Parechovirus, a virus that can cause severe illness in infants, is on the rise in parts of the United States. Twenty-nine infants were admitted to the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville this year, which includes 23 admitted during a six-week period this spring, according to a new study. By contrast, only…  read on >  read on >

The United States has an opioid epidemic, but there’s one bright spot in the fight against it: Prescriptions for these addictive drugs have declined for patients with private insurance. Amid guidelines over the past decade from governments, health systems and insurers aimed at reducing opioid prescriptions, previous studies have pointed to a nationwide drop in…  read on >  read on >

Enjoying just two slices of Jarlsberg cheese every day may help stave off osteoporosis, a small Norwegian study suggests. The protective effect of cheese on bone-thinning appears to be an exclusive benefit of Jarlsberg, and a mere 2 ounces a day seems to be enough to protect bone health, the investigators reported. “Jarlsberg cheese might…  read on >  read on >

For peak performance, school-age children need more than a healthy diet and exercise. They also need plenty of sleep. A new study finds that elementary school kids who get less than nine hours of sleep each night show significant differences in some brain regions responsible for memory, intelligence and well-being compared to those who get…  read on >  read on >

Where you live may affect your fertility, a new study suggests. People who live in economically deprived neighborhoods are about 20% less likely to conceive, compared to people from areas with more resources, researchers said. Investments in deprived neighborhoods that address economic disparities may improve fertility in those areas, according to the authors, who researched…  read on >  read on >