Local News
Bacteria, metals found in Animas Valley wells
Water-quality tests show variable contamination
Health
Health
Rookie doctors can work longer, 24-hour shifts under new rules
Cambridge Hospital first-year residents Samantha Harrington, center, and Vikas Gampa, right, talk during “sign-out” at the hospital in Cambridge, Mass. That’s when the rookie doctors exchange information about their patients…
Health
Even in middle age, your best running days may still be ahead of you
New research shows that while elite runners peak at age 35, the rest of us may not peak until we’re 50.JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file These are the results of a…
Health
Fitbit tracks your steps; now it wants to chart your Zs, too
Fitbit’s new Alta HR has new sleep tools, heart-rate monitoring and seven days of battery life. It goes on sale in April for about $150.Mark Lennihan/Associated Press The company said…
Nation & World
Bacon, soda too few nuts may kill you
Overeating or not eating enough of the 10 foods and nutrients contributes to nearly half of U.S. deaths from these causes, the study suggests. “Good” foods that were under-eaten include:…
Health
Want a productive work day? Watch what you eat
Associated Press file 1. Fuel right. Vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats will provide you with a steady source of energy throughout the day while offering the…
Health
Risk & reward: Stopping a cancer drug to see if you’re cured
Rick and Nina Schlidt sit at the table of their home in Hartland, Wis. Nina Schlidt was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in 2009 and had to take drugs to…
Health
Those with blurry close-up vision get some new help
Dr. Mark Whitten performs a short eye surgery procedure on patient Christianne Krupinsky in Washington, to insert a Raindrop inlay, a disc implanted in the cornea to reshape it for…
Health
Gene therapy lets a French teen dodge sickle cell disease
This 2009 colorized microscope image made available by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a sickle cell, left, and normal red…
Health
UN sees bird flu changes but calls risk of people spread low
Health workers in full protective gear collect dead chickens killed by using carbon dioxide, after bird flu was found in some birds at a wholesale poultry market in Hong Kong.…
Health
Doctors warn against teen pot use amid looser marijuana laws
du1-i-syn Many parents use the drug and think it’s OK for their kids, but “we would rather not mess around with the developing brain,” said Dr. Seth Ammerman. The advice…
Health
The dirty dozen: UN issues list of 12 most worrying bacteria
In a press briefing on Monday, the U.N. health agency said its list is meant to promote the development of medicines for the most worrying drug-resistant bacteria, including salmonella and…
Health
Sharp vision: New glasses help the legally blind see
Suddenly, Regan could read a newspaper while eating breakfast and make out the faces of his co-workers from across the room. He’s been able to attend plays and watch what’s…
Health
Free class available for those with prediabetes
du1-i-syn The class will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 3, in Suite 140 in the medical office building, 1010 Three Springs Blvd. Sheena Carswell, a clinical…
Health
Adding friendly bacteria to skin lotion wards off bad germs
This digitally colorized microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) shows Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in yellow. New research found protective bacteria in healthy skin…
Health
Life expectancy to keep rising; South Korean women could hit 91
the news for Americans is not good
Health
Teen suicide attempts fell as same-sex marriage became legal
Associated Press file The research found declines in states that passed laws allowing gays to marry before the Supreme Court made it legal nationwide. The results don’t prove there’s a…
Local News
Acupuncturist to discuss allergies on Tuesday at library
Licensed acupuncturist Caleb Gates will present a discussion on allergies, “Resolving Food Sensitivities, Airborne Allergies and Sinusitis,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 2 at Durango Public Library, 1900 East…
Health
No designer babies, but gene editing to avoid disease? Maybe
DNA resides and does it’ work inside the 46 human chromosomes.Associated Press file What’s called genome editing already is transforming biological research, and being used to develop treatments for patients…
Health
Trying to lose weight? The colder months might be the perfect time
A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that people actively trying to shed pounds had the best results when the temperature dropped.Associated Press file A new study…
Health
Without your balance, life feels downside-up
Rajesh Kumar Singh/Associated Press file Without your sense of balance, you couldn’t stand or walk without falling on your face. Balance is the result of the brain processing information that…
Health
Step away from the scale: It’s not all about how much weight you lose
Technically, you could improve strength and increase lean body mass while gaining – rather than losing – weight, depending on your starting point. Because, as we know, muscle weighs more…
Local News
Dry needling takes off as a way to ease chronic pain
Acupuncturists raise concern about training required
Health
An athlete’s age may be less important to performance than persistent practice
“Self-efficacy, your belief in your ability to achieve an outcome is very important for predicting performance outcomes and a person’s behavior,” says Joseph Baker, professor of exercise sciences at York…
Nation & World
Games, crafts, other activities may safeguard aging brain
Research published last week shows that even in one’s 70s and beyond, simple activities including web-surfing, playing bridge and socializing can stave off mental decline.Jean Pieri/Pioneer Press file via AP…
Health
Six ways to keep your kids healthy during winter
JERRYMcBRIDE/Durango Herald file One of my children asked me why people are more likely to get sick in the winter than the summer. In general, it is because people spend…
Health
The treadmill’s weird history
evolution is an exercise in how work, leisure and technology changed in the past 200 years
Health
Women invited to join heart-health program
Durango Herald file Women older than 40 with a body mass index over 24 who exercise less than once a week are eligible to join the program. A 12-week program,…
Health
Health department changes name to San Juan Basin Public Health
du1-i-syn The name change better reflects the organization’s public health mission: to protect human and environmental health and inspire well-being in the community. All current programs are available under the…
Health
Hospice of Mercy to offer 8-week grief support group
Associated Press file Participants will have the opportunity to explore the processes associated with loss and grief, while building understanding and support among group participants. The group will meet at…