COVID-19 infection significantly increases the risk of dangerous blood clots after surgery, a new study finds. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential complication of surgery in which blood clots form in the veins. It is a leading preventable cause of death in hospital patients. This study found that VTEs were 50% more likely after surgery…  read on >  read on >

All births are not created equal, new U.S. research reveals: Differences in the quality of hospital care contribute to a higher chance of complications among Black and Hispanic newborns compared to white and Asian infants. The analysis of more than 480,000 live births at term (at least 37 weeks’ gestation) in New York City from…  read on >  read on >

Major pandemics aren’t all that rare and they’re likely to occur more often in the future, a new study claims. “The most important takeaway is that large pandemics like COVID-19 and the Spanish flu are relatively likely,” study co-author William Pan said in a news release from Duke University, where he is an associate professor…  read on >  read on >

For breast cancer patients battling “chemo brain,” regular exercise may be a powerful prescription, a new study suggests. The term “chemo brain” refers to thinking and memory problems often experienced by patients who undergo chemotherapy. It’s “a growing clinical concern,” said study first author Elizabeth Salerno, an assistant professor of surgery at Washington University School…  read on >  read on >

Two salmonella outbreaks that appear related to salami and other Italian-style meats have sickened at least 36 people in 17 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twelve people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Because some people recover from salmonella without medical care and aren’t tested, the CDC…  read on >  read on >

Everyone knows that drinking plenty of water every day can improve your health in a myriad of ways, but here’s a lesser-known benefit: New research suggests that middle-aged adults can lower their long-term risk for heart failure by simply drinking enough water on a daily basis. The finding follows an analysis that stacked heart health…  read on >  read on >

Millions of Americans live with a common abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation (a-fib), but new research suggests that exercise might ease the severity of the condition. When folks with a-fib participated in a six-month exercise program, they were able to maintain a normal heart rhythm and had less severe symptoms than those who…  read on >  read on >

The recommended age to start screening overweight and obese people for diabetes will be lowered by five years from 40 to 35, the nation’s leading panel of preventive health experts has announced. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has decided an earlier five years of testing could help detect more people who have prediabetes,…  read on >  read on >