Summertime is just around the corner, and dog days at the beach may be part of many families' vacation plans. But parents may be wondering about how clean the water is. Water-testing technology so far has been inadequate in testing for bacteria because it's not accessible enough to check all swimming spots or it can't keep up with quickly changing conditions at some sites. Now a new, faster method for testing may be available from researchers whose paper strip method can detect E. coli in minutes. Check for safe and clear beaches ahead of time. Lead author John Brennan, a ch...

With many states passing laws against texting while driving, some claim that the laws will make driving more dangerous because drivers will conceal their phones. However, a new study tells a different story. The study, initiated by high school students, found that drivers make more driving mistakes while texting. They are more likely to drift from their lane, be unaware of accident hazards, and speed whether or not they were concealing their phone. Texting while driving increases your risk of being in an accident. "Any texting while driving has an adverse impact on driving p...

Breast is best… but what about pacifiers? It's commonly been thought that giving a baby a pacifier might cause problems with breastfeeding.

Researchers are learning more about how obesity develops from complex factors beyond just eating too much. One factor may be a fear of not having enough food for one's children. A recent study reveals that food insecurity, or the anxiety about whether a person will have enough food to be sure their family is well fed, might play a part in why some children go on to become severely overweight. Follow your doctor's recommendations on feeding your baby. Rachel Gross, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Children's...

If you remember asking your math teacher, "When are we ever going to need this stuff," the answer might be more important than you think: when you're measuring medication for your kid. A recent unpublished study has shown that poor math skills among parents are strongly linked to errors in measuring out the correct dosage of a medication for their children. Have a nurse, doctor or pharmacist show you how to measure your child's medication. Lead author Christine Marrese , MD, of the New York University School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital, and colleagues wanted to find out wh...

Caffeine can be a legal way to enhance athletic performance, though studies have shown mixed results. Genetic variation may be the reason caffeine does not work the same for everyone. Many studies have shown that caffeine can increase a person’s athletic performance, but these studies have also shown that these effects are not universal throughout the participants. A new study examines the link between caffeine’s effects and genetic differences between people. Caffeine may give you an extra edge in sports. Dr. Christopher J. Womack, PhD, a researcher and professor at Jam...

Think snakes are cool? Or terrifying? No matter what your feelings are, you'll have the same reaction to a poisonous snakebite. Not all snakes are poisonous, but venomous snake bites can kill. That's what you probably already know. But what you don't know about snake bites might help save your life. Seek medical help immediately if you're bitten by a snake. Snakes live all over the world, in close proximity to humans. The best thing to do around wild snakes is avoid them. But say you're walking out in nature, and come face to face with a threatening-looking slitherer who bri...

Through recent program enhancements, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research ( CDER ) has strengthened monitoring of currently available drugs and communications about drug safety issues to the public.