Despite hints of promise from early research, a new clinical trial finds no evidence that kids with autism benefit from nasal sprays containing the “love” hormone oxytocin. Researchers called the findings disappointing. But they said the study also offers important information: Some parents of children with autism are already using oxytocin nasal sprays in the…  read on >  read on >

It could be a bad flu season this year — and for a couple of years to come — in places in the United States where COVID-19 restrictions like social distancing and masking have been lifted, researchers warn. These sorts of measures caused flu cases to decline by more than 60% within the first 10…  read on >  read on >

THURSDAY, Oct. 14, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — A lifelong athlete who rowed for Brown University and enjoyed the occasional cycling road race, New York City attorney Lowell Chase thought of himself as nearly invincible. So when a routine physical in his late 20s revealed a heart murmur, he wasn’t overly concerned. “I sort…  read on >  read on >

Many American arthritis sufferers aren’t getting any exercise despite its benefits for reducing pain and improving their quality of life, new research shows. Sixty-seven percent of U.S. adults with arthritis engaged in physical activity in the past month, most often walking, according to a new data analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and…  read on >  read on >

Long-term symptoms of coronavirus infection, known as ‘long COVID,’ affects more than half of COVID-19 survivors, and health care systems should be prepared to treat them, researchers say. So far, 236 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and many have had lingering physical and mental health problems for six months or longer. “The…  read on >  read on >

The coronavirus pandemic forced a significant shift to telemedicine treatment for addiction, but it’s not clear whether that approach is better than in-person care, a new study finds. Before the pandemic, addiction treatment services in the United States had many restrictions on telemedicine use, so only about 27% of addiction facilities offered telehealth services, while…  read on >  read on >

A new study confirms that fish oil supplements may raise the risk of a common heart-rhythm disorder — particularly when doses top 1 gram per day. At issue are medications and supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, which are naturally found in fish oil. Fish is considered a generally heart-healthy food, but some studies have linked…  read on >  read on >