Folks soon might have their brain activity scanned using a temporary tattoo, a new study suggests. This temporary scalp tattoo allowed researchers to track electrical brain activity much more easily than with conventional electrodes, researchers reported Dec. 2 in the journal Cell Biomaterials. Electronic tattoos, or e-tattoos, printed onto the scalps of five people performed… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Crisis Pregnancy Centers Offer Dubious Advice on ‘Abortion Pill Reversal’
So-called crisis pregnancy centers, often created with an anti-abortion agenda, are providing pregnant women some questionable medical advice alongside potentially helpful services, a new study finds. Nearly a third (30%) of crisis pregnancy centers promote “abortion pill reversal,” researchers reported Dec. 3 in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. This is “an unproven and potentially dangerous… read on > read on >
Artery Procedure May Offer Surgery-Free Way to Ease Knee Arthritis
Blocking blood flow to the site of knee arthritis can reduce pain and potentially prevent the need for knee replacement surgery, a new study says. The procedure, called genicular artery embolization (GAE), improved patients’ quality of life by 87% and their pain by 71% at a one-year follow-up, researchers report. “Our study found that GAE… read on > read on >
When’s Best Time for Your COVID Booster? That May Depend on You
Folks might want to try timing their COVID-19 booster vaccine to coincide with a period of increased transmission in their area, a new study suggests. Doing so can improve protection against COVID infection as much as fourfold compared to getting the jab when the coronavirus isn’t spreading as much, researchers report in the journal Clinical… read on > read on >
Antibiotics or Surgery: What’s Best for Child Appendicitis?
For decades, surgery to remove an inflamed appendix has been a rite of childhood for many. But a new study says treating appendicitis with antibiotics, rather than surgery, is the best way to address most cases. Using antibiotics to treat uncomplicated cases of appendicitis resulted in less pain and fewer days off from school for… read on > read on >
Cervical Cancer Deaths Fell Dramatically After Advent of HPV Vaccine
A new study provides good evidence that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may be achieving its goal of slashing rates of cervical cancer. “We observed a … 62% drop in cervical cancer deaths over the last decade, likely due to HPV vaccination,” said study senior author Ashish Deshmukh. “We cannot think of any other reason… read on > read on >
Newer Epilepsy Meds Safe During Pregnancy, Won’t Affect Kids’ Neurodevelopment
For decades, it’s been known that certain older medications women use to control epilepsy seizures can pose risks to a fetus. However, data now suggests that no such risk exists for newer-generation anti-seizure meds. “We need to balance making sure there is enough medicine on board to protect the mother and her developing fetus… read on > read on >
CTE Plus Family History of Mental Illness Raises Odds for Aggression
Concussion-related brain damage can combine with a family history of mental illness to make some athletes and military personnel prone to aggression and violence in middle age, a new study says. People with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are at higher risk of mood changes and dementia, but this study shows that aggression is another risk… read on > read on >
Over 100,000 U.S. Youth Battle Inflammatory Bowel Disease
MONDAY, Dec.2, 2024Cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are rising at an alarming rate among young Americans, a new study reveals. “Prevalence rates [are] among the highest reported worldwide,” said researcher Dr. Michael Kappelman, a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The study — published Nov. 20… read on > read on >
Smoker or Former Smoker? Here Are 4 Key Things You Need to Know
MONDAY, Dec.2, 2024Doctors have potent new weapons against the deadliest cancer in America and they want to make sure they’re on the radar of current and former smokers. “Lung cancer screening is the most powerful tool we have to lower cancer [deaths],” said Dr. Timothy Mullett, medical director of the Markey Cancer Center Network and… read on > read on >