Microscopic plastic particles in the air could be contributing to a wide variety of health problems, including lung and colon cancers. Tires and degrading garbage shed tiny pieces of plastic which become airborne, creating a form of air pollution that’s not very well understood, a new review says. “These microplastics are basically particulate matter air pollution, and we know this type of air pollution is harmful,” said researcher Tracey Woodruff, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. Microplastics are less than 5 millimeters in size, smaller than a grain of rice, researchers said in background notes. Companies around the world produce nearly 460 million tons of plastic each year, and that’s projected to increase to 1.1 billion tons by 2050, researchers said. A major source of airborne plastic is driving, researchers noted. Tires wear down as they rub against the road surface, sending microplastics into the air. For the review, published Dec. 18 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, researchers analyzed data gathered on about 3,000 prior studies. The results showed that airborne microplastics can contribute to cancer, lung problems and infertility. Most of the studies in the review used animals, but researchers said the conclusions likely also apply to humans. “We urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of health harms…  read on >  read on >

The holidays are here and many Hispanic women can expect to deal with a host of mixed messages when they pass by a table full of festive foods, a new study says. At social gatherings, Hispanic women might be encouraged to eat more on the one hand, while also being cautioned not to overeat on the other, researchers report in a study published in the December issue of the journal Body Image. “You’ll go see your grandma and your grandma is telling you to eat more, eat more, you’re so skinny,” one participant in the study told researchers. “But then when you’re not being prompted by somebody else to eat a lot and you go get a second plate or get a second bowl of something, and they’re [saying], ‘Oh wow, you’re eating a lot.’” For the study, researchers interviewed 19 Hispanic women about their positive and negative body image experiences. The open nature of the research allowed for detailed description of the mixed messages Hispanic women face related to their body image, researchers said. Hispanic women tend to have high rates of body dissatisfaction, which increases their risk of eating disorders, said lead researcher Sarah Johnson-Munguia, a University of Kansas graduate student with the Center for the Advancement of Research on Eating Behaviors Lab. “There’s a lot of stereotypes in the eating disorder world…  read on >  read on >

Winter is here, and that can make it difficult for those with asthma to control their symptoms. The cold air that comes with cooler temperatures can contribute to asthma flare-ups, as can increased respiratory infections and seasonal allergies. It’s essential to manage your asthma to keep yourself healthy throughout the season. Some of the strategies mentioned below will help make your winter more enjoyable and ensure your symptoms are better controlled.  Managing Winter Asthma Triggers In addition to medication, managing environmental triggers is vital for asthma control during winter. For my patients with asthma, I recommend finding ways to warm the air they are breathing when outside. Cold air can restrict airways, leading to increased symptoms. Try wearing a scarf or mask over your mouth and nose when you’re outside in cold weather. Indoor air quality can be affected by heating systems, which can circulate dust and allergens. Regular cleaning, using air purifiers, and maintaining appropriate humidity levels can help create a more asthma-friendly environment. Getting a Flu Shot is Vital It’s not too late to get a flu shot. Immunization against the flu is one of the most effective ways to protect against respiratory infections during winter months. If you have asthma, influenza can lead to severe complications, including exacerbations that may require you to be hospitalized. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and…  read on >  read on >

Research out of the United Kingdom finds workers often feel overwhelmed by digital technology and the need to always be connected online. It’s a worldwide issue, the study authors believe. “What we have found in our research is that there is a potential dark side to digital working, where employees can feel fatigue and strain due to being overburdened by the demands and intensity of the digital work environment,” said lead study author Elizabeth Marsh, a graduate student in psychology at the University of Nottingham. “A sense of pressure to be constantly connected and keeping up with messages can make it hard to psychologically detach from work,” she added in a university news release. The study was published Dec. 17 in the journal Frontiers in Organizational Psychology. In their research, Marsh and colleagues conducted in-depth interviews with 14 employees about how 21st-century digital workplaces impact their well-being. The biggest factor weighing on workers is what the researchers called “hyperconnectivity” — the fact that texting and emails mean workers can truly never get away from the alerts and requests of clients or co-workers. “You kind of feel like you have to be there all the time. You have to be a little green light,” one worker told the research team. “[It’s] just more difficult to leave it behind when it’s all online and you can kind of…  read on >  read on >

Do parents use Santa Claus to help guide kids to better behavior? It happens often, a new poll shows. One-quarter of parents of kids ages 3 to 5 said they’ve threatened misbehaving kids with no Santa or gifts if they don’t shape up, according to results from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. Many parents also reported threatening to leave a Christmas activity, taking away toys or denying dessert to get their kids to behave, the poll found. What’s more, nearly half of parents polled have resorted to bribes to get better behavior from kids. Unfortunately, these aren’t likely to be winning strategies, Mott pediatrician Dr. Susan Woolford said in a hospital news release. “Discipline helps young children learn what behaviors are safe and appropriate and can play a crucial role in helping them learn the difference between right and wrong,” Woolford said. “Empty threats, however, undermine trust and credibility and aren’t usually effective,” Woolford added. “Positive reinforcement and consistent discipline are more likely to shape long-term behavior.” About half of parents rated themselves as very consistent in disciplining their child, based on poll responses from 725 parents with at least one child between the ages of 1 and 5. But it’s not easy — nearly a quarter of parents said they become overly irritated by their…  read on >  read on >