A cheap cavity-fighting liquid typically used to treat sensitive teeth appears to work as well as dental sealants in preventing tooth decay, a new study finds. A single treatment of either silver diamine fluoride (SDF) or a typical dental sealant prevented 80% of cavities for four years among thousands of New York City elementary schoolchildren,… read on > read on >
A new smartphone app can help doctors more accurately diagnose ear infections in babies and small children, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in kids, researchers report. Ear infections — known by doctors as acute otitis media (AOM) — can be difficult to diagnose, as they require a trained eye to detect subtle clues from a… read on > read on >
Analysis of a “chemical score” from mouth lesion swab samples might allow patients to skip painful biopsies, getting oral cancers promptly diagnosed in a noninvasive way, scientists report. Right now, dentists and other specialists must send excised tissues from suspicious mouth lesions to labs for standard biopsies, which are costly and invasive. However, researchers at… read on > read on >
Long COVID might be triggered by low iron levels in the blood from the person’s initial infection, a new study claims. It’s remained a mystery why an estimated three out of 10 people infected with COVID go on to suffer lingering symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches and “brain fog” problems with memory… read on > read on >
Certain drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis appear to be safe for babies if taken by breastfeeding moms, a new study finds. Breastfed babies whose moms received monoclonal antibody treatments for MS did not develop any more developmental delays than babies not exposed to the drugs through breast milk. The findings will be presented at… read on > read on >
Using TVs and tablets as “e-babysitters” really cuts down on the time toddlers spend interacting with parents or other caregivers, new research shows. The Australian team of investigators are calling the phenomenon “technoference” — a scenario where “young children’s exposure to screen time is interfering with opportunities to talk and interact in their home environment.”… read on > read on >
Yogurt makers can now make limited claims about the food’s power to help prevent type 2 diabetes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. In a statement released Friday, the agency said it will not object to “qualified health claims” that say there is some evidence that eating at least 2 cups of yogurt a… read on > read on >
The first over-the-counter birth control pill will soon be available in U.S. stores and online, the drug’s maker plans to announce Monday. Sold as Opill, the medication was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last May. Once it is officially for sale, a one-month supply will cost women $19.99, while a three-month… read on > read on >
People with recurring urinary tract infections frequently have persistent pain, even after antibiotics have cleared the harmful bacteria from their system. Now, researchers have figured out why this perplexing problem occurs. It appears that an overgrowth of highly sensitive nerve cells can occur in the bladder as a result of frequent UTIs, researchers report March… read on > read on >
Sleep apnea could have detrimental effects on the brain, causing memory or thinking problems, a new study suggests. People suffering from sleep apnea are about 50% more likely to also report having memory or thinking problems, compared to those without sleep apnea, researchers say. “These findings highlight the importance of early screening for sleep apnea,”… read on > read on >
