Feature Channels: Winter Holidays

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High yields and an excellent disease resistance package—these are qualities producers can expect from Oahe, the new winter wheat cultivar released by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. From 2013 to 2015, Oahe ranked No. 1 in mean grain yield among hard red winter wheat trials in the North Regional Performance Nurseries, which has test plots from northern Kansas through Montana and into Canada.

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Airline prices are lower (6 percent for the industry) than last year, but demand is strong and seats will fill quickly. Book your holiday air travel early this year to get the seat and times you want. That's the advice from Dean Headley, Airline Quality Rating (AQR) co-author and associate professor of marketing at Wichita State University.

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Pulses, and in this case dry peas, are a flexible crop with many benefits. They work well for growers when rotated with other crops, delivering long-term benefits to the soil. They are wide adaptable for various rainfall zones. And, this new research shows they can even be planted in fall, a time when growers often have time for field work.

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click to see today's top stories

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click to see today's top stories

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click to see today's top stories

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A warming climate resulting in reduced snow cover at normal elevations could seriously impact snowmobiling in Vermont, one of the state's major industries, according to a comprehensive survey snowmobilers in and out of the state.

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Elderly adults are bigger around the middle when they turn up the heat inside their homes during the cold season and have smaller waistlines when their homes stay cool, new research finds. Investigators from Japan will present their study results Friday at the Endocrine Society’s 98th annual meeting in Boston.

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“Breeding is a numbers game—the more combinations we test, the more likely we are to identify a superior plant,” said winter wheat breeder Sunish Sehgal. He develops more than 500 new genetic combinations each year to increase winter hardiness, yield and disease and drought resistance in South Dakota wheat varieties.

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Winter's arctic blast can wreak havoc on delicate skin. Nicole Burkemper, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Saint Louis University, shares her tips for updating your skin regimen for the season.

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When snowflakes begin to fall, kids of all ages – from toddlers to teens – get excited about sledding down hills covered in the white stuff. But it’s important for parents to teach their children important safety measures to prevent injury while having fun.

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As hundreds of students from across the country prepare to move into their resident halls this weekend, Stony Brook University is taking an extra steps to keep students safe.The Emergency Operating Center (EOC) at Stony Brook will be activated, starting at midnight tomorrow (Friday into Saturday) and throughout the storm.

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Winter precipitation can bring an increased risk for slips and falls on the ice and snow. Julia Henderson-Kalb, M.S., OTR/L an instructor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at Saint Louis University, recommends some simple steps to minimize fall risk.

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Tips for those who want to impress their Valentine with thoughtfulness and caring, but prefer not to break the bank by overspending.

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Microbes, animals, still living in frozen soils

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Public health experts think the key to success to turn our New Year’s resolutions into reality is to bring the “fresh start” mindset of the beginning of the year to the beginning of every week. Research conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health shows that Monday is akin to a “mini-New Year.” Reinforcing this “fresh start” Monday mindset with weekly cues and reminders can be a powerful tool in helping people sustain healthy behaviors over time.

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When the temperature dips below freezing, it’s critical to protect your skin from cold-weather health risks. Stay warm and prevent frostbite by following these tips from dermatologists.

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When snow, ice and frigid winds blast into town, watch out. If your body is not in condition, the common winter chore of snow shoveling can present the potential for spasms, strains, sprains and other health problems, warns the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

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As healthy resolutions fill gyms and outdoor paths, two sports medicine doctors at Penn State Hershey Medical Center remind those who work out to do it safely – whether exercising indoors or out.

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For all those who resolve to spend less time on social media in 2016, here is what that means, say experts from Purdue University.

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Here’s a new twist to an old tradition – resolutions that have some research to back up their worth. Below are five resolutions for 2016, all based on the work of University at Buffalo faculty. Their research and expertise provides direction on steps to take toward self-improvement and well-being in 2016.

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Researchers in Israel and Germany have identified a link between the increased use of processed foods and the rise in the incidence of autoimmune diseases.

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Triplets Finn, Kyle and Ava Santiago, who were born six weeks premature and underweight, went home from Loyola University Medical Center Dec. 24, just in time to celebrate their first Christmas.

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Santa Claus visited patients at Cincinnati Children's through video technology.

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Wishing family and friends a “Happy New Year” is all well and fine, but if you’re serious about spreading cheer in the New Year, consider passing along more specific advice from a psychologist who studies the science of happiness at Washington University in St. Louis. There is no secret to happiness, but there is a science to it, says Tim Bono.

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Here are some images that remind us of the winter holidays—and showcase important findings and innovations in biomedical research.

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A Kansas State University marriage and family therapist offers advice on coping with holiday stress and depression.

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In December 1914, German and British soldiers on the western front initiated a series of unofficial ceasefires. Enlisted men across No Man’s Land abandoned trenches and crossed enemy lines to sing carols, share food and play soccer. Yet new accounts suggest the tale bears little resemblance to the truth.

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Experts from Kansas State University's College of Human Ecology share advice on helping preschoolers cope with large gatherings and divorced parents during the holidays.

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Susan Nelson, clinical associate professor at Kansas State University's Veterinary Health Center, offers tips for your pets that could help you prevent some holiday-related accidents.

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Parents looking for holiday gifts that instill character should check out the Transformer toys and DVD. In a study to be printed in the spring of 2016, Dr. Peter Harms says the Transformers franchise provides key lessons about leadership, teams and the characteristics necessary to get ahead.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year approximately 2.1 million patients in the Emergency Department are transferred to an intensive care unit. When that happens, relatives are also impacted and need a support system, according to Loyola University Health System (LUHS) licensed clinical social worker Kelly McElligott.

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A researcher at the University of Delaware found that people are more likely to give when a donation is part of a default setting they have to opt out of.

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A Kansas State University gerontologist offers tips on coping during the holidays with a family member who has dementia.