Why the young and old look on the bright side
(The Washington Post)
Somehow, we can grow pessimistic about life in general while continuing to be upbeat about our own future. But we are often more optimistic than realistic.
An antibiotic didn’t help get rid of a lower respiratory tract infection
Study of 2,000 adults finds that amoxicillin didn’t work any better than a placebo.
Bankruptcy or sale of an employer can affect workers’ health insurance
Employees and retirees are sometimes left with few affordable options; new law offers some help.
Paralyzed woman uses robotic arm controlled by thoughts to feed herself
Device allow its user to achieve a level of agility and control approaching that of a human limb.
A doctor is stunned by the poor care his mother received at her hospital
Following woman’s death, relatives seek reassurances that others would not be treated as she was.
Obesity becomes a problem in China
With plentiful fast food and desk jobs, Chinese are eating worse, exercising less and getting fat.
How to recover from surgery faster
Wise patients know what to expect in the hospital, use painkillers wisely and plan for after-discharge care.
Animals have languages of their own, biologist says in new book
Also: How some parasites function as nature’s zombies by hijacking their hosts.
Bacterial traces from 3.5 billion years ago may be ‘oldest fossils’ ever found
Scientists think rocks show evidence of organisms that lived a billion years after Earth formed.
Jet lag is tougher when traveling east, but precautions can ease its effects
Exercise, drugs and a shift in sleep patterns can make it easier to fly across time zones.
Some fasting may improve health
New research suggests it might reduce the risk of developing cancer, dementia and other diseases.
The Checkup
Beware of flying champagne corks!
To avoid eye injury during the holidays, be careful uncorking that bottle of bubbly.
The Checkup
Study questions utility of women's annual pelvic exam
Research suggests that many pelvic exams are done for reasons that have little to do with medical need.
The Checkup
Aerobic exercise beats resistance training for weight loss
Research finds that aerobic activity beats resistance training for aiding weight loss.
More from Health & Science staff
Health, Science & Environment Videos
Watch the 2012 solar eclipse, viewed from Australia
Watch the solar eclipse that occured 3:30pm EST, which was only viewable from Northern Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Watch the 2012 solar eclipse, viewed from Australia
Watch the solar eclipse that occured 3:30pm EST, which was only viewable from Northern Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Nor’easter evening forecast from the Capital Weather Gang
The Washington Post’s Jason Samenow explains what Nor’easter’s heavy wet snow and 40mph winds will mean for residents in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Capital Weather Gang previews winter outlook for D.C. Council
Capital Weather Gang previews winter outlook for D.C. Council
Contributors to Alaska’s Kachemak Bay’s pH levels
Contributors to Alaska’s Kachemak Bay’s pH levels
The National Zoo’s giant panda, Mei Xiang, vocalized distress on Sunday morning. Her six-day-old panda cub died on Sunday.
Quick glimpse of National Zoo’s baby panda
The National Zoo’s panda cam caught a shot of mother panda Mei Xiang picking up her cub on Monday evening.
Visitors flock to National Zoo to see baby panda
The National Zoo’s giant female panda Mei Xiang gave birth Sunday night. Visitors joined the new mother at the zoo Monday to celebrate the new baby.
The National Zoo says their giant female panda Mei Xiang gave birth late Sunday night. The cub is the first baby panda to be born at the zoo since 2005.
Flooding in Slidell after Hurricane Isaac
Parts of Slidell, a suburb of New Orleans, are flooded Thursday in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac. U.S. Army National Guard members and residents with boats evacuated people stuck in flooded areas of the town.
Isaac bears down on New Orleans
Tropical Storm Isaac, which was downgraded from a hurricane, continues to slowly ravage the New Orleans area. Lake Pontchartrain crashes onto Interstate 10 North outside the city to flood the area, and people asses damage around the city.
Hurricane Isaac provides major surf at Louisiana lake
New Orleans residents take advantage of big waves and high winds before Hurricane Isaac makes landfall at Lake Pontchartrain.Urban Jungle
Cardinals in the treetops
As favored foods decline, cardinals feed higher up, in vulnerable spots.
Health news from the wires
Why was teenager gasping for air?
Coughing spells confounded multiple specialists, but not an astute physician assistant.
NASA to Mars rover: Are you there?
How the space agency can communicate in a matter of minutes with the Mars rover Curiosity.
Special Reports
Obesity in America 2010
One-third of U.S. children are overweight, leaving the health and productivity of an entire generation at risk.
Elsewhere in National
The Post Most: NationMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hours
Ask Tom: DC dining scene
Live Q&A, 11 a.m. ET
Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema entertains your dining questions, rants and raves.
Featured Reads
