allergies

A Lousy Reason for Asthma and Allergies

Parasites may reduce their hosts' risk of developing immune dysfunctions

The incidence of asthma and allergies are on the rise. In the United States alone, asthma rates have doubled since the 1980s. And, according to a recent article by the BBC, doctors once estimated 15 percent of the population had some type of allergy, but now believe the figure is closer to 40. More patients are also suffering from multiple allergies than ever before. The reason for this trend has been widely disputed, but a new study points the finger at a surprising culprit: lice.

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Missing Links

Don't Worry, Get Married

Smiley people seem to have more wedded bliss

This is strange: to predict how successful your marriage will be, take out an old yearbook picture of yourself. Are you smiling big, just like the class photographer wanted you to do? That's a good indicator that you're not going to get divorced.

Also in today's links: wolves in Montana, allergies to fruit and veggies, and more.

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Why Are So Many Kids Allergic to Peanuts?

Ask the experts at Popular Science

The number of school-age kids with peanut allergies has doubled in the past decade. Yet scientists can't quite put their finger on what makes the legume such a threat or why the allergy has become so prevalent.

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Science Confirms the Obvious: Allergies Make You Uncomfortable

But is that enough to justify a sick day?

A coworker of mine is often itchy. Hives. She keeps a bottle of water in the office freezer to hold up against her skin when the hives strike on the job, but sometimes she doesnt come to work at all. Ill admit I dont always buy it.

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