It’s tragedy enough when the winds and storm surge of cyclones like Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton kill people and upend communities along their meandering paths. Unfortunately, research shows their health impact can extend years after skies clear and waters recede. Stanford University researchers note in a recent study that any one hurricane…

We discuss some of the main urologic goals for our pediatric patients with spina bifida. In addition to different treatment options and management considerations, we address the importance of multidisciplinary care.द्वारा UF Health Shands Hospital

Researchers are teaming up to study osteoarthritic pain in horses — and better understand how pain manifests in both humans and animals. Osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition traditionally defined by the breakdown of cartilage — though nowadays, science recognizes it as a disease that can affect the joint in its entirety. But when it comes to …

Here’s a nutritional treat you don’t have to go to the supermarket to buy. Just stroll through your yard. It’s got six legs, hops, and it’s more challenging to catch than a hamburger. We are talking, of course, about grasshoppers. A study recently published in the journal Food Science of Animal Products suggests that the common insect could improve…

From Friday night lights to Sunday afternoons and everywhere in between, football is on televisions across the country once again this fall. But this season in the National Football League, you might notice a difference in the helmets some players sport during games. For the first time in the NFL regular season, players can wear a soft-shell coveri…

Fantasy football players, it might be time to face a hard truth: Your relationship with the game may have the potential to significantly damage your mental health. A new study has found that increased investment in this seemingly harmless hobby leads to more intense emotional highs and more extreme emotional lows. In fantasy football, participants …

Exercise. We all know it’s important. We all know it offers benefits for both physical and mental health. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that American adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. Still, many of us still struggle to find time for exercise in the hustle and…

Those suffering from dry eye disease might want to consider adding a stand-up comedy show to their calendar. A new study suggests laughter could be just as effective as artificial tears in treating dry eyes. Chinese researchers studied 299 participants ages 18 to 45 with dry eye disease, assigning half of them to a laughter exercise intervention an…

While beautiful flowers and plants can add vibrancy and interest to a garden, many of these can also cause harm to your pets if ingested. Because animals explore the world with their mouths, it’s important to ensure your garden and your yard are free of plants that could cause gastrointestinal upset or even death. For example, sago palms are common…

Watching a family member grow older and begin to decline physically or mentally can be heartbreaking. It can also be extremely frustrating for the person in decline. One fall can be devastating and life-changing. As we age, our bodies don’t bounce back as quickly as they once did. A recent study shows that fall injuries can also be an early indicat…

As the days shorten and our yearning for caffeine increases, you might find yourself hoping some study or other will give you a hearty congratulations on your ability to cut your coffee consumption off at about three cups. Today, you’re in luck — researchers from the Endocrine Society have good news for coffee lovers. Their team found that moderate…

Questions about how aware brain-injured patients might be have always been wrenching for loved ones. A new study, while shedding light on the unconscious, unfortunately won’t make those questions any easier to handle. An international research team found that about 1 in 4 patients who appear completely unresponsive might, in fact, be conscious but …

If the kombucha you bought three months ago is still sitting in your fridge, this could be good news. A new study suggests an apple-based fermented drink rivals kombucha in health benefits but also boasts a more appealing taste. Brazilian researchers created two new versions of kombucha, replacing its traditional green tea base in one case with pas…

The internet can be a wonderful tool. The information age allows us to get the smallest detail on any topic in seconds. Look up bizarre giraffe facts, and you’ll discover the species hums at night. Or learn the 400-plus words the Scots have for snow. Snaw-broo, spitters, snaw, skelf. Well, you get the picture. Remember, however, that a polluted riv…

These days, a variety of dietary supplements are available to complement traditional veterinary care. Veterinarians frequently recommend supplements for a variety of conditions in pets, from arthritis to skin health to digestive issues. With so many supplements on the market, what should pet owners keep in mind when discussing the use of supplement…

The fountain of youth may not exist, but veganism does. And a new study suggests that just two months spent on a vegan diet is enough to slow down the biological aging process. Stanford University researchers studied 21 pairs of identical twins who followed either an omnivorous or vegan diet for eight weeks. Using identical twins allowed them to co…

It’s a question as old as time: Nature or nurture? When it comes to the malleable, hormone-driven teenage brain, new research suggests the environment in which that adolescent brain develops plays a big role during a time when 75 percent of mental health disorders first appear. Researchers from Yale University turned to a series of complex algorith…

What if your kid’s Halloween candy was healthier and better for the environment? Swiss researchers may have made that fantasy more viable with their creation of “whole-fruit chocolate.” We all know chocolate is a guilty pleasure. The chocolate that fills trick-or-treaters buckets is high in sugar and saturated fat and contributes to obesity and hea…

Scientists are suggesting that we all might have a stake in the stock market even if we’ve never owned a share in any company. Our very health might be impacted. Chinese scientists found in a recent study that stock market volatility is associated with a higher death rate from cardiovascular illnesses like stroke or a heart attack. The mortality ri…

Veterinary pain management specialists who focus on anesthesia and analgesia are always looking for new ways to detect and minimize pain in animal patients undergoing anesthesia for a medical procedure. But what if they were able to predict ahead of time the level of pain anticipated? On this show, Dr. Ludovica Chiavaccini, a specialist in anesthes…

A persistent American myth holds that it can be safe to smoke during pregnancy if it’s just a tiny bit. A new study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, however, reiterates that the number of cigarettes that can be safely lit by an expectant mother is easy to calculate. It’s zero, zip, nada. Researchers say it’s best to quit smoking…

Sometimes animals need blood transfusions just like people do — for blood loss, surgery or serious illnesses. The North American Veterinary Blood Bank — or NAVBB — supplies blood to animal hospitals when they need it, and they’re always looking for donors. If you’re interested in volunteering your dog or cat as a donor, here are some requirements t…

We’ve talked before about the millions of birds that die annually after crashing into buildings. However, the statistics have been off. Tragically, the more accurate count is in the hundreds of millions. Up to now, bird fatalities have been tallied by the number of carcasses found at building sites. But a recent study found that fewer than 10% of b…

We may be done with hot weather, but it’s likely not done with us — or our pets. So, now’s not the time to let your guard down about pets in cars. Even at a comfortable 70 degrees outside, it only takes 20 minutes for the inside of a car to reach 100 degrees — and pets with shortened flat muzzles or those that have recently exercised can get danger…

In people, removing creases around the eyes is usually done via a cosmetic procedure dubbed a “nip and tuck.” But in animals, periocular surgery — or surgery around the eye — is usually an essential procedure performed to improve the animal’s quality of life. Some dogs and cats’ eyelids roll inward, causing their eyelashes to rub against the eye’s …

It’s that time of year when hurricanes, tropical storms and flooding can batter small farms — but a disaster plan can help mitigate the dangers to livestock. The first hazard is debris, which can cause serious physical injuries. After that, flood waters carrying bacteria, chemicals and other toxins can spread disease. High humidity means more germ-…

There are 32,000 fish species in the world — that’s more than all other vertebrate species combined. So, it’s a good thing there are fish veterinarians to care for them. But how do they do it? Care begins by analyzing the water quality, since most fish conditions can be traced to their environment. Once a fish is netted, they’re placed in an exam t…

In July 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Felanorm [FEEL-ah-norm], the first generic form of methimazole for treating hyperthyroidism in cats. Hyperthyroidism is common in cats over eight years old. It causes the body’s metabolism to rev up, resulting in weight loss in spite of a good appetite. Other signs can include increased d…

Although the Department of Transportation reported only seven animal deaths out of over 188,000 animal flyers in 2022, that’s seven too many for their grieving pet parents. The truth is air travel in cargo or the cabin can be risky for pets. Cargo travel is especially dicey during hot or cold weather. But cargo air pressurization is less precise th…

Cats are meant to use their claws, and that means scratching — which can be problematic when it comes at the expense of your furniture. So, what can you do? To determine why some cats scratch more than others, researchers surveyed over 1,200 cat parents, asking about their daily life as well as their cats’ characteristics and scratching behavior. T…

Is your cat a chatterbox? You may be able to translate your cat’s vocalizations, but chattering can be baffling to decipher. If you’ve heard these characteristic feline chirps and twitters, chances are it’s when your buddy’s at the window staring at birds, squirrels or other critters. Feline chatters are similar to noises made by small prey animals…

We’ve likely all seen pets with disabilities and wondered if they can live happy lives. So, let’s talk about cats with cerebellar hypoplasia [sare-uh-BELL-er high-po-PLAY-zha], or CH [C-H] for short. CH is a congenital condition caused by a viral infection in a pregnant cat, which is passed to her unborn kitten. The virus damages the part of the ki…

Thomas Schrepfer, M.D., discusses what sialendoscopy is, how it works as a minimally invasive technique, and the benefits and limitations in treating salivary gland disorders.द्वारा UF Health Shands Hospital

Smell and memory have long seemed inextricably linked. It’s more than the way a certain aroma can trigger a strong, long-ago memory. Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other disorders involving the brain are often preceded by a loss of olfactory capacity. Scientists, for example, are today studying how the loss of the sense of smell with COVID-19 infection…

You don’t want be as slow as a sloth in recognizing the symptoms of this virus. The Oropouche [Orr-oh-pooch] virus, also known as “sloth fever,” has been reported in the United States. More than 8,000 cases have been confirmed this year, most of which originate from South America, where the virus is endemic. Thus far, U.S. residents traveling from …

Salvatore Scali, MD, provides a contemporary perspective on aortic surgery training will be discussed highlighting current case volumes and future projections among training programs in the United States. The barriers to open aortic surgical training and potential opportunities that are available to offset these challenges longitudinally will be di…

You’ve heard the saying “kill them with kindness.” Sadly, a modern version of that old saw might be “kill them with rudeness.” New research finds that workplace sass not only hinders team productivity but can threaten lives. A team led by researchers from Indiana University and the University of Florida conducted five studies to gauge how negative …

Do you love your pet? No need to answer … of course you do. You cherish your pup’s greeting when returning from work. You appreciate the moments your cat shows affection by brushing against your leg. We all want our pets healthy and happy. They make us happy, too. Interacting with them lowers our cortisol levels and blood pressure. The American Pet…

Veterinary technicians, or nurses, are essential to veterinary hospitals and practices. Their roles are diverse, and career paths can vary widely. On this week’s Animal Airwaves-Live, Holly Kitchen, a certified veterinary technician (CVT) and veterinary technician specialist in ophthalmology (VTS), shares her career journey and insights into her sp…

Is your newborn getting all the nutrients needed to grow? If you rely on baby food, the answer might surprise you. According to research by the George Institute for Global Health in Australia, about 60% of packaged baby food sold in the United States does not meet nutritional standards set by the World Health Organization. Using standards from the …

While a mosquito bite might be nothing but a fleeting nuisance for some, in many parts of the world, the buzzing pest poses a serious concern. Mosquitoes are notorious for spreading deadly diseases, like malaria, which kills over 400,000 people each year. It’s no surprise mosquitoes have earned the title of the deadliest animal, along with the unof…

ECPR is a treatment option for patients who otherwise would face near-certain death. It involves the use of a machine that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lung.द्वारा UF Health Shands Hospital

It lasts about three years but feels like 300. You’ll endure unspeakable terrors, like public speaking, group exercise and misperceiving your talents as a dancer … all while dodging pimples and acrid body odor. You won’t recognize yourself — or your friends. It happens to everyone. It, friends, is middle school. According to research from scientist…

Doctors in recent years have noticed an alarming trend: Colorectal cancer rates among younger people have nearly doubled. Between 1995 and 2019, colorectal cancer diagnoses increased from 11 percent to 20 percent in people under 55 years old. That’s one in five individuals. Scientists have been working to get to the bottom of this trend and a new C…

When you reach into your bathroom cabinet for a swig of mouthwash, you probably wouldn’t expect to find matcha [maa-chuh] there. But a new study has found that when used as a dental hygiene product, matcha can reduce the risk of gum disease caused by the growth of bacteria. Matcha, a vibrant green tea powder, is known for its antioxidant properties…

Join us for a riveting episode of Animal Airwaves – Live! featuring Dr. Cory Woliver, an emergency and critical care expert at the UF Small Animal Hospital. Dr. Woliver delves into the lives of coral snakes, discussing what happens from an envenomation and what makes these snakes unique among venomous serpents. Dr. Woliver will also discuss his gro…

Mindfulness, or the ability to be fully present in whatever moment you’re in, requires focusing attention on the present — without judgment, and with a gentle curiosity about what is going on around you. Research has long touted this as something of a silver bullet we all can practice to reduce stress. Now, researchers from North Carolina State Uni…

Humans have had their hands in the proverbial honey jar for millennia. There’s just something about the sticky sweetness, wonderful golden color, and rich flavor that keeps us coming back for more. Honey’s health benefits have long been explored, with evidence of honey being used for therapeutic purposes in ancient Greece and ancient Egypt. Even af…

What color is pain relief? A study from the University of Arizona in Tucson suggests green — at least when it comes to migraines. Previously, researchers discovered that green light could lead to pain relief in laboratory rats. Now, researchers are exploring the healing hue as a preventive treatment for people who experience migraines. A migraine i…

Jeffrey Friedman, MD, FACS, FASMBS, discusses gastroparesis, a challenging condition where the stomach’s delayed emptying triggers discomforting symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. He explores how precise diagnostic tests and a range of treatment options, from dietary changes to advanced surgical solutions, can offer relie…