Spina bifida is a diagnosis no parents-to-be want to hear as they await their child’s birth, and the idea of performing surgery on a baby while it is still in the womb can be terrifying. But new research shows that performing the delicate procedure before the baby is born, and not after, is worth it.… read on > read on >
As the United States enters a critical phase of its national coronavirus vaccination campaign, a new poll shows that two-thirds of Americans are frustrated with how hard it is to get immunized against COVID-19. The Gallup Poll, released Wednesday morning, comes as health officials across the country are desperately juggling precious vaccine doses so they… read on > read on >
Obesity is the culprit in up to half of new diabetes cases among Americans each year, a new study estimates. Researchers found that over nearly two decades, obesity contributed to anywhere from 30% to 53% of new type 2 diabetes diagnoses among middle-aged and older Americans. That higher percentage was seen in recent years, as… read on > read on >
If you have cancer and you’re trying to exercise to boost your health, new research suggests you don’t have to knock yourself out during your workout. Light exercise is just as beneficial as more demanding workouts for cancer patients, the researchers found. Previous research has shown that physical activity can improve cancer patients’ physical and… read on > read on >
Among the many dangers the coronavirus pandemic has brought, parents really need to be on the lookout for one in particular: an increased risk of suicide among vulnerable teens. “We’ve seen an upsurge in really bad suicide attempts,” and the pandemic is likely behind that increase, said Dr. Taranjeet Jolly, an adult and pediatric psychiatrist… read on > read on >
Could it be that a strange-looking creature known as a pangolin was the conduit by which the new coronavirus jumped to humans and prompted an international pandemic? New research suggests the theory is a plausible one. Pangolins are sold for food in live-animal “wet markets” in China — facilities that have long been suspected of… read on > read on >
A lack of ICU beds and other resources was linked to a higher rate of deaths among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the early stages of the pandemic in the United States, researchers say. The investigators analyzed data collected from more than 4,400 hospitals nationwide from March 1 to July 26, 2020, and found that fewer… read on > read on >
If you have bleeding gums, you may need to increase the amount of vitamin C in your diet, a new study suggests. The American Dental Association says bleeding could be a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. These new findings from University of Washington (UW) researchers suggest you should also check your… read on > read on >
Few older adults with prediabetes will actually go on to develop type 2 diabetes, new research concludes. The surprising finding suggests that while prediabetes is a useful predictor of diabetes risk in young and middle-aged adults, that’s not the case in older folks. “Our results suggest that for older adults with blood sugar levels in… read on > read on >
An experimental antiviral drug known as peginterferon lambda can speed up COVID-19 patients’ ability to shed the virus and recover, scientists report. “One of the important things about this treatment that’s different from the other things that have been studied for COVID-19 is that this is working on the person, not on the virus. So… read on > read on >
