Blog Posts by Sarah B. Weir, Shine Senior Writer

Deborah FeldmanGrowing up, Deborah Feldman had to wear skirts that covered her ankles and high-necked blouses made of woven fabric so they wouldn't cling to her body. She wasn't allowed to read books in English because her grandfather, with whom she lived, said they were written in an "impure language." When she was twelve, she suffered a sexual assault, which she kept hidden because she had been taught that men's lust was ungovernable. This was supposedly the reason her world was segregated by gender.

Related: Top Jewish Rabbi: Segregated Buses Not Jewish Law

At 17, Feldman's grandparents pushed her into an arranged marriage with a virtual stranger, but she had never even heard the word "sex" spoken or learned about the very basics of human reproduction. Once married, she was expected to shave her head and wear a wig—something she rebelled against after a year because she found it so depressing. Seven years later, despite the fact she knew she would be hated as a pariah, she abandoned her

The teen brain is hard-wired for taking risks, and that is scary for parents. Early encounters with booze, drugs, and sex can cause trauma that haunts one deep into adulthood. We know from our own youthful experimentation about the dangers facing our children, or do we?

As the mother of a thirteen year-old girl, an article published in the New York Times Magazine on Sunday, February 5, 2012 buoyed me up from my usual state of fretting. Health writer Tara Parker-Pope reports that, looking at a number of key metrics, today's adolescents are actually far more conservative than their parents, most of whom were teenagers in the 1980s.

According to the data, teen alcohol use is at an all-time low. Today, about 40 percent of high school seniors say they have consumed alcohol recently, compared with 72 percent in 1980. Cigarette smoking is also down. About one in five teens say that they have smoked in the last month. In 1980, a third of teens smoked. Although there has been recent

Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. About 5 million people suffer from the disease, which attacks the brain and impairs memory and cognitive function. As symptoms develop, even simple daily tasks can become impossible to carry out.

Early detection is important for treatment, but as the Alzheimer's Association points out, people suffering from any form of dementia often don't recognize they have a problem and fail to alert their physician. Now, a simple yes-or-no test can assist family members who suspect a loved one is at risk for the developing the disease.

The Alzheimer's Questionnaire (AQ) was developed by researchers and published in BMC Geriatrics. The AQ isn't meant to be used as a definitive diagnostic test. Instead, it's an accessible, quick screening tool that may help determine whether a loved one or a patient should receive a full battery of neurological tests.

Courtesy BMC Geriatrics

The questions are designed to distinguish between people

It is estimated that between 5 and 8 percent of Americans don't go to the dentist out of fear and another 20% only go when absolutely necessary. When trying to conquer dental anxiety, "the main thing is to remember is that you are in charge," says Kendra Holdip Donaldson, RDH, who works in the cozy office of dentist Charles Grannum, DMD, in Brooklyn, New York. "People are self-conscious about communicating their anxieties." She points out that unless patients voice their fears, dentists and hygienists can't help make their appointments more bearable.

Related: Health Tip: Managing Anxiety Disorder

Grannum and his staff are part of a new generation of dentists and hygienists whose training includes methods of making people feel more comfortable and relaxed. In his office, they play soft music, offer healthy snacks and tea in the waiting room, and will set up a favorite DVD for patients to watch during longer procedures. Still, surveys show that the average person feels as much

According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), home births are on the rise, but the tragic January 23, 2012, death of an Australian home birth advocate highlights a debate over safety. Caroline Lovell, a professional photographer who reportedly petitioned the Australian government to provide funding and legal protection for home births, suffered cardiac arrest while delivering her second child at home. She died the next day after being rushed to a hospital. Yahoo! 7 News reports a private midwife was in attendance.

Related: When Mom-to-be's Overweight, Smokes, Risk of Birth Defects Rises

Between 2004 and 2009, the percentage of American women giving birth at home increased by nearly 30 percent. That number is highest amongst white, non-Hispanic women. For that group, about 1 out of 90 births occur at home.

Women choose to give birth at home for a number of reasons including comfort and privacy. Robin Dunn Bryant, a writer whose daughter was delivered

The January 30th report that Burmese pythons are decimating the mammal population in the Florida Everglades highlights one of the many concerns animal experts have about keeping exotic species as pets.

Related: Think Your Pet is Safe From Coyotes?

"The pythons in the Everglades were probably once pets that were released or escaped," Debbie Leahy, captive wildlife regulatory specialist at the Humane Society of the United States told Yahoo! Shine. Invasive species are just one of the issues people need to understand if they are thinking of buying an exotic pet she explains. "We recommend you stick to traditional domesticated animals such as dogs and cats."

The Humane Society discourages keeping any exotic animals as pets whether they are caught in the wild or bred in captivity. These include reptiles, amphibians, birds, primates, and others such as hedge hogs or pot bellied pigs.

Exotic pets are high maintenance

"Most people don't have the resources or expertise to care

Oreo is the world's biggest selling cookie earning about $1.5 billion dollars annually. The brand was first baked in New York City and has been around for nearly 100 years (March 6, 2012 is its official birthday). While the first variation of the chocolate sandwich biscuit wasn't even introduced in the United States until 1974 when Nabisco unveiled the plump and creamy "Double Stuf" version, Oreos around the world taste-and look-very different from the original.

Related: The Best and Worst Girl Scout Cookies

Kraft Foods' (who own Nabisco) big awakening about local preferences came in 1996 when they launched the cookie in China. It was too sweet for the Chinese palate and too big--and it flopped. The large packages were also too expensive. Instead of pulling out, Kraft sent researchers into Chinese consumers' homes to find out what flavors they liked and how and when they served cookies. They even marketed the biscuit using bicycles with wheels made to resemble Oreos.

One of

Cuteness alert, code red! If you aren't a fan a watching 300-pound men pummel each other in the name of gridiron glory, Animal Planet is airing Puppy Bowl VIII on Sunday, February 5. The fur begins to fly at 3 p.m. sharp (unless the puppies are napping).

Related: Best Super Bowl Commercials With Dogs

Puppy Bowl is held in a miniature stadium where, this year, 58 canine athletes will tug chew toys, splash in water bowls, and bonk their noses into the various doggie cams. The puppies are all from shelters and a veterinary staff is present to ensure safety and that animal welfare standards are adhered to.

This year, "Meep," social media guru for the avian set, will be tweeting from the sidelines. A new referee, Dan Schachner, will be watching out for "unnecessary ruff, ruff, ruff-ness." As always, the kittens will try to steal the show at halftime.

Also on Shine:

Blind Kitten Becomes Internet Sensation

What to Expect Your Puppy's First Week Home

Eight Celebrities