Common chemicals used in plastic and personal care products may interfere with brain development in babies, a new study says. Phthalates are found in many everyday items, like food packaging, shampoo, toys and vinyl flooring. They help make plastics soft and carry scents in products. But they may also harm unborn babies’ brains when mothers… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has delayed the full approval of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine. The decision had been expected by April 1, but the agency now says it needs more information before moving forward. The Novavax shot is already available under emergency use. But full FDA approval would allow the vaccine to be… read on > read on >
Antidepressants appear to increase people’s risk of sudden cardiac death, a new study says. People taking the mood meds are more likely to die suddenly from heart problems, and their risk rises the longer they’re on the drugs, according to findings presented Monday in Vienna at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology. “Exposure… read on > read on >
Disrespected by a neighbor or colleague? Eyerolls from servers at a restaurant or store? Denied a job or a mortgage due to skin color? More than half of Americans have experienced some such form of discrimination, and this mistreatment dramatically increases their risk of depression or anxiety, a new study says. Nearly 56% of Americans… read on > read on >
Hospitals could be short-changing patients if they lean too heavily on nurse staffing agencies or overtime hours, a new study says. Patients are much more likely to develop bedsores at short-staffed hospitals that regularly bring in travel nurses or require nurses to work overtime, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open. “Our study shows that when… read on > read on >
Cancer survivors can reduce their ongoing risk of death by sticking to diet and exercise guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society, a new study suggests. Non-smoking survivors of obesity-related cancers had an overall lower risk of death if they adopted the ACS lifestyle recommendations following their treatment, according to findings published April 3 in… read on > read on >
Health experts are warning that whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is making a dangerous comeback. Cases are rising across the country, and Louisiana recently reported that two infants have died — the state’s first deaths from the illness since 2018. “For infants, it’s really rather terrifying,” Dr. John Schieffelin, an associate professor of pediatrics… read on > read on >
Thinking of splurging on a whole-body MRI or CT scan, based on the latest health fad? Just keep in mind that you’ll be contributing to climate change, a new study says. Unnecessary imaging scans for Medicare recipients alone create up to 129 metric kilotons of carbon dioxide emissions a year – equivalent to powering a… read on > read on >
THURSDAY, April 3, 2025 — Can’t get your teenage girl off her smartphone, iPad or laptop? This could cost her much-needed sleep and increase her risk of depression, a new Swedish study says. Teenagers who spend more time on screens tend to get worse sleep, both in terms of sleep quality and duration, researchers reported… read on > read on >
Life is busy, and some folks simply don’t have time until the weekend to work out. Turns out, that’s just fine for their health, a new study suggests. “Weekend warriors” who cram their week’s exercise into one or two days appear to gain as much benefit as people who are physically active throughout the week,… read on > read on >
