Among the many negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may be damage to the bond between mothers and their infants, researchers say. Women who experienced grief and depression due to pandemic-related losses may find it more difficult to form this all-important emotional connection with their babies, according to a new study from Brigham and Women’s…  read on >  read on >

Persistent depression can significantly shorten lung cancer survival — even if patients receive the latest cancer treatments, new research shows. “We need to help these patients, not only at diagnosis, but throughout treatment to take depressive symptoms out of the equation and let these impressive new therapies do their jobs,” said lead author Barbara Anderson,…  read on >  read on >

Prolonged stays in space appear to damage astronauts’ brains, a small, new study suggests. The researchers studied five Russian cosmonauts, mean age 49, who stayed on the International Space Station (ISS) for an average of 5.5 months. Blood samples were taken from the cosmonauts 20 days before their departure to the ISS, and one day,…  read on >  read on >

Women who were born with heart defects may get some reassurance from a new study that finds they face no heightened risk to health during a pregnancy and delivery. According to the researchers, doctors may often advise these women against getting pregnant due to the potential risks for them and their babies, but until now…  read on >  read on >

Parents of teen drivers can play a crucial role in making their children safe drivers, the Governors Highway Safety Association says. Millions of U.S. teens are learning to drive at an especially challenging time as risky and dangerous driving has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, the association noted. “Teen drivers are more likely than any…  read on >  read on >