Health
Infant mortality rises in states with restrictive abortion laws – new research
Infant mortality rises in states with restrictive abortion laws – new research Infant mortality rates have increased by 7.2% in states that enacted abortion restrictions after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision, resulting in approximately 30 extra deaths per year among infants up to age 1. The increase in infant mortality is not limited […]
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Helping teens navigate online racism − study shows which parenting strategy works best
Helping teens navigate online racism − study shows which parenting strategy works best Parents can help protect their teens from online racism by using an “active guidance” approach, which involves having open conversations about internet use and helping them develop responsible social media behaviors. Monitoring teens’ internet use can have adverse effects, such as exacerbating […]
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Colorado has one of the nation’s highest suicide rates − an ER doctor explains how to bring it down
Colorado has one of the nation’s highest suicide rates − an ER doctor explains how to bring it down Colorado has one of the nation’s highest suicide rates, with nearly 72% of gun deaths being by suicide, highlighting the need for prevention efforts. Conversations about firearms and suicides can be lifesaving, and research shows that […]
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Adding more green space to a campus is a simple, cheap and healthy way to help millions of stressed and depressed college students
Adding more green space to a campus is a simple, cheap and healthy way to help millions of stressed and depressed college students Adding more green space to a campus can help alleviate stress and depression among college students, who are already struggling with anxiety and mental health issues. A study by researchers at Texas […]
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Why religious groups are pushing for psychedelics as sacrament
Why religious groups are pushing for psychedelics as sacrament Several religious groups are pushing for psychedelics to be legalized as sacraments, citing their potential to facilitate deeper spiritual connections and healing. Texas and Arizona have passed laws allocating funding for research on ibogaine, a powerful psychedelic used to treat opioid addiction and PTSD, with the […]
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Pregnant women face tough choices about medication use due to lack of safety data − here’s why medical research cuts will make it worse
Pregnant women face tough choices about medication use due to lack of safety data − here’s why medical research cuts will make it worse Pregnant women face difficult choices about medication use due to limited safety data, which can lead to inadequate treatment for chronic diseases and increased risk of birth defects or pregnancy loss. […]
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Pregnancy brings unique challenges for people with autoimmune diseases – but with early planning, pregnancy outcomes can be greatly improved
Pregnancy brings unique challenges for people with autoimmune diseases – but with early planning, pregnancy outcomes can be greatly improved Pregnancy brings unique challenges for people with autoimmune diseases, but early planning can greatly improve pregnancy outcomes. Women with autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk of complications during pregnancy, including preterm birth, preeclampsia, and […]
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Parenting strategies are shifting as neuroscience brings the developing brain into clearer focus
Parenting strategies are shifting as neuroscience brings the developing brain into clearer focus Parenting strategies are shifting as neuroscience brings the developing brain into clearer focus, revealing that old-school approaches based on outdated behavioral models can be ineffective and even harmful. The traditional “carrot and stick” approach, popularized by B.F. Skinner’s rat experiments, is not […]
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New approach may relieve arthritic knees without drugs or surgery
New approach may relieve arthritic knees without drugs or surgery A new study suggests that gait retraining may be an effective way to relieve arthritic knees without using drugs or surgery. The study, which was published in The Lancet Rheumatology, found that participants who underwent a year-long randomized control trial experienced pain relief equivalent to […]
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Living heart valves may help treat many heart conditions in kids
Living heart valves may help treat many heart conditions in kids A new study published in Journal of the American Medical Association found that partial heart transplants using living heart valves can treat various pediatric heart valve conditions. The procedure, led by pediatric heart specialists at Duke Health, resulted in valves that worked across different […]
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Immune cells are key to teen brain wiring
Immune cells are key to teen brain wiring Researchers have discovered that microglia, the brain’s immune cells, play a key role in wiring the adolescent brain during adolescence. The frontal cortex, responsible for executive functions such as empathy and decision-making, undergoes profound changes during adolescence, which can set the stage for neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia […]
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How stripping diversity, equity and inclusion from health care may make Americans sicker
How stripping diversity, equity and inclusion from health care may make Americans sicker The Trump administration has rescinded over $1 billion in medical research funding, including grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which will disproportionately affect marginalized groups. These cuts will likely worsen health outcomes for people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and […]
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How does your body make poop?
How does your body make poop? The digestive process starts in the mouth where food is chewed and broken down by enzymes like amylase, which begins breaking down carbohydrates. The stomach contains hydrochloric acid that breaks down food into smaller pieces, while the small intestine absorbs nutrients from the food, using its long and winding […]
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FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines with new restrictions, potentially limiting access for healthy children
FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines with new restrictions, potentially limiting access for healthy children The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for the fall season, but with new restrictions that may limit access for healthy children. The new guidance limits vaccine approval to only people at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 infection, such […]
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Brain’s electrical activity could predict Alzheimer’s development
Brain’s electrical activity could predict Alzheimer’s development Researchers have identified a brain-based biomarker that can predict whether mild cognitive impairment will develop into Alzheimer’s disease using electrical activity from neurons. A custom-built tool, called the Spectral Events Toolbox, was used to analyze brain activity recordings from 85 patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and monitored […]
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Balancing kratom’s potential benefits and risks − new legislation in Colorado seeks to minimize harm
Balancing kratom’s potential benefits and risks − new legislation in Colorado seeks to minimize harm Colorado has enacted a new law, known as the Daniel Bregger Act, to regulate kratom and minimize harm. The law aims to limit potency and underage access to kratom products artificially enriched with 7-OH. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration […]
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Why TikTok ADHD misinformation is dangerous
Why TikTok ADHD misinformation is dangerous New research reveals that exposure to ADHD misinformation on TikTok significantly reduces students’ accurate understanding of the disorder. College students are particularly vulnerable to this type of misinformation, with over 40% using TikTok as a search engine and many turning to it for health and safety information related to […]
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When workers’ lives outside work are more fulfilling, it benefits employers too
When workers’ lives outside work are more fulfilling, it benefits employers too Employers who prioritize their workers’ work-life balance are more likely to benefit from increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Research shows that overworking employees can lead to decreased productivity, mental health problems, burnout, and high turnover rates, ultimately costing employers millions of dollars each […]
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The growing fad of ‘microdosing’ mushrooms is leading to an uptick in poison control center calls and emergency room visits
The growing fad of ‘microdosing’ mushrooms is leading to an uptick in poison control center calls and emergency room visits The growing trend of “microdosing” mushrooms has led to an increase in poison control center calls and emergency room visits, as some products contain psychoactive mushrooms that can be toxic. Many commercial mushroom products lack […]
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Instability in childhood can lead to health problems later
Instability in childhood can lead to health problems later Instability in childhood can lead to mental and physical health issues later in life, according to new research. Unpredictable environments, such as frequent partner changes or chaotic households, are linked to poor behavior and mental instability in children as they grow up. Homes with consistent coparenting […]
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Grief feels unbearable, disorienting and chaotic – a grief researcher and widow shares evidence-based ways to face the early days of loss
Grief feels unbearable, disorienting and chaotic – a grief researcher and widow shares evidence-based ways to face the early days of loss Grief can feel unbearable, disorienting, and chaotic, disrupting daily routines and leaving individuals feeling lost and alone. Intense emotional swings, physical symptoms, and cognitive fog are common experiences during early grief, making everyday […]
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COVID-19 vaccines for kids are mired in uncertainty amid conflicting federal guidance
COVID-19 vaccines for kids are mired in uncertainty amid conflicting federal guidance Conflicting federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for kids has created uncertainty among parents and healthcare providers, with some states recommending vaccines only for children with high-risk conditions. The usual process of vaccine recommendation and distribution has been disrupted, with decisions made through internal […]
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‘Nanoflowers’ can heal brain cells and protect against diseases
‘Nanoflowers’ can heal brain cells and protect against diseases Nanoflowers, metallic flower-shaped nanoparticles, have been shown to protect and heal brain cells by promoting mitochondrial health and turnover. The nanoflowers target the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, rather than just managing symptoms. By improving mitochondrial function, the nanoflowers help address one […]
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Youth athletes, not just professionals, may face mental health risks from repeated traumatic brain injuries
Youth athletes, not just professionals, may face mental health risks from repeated traumatic brain injuries Repeated traumatic brain injuries in youth athletes may lead to mental health risks, including anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and thoughts about ending one’s life. A growing body of research suggests that adolescents and young adult athletes experience traumatic brain injuries […]
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Why does cancer immunotherapy work for some and not others?
Why does cancer immunotherapy work for some and not others? A new study published in Nature found that naturally occurring autoantibodies can significantly boost or hinder the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by up to 10-fold. The researchers mapped autoantibodies from 374 cancer patients treated with checkpoint immunotherapy and 131 untreated healthy individuals, using a novel […]
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Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia Vaccines may hold promise in reducing the risk of dementia, with one study suggesting that the shingles vaccine could lower the risk by as much as 20%. The study used a policy change in Wales to compare vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, finding that the vaccine reduced […]
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Listen: How microplastics are invading your body
Listen: How microplastics are invading your body Microplastics have been found in human placentas, reproductive organs, and brains, particularly in the frontal cortex. Professor Matthew Campen’s research has uncovered evidence of microplastic particles entering the human body through various means, including not just water bottles. The presence of microplastics in these areas may be linked […]
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Insurance warning signs in doctors’ offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health
Insurance warning signs in doctors’ offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health Warning signs in doctors’ offices that mention potential extra insurance costs may discourage patients from speaking openly about their health issues. Research found that these warning signs can lead to patients being less willing to raise a wide variety of […]
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Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths, but too often they are used to blame mothers for pregnancy loss
Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths, but too often they are used to blame mothers for pregnancy loss Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths by identifying underlying causes, but they are rarely performed after stillbirths, occurring in only 1 in 5 cases. In the US, at least 1 in 4 stillbirths (and up to 50% […]
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A toxicologist’s guide to poison ivy’s itch and bee stings’ burning pain – 2 examples of nature’s chemical warfare
A toxicologist’s guide to poison ivy’s itch and bee stings’ burning pain – 2 examples of nature’s chemical warfare **Poison Ivy:** Poison ivy contains an oily chemical called urushiol that causes an allergic reaction in most people, leading to a rash that can be mild or severe. Symptoms appear 12-48 hours after exposure and can […]
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