Following state legislation passed in 2021 that essentially banned abortion in Texas, the rate of infant deaths rose by almost 13%, compared to a much smaller 1.8% rise nationwide, a new study finds. The number of Texan babies whose deaths were specifically linked to birth defects also jumped by 22.9% in 2022, the year after… read on > read on >
Women don’t need an ultrasound to have a safe medication abortion, a new study says. Women who received abortion pills by mail without getting an ultrasound first did just as well as those who were examined and given the drugs in person, researchers found. “This study adds to a growing and robust body of evidence… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision to authorize the first menthol-flavored e-cigarettes has drawn the the ire of health advocates who say the decision undermines efforts to end the youth vaping epidemic in America. In its approval of four flavored vaping products made by Njoy, the agency defended its decision. “Based upon our rigorous… read on > read on >
John Nicolas was deep into kidney transplant surgery when he decided to ask his doctors if they’d started yet. “At one point during surgery, I recall asking, ‘Should I be expecting the spinal anesthesia to kick in?’” Nicolas, 28, recalled in a news release. “They had already been doing a lot of work and I… read on > read on >
Inhaled insulin could be a better option than injections or pumps for some patients with type 1 diabetes, a new clinical trial shows. Patients using inhaled insulin (Afrezza) plus long-lasting insulin degludec injections had better control over their blood sugar than those assigned to receive usual care, researchers report. About 21% of those on inhaled… read on > read on >
Independent living is important for seniors, but a new study shows it might not be the best thing for their health. Older adults living in senior housing tended to have better health than those who remain in their own homes, researchers found. People in senior housing are less vulnerable to illness and accidents, receive more… read on > read on >
Specific steps can be taken to reduce the risk of potentially fatal reactions to anti-seizure medications, researchers report in a new review. Performing blood tests, asking patients about risk factors and modifying dosages all can reduce reaction risk for drugs that millions of Americans take for epilepsy and other conditions, researchers said. However, rashes and… read on > read on >
U.S. children with inoperable brain tumors appear to die sooner and find it harder to get care if they live in poorer neighborhoods, a new study finds. Children from higher-income areas had more than double the average survival time than kids from poorer neighborhoods — 480 days versus 235 days, depending if a census tract… read on > read on >
When a couple can’t get pregnant, the focus is often on the prospective mom, but that needs to change, a Houston urologist says. “Both partners need evaluation,” said Dr. Larry Lipschultz, a professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “With fertility, you can’t finger point. It’s not a male or female problem… read on > read on >
The pandemic highlighted the risk that air travel carries for the spread of infectious diseases, and that risk remains even though the health emergency has passed. “Airplanes have many touch points that are perfect for the transfer of bacteria or viruses,” said Dr. Mike Ren, an assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor… read on > read on >
