Kate Thayer – Page 17

Virtual reality can help people overcome fear of heights, study shows

December 12, 2018 at 9:11 p.m.

Researchers have found virtual reality exercises can help alleviate a fear of heights, showing the technology can be used as an accessible, affordable tool in mental health treatment. The study,...

From heat exposure to ticks, 10 summer injuries parents should watch out for

December 13, 2018 at 7:23 a.m.

Summertime for kids means more time playing at parks and in pools, riding bikes through the neighborhood and eating hot dogs at barbecues. While mostly fun, these rites of passage...

Musician and music teacher James Lenger, right, shares a laugh during a music lesson with student Ralph Dado at Guitar Cities Chicago on June 19, 2018.

‘It’s just you and six strings:’ Busy professionals use guitar lessons to relieve stress

December 13, 2018 at 7:05 a.m.

Alex Manwell starts to tune up a guitar as he begins his lesson. He explains to his teacher that he didn’t practice much the previous week because work is busy;...

The American Academy of Dermatology says spray and stick sunscreens must be used correctly if they're going to work.

Spray sunscreens are convenient but must be used correctly

August 19, 2019 at 3:55 a.m.

As temperatures rise and swimmers seek relief at pools and beaches, dermatologists say it’s not enough to just use sunscreen — you have to apply it correctly and use more...

A boy runs across the sand while people lie out in the sun June 4, 2018, at Ohio Street Beach.

There’s no such thing as dry drowning, doctors say: ‘This whole thing has totally been over-hyped’

December 13, 2018 at 6:09 a.m.

As kids cannonball into summer pools and swim in Lake Michigan, parents keep a watchful eye to make sure they’re safe. But physicians and water safety experts say one worry...

The audience listens to Illinois state Rep. Margo McDermed speak at a rally in front of the Kane County Sheriff's Office in St. Charles on Aug. 11, 2017. The event aimed to raise awareness about violence in hospitals.

General Assembly passes bill to protect nurses from violence

December 14, 2018 at 9:27 a.m.

A measure designed to prevent violence against nurses and other staff members at health care facilities passed the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday and now awaits Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature....

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., arrives at the Capitol for a close vote with her new daughter, Maile, Thursday, April 19, 2018.

When high-profile women take short maternity leaves, it sends mixed message

August 19, 2019 at 3:55 a.m.

A week after announcing she’d adopted a baby, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser was back at work, addressing the media at a press conference Tuesday. She’s not the first high-profile...

Meggie Cramer instructs Lexi Young, 6, during her session at Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding, May 26, 2018, in Lake Forest, Cramer is a certified instructor who works with many children who have anxiety, depression or other afflictions.

Despite the popularity of emotional support animals, experts say there’s little evidence they work

December 14, 2018 at 9:24 a.m.

As more air travelers attempt to board planes with their emotional support animals — from dogs to cats to peacocks — and animals in therapeutic roles become commonplace, experts say...

Yanny or Laurel? It’s all in your brain, according to science

December 13, 2018 at 9:58 a.m.

A fiery debate erupted on social media this week, prompting many to ask friends, family members, co-workers and themselves this question: “Yanny or Laurel?” The brief, one-word audio recording posted...

Using a heat gun, Kelly Mathews works on a piece of art with paint and beeswax in her basement studio.

Bipolar ‘is not a death sentence’: Art exhibit aims to reduce stigma

December 14, 2018 at 8:31 a.m.

Using gloved hands, artist Kelly Mathews rubs blood-red paint over layers of melted beeswax as “Fire,” her painting, takes form. She carefully uses a blowtorch, then a heat gun to...

All Stories