Babies born to women who are stressed out during pregnancy may be more likely to experience social, emotional and learning problems as they grow up, new research suggests. “Mom’s elevated psychological distress affects not just her, but her unborn baby’s brain development,” said study author Catherine Limperopoulos, chief and director of the Developing Brain Institute… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Supreme Court Set to Overturn Roe v. Wade, Leaked Draft Opinion Shows
The U.S. Supreme Court is on the verge of striking down the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, a leaked draft opinion shows. In the draft opinion, a majority of the court voted to overturn the 1973 decision that granted abortion rights to all American women. “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the… read on > read on >
Your Take-Out Coffee Cup May Shed Trillions of Plastic ‘Nanoparticles’
Maybe you ask the barista for cream with your coffee, and possibly sugar as well. But new research shows that paper cup of joe you grab off the coffeehouse counter contains another ingredient, and it’s one you might not care for — trillions of tiny plastic particles that leach into your hot java from the… read on > read on >
FDA Warns of Counterfeit Home COVID-19 Test Kits
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans to watch out for phony at-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests that look a lot like the real things. The counterfeit test kits may put you at risk of unknowingly spreading the disease or not seeking appropriate medical treatment, the agency cautions. The phonies “are made to look… read on > read on >
Scientists Calculate Perfect Amount of Sleep for Folks Over 40
Are you over 40 and wonder what the magic amount of sleep every night might be? A new study arrives at an answer. It turns out that seven hours of sleep a night may be the ideal amount for keeping your brain in good health if you’re middle-aged or older. “Getting a good night’s sleep… read on > read on >
Costs From Gun Injuries Highest in U.S. Regions With Weak Gun Laws
U.S. regions with weak gun laws face the highest hospital costs from gun injuries, with the South leading the way in injuries and fees, a new study says. Taxpayers cover nearly half of the cost of gun injuries nationwide, said researchers led by Dr. Sarabeth Spitzer, of the surgery department at Brigham and Women’s Hospital… read on > read on >
Study Tracks Course of COVID Infection, Transmission in Individual Patients
So-called “superspreaders” aren’t necessarily carelessly mixing with throngs of people. Instead, a new study finds, some people with COVID-19 infections shed the virus for just a few days, while others do so for up to nine days. “Based on that finding, we predict that those people who are shedding virus for more than a week… read on > read on >
Could Asthma Treatment Raise Your Odds for Obesity?
Adults who suffer from asthma often need to take corticosteroids to open up their airways, but the medications may have an unintended side effect: New research shows the treatment, particularly when taken in pill form, raised the risk of patients becoming obese. “Oral corticosteroids are often given to asthma patients, particularly those who had a… read on > read on >
AHA News: Limited By Stroke at 48, His Wife Helps Him Make the Most of Their ‘New Normal’
MONDAY, May 2, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — While a worker cleaned out the septic system at John Cathey’s house in Murray, Kentucky, John was down in the crawl space checking the pipes. When it came time to exit, he pushed his legs to scoot out. His left leg wouldn’t move. His wife, Paula,… read on > read on >
AHA News: Opioid Prescriptions After Heart Device Procedures Down Slightly
MONDAY, May 2, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — Federal guidelines geared toward curbing the overprescription of opioids have modestly reduced their use after medical procedures to implant pacemakers and other heart devices, new research shows. But researchers say more needs to be done in the face of the nation’s continuing opioid crisis. “While we… read on > read on >