School kids who get to bed early rather than staring at their devices at night may be better equipped to control their behavior, a new study suggests. Researchers found that 8- to 11-year-olds who got adequate sleep and had limits on “screen time” were less likely than their peers to report problems with impulsive behavior. Impulsivity is generally described as a tendency to act without thinking, or an inability to wait for something you want. It’s a central problem in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Later in life, impulsivity may also make kids vulnerable to other problems, like substance abuse and other forms of addiction, said lead researcher Michelle Guerrero. Guerrero said her team wanted to see what factors might affect that tendency to “act before thinking.” In general, the researchers found, kids were less likely to report impulsive behavior if they met recommendations for sleep and screen time. That meant nine to 11 hours of sleep each night and no more than two hours a day devoted to “recreational” screen time. (School work didn’t count.) However, the findings only point to a correlation, said Guerrero, a fellow with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, in Ottawa, Canada. They do not prove earlier bed times and screen limits will actually prevent impulsivity, she explained. “Is it that impulsive kids don’t meet the recommendations, or that… read on >
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Unplugging From Social Media on Vacation? It’s Tough at First
Taking a vacation from social media and digital technology while you travel can cause withdrawal symptoms, but a small study suggests you’ll come to enjoy the offline experience. The British study included 24 people. During their travels to 17 countries and regions, most unplugged from technologies such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, social media and navigation tools for more than 24 hours. Their reactions before, during and after their “digital detox” were gathered through diaries and interviews. Many had initial anxiety, frustration and withdrawal symptoms, but then increased levels of acceptance, enjoyment and even liberation, according to the study published Aug. 14 in the Journal of Travel Research. “Many people are increasingly getting tired of constant connections through technologies and there is a growing trend for digital-free tourism, so it is helpful to see the emotional journey that these travelers are experiencing,” said lead author Wenjie Cai, a lecturer at the University of Greenwich in London. Researchers said there is growing demand for digital detox holidays. “Our participants reported that they not only engaged more with other travelers and locals during their disconnected travels, but that they also spent more time with their travel companions,” Cai said in a journal news release. The findings could be important for travel companies seeking to develop off-the-grid vacation packages, according to study co-author Brad McKenna, a lecturer at… read on >
‘Selfies’ Might Someday Track Your Blood Pressure
Taking your blood pressure may become as easy as taking a video selfie if a new smartphone app proves itself. High blood pressure can be a warning sign of a heart attack or stroke, but half of those with hypertension don’t know it. Developing an easy at-home blood pressure screen could potentially save lives. A new technology called transdermal optical imaging gives a picture of the blood flow in your face, which reveals your blood pressure, researchers say. “We found, using a smartphone, we can accurately measure blood pressure within 30 seconds,” said lead researcher Kang Lee. Lee is research chair of developmental neuroscience at the University of Toronto. “We want to use this technology to help us to make people aware of their blood pressure and monitor it,” he said. Lee doesn’t intend this technology to replace standard “cuff” blood pressure measuring, but rather to make blood pressure easy to take at home. So how does it work? The technology uses light to penetrate the skin and optical sensors in smartphones to create an image of blood flow patterns. These patterns are then used to predict blood pressure, Lee explained. “Once you know how blood concentration changes in different parts of your face, then we can learn a lot of things about your physiology, such as your heart rate, your stress and your blood… read on >
Sexting May Be Less Common Among Teens Than You Think
Parents of budding teens can breathe a little easier: A new study says adolescent “sexting” is not an epidemic. On the other hand, it’s not disappearing, either, despite campaigns to curb it. “Sexting is perceived as an epidemic because the news highlights extreme cases that involve tragic outcomes, and because it goes against standards of morality and decency that are historically entrenched,” said study author Sameer Hinduja, a professor of criminology at Florida Atlantic University. But most teens have never sent or received a sex text, the new study found. It focused on about 5,600 students in American middle and high schools, ages 12 to 17. Of those, about 14% had ever sent a sexually or explicit image or had received one. For this study, researchers defined sexting as the exchange of nude or semi-nude photos or videos via text or private messaging on social media. Other researchers have included sexually suggestive or explicit texts. Hinduja said his team didn’t include those, because they can’t lead to sextortion, child pornography charges or related fallout. About 11% of the students said they had sent a sext to a boyfriend or girlfriend — and about 64% did so when asked to, the study found. But only 43% complied with a request from someone who was not a current romantic partner. Boys were much more likely to have… read on >
Some Meds and Driving a Dangerous Duo
Be careful about what medications you take before you get behind the wheel. Most drugs won’t affect your ability to drive, but some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can cause side effects that make it unsafe to drive, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. Those side effects can include: sleepiness/drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, slowed movement, fainting, inability to focus or pay attention, nausea and excitability. Some medicines can affect your driving ability for just a short time after you take them, but the effects of others can last for several hours, or even into the next day. Some medicine labels warn to not operate heavy machinery when taking them, and this includes driving a car, the FDA said in a news release. There are a number of types of medications — or any combination of them — that can make it dangerous to drive or operate any type of vehicle whether a car, bus, train, plane or boat. These drugs include: opioid pain relievers; prescription drugs for anxiety (for example, benzodiazepines); antiseizure drugs (antiepileptic drugs); antipsychotic drugs; some antidepressants; products that contain codeine; some cold remedies and allergy products such as antihistamines (both prescription and OTC); sleeping pills; muscle relaxants; medicines to treat or control symptoms of diarrhea or motion sickness; diet pills; “stay awake” drugs, and other medications with stimulants (such as caffeine,… read on >
Don’t Drink and Drive on the Fourth
The Fourth of July holiday is one of the most deadly times on America’s roads, so Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is urging everyone to avoid drinking and driving. “Celebrating our nation’s independence with backyard barbecues, fireworks displays and other festivities should be fun, not dangerous,” said Bob Garguilo, executive director of MADD Connecticut. “Celebrate safely by designating a non-drinking driver every time plans include alcohol,” Garguilo said in a MADD news release. Police will be setting up sobriety checkpoints during the holiday. These checkpoints allow officers to stop vehicles to check to see if drivers have been drinking. July has more drunk driving deaths than any other month, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the toll over the July 4 weekend is particularly high. Drunk driving accounts for about 40% of all traffic deaths during July 4 and the weekends before and after. From 6 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2017, to 5:59 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2017, 39% of all traffic deaths were alcohol-related, and drunk driving killed 237 people during that time period, according to the NHTSA. Drunk driving is the leading cause of death on U.S. roads, yet is completely preventable, MADD notes. The group urges Americans to take personal responsibility year-round, not just on holidays. If you drink, use taxis, public transportation, rideshare services, or get… read on >
How Are You Feeling? Check Your Wristband
Remember the “mood ring” craze of the 1970s? A high-tech wristband is being developed along the same lines, potentially helping patients who struggle with mood disorders. The smart wristband would use a person’s skin to track their emotional intensity. During a mood swing, either high or low, the wristband would change color, heat up, squeeze or vibrate to inform the wearer he might be in the throes of depression or anxiety, the researchers said. “As the feedback is provided in real time, our devices encourage people to become more aware of their emotions, name them, potentially reflect on what causes them, and even learn how to control their emotional responses in order to change the visual or tactile feedback provided by the device,” said researcher Corina Sas. She is a professor of human-computer interaction and digital health at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. About 10% of U.S. adults struggle with a mood disorder, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or seasonal affective disorder, according to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. Part of the treatment for a mood disorder involves becoming more aware of emotions, and then learning to regulate emotional response, the study authors said in background notes in their report. Co-author Muhammad Umair, a Lancaster research associate, explained, “We wanted to create low-cost, simple prototypes to support understanding and engagement with… read on >
Social Media a Big Driver of Teen Vaping Craze: Study
Social media is helping spur the e-cigarette epidemic among America’s teens, a new study suggests. Nearly 15,000 Instagram posts related to Juul, the most popular e-cigarette brand, were released between March and May 2018, researchers found. More than half the posts focused on youth culture or lifestyle-related content that would appeal to teens, according to results published July 2 in the journal Tobacco Control. One-third of the posts contained overt promotional content that highlighted ways to obtain Juul-related products at a reduced cost, including discounts and giveaways, the researchers added. These promotional posts “had links to commercial websites,” said senior researcher Elizabeth Hair, senior vice president of the Schroeder Institute, Truth Initiative, in Washington, D.C. “Not all of them were from Juul corporate; some of them were from companies selling the Juul product.” This sort of social media promotion is fueling the use of e-cigarettes among teens, Hair said. “Over 20% of our youth are using e-cigarettes,” Hair said. “We’ve been doing such a great job of changing the nation’s direction on cigarette usage, and now we have a new epidemic we’re facing.” But Juul Labs spokesperson Lindsay Andrews noted that during those three months, the company itself issued only eight Instagram posts. Most posts from third-party users, Juul says “Six of these were testimonials from former adult smokers, one was a letter from our… read on >
How to Avoid Information Overload
Being able to go online offers a wealth of knowledge, keeps you connected to loved ones and makes all sorts of transactions more convenient. But there’s a downside. In a nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center, more than three-quarters of respondents said they liked having access to a vast wealth of information, and two-thirds said it helped them simplify their lives. Those with many electronic devices felt that all the gadgets made it easier to manage a steady flow of information. People commonly search for community news; information about health care or insurance; school or education; traffic or commuting; personal finance; government services or benefits; work-related topics; and home repair. But the survey also found that 20% experience what’s known as information overload. Some are stressed by all the information they must keep track of, and some find it difficult to find information needed to deal with institutions like their bank, for instance. Other research has looked at work-related information overload, chiefly from emails, which can eat up your day and leave you overwhelmed and unable to focus. One study found that the more time spent on email, the less productive — and more stressed — people felt. Regain control by limiting how often you check your inbox and then prioritize. Read only essential emails during the day. Put the less important ones in… read on >
Meet ‘Huggable,’ the Robot Bear Who’s Helping Hospitalized Kids
He sings, he plays games — and Huggable the ‘social robot’ teddy bear could be good medicine for kids in the hospital. In a study of 50 children, aged 3 to 10 years, the plush bear boosted spirits, eased anxiety and even lowered perceived pain levels, say Boston Children’s Hospital researchers. “It’s exciting knowing what types of support we can provide kids who may feel isolated or scared about what they’re going through,” said study first author Deirdre Logan, a pediatric psychologist at the hospital. Logan noted that hospital staffers provide a lot of support to help kids feel comfortable, but they can’t be with every kid all the time. “Social robots create a more consistent presence throughout the day,” Logan said. “There may also be kids who don’t always want to talk to people, and respond better to having a robotic stuffed animal with them.” The robot is not designed to replace health care specialists, only to assist them, the study authors noted. Study co-author Cynthia Breazeal, founding director of the Personal Robots Group at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said, “Our group designs technologies with the mindset that they’re teammates … We want technology to support everyone who’s invested in the quality care of a child.” For the study, the researchers split the young patients into three groups: One used the robotic teddy; another… read on >