with potentially severe health impacts that can last a lifetime for some patients,” CDC researcher Dr. Ann Carpenter said in an agency news release. “It’s critical for clinicians to be aware of AGS so they can properly evaluate, diagnose and manage their patients, and also… read on > read on >

For years, older adults took a baby aspirin a day to help ward off a first-time heart attack or stroke. Now yet another study is showing the risks are not worth it for most. Specifically, researchers found the risk of brain bleeding while using low-dose aspirin outweighed any potential benefit against stroke for relatively healthy older adults — that is, those with no history of heart disease or stroke. In fact, among more than 19,000 older adults in the study, those who took daily low-dose aspirin for several years showed no reduction in their risk of an ischemic stroke (the kind caused by a blood clot). They did, however, have a 38% higher risk of bleeding in the brain, compared to study patients given placebo pills for comparison. Experts said the findings align with the latest recommendations on low-dose aspirin: Most people with no history of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack or stroke, should skip it. “What’s becoming clearer and clearer is that aspirin, for primary prevention, is not indicated for most people,” said Dr. Anum Saeed, a cardiologist who was not involved in the study. “Primary prevention” refers to prevention of first-time strokes or heart attacks. The new findings do not apply to people who have been prescribed aspirin because they already have a history of those conditions, said Saeed, an assistant professor at… read on > read on >

Airlines will now be required to make bathrooms on their planes more accessible for the disabled, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday. The new rule, authorized under the Air Carrier Access Act, requires airlines to make lavatories on any new single-aisle aircraft large enough to allow a passenger with a disability and an attendant to maneuver within the aircraft’s lavatory. “Traveling can be stressful enough without worrying about being able to access a restroom; yet today, millions of wheelchair users are forced to choose between dehydrating themselves before boarding a plane or avoiding air travel altogether,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in an agency news release. “We are proud to announce this rule that will make airplane bathrooms larger and more accessible, ensuring travelers in wheelchairs are afforded the same access and dignity as the rest of the traveling public.” Other new DOT measures that aim to increase disabled access in transportation will: Modernize airport terminals, including adding wheelchair ramps and accessible restrooms. Fund programs to improve access in train and subway stations so people who use wheelchairs, push strollers or can’t easily navigate stairs can reliably use the rail systems in their communities. Lay the groundwork for a future rule that would allow passengers to stay in their own wheelchairs when they fly. Call for better training of airline staff who assist… read on > read on >

While the record-breaking heat the United States is experiencing this summer can stress people to their limits, it can be particularly hard to navigate for those with mental health issues. “All mental illnesses increase with heat because it results in more fatigue, irritability and anxiety, and it can exacerbate depressive episodes,” said Dr. Asim Shah, executive vice chair in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Excessive heat can cause anger, irritability, aggression, discomfort, stress and fatigue. Heat acts on serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, leading to lower levels of happiness and increased levels of stress and fatigue, Shah explained. The most vulnerable groups include those with preexisting conditions and people who use abuse substances like alcohol. If people use substances, especially alcohol, they need to be more hydrated because combining substance use with heat requires even more hydration. Heat can make mental health issues worse, including aggressive behavior and mental fogging. In the worst case, confusion and disorientation can occur. What can someone with mental health issues do? Shah recommends hydrating and keeping your head covered outside. Pour water on your head to cool down and try staying in shade. If you usually go for walks outside, move inside by walking in a mall or a large space with air conditioning. If you take medications,… read on > read on >

Many parents in the United States aren’t installing child car seats correctly, a new study finds. Errors in car seat installation are common, even for seats that have a 5-star rating for features like ease of use, researchers found. The study found that fewer errors were detected when parents installed seats that had higher ratings, but researchers recommend that parents seek out safety technicians to learn the proper techniques for seat installation. Child restraint systems cut the risk of crash injuries by 50% to 85%, but only if properly used, the researchers noted. “New parents often receive training on car seat installation before the baby is born,” said researcher Dr. Michelle Macy, an emergency medicine physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. “However, it would be beneficial for them to take advantage of the available resources after the child’s birth as well, especially during the transition from infant carrier to a rear-facing car seat, and then again when switching the seat to face forward,” she said in a hospital news release. For the study, Macy and her colleagues analyzed data from Safe Kids Illinois seat check records from 2015 through 2019. The most common errors were for seats installed with seat belts (70%) and the least common for recline angle (37%). One of the more common errors that were found around… read on > read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Summer Jobs Give Kids More Than a Paycheck

Why Stairs Might Be a Bigger Hazard for Young Women

Bronny James Released From Hospital Following Cardiac Arrest

Low-Fiber Diet During Pregnancy May Harm Baby’s Brain

As Kids Head Back to School, New Survey Finds 71% Faced Challenges Last Year

Nearly a Half-Million Americans Might Have Tick-Borne Meat Allergy Syndrome

Daily Baby Aspirin Raises Odds for Brain Bleeds, With No Lowering of Stroke Risk

New U.S. Rule Mandates Easy Access to Airplane Bathrooms by People Using Wheelchairs

Extreme Heat Can Take Toll on People Battling Mental Health Issues

Many Child Car Seats Are Improperly Installed, Even Those Deemed Easy to Manage