In Washington state, 22 wildlife bridges and underpasses provide animals with a safe way through to search for food or escape predators and wildfires. It turns out the crossings have been benefiting humans, too. In a 10-mile radius around wildlife crossings, there are between one and three fewer collisions a year between vehicles and animals,… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Brain Study Shows How Fentanyl Kills
Fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that’s driving a surge in drug overdose deaths, kills by stopping breathing even before someone loses consciousness, a new study reveals. To come to that conclusion, researchers ran electroencephalogram (EEG) tests on 25 patients who were undergoing operations lasting two hours or more. Pharmaceutical fentanyl can be used to supplement sedation… read on > read on >
First U.S. Monkeypox Death Reported in Texas
A Texas patient who was infected with monkeypox has died, though state health officials said Tuesday it’s too early to say what role the virus may have played in the death. The adult, who died in a hospital in Harris County, was “severely immunocompromised” and had “various severe illnesses,” health officials said. Autopsy results are… read on > read on >
Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Promise Against Binge Eating Disorder
Electrically stimulating the brain’s “reward” circuity may hold promise as a treatment for binge eating disorder, a small pilot study suggests. The findings are based on just two patients who received deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a technique used for certain other medical conditions, including epilepsy. But over six months, the approach was able to… read on > read on >
Lawsuit Claims Amazon’s Top-Selling Mattress a ‘Health Hazard’
Customers who bought a bestselling mattress sold on Amazon and at retailers nationwide are suing the manufacturer amid claims that fiberglass fibers in the product have damaged their health. Zinus, Inc., is fielding multiple lawsuits over its “Green Tea Mattress.” Among the claims is a proposed class-action lawsuit led by a California woman who is… read on > read on >
With Smartwatch, Cardiac Rehab at Home May Work Best
A new smartwatch could be a key player in preventing heart attacks among people suffering from risky heart conditions, a new study claims. Using the smartwatch to track their heart health, patients in a home-based cardiac rehab program were more than 20% less likely to land in the hospital than patients trekking to a medical… read on > read on >
High-Tech Socks Could Prevent Falls in At-Risk Patients
Every year, anywhere from 700,000 to 1 million people fall while in U.S. hospitals, and this often triggers a downward health spiral. Little has been shown to make a dent in those numbers. Until now. Enter Smart Socks, which are wired with sensors that send an alert when a patient tries to get up from… read on > read on >
AHA News: She Thought Her Heart Problems Were Resolved – Until She Got Pregnant
TUESDAY, Aug. 30, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — Practically from the time she figured out crawling, Kacie Nowakowski began somersaulting around her home. Her parents, picking up on her high energy level and love of movement, enrolled her in gymnastics at age 2. The class also checked another box. Kacie’s pediatric cardiologist had suggested… read on > read on >
Small Study Supports TPOXX as Monkeypox Treatment
The drug tecovirimat appears to be safe and effective for treating the symptoms and skin lesions of monkeypox, a small study suggests. Tecovirimat (TPOXX) is an antiviral drug for the treatment of smallpox. It works by limiting spread of the virus in the body. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has allowed doctors… read on > read on >
Pregnant Women Face Exposures to Dangerous Chemicals Daily
Pregnant women are exposed to toxic chemicals in dishware, hair coloring, plastics and pesticides that can heighten their risk of cancer and harm child development, a new study warns. Melamine and its major byproduct, cyanuric acid, were found in nearly all the 171 women in the study and levels were highest among women of color… read on > read on >