MONDAY, Sept. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- A record increase was seen in the number of murders in the United States in 2020, in the biggest one-year jump reported since federal officials began tracking homicides in 1960.Figures showed 4,901 more murders committed in 2020 than in 2019. A total of roughly 21,500 people were killed last year, according to data from 16,000 law enforcement agencies across the country. While the numbers are still high for 2021, they appear to be slowing as the year goes on, the New York Times reported.Overall, major crimes -- which include rape, armed assault, robbery and car thefts -- were down about 5% for 2020, statistics showed.The reasons for the rise in crime aren't entirely clear, but could include sharp increases in gun purchases and the pandemic's...

MONDAY, Sept. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Help in retaining mental function when you age could be only a few keystrokes away.While crosswords and exercise are often touted as ways to retain thinking skills, U.K. investigators found that the internet may also help seniors stay sharp in retirement. Those who used the internet more after their careers ended had substantially higher scores on cognitive, or thinking, tests, according to the study. Still not entirely clear, however, is why this works. "To be honest, we don't know for certain. We have a number of hypotheses. We think it has to do with socialization. You are connected to people through the internet, through social media, you are more engaged with people, perhaps at a time in your life where it's hard to meet people or...

FRIDAY, Sept. 24, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The death of eight babies has prompted the Boppy Company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall more than 3 million baby loungers, they announced Thursday.A year ago, the CPSC issued a safety warning about similar pillow-like baby products, CBS News reported.When babies are placed on their back, side, or stomach on these loungers there is a danger of suffocation. Between December 2015 and June 2020, eight infants died after being placed in these loungers, according to the CPSC and the Golden, Colorado-based company. "These types of incidents are heartbreaking," acting CPSC chairman Robert Adler said in the recall notice. "Loungers and pillow-like products are not safe for infant sleep, due to the risk of suffocation....