Mosquitoes appear to be affected by artificial light at night, but whether that’s a good or bad thing is an open question. New research finds that urban light pollution may disrupt the winter dormancy period of the mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile virus. That could be good because they may not fatten up in… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Baseball Season Is Here: Watch Out for UCL Tears
Spring brings with it the joy of baseball, but too much of a good thing can lead to elbow injuries in young pitchers. An expert from UT Southwestern in Dallas offers some tips for youth baseball players, their parents and coaches about avoiding and being aware of injuries, including tears or ruptures of the ulnar… read on > read on >
Many Young Women Wouldn’t Get Flu, COVID Shots in Pregnancy, Poll Suggests
Despite the proven safety and effectiveness of COVID and flu vaccines during pregnancy, many young women are still doubtful, a new survey shows. Compared with older women and adult men, the poll found higher percentages of women ages 18 to 49 doubting that vaccination against these viruses during pregnancy is safe. The survey of 1,600… read on > read on >
STDs Continue to Climb in the U.S.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are surging in the United States, with notable increases seen in case counts of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Overall, STIs grew by 7% in 2021, reaching 2.5 million cases, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The U.S. STI epidemic shows no signs of… read on > read on >
Pandemic’s Effect on U.S. Birth Rates May Have Depended on Politics
The “baby bust” that hit the United States during the first year of the COVID pandemic did not affect all states equally — with states that were more racially diverse or more “blue” seeing bigger drops in their birth rates. That’s among the findings of a new study that probed a now well-documented phenomenon: The… read on > read on >
Curbing Opioid Prescriptions Won’t Raise Suicide Rates: Study
Over the past few years the escalating opioid crisis has touched off a complex debate about how best to reign in suicide risk among patients who are prescribed the addictive painkillers. The question: Could rapidly cutting back on legal opioid prescriptions help, or might patients’ desperation over lack of access inadvertently drive up suicide risk?… read on > read on >
Menthol Vapes Could Be Even More Toxic to Lungs
Adding menthol flavoring to electronic cigarettes may damage your lungs more than regular e-cigarettes do, a new study reveals. The common mint flavoring helps deliver lots more toxic microparticles, compared with e-cigarette pods that don’t contain menthol. It’s those microparticles that damage lung function, researchers say. “Beware of additives in the e-cigarettes,” said senior researcher… read on > read on >
Survival Improves for Babies of America’s Youngest Moms
The death rate among babies born to teen moms has dropped over the past 25 years — but racial disparities stubbornly persist, a new U.S. government study finds. Compared with the late 1990s, fewer babies born to teenage mothers are dying in their first year of life, according to the study by the U.S. Centers… read on > read on >
AHA News: She Boarded a Cruise Ship. Then She Had a Stroke.
TUESDAY, April 11, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Shelley Davis packed shorts, bathing suits and sunscreen for a weeklong cruise with her husband, Greg, and their 13- and 15-year-old daughters. The morning before boarding the ship in Port Canaveral, Florida, the family from Mesa, Arizona, soaked up the sunshine and played in an arcade.… read on > read on >
AHA News: People Who Follow These 8 Heart Health Metrics May Live Years Longer
TUESDAY, April 11, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — People who strongly adhere to a set of cardiovascular health metrics may live close to a decade longer than those who don’t, new research suggests. The study, published Monday in Circulation, found people with higher scores for cardiovascular health lived up to nine years longer on… read on > read on >