Preliminary mortality data for 2022 finds America making its way back from the devastation of the pandemic, with a significant 5.3% decline in deaths compared to 2021. And although COVID-19 remained the fourth leading cause of death in the United States last year, the number of fatalities linked to the disease fell by almost half… read on > read on >
It’s standard for heart attack survivors to take beta blocker medications for years afterward, but a new study suggests that may be unnecessary for people who’ve had a milder heart attack. Researchers found that among heart attack survivors whose hearts still had normal pumping ability, there was no added benefit from using beta blockers for… read on > read on >
About a third of children with autism aren’t able to speak — but that doesn’t mean they’re unable to listen and comprehend, a new study reports. About 1 in 4 kids and teens who have autism and are minimally verbal understand significantly more language than they’re able to produce, said lead researcher Yanru Chen, a… read on > read on >
Having uterine fibroids or endometriosis can increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer, but a new study finds that a hysterectomy can lower that risk for both Black and white women with fibroids. “Conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids can impact health and quality of life,” said Dr. Barbara Norquist, a Fred Hutchinson Cancer… read on > read on >
Medical marijuana can safely reduce cancer pain, and is apparently so effective that patients wind up taking lower amounts of opioids and other pain meds, a new study reports. Weed produced clinically significant reductions in cancer patients’ worst pain, average pain and overall pain severity, said senior researcher Dr. Antonio Vigano, an associate professor of… read on > read on >
About half of extremely preterm babies have at least one life-threatening bacterial infection in their bloodstream after 72 hours of life. Now, new research points to the babies’ own gut microbiomes as the source. Knowing that the most common bacteria in bloodstream infections are also commonly found to colonize the gut without causing disease at… read on > read on >
Changing the clocks every spring and fall might seem challenging, but a new study reveals that only one of those changes had a tendency to increase sleep disorders. The transition from daylight saving time to standard time in the fall — when people gain one hour overnight — was associated with a brief rise in… read on > read on >
The first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in seniors aged 60 and older. Arexvy, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is expected to help prevent lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV, the agency said Wednesday. “Older adults, in particular those with underlying health… read on > read on >
Another experimental drug meant for Alzheimer’s disease looks so promising that drugmaker Eli Lilly plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for full approval by the end of June. Known as donanemab, the medication clears amyloid plaque from the brain. In a late trial, the drug slowed memory and thinking declines in early… read on > read on >
In the spring and summer, everyone races outside with their dogs to enjoy the warmer weather, but a new study suggests there is a downside to that. More children are bitten by dogs in those months, according to researchers at Nemours Children’s Health. But a dog bite isn’t inevitable: It’s possible to keep both dogs… read on > read on >
