Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/u65P0vJGT3Q

Children as young as four can learn the principles of responsible philanthropy, and they are more than willing participants in the decision-making process. This is the finding from a study at Britain’s University of Kent.

A group of 150 children aged 4 to 8 years were presented information about a series of charitable causes worthy of their donations.  They delved into the details about the needs of each, and they were each provided with a sum of 100 pounds to donate to one or more charities.

The children of all ages demonstrated remarkable understanding of detail and wisdom in their choices.  Most donations went to the poor and homeless (28%), assisting wildlife (26%), and helping needy children (27%).  Fewer funds went to medical research (12%) and international charities (7%) as it was more difficult for the kids to understand and relate to these causes.

A key parenting principle is given children a role in decision-making for themselves and for their families.  You provide a closed set of alternatives all of which are safe, healthy, and positive.  Then let the kids make their decisions.

For instance….It’s time for dinner.  Which color plate would you like to eat on?

It’s ultra-important in child development for kids to shoulder increasing responsibility for their own lives.  In fact, they demand it, and if you refuse to delegate some decision-making to them, they become increasingly rebellious even to the point of being self-destructive.

Children are exposed to more information fast and faster in our digital world.  Give them room to mature, and delight in their accomplishments.

University of Kent. "Children should help choose the charities their schools and families support." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 April 2019. .

#Parenting #charity #philanthropy #decisionmaking #childhood #responsibility 

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/u65P0vJGT3Q

Children as young as four can learn the principles of responsible philanthropy, and they are more than willing participants in the decision-making process. This is the finding from a study at Britain’s University of Kent.

A group of 150 children aged 4 to 8 years were presented information about a series of charitable causes worthy of their donations.  They delved into the details about the needs of each, and they were each provided with a sum of 100 pounds to donate to one or more charities.

The children of all ages demonstrated remarkable understanding of detail and wisdom in their choices.  Most donations went to the poor and homeless (28%), assisting wildlife (26%), and helping needy children (27%).  Fewer funds went to medical research (12%) and international charities (7%) as it was more difficult for the kids to understand and relate to these causes.

A key parenting principle is given children a role in decision-making for themselves and for their families.  You provide a closed set of alternatives all of which are safe, healthy, and positive.  Then let the kids make their decisions.

For instance….It’s time for dinner.  Which color plate would you like to eat on?

It’s ultra-important in child development for kids to shoulder increasing responsibility for their own lives.  In fact, they demand it, and if you refuse to delegate some decision-making to them, they become increasingly rebellious even to the point of being self-destructive.

Children are exposed to more information fast and faster in our digital world.  Give them room to mature, and delight in their accomplishments.

University of Kent. "Children should help choose the charities their schools and families support." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 April 2019. .

#Parenting #charity #philanthropy #decisionmaking #childhood #responsibility 

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/IvZRlvtWJ-o

Walnuts can suppress the expression of genes in breast cancers.  In so doing, the nuts may be able stop breast cancer from growing locally and and spreading.

Oncologist researchers from Marshall University just published a study in the journal Nutrition Research that conclusively demonstrates in both women with breast cancer and in a mouse model injected with human breast cancer cells that consuming walnuts daily throws a logjam into the tumor cells’ metabolism.  The human subjects ate 2 ounces of walnuts for 2-3 weeks between their diagnostic biopsies and definitive surgery.  The mice consumed an equivalent amount.

The results show that walnuts affect the expression of some 456 breast cancer cell genes that in turn inhibit cell proliferation, reduce cell vitality, and promote cell destruction.  Studies are now underway enrolling larger groups of patients to prove that walnuts and their anti-oxidative prowess can indeed stop breast cancers in their tracks and prevent their life-threatening metastasis to vital organs.

W. Elaine Hardman, Donald A. Primerano, Mary T. Legenza, James Morgan, Jun Fan, James Denvir. Dietary walnut altered gene expressions related to tumor growth, survival, and metastasis in breast Cancer patients: A pilot clinical trial. Nutrition Research, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2019.03.004

#Walnuts #breastcancer #geneexpression

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/IvZRlvtWJ-o

Walnuts can suppress the expression of genes in breast cancers.  In so doing, the nuts may be able stop breast cancer from growing locally and and spreading.

Oncologist researchers from Marshall University just published a study in the journal Nutrition Research that conclusively demonstrates in both women with breast cancer and in a mouse model injected with human breast cancer cells that consuming walnuts daily throws a logjam into the tumor cells’ metabolism.  The human subjects ate 2 ounces of walnuts for 2-3 weeks between their diagnostic biopsies and definitive surgery.  The mice consumed an equivalent amount.

The results show that walnuts affect the expression of some 456 breast cancer cell genes that in turn inhibit cell proliferation, reduce cell vitality, and promote cell destruction.  Studies are now underway enrolling larger groups of patients to prove that walnuts and their anti-oxidative prowess can indeed stop breast cancers in their tracks and prevent their life-threatening metastasis to vital organs.

W. Elaine Hardman, Donald A. Primerano, Mary T. Legenza, James Morgan, Jun Fan, James Denvir. Dietary walnut altered gene expressions related to tumor growth, survival, and metastasis in breast Cancer patients: A pilot clinical trial. Nutrition Research, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2019.03.004

#Walnuts #breastcancer #geneexpression

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/KpcGVJYjk-g

The majority of American parents believe that young children should not be playing tackle football.  A study recently published in the journal Pediatrics tabulated the results of a nationwide survey.

Over 1000 parents completed the survey.  Sixty-one percent definitely favored restrictions and another 24% were leaning toward bans on tackling for younger children for a total of 85% considering restrictions.

Meanwhile, on the political front, a 6 states have proposed bills to regulate tackle football for children under the age of 12.  Bills have been filed in New York, Illinois, California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.  So far none of them have passed into law, and the bills in California and Illinois have been withdrawn.  The New York and Maryland bills were defeated.

Finally, consider these two facts.  ONE. The sad cases of adolescent athletes and multiple studies show that head injuries produce lasting and in some cases progressive damage to the brain, particularly to the developing brain, that lead to premature dementia and psychosis.  TWO. Many NFL stars never played tackle football until they were in high school including Tom Brady, Jim Brown, Walter Peyton, Jerry Rice, Anthony Munoz, and Lawrence Taylor.

Flag and touch football are alternatives to tackle.  Studies suggest, though, that they may not be safer unless player contact is strictly prohibited and protective gear is worn.

Sara P.D. Chrisman, Kathryn B. Whitlock, Emily Kroshus, Christina Schwien, Stanley A. Herring, Frederick P. Rivara.  Parents’ Perspectives Regarding Age Restrictions for Tackling in Youth Football

Pediatrics Apr 2019, e20182402; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-2402

https://brainlaw.com/youth-tackle-football/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/whats-the-big-football-story-flag-is-more-popular-than-tackle/2018/11/28/046b530e-e9c4-11e8-bbdb-72fdbf9d4fed_story.html?utm_term=.a94756a0af8a

#Football #tackle #concussion, headinjury #flagfootball #parenting

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/KpcGVJYjk-g

The majority of American parents believe that young children should not be playing tackle football.  A study recently published in the journal Pediatrics tabulated the results of a nationwide survey.

Over 1000 parents completed the survey.  Sixty-one percent definitely favored restrictions and another 24% were leaning toward bans on tackling for younger children for a total of 85% considering restrictions.

Meanwhile, on the political front, a 6 states have proposed bills to regulate tackle football for children under the age of 12.  Bills have been filed in New York, Illinois, California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.  So far none of them have passed into law, and the bills in California and Illinois have been withdrawn.  The New York and Maryland bills were defeated.

Finally, consider these two facts.  ONE. The sad cases of adolescent athletes and multiple studies show that head injuries produce lasting and in some cases progressive damage to the brain, particularly to the developing brain, that lead to premature dementia and psychosis.  TWO. Many NFL stars never played tackle football until they were in high school including Tom Brady, Jim Brown, Walter Peyton, Jerry Rice, Anthony Munoz, and Lawrence Taylor.

Flag and touch football are alternatives to tackle.  Studies suggest, though, that they may not be safer unless player contact is strictly prohibited and protective gear is worn.

Sara P.D. Chrisman, Kathryn B. Whitlock, Emily Kroshus, Christina Schwien, Stanley A. Herring, Frederick P. Rivara.  Parents’ Perspectives Regarding Age Restrictions for Tackling in Youth Football

Pediatrics Apr 2019, e20182402; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-2402

https://brainlaw.com/youth-tackle-football/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/whats-the-big-football-story-flag-is-more-popular-than-tackle/2018/11/28/046b530e-e9c4-11e8-bbdb-72fdbf9d4fed_story.html?utm_term=.a94756a0af8a

#Football #tackle #concussion, headinjury #flagfootball #parenting

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/pk5wJguNNLw

Pregnant women with long work commutes may are more likely to experience a slow fetal growth rate and to deliver a low birth weight baby.  Health economists at Lehigh University drew this conclusion from New Jersey birth records and information about the lengths of the  associated maternal commutes.

Each 10 miles of commuting distance over a 50 mile threshold increased the probability of intrauterine growth restriction by 43% and the probability of a low birth weight infant by 14%.  The increased risk was calculated using control mothers with a 10 mile or less commute.   So women commuting 80 miles a day would have a 42% higher risk of giving birth to a low birth weight infant.

The researchers found that the adverse affects on the fetus occur due to commute-induced chronic maternal stress and, of even more importance, less prenatal care due to limited time.   Many of the women with long commutes had delayed prenatal care or none at all.

This information suggests that pregnant women with long commutes should consider telecommuting during their pregnancies and looking for work closer to home.  Once the baby arrives, time with family will become even more precious. If you are in the car on a long commute, you are also paying even more for child care.

Yang Wang, Muzhe Yang. Long Commutes to Work during Pregnancy and Infant Health at Birth. Economics & Human Biology, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2019.03.006

#Commuting #lowbirthweight #intrauterinegrowth #stress #prenatalcare

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/pk5wJguNNLw

Pregnant women with long work commutes may are more likely to experience a slow fetal growth rate and to deliver a low birth weight baby.  Health economists at Lehigh University drew this conclusion from New Jersey birth records and information about the lengths of the  associated maternal commutes.

Each 10 miles of commuting distance over a 50 mile threshold increased the probability of intrauterine growth restriction by 43% and the probability of a low birth weight infant by 14%.  The increased risk was calculated using control mothers with a 10 mile or less commute.   So women commuting 80 miles a day would have a 42% higher risk of giving birth to a low birth weight infant.

The researchers found that the adverse affects on the fetus occur due to commute-induced chronic maternal stress and, of even more importance, less prenatal care due to limited time.   Many of the women with long commutes had delayed prenatal care or none at all.

This information suggests that pregnant women with long commutes should consider telecommuting during their pregnancies and looking for work closer to home.  Once the baby arrives, time with family will become even more precious. If you are in the car on a long commute, you are also paying even more for child care.

Yang Wang, Muzhe Yang. Long Commutes to Work during Pregnancy and Infant Health at Birth. Economics & Human Biology, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2019.03.006

#Commuting #lowbirthweight #intrauterinegrowth #stress #prenatalcare

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/iasDGPN5naM

The FDA has just issued a special warning that some e-cigarette users have developed seizures.  Nicotine toxicity can lower a persons seizure threshold.

Seizures have previously only been reported in cases of accidental e-cigarette liquid ingestion.  Now case reports are coming in where seizures are occurring in those vaping for the first time but also in more experienced users.  Convulsions may occur after only a few puffs but may also be delayed up to one day.

If you or someone you know has experienced a seizure in association with e-cigarette use, report the details immediately to both your doctor and to the FDA through their safety reporting portal: safetyreporting.hhs.gov. 

https://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm635133.htm

#Vaping #ecigarettes #seizure #nicotine

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/iasDGPN5naM

The FDA has just issued a special warning that some e-cigarette users have developed seizures.  Nicotine toxicity can lower a persons seizure threshold.

Seizures have previously only been reported in cases of accidental e-cigarette liquid ingestion.  Now case reports are coming in where seizures are occurring in those vaping for the first time but also in more experienced users.  Convulsions may occur after only a few puffs but may also be delayed up to one day.

If you or someone you know has experienced a seizure in association with e-cigarette use, report the details immediately to both your doctor and to the FDA through their safety reporting portal: safetyreporting.hhs.gov. 

https://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm635133.htm

#Vaping #ecigarettes #seizure #nicotine