Avocado toast has become the favored breakfast of the healthy and fit, and now new research suggests their choice may protect their hearts. People who ate half an avocado twice a week had a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21% lower risk of heart disease, compared with people who never or rarely… read on > read on >
Researchers report that overgrowth of a part of the brain that’s associated with autism occurs during infancy, a finding that may make it possible to diagnose the disorder at an earlier age. The amygdala is a small structure in the brain that’s crucial in interpreting social and emotional clues, such as understanding facial expressions or… read on > read on >
COVID-19 vaccines appear to be safe for kids who have had a rare complication called MIS-C after being infected by the coronavirus, according to a new small study. Some kids get MIS-C — shorthand for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children — four to six weeks after a bout with COVID. Many have few or no… read on > read on >
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients who also have the flu have a double whammy that brings a much higher risk of severe illness and death than COVID alone, according to a new study. The findings highlight the need to test COVID-19 patients for the flu and underscore the importance of vaccination against both COVID-19 and influenza, U.K.… read on > read on >
The chances of a severe allergic reaction being triggered by intravenous (IV) iron formulations for anemia are higher with some than others, but all pose a low risk, a new study says. Researchers compared five IV formulations commonly used to treat iron deficiencies among older patients who can’t swallow or tolerate iron pills. They analyzed… read on > read on >
A sudden rash can be a puzzling and alarming symptom in a child. But as one expert explains, rashes are common in kids and often caused by eczema or an allergic reaction. “Eczema is a disease that causes patches of dry skin, which is often accompanied by intense itching. Scratching can damage the skin, make… read on > read on >
Hours after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster shot of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines for people 50 and older, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced its support for the move. Echoing the FDA, the CDC also recommended a second booster for “certain immune-compromised Individuals.” “Boosters are… read on > read on >
Fully half of all women who have annual mammograms to screen for breast cancer will receive a false-positive test result over a decade of screening, according to a new study. False-positive results call for further testing and eventually rule out cancer. False alarms can certainly increase anxiety. “Women undergoing screening mammography should be aware that… read on > read on >
It takes a lot of will to successfully lose weight, but a new research review suggests that “motivational” conversations with a health provider may make little difference. The review looked at studies that tested the effects of motivational interviewing, where a health care provider asks questions to encourage patients to talk about what they’d like… read on > read on >
Your child’s risk of harm from social media is higher at certain ages and it’s different for girls and boys, researchers report. To figure out how social media use affected “life satisfaction” among 10- to 21-year-olds, the investigators analyzed long-term data on 17,400 young people in the United Kingdom. The new study found key periods… read on > read on >
