Infotrak

Recent research supports the concept of a brain body connection. Negative thinking about getting older can have a measurable impact on your health, and how you respond to stress. Dakota Witzel, doctoral candidate in Oregon State University’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences, will outline about ways to reduce stress about aging.

Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere. How prepared are you and your family should the worst suddenly happen? Creek Stewart, preparedness expert, Weather Channel host, author of " The Disaster-Ready Home: A Step-by-Step Emergency Preparedness Manual for Sheltering in Place" outlines simple steps to set up an emergency food and water supply, and to prepare for the loss of power and heat.

Aaron Packman, PhD, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University is sounding the alarm about microplastics in rivers, and the impact this form of pollution may be having on wildlife and humans.

Do pre-kindergarten programs for America's youngsters work? Dale Clark Farran, PhD, Emerita Professor, Research Professor in Early Childhood Education at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development, discusses the first statewide randomized controlled research of pre-K outcomes. She was stunned at the findings and you will be, too.

Modern technology such as DNA tests and online genealogy databases can change lives in dramatic ways. Many adoptees now have the means to locate long-lost parents and siblings. Sometimes the reunions are joyful; other times not so much. We'll talk with Julia Brewer Daily, author of “No Names to Be Given,” a novel based on her real-life story of adoption, to learn about the emotional landmines that sometimes accompany attempted reunions.

Then, growing up today as a teenage girl is fraught with challenges, including more stress and pressure than ever before. We'll talk with Lisa Hinkelman, PhD, counselor, founder and CEO of Ruling Our eXperiences, Inc., author of “Girls Without Limits: Helping Girls Succeed in Relationships, Academics, Careers and Life”, who says eight hours per day of social media exposure has had a profound effect on girls, one that parents can scarcely relate to.

And, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for the first time in its history. David C. Mair, MD, Medical Director of the American Red Cross outlines the reasons behind this urgent problem, and how you can help.

Automated external defibrillators might be increasingly available for use in the event of a cardiac arrest, but Dr. Christopher M. Smith, PhD Student in Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, England, led a study that found that they aren’t being used nearly as much as they should be. He talked about the reasons that bystanders are reluctant to use AEDs and what government officials can do to help.

Then, team sports have been a tradition for American kids, but COVID 19 worries and other factors have reduced the number of participants, impacting kids’ health and fitness. Dan O'Neill, MD, EdD, author of “Survival of the Fit: How Physical Education Ensures Academic Achievement and a Healthy Life,” talks about the potential health effects of inactivity and childhood obesity, and why physical fitness levels also have a significant impact on academic performance.

Mental disorder symptoms have emerged or worsened for many people during the pandemic. Lockdowns and supply chain issues have also led to hoarding behavior. Carol Matthews, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Florida, explains how to distinguish between hoarding, stockpiling and panic buying, and what constitutes normal behavior in an abnormal time.

Recent research found that boys who participated in sports in early ages had less depression and anxiety in mid childhood. Marie-Josee Harbec, PhD, psycho educator at CHU Ste-Justine Children's Hospital in Montreal outlines her findings and the possible reasons that sports participation can be so effective.

Can you use help managing your money? Podcaster Joe Saul-Sehy, author of “Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management,” joins us with tips to avoid money mistakes and dig yourself out of debt.

A researcher studying America's gender wage gap examined the recent theory that women may be less competitive and take fewer risks than men. Alessandra Cassar, PhD, Professor of Economics at the University of San Francisco, shares her fascinating findings.

A recent survey found that 43% of Americans have had at least one package stolen from their porch. Bree Fowler, Senior Security expert at CNET, joins us for some tips to sink porch pirates during the holiday season.

Then, some American cities have levied a tax on sugary drinks, in an effort to raise money and cut obesity. Grant Donnelly, PhD, Assistant Professor of Marketing at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, outlines his recent study that examined whether price tags that specifically mentioned the tax would change consumers’ buying decisions.

2020 saw the lowest birthrate of any year in American history, part of a disturbing long-term trend. Alison Gemmill, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, explains the possible reasons behind the trend and whether she believes it can be reversed.

sleep problems are common in children and are known to detrimentally affect language and cognitive abilities, as well as academic achievement. We’ll talk with Anna Joyce, PhD, MSc, Lecturer in Psychology, from Regent’s University London, who led a study that examined the connection between sleep-disordered breathing and daytime sleepiness in children and reading skills.

Then, a vital step to protect your vision is to schedule an annual eye exam. Glaucoma expert, Daniel Laroche, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center, outlines the most common symptoms of the illness, who is at greatest risk, and why people of color are in the highest risk category.

Making the right food purchases can save you money, improve your health, and help the environment. Hua Cai, PhD, Associate Professor of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, and Industrial Engineering at Purdue University, shares three simple changes to make in your shopping habits, that have surprisingly strong impact on your food carbon footprint.

A recent survey found that more than half of teens today are gravitating toward a skill-based education, and almost half are leaning toward programs that can be completed within two years. Sung Rhee, CEO and founder of Optimal, recently published an analysis titled "Coding Bootcamp vs College: Which Will Help You Land the Most Prestigious Jobs in the Tech Industry?" He explains what a coding boot camp teaches and who is a likely candidate to attend.