The science of cooking

As gardens and local farms are in full swing this month producing vegetables of all sorts, I’ve found myself revisiting  America’s Test Kitchen to make sure I’m using evidence-based techniques in my kitchen. I thought it’d be a great time to revisit this post about this culinary research center. [Read more…]

Evidenced-based learning: Play, play, play

My two oldest children received letters in the mail this week from their teachers – a sure sign that “back-to-school” is creeping closer. As I start wrapping my head around school supplies and book schedules, I thought back to this post about the importance of play in learning. I’m hoping that my kids’ teachers keep in mind the importance of play in the classroom this year.

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‘Tis the season: Who gives and why?

Happy Holidays from all of us at EBL.  We’re signing off until the New Year.  In the
meantime, we’re reposting this piece on charitable giving.

It’s that time of year when many people think about giving to charities. Some make donations for tax-purposes before the end of the calendar year.  Others incorporate giving into Christmas traditions, or make an effort to spread some holiday cheer to the less fortunate.
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Proven methods to quit smoking

One in five deaths in the U.S. can be credited to tobacco, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control – a statistic that makes it clear: Smoking is a huge health problem. [Read more…]

Update: New evidence on Parkinson’s disease

According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 500,000 Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease, and about 50,000 new cases are reported each year. The disease is a progressive neurological disorder that is caused by the degeneration of neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement. Tremors are the most common symptom, but others include rigid limbs and slow movement. [Read more…]

How to identify emotional abuse and neglect in preschoolers

The evidence is clear that developing skills early-on – especially before children enter kindergarten – is essential for success later in life.  Unfortunately, children face consequences throughout their lives when they do not get the support they need as babies and preschoolers. Physical and behavioral problems and delays in social and communication skills are just some of the poor outcomes. [Read more…]

The evidence on hands-free cell phone devices while driving

Whether it’s a quick call to ask what’s needed from the grocery store or catching up with a long-distance friend – people everywhere talk on cell phones while they’re driving. [Read more…]

An update on barefoot running

Here on EBL, we’ve written before about the trend of barefoot running and minimalist running shoes. Last week, the American College of Sports Medicine held its annual conference. There, researchers presented five separate studies on the benefits of running barefoot or with minimal footwear. [Read more…]

A proven method to reduce hospital infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, commonly called MRSA, is a type of bacteria resistant to many of the antibiotics we use today. It is most dangerous to patients in healthcare settings, who often have compromised immune systems that allow MRSA to spread in their bodies. When MRSA infections reached their peak in the mid-2000s, nearly 100,000 people died as a result of infections from the bacteria each year. [Read more…]

The state of preschool

Preschool is important to children’s development – the evidence on that is clear.  But since preschool is not required and often not offered by local school systems, not all families have access to quality preschool programs.  [Read more…]

The real evidence on prophylactic mastectomies

When actress Angelina Jolie revealed last week in the New York Times that she had a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer, media outlets across the country interviewed doctors, breast cancer patients, and generally added their two cents to the discussion about whether this type of surgery is worthwhile. [Read more…]

New conclusions about bed rest during pregnancy

So far, my third pregnancy is going well. I’m able to maintain almost all of my normal activities including work, swimming and taking care of my two children. But, I have to admit, one of my fears is that I will suffer a complication that requires bed rest. I can’t imagine taking care of my 4-year-old and 2-year-old from the couch or bed. [Read more…]

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