To ensure that all kinds of patients get drugs and devices that are safe and effective for them, they need to be represented in clinical trials, but a new study shows that representation of women in key disease areas continues to lag. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston examined female participation in… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Pets Have Helped People With HIV Through Two Pandemics
Pets have helped people weather both the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics, a survey of long-term HIV/AIDS survivors shows. “The underlying question in our minds has always been: What role do pets play for people who are so isolated and suffering so much stigma?” said study leader Lynette Hart, a professor of veterinary medicine at the… read on > read on >
CDC Warns of Deadly Outbreak of Meningitis Among Gay Men in Florida
One of the worst meningitis outbreaks in U.S. history has prompted public health officials to urge gay and bisexual men who live in Florida or plan to visit the state to get vaccinated right away. Twenty-four cases of meningitis (meningococcal disease) and seven deaths among gay and bisexual men are under investigation by the U.S.… read on > read on >
Inhaled Pollutants Go Directly From Lungs to Brain: Study
Breathing in air pollution can lead to toxic particles entering the brain — and not just through the nose. New research suggests they have a direct pathway through the bloodstream, potentially contributing to brain disorders and neurological damage. “There are gaps in our knowledge around the harmful effects of airborne fine particles on the central… read on > read on >
New Guidelines Have Some Stroke Patients Dropping Aspirin. That Could Be Dangerous
After decades where millions of Americans who were at risk for cardiovascular trouble were told a daily low-dose aspirin would guard against strokes and heart attacks, new guidelines issued this spring recommend that the strategy is not worth the bleeding risks in those over 60. That’s been plenty confusing for patients who aren’t sure what… read on > read on >
No Change in Recent Decades in Infertility Rate for Women
After years of decline, infertility rates among U.S. women have held steady in the past decade or so, a new study finds. The reasons behind the stall are unclear. But researchers said rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases, and unequal access to reproductive health care could be factors. The study found that from 2006 to… read on > read on >
Researchers Spot Sign of Alzheimer’s Risk That Scammers Love
Could the way a senior handles his or her money offer clues about their risk for Alzheimer’s disease? Yes, according to a new study involving dozens of elderly men and women that found a higher likelihood to give away money to anonymous individuals correlated with a poorer performance on the kinds of tests that screen… read on > read on >
U.S. HPV Vaccination Rates Rising, Even Among Boys
More and more of America’s teens are getting vaccinated against the human papillomavirus virus (HPV), new research indicates. Between 2015 and 2020, the study found, the percentage of 13- to 17-year-olds who had gotten at least one dose of the vaccine steadily increased, rising from 56% to just over 75%. “In addition, the adolescents who… read on > read on >
Tiny Mites Are Feeding on Your Skin, But for How Long?
It’s an icky truth: Everyone has millions of tiny mites living and mating on their skin. Not to worry, though — Demodex folliculorum skin mites actually help keep your pores clean and your skin healthy, stressed Alejandra Perotti, an associate professor of invertebrate biology with the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. However, her… read on > read on >
Light in Your Bedroom Is No Good for Your Health
Keeping your bedroom dark not only helps you get a good night’s sleep, but may significantly lower your odds of developing three major health problems, a new study suggests. Older men and women who used night lights, or left their TV, smartphone or tablet on in the room were more likely to be obese, and… read on > read on >