Persistent use of steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to treat acute lower back pain may actually turn it into a chronic condition, a new study warns. However, some experts who expressed concerns about the study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine pointed out that it was not a clinical trial, which… read on > read on >
Americans’ rates of depression and anxiety spiked during the first year of the pandemic, but the increases were much more pronounced among Black, Hispanic and Asian people than among white people, new research shows. From April 2020 to April 2021, the overall incidence of depression or anxiety in the United States rose from about 11%… read on > read on >
Young adults who struggle to afford food face an increased risk of diabetes later in life, possibly due to the long-term effects of eating cheaper, less nutritious food. That’s the conclusion of researchers who analyzed data on nearly 4,000 people from the U.S. National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Between the ages of… read on > read on >
There’s good news for women with a mental health condition: Taking antidepressants early in pregnancy doesn’t increase a baby’s risk of having epilepsy or seizures, researchers say. “The findings of this study are very important,” said study co-author Ayesha Sujan of Indiana University Bloomington. “Pregnancy can be a trying time, and the addition of depression,… read on > read on >
If your teens play just one sport, new research suggests you might want to encourage them to try others. Researchers report that focusing solely on one sport puts high school athletes at increased risk for injuries and burnout. The investigators surveyed 975 U.S. high school athletes and found that more than 1 in 5 had… read on > read on >
It’s no secret that too much social media can be bad for one’s mental health. Now, research suggests that taking even a brief break from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Staying off social media for a week meant, for some study participants, gaining about nine hours of free… read on > read on >
Since the early days of the pandemic, loss of smell and taste have been tied to COVID-19 infection. But a new study shows those telltale traits are much less likely with the Omicron variant than the earlier Alpha and Delta versions of the coronavirus. The findings are significant in determining whether someone has COVID-19, said… read on > read on >
Does science sell? Sometimes. Using science to sell chocolate chip cookies and other yummy products is likely to backfire, a new study shows, but touting scientific research behind more practical, everyday items — such as body wash — can be an effective marketing strategy. “People see science as cold, but competent. That doesn’t pair well… read on > read on >
Nearly 1 in 4 hospital doctors are mistreated at work by patients, visitors and other doctors, and female doctors are nearly two times more likely than male doctors to face this abuse, a new study reveals. “All members of the health care team share the responsibility to mitigate mistreatment,” said senior study author Dr. Mickey… read on > read on >
Could giving surgery patients ready-to-use mailed disposal kits for unused opioids lower the risk of abuse of the drugs? Yes, claims a new study that found patients with unused opioid pain pills are much more likely to dispose of them properly when given the kits. There’s a risk that leftover opioid medications may be misused… read on > read on >
