Radio Health Journal
Each week, Radio Health Journal breaks down important news in medicine, science and technology with the help of world-renowned experts. Our three weekly segments will help guide you to a happier, healthier life – with some fun facts to share at dinner parties. Can magic mushrooms cure your depression? Have we outrun natural selection?
Hosted by Elizabeth Westfield, Greg Johnson and Maayan Voss de Bettancourt and produced by Kristen Farrah and Amirah Zaveri. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe, listen, and rate. If you’re looking for older episodes, you can find our entire segment catalog on our website radiohealthjournal.org. Also, check out the latest on Facebook and Instagram @radiohealthjournal and on X @RadioHealthJrnl.
1526
Smart Bandages
Hospitals and clinics often have to stock a huge variety of bandages to address different kinds of wounds. Now a high-tech "smart dressing" can replace them.
8 min
1527
Measles and vaccination
Measles is more widespread than it has been in years. The current measles outbreak in several states has prompted questions about the responsibility of parents to have their children immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. Experts discuss this...
13 min
1528
Botox and Depression
Many people are familiar with the use of Botox to reduce wrinkles and frown lines. But Botox can also be used to reduce the effects of depression. One of the principal researchers on this subject explains.
8 min
1529
The Late Effects of Childhood Cancer
Doctors can cure cancer in children better than ever, but decades later, many survivors suffer from serious, chronic disease as a result of powerful cancer treatments. Often those survivors don't get screening and treatment for late effects. Experts...
13 min
1530
Infant Sleep and Shaken Babies
New parents are often at wits' end when their baby won't sleep. Infants who won't sleep and cry inconsolably are also at major risk of being victims of shaken baby syndrome. Experts discuss the connection and ways babies can be more reliable sleepers.
10 min
1531
The Sense of Touch
The sense of touch is often taken lightly, yet it conveys more emotion than any other sense because it literally has a separate emotional wiring system. A neuroscientist explains the sense of touch, how it works, the power it has over everyday...
10 min
1532
The Gut Microbiome
Scientists are learning that the bacteria living inside us, most notably in the intestines, influence our bodies far more than previously suspected. Our microbiome influences many other organs, particularly the liver, brain, and immune system....
13 min
1533
Mindless Eating
People eat for reasons other than satisfying hunger, and those reasons play a great role in whether we eat too much or not. Experts discuss the role of the environment in our appetites and how we may use it to stay slim.
6 min
1534
Your Eye Exam: More Than Meets the Eye
Eye exams are looking for a lot more than just eye diseases or how well you see. The eye is the window to the rest of our body's health, and many diseases can be spotted there first. An ophthalmologist explains.
7 min
1535
Gender Bias in Science
Few female role models exist at major research universities in scientific fields, subverting efforts to get more women into math and science. Many scientists have dismissed gender bias as a factor. However, new research shows that unintentional bias...
14 min
1536
The Pitfalls of Online Dating
For the first time in history, today more than half of American adults are single. Many are still looking for love--more than 40 million are members of online dating sites, which have their busiest time of the year between now and Valentine's Day. A...
12 min
1537
The Flu: It's Bad This Year
The 2014-2015 flu season started much earlier than normal and so far has been much more severe than usual. Experts explain how this year's mismatch occurred between the flu vaccine and the predominant strain of flu, and how people can protect...
8 min
1538
HPV, cancer, and the HPV vaccine
Human papilloma viruses are responsible for many cancers, especially cervical cancer and throat cancer. Vaccines exist for the major HPV's that cause these cancers, yet relatively few eligible youths have gotten them. Experts discuss the toll of HPV...
15 min
1539
Music Thanatology
Music thanolotology is a specialized practice of playing harp music for the dying. A practitioner of the art explains how there is also science to it as well.
8 min
1540
Moral injury
The military is beginning to recognize a new category of emotional and spiritual injury in war--moral injury, a result of committing or witnessing an event such as an atrocity that violate deeply held ethical beliefs. Experts discuss evolution of the...
14 min
1541
Making and Breaking Habits
The new year is a time for people to stop bad habits and start new, good routines. An expert discusses the psychology of habits and how people can be more successful in changing their lives for the better.
9 min
1542
Performer's injuries
Professional musicians often suffer from repetitive motion injuries, while dancers suffer athletic injuries. Both often "play hurt," in part due to fear of losing position or income, or because they are more likely than most professions to have no...
14 min
1543
Failure to launch
It's much more common today for 20-somethings to delay moving out of Mom and Dad's house to start an independent life. An expert discusses the reasons for this trend, and emerging thought on whether this apparent new stage of life is normal.
9 min
1544
Heart failure
Heart failure is a major source of death and disability. Experts discuss causes, consequences and new treatments that may greatly lessen its toll.
9 min
1545
Sharks in Suits: Workplace "Almost Psychopaths"
Almost everyone is victimized at some point by a cutthroat co-worker who lies with ease and feels no remorse. These people may be "almost psychopaths," people with psychopathic characteristics too subtle to be diagnosed. Two experts explain how these...
14 min
1546
The Affordable Care Act and Access to Care
As "Obamacare" health insurance exchanges enter their second year, some insured people are finding that getting access to care is extremely difficult due to meager provider networks and low doctors' payments. Many insured are also being surprised by...
12 min
1547
False Memory
We explore the concept of false memory, particularly in the context of sexual abuse allegations, and discuss how, less than half a century ago, sexual abuse and incest were taboo topics, with experts believing they were rare.
13 min