A Chinese researcher has died after catching a rare infectious disease called the Monkey B virus, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention officials say. In March, the 53-year-old veterinarian dissected two dead monkeys as part of his work in a Beijing research institute specializing in nonhuman primate breeding. He developed nausea, vomiting and fever…  read on >  read on >

When you’re hospitalized, you’ll want qualified medical professionals treating you, but does it matter if your doctor is a man or a woman? It might. A new study in Canada found that patients cared for by female physicians had lower in-hospital death rates than those who had male doctors. “Our study overall shows that female…  read on >  read on >

The coronavirus pandemic has left plenty of Americans saddled with medical bills they can’t pay, a new survey reveals. More than 50% of those who were infected with COVID-19 or who lost income due to the pandemic are now struggling with medical debt, according to researchers from The Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit organization that advocates…  read on >  read on >

“Shock” therapy often helps lift severe depression, but fear and stigma can deter patients from getting it. Now a large new study is confirming the treatment’s safety. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as it’s medically known, has been around for decades. For almost as long, it’s been seen in a bad light — fueled by disturbing media…  read on >  read on >

The causes of a type of excruciating headache known as cluster headaches aren’t clear, but heredity is known to play a role. Now, genetic factors associated with cluster headaches are under investigation as scientists search for more effective treatments. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden analyzed blood samples from more than 600 people with…  read on >  read on >

Giving high doses of buprenorphine in the emergency department is a safe and effective way of treating withdrawal symptoms in patients battling opioid addiction, according to a new study. “Emergency departments are at the front lines of treating people with opioid use disorder and helping them overcome barriers to recovery such as withdrawal,” said Dr.…  read on >  read on >

What’s better — a long life or quality of life? New research suggests that people balance both when thinking about their desired life span, and fears of suffering dementia or chronic pain in old age tend to limit how long they want to live. “Dementia tops the list of conditions where people would prefer to…  read on >  read on >