Alternative spring breaks are offering Michigan Technological University students opportunities to do community service or go on an outdoor adventure during their annual spring break from the books.
With spring just a few months away, you may be eager to dust off your gardening gloves and haul out those pruning shears to get your garden ready for planting. If you’ve always wanted the dream front yard that will make your neighbours green with envy, Sam Benvie, an instructor in the Landscape Design Certificate Program at Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, offers up these simple tips.
Sixteen students from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing will head south for Spring Break, but not for fun in the sun; they're helping communities in need.
April's warm, sunny days mark the beginning of ozone season. UNC Health Care expert David Peden, MD, the director of the Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology at the UNC School of Medicine, explains what his research shows about ozone pollution and how you can protect yourself.
With record high tree pollen counts, spring allergy sufferes can find relief. In fact, a consumer survey found that those who had seen an allergist were nearly three times more likely to say their treatment was effective than those who took over-the-counter medicine.
Dr. Joseph Leija, allergist at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital released the first official allergy count of the Midwest today - Trees, Moderate and Mold, Low.
Eco-fashion is one of the biggest trends of the decade, and designers are offering more stylish and affordable clothing as consumer demand rises. That’s why Wake Forest’s sustainability office and eco-designer Jenny Hwa will soon be co-hosting a fashion show of eco-chic clothing and accessories.
Cool spring temperatures have kept many wildflowers in check, but a spectacular display of bluebonnets and other native Texas plants has begun as temperatures climb, said a University of Texas at Austin expert at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
As tornado season blows into the U.S., Texas Tech University’s Wind Science and Engineering Research Center prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary of studying the destructive storms and developing new technologies and methods of warning and damage mitigation. Home to some of the nation’s most prominent wind researchers, Texas Tech has experts available in many disciplines.
Allergist Says Spring Weather, More Than Record-Setting Winter Precipitation, Determines Symptom Severity. With record-setting snowfall and wet weather in the region this winter, one question comes to mind for many as spring approaches: how bad will my allergies be?
With shamrocks hung on doors and parade plans in the works, March is full of all things St. Patrick’s Day. Along with the festivities comes a curiosity about the culture they represent. A good way to get acquainted with the Irish is to pick up a novel by one of the island nation’s gifted authors.
The wealth of Irish literature stems from the country’s impressive historical legacy of folklore and storytelling, says Richard Haslam, Ph.D., a native of Belfast, Ireland, and associate professor of English at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pa.
National Wildlife Week encourages kids to unleash their wild child to discover and imagine, surrounded by a world of green. The 2010 theme, Be Out There At Home, School and Play, will bring children and their families together in nature.
As spring approaches and people return to outdoor activities, caution should be taken in areas of the country that are home to the brown recluse spider.
If gardeners are concerned that this year’s record snowfall will harm their dormant plants, fret not, says botanist Karen Snetselaar, Ph.D., chair and professor of biology at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pa.
“Snow cover is actually beneficial for many plants, especially perennial herbs and shrubs, because it provides insulation from freezing temperatures,” notes Snetselaar. “Plants under snow will be exposed to fewer drastic temperature changes, which is often more damaging than continued cold.”
Anna Jarvis, the driving force behind the creation of Mother's Day, would be very unhappy with the way the holiday is celebrated in 2009, according to the archivist at Mary Baldwin College, her alma mater.
With many college students heading off to sun-and fun-filled spring break trips, Mary Margaret Harris, director of Western Illinois University's Beu Health Center, would like students to take a moment and consider the following advice: "Bring back great memories, not regrets."
As the patron saint of all things verdant, it should be no surprise that St. Patrick's eyes would smile at the thought of a truly green--or sustainable--parade in his honor.
Close to 45 students from Central New York's Ithaca College will be hitting the road during spring break (March 9 to 13), some traveling as far as 1,100 miles to do community service in four areas of need across the country. Their efforts are part of Ithaca College's Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program.
Tick Tock. It's that time of year. Daylight-saving time begins at 2 a.m. this Sunday. A sleep expert at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston offers tips to help you and your family get a good night's rest.
It may only be one hour of lost time, but the "˜spring forward' of our clocks for daylight saving time can really pack a punch for some people. A U-M Sleep Specialist discusses the impact of the time change and offers tips to help adults and children adjust to the lost hour on March 8.
Take time to connect with nature and enjoy the "wild life" this spring by celebrating National Wildlife Week, March 16-20. During this unique event, people of all ages will be making time to get outside with the National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Watch program, by participating in environmental service projects, and by enjoying outdoor games and activities.
Tax time and the current economic crisis are causing stress and depression among all age groups. From trying to pay monthly bills to dipping into retirement accounts to the fear of losing jobs, most families are affected.
But there is help.
A report from Temple University food safety policy expert highlights ways to protect and prevent spread of foodborne disease among farm workers in order to stave off another outbreak.
At her 21st birthday, Julie Moore understood better than most what "having your whole life in front of you" meant. Not because she could finally order a legal drink, but because her whole life had just depended on noticing one tiny freckle. The freckle, it turned out, was melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Tanning booths and sun worshipping had left their mark early.
Safe barbecuing relies upon simple common sense, but let's face it"“we're all just grown-up kids playing with fire when we cook burgers over an open flame"”which is part of the fun, but sometimes people do get hurt. Whether your grilling pit is powered by lighter fluid or propane, fire is fire. Know the dangers (and how to use a fire extinguisher.)
Bikinis, beaches and beer: spring break is here. But with it comes the sobering thought that 1,700 college students each year die as the result of alcohol misuse and thousands more are injured or sexually assaulted, says college drinking expert Scott Walters, Ph.D., associate professor at The University of Texas School of Public Health Dallas Regional Campus.
Spring is the time when we plant gardens that will reap a summer of flowers and vegetables. While this popular outdoor activity has stress-relieving benefits, it can also be physically challenging, warns Dr. Paula Kramer. Dr. Kramer provides easy tips to safely tend your garden and prevent serious injury.
Seasonal allergies follow the growth cycle of plants. Beginning in early March, the common allergies come from tree pollen, and by late April or early May, grass begins to pollinate. These allergies last until July and then the next round begins with ragweed and other weeds start in August.
Jennifer Derebery, M.D., physician at the House Clinic and leading expert on the treatment of allergies, believes there a several options available to people with significant symptoms before starting allergy shots.
The raging Australian wildfires that have killed more than 200 people and destroyed some 1,800 homes over the last few weeks can "absolutely happen in the western United States at any time this year," says forest ecosystem expert Wallace Covington.
Thousands of volunteers are taking part in a nationwide initiative to track climate change by recording the timing of flowering, leafing, and other plant life cycle events. Now in its second full year, Project BudBurst is successfully amassing observations from students, gardeners, and other citizen scientists in every state to give researchers a detailed picture of our warming climate.
When it comes to patriotic acts, paying taxes is as important as voting for president, according to John O. Fox, professor of complex organizations at Mount Holyoke College.
As spring approaches, many parents around the country are concerned about the wide scale use of artificial turf fields on school grounds and in parks properties. While the recognized benefits include the potential for increased use and thereby increased physical activity, these benefits must be tempered by the potential risks.
Spring is in the air"“literally. Pollen, grass, spores, dust, and other allergens, mean that over-the-counter allergy medications are flying off the shelves. But before you turn to a pill for relief, Dr. Daniel A. Hussar cautions on the risks of mixing and misusing over-the-counter medicines.
Before leaving home for a day of outdoor activity, take appropriate precautions to ensure that your and your family's skin is well-protected. According to Susan Chon, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the majority of all skin cancers are caused by the sun.
Stress overload can cause your child to be withdrawn, depressed, irritable and even suicidal. Stress is a part of everyday life for both you and your child. Some people love stress and are very productive under pressure. Others dread it and fall apart. Mary Muscari, associate professor at Binghamton University, offers stress buster tips.
An annual summer vacation or special summer time event for families can help in establishing a tradition that fosters togetherness and creates shared experiences for families, according to Barbara Fiese, professor and chair of the psychology department at Syracuse University and clinical and developmental psychologist.
A sensor system worn in the pockets of a vest continuously monitors the air around persons prone to asthma attacks. After an asthma attack, the researchers can determine what the vest wearer was exposed to environmentally when the attack started. The system measures airborne exposure to formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, temperature, relative humidity and total VOCs.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the leading cause of serious long-term disability. Every year, about 700,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke. Dr. David Chiu, medical director at the Methodist Neurological Institute's (NI's) Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center, answers a few key questions about stroke.
May is Better Hearing/Speech Month. As spring and summer bring an increase in outdoor activities, this is the right time of year to be more aware of speech and hearing issues. Experts in the audiology and speech pathology department at The Methodist Hospital in Houston have a few tips to keep your speech and hearing in working order.
The osteoporosis drug raloxifene increases bone mineral density and reduces the risk of vertebral fractures among postmenopausal women with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study appearing in the July 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology.
More than one million people nationwide are affected by skin cancer each year. This year alone, 68,000 new cases are projected, with a majority being classified as the most serious type "“ melanoma. As Memorial Day Weekend and the opening of the summer beach season fast approaches, prevention is key.
The first American College of Nurse-Midwives Women's Health Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24, 2008 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston in conjunction with the ACNM 53rd Annual Meeting & Exposition. The consumer-focused Expo will be an interactive women's health experience where attendees will take in the latest women's health care information in a relaxed and entertaining setting.