Scientists have discovered that the way parents talk to their infants has a huge effect on their intellectual development and later success. Experts discuss why and how parents should hold "conversations" with their babies.

Medical Notes for the week of January 27, 2019 including: A drinkable cocktail of designer molecules that stops the development of dementia. Then, using sugar substitutes as part of a weight loss resolution and the evidence that suggests it's no better or worse than plain old sugar. Finally, shaming people for what they do isn't right even thought new research suggests that it can get people who engage in dangerous activities to quit.

Hormones were unknown until a little more than 100 years ago, and experts admit we still have a lot to learn. An expert author details the discovery of hormones and how our growing knowledge has shaped treatment of many diseases and conditions.

Since the introduction of antibiotics in World War II, doctors have prescribed courses of treatment that typically ran longer than necessary. Bacterial resistance is forcing a reevaluation, shortening courses sometimes to just a few days and even prompting doctors to advise not using all pills if patients feel better.

Medical Notes for the week of January 20, 2019 including Vitamin B9 is an essential nutrient, and now new research shows supplementation is more important than we thought. Then, If you ever fibbed to your doctor, you're not alone, and scientists have found a specific genetic mutation that causes frontal temporal Alzheimer's. Finally, forcing kids to apologize and recent studies that show how it usually backfires.

Dupuytren's disease (pronounced DOO-pah-tren) is the most common disorder crippling hands that most people have never heard of. It is a genetic condition of the fascia beneath the skin of the palms, and it stubbornly resists treatment. An expert and a patient discuss the disorder.

Surveys show that fewer Americans have a primary care doctor, especially among younger people. Experts discuss the ramifications of this trend both medically and economically, reasons behind it, and how primary care practitioners are changing the way they work to answer objections.

Medical Notes for the week of January 13, 2019 including the number of people with dementia around the world has more than doubled since the 1990's, the effects of air pollution on city dwellers, and finally studies proving that it doesn't take long to believe your own lies.

Experts say incest is the most common of all sexual abuse, but the least discussed openly. This can leave victims isolated and less able to reveal abuse, which can have further psychological ramifications later on. A noted expert on sexual abuse discusses how incest makes girls feel particularly responsible and unable to come forward, and a non-profit organization that seeks to help them.

Experts have believed that autism affects four times as many boys as girls, but the ratio may not actually be quite that high. Doctors are learning that autism shows up differently in girls’ behavior as a result of brain differences. This leaves many girls with autism undiagnosed. Experts discuss how it appears in girls and the consequences of those differences.