Experts have long recommended breastfeeding for its many benefits for infants, but a new study puts a hard number on breast milk’s lifesaving effects. Breastfeeding is associated with a 33% reduction in infant deaths in the first year, according to the study of nearly 10 million U.S. babies. The research looked at babies born in… read on > read on >
A newly discovered genetic variant might explain why some people of African ancestry have naturally lower viral loads of HIV, an international team of researchers reports. This variant, carried by an estimated 4% to 13% of people of African origin, reduces their risk of transmitting the virus and slows the progress of their own illness.… read on > read on >
While demand for prescription stimulants is surging, a shortage of the drugs persists, so federal officials have stepped in and asked drug companies to ramp up production of the medications. Officials from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the joint request. “The FDA and DEA do… read on > read on >
Millions of American smokers suffer from a potentially serious lung disease that’s not technically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study finds. They would benefit from a clear diagnosis, though, and the new findings demonstrate a major gap in care for people with a history of tobacco use, the researchers said. Among folks who… read on > read on >
All eyes are on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week as the agency weighs approval of a new pill that may quickly treat and ease severe postpartum depression. Approval of the drug could help millions of women regain their emotional equilibrium following childbirth. The FDA’s decision is expected by Friday. Taken as a… read on > read on >
The President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program that’s long successfully provided relief to people with AIDS around the world, will now be housed within the U.S. State Department. The move comes after years of pressure by anti-abortion groups and some Republican members of Congress to attach abortion-related limits on U.S. health support… read on > read on >
Artificial intelligence (AI) programs can safely be used to help radiologists review mammogram images and detect breast cancers, early results from an ongoing clinical trial show. A single radiologist aided by AI wound up detecting about 20% more breast cancers from mammogram images than two radiologists working together, according to a report in the August… read on > read on >
Certain lots of the prescription birth control pill Tydemy may be less effective than expected, potentially resulting in an unintended pregnancy, because the pills do not contain enough of an active ingredient. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers about the issue Tuesday following a company announcement about the issue on July 29. Two… read on > read on >
First Lady Jill Biden gains at least some of her inner strength by working on her physical strength. Featured in the September issue of Women’s Health magazine, Biden, 72, talks about waking at 5:45 a.m. most days to fit in a workout. That includes jogging on the White House driveway, bicycle rides when getting away… read on > read on >
Being exposed to lead while in the womb or during early childhood may increase a person’s chance of engaging in criminal behavior as an adult, a new review claims. To arrive at this conclusion, the review authors evaluated 17 previous studies that used varying methods to test for lead exposure, including blood, bones and teeth.… read on > read on >
