Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States are severely underrepresented in clinical trials testing cutting-edge treatments for pancreatic cancer, researchers say. “There are a ton of obstacles to get these patients into clinical trials,” said senior author Dr. Jose Trevino, chairman of surgical oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. “But this is… read on > read on >
It could have been a slam-dunk, but fewer than 3 out of 4 fans at the March Madness basketball tournament wore masks correctly, a new study reports. Mask mandates at sporting events, concerts and other large indoor gatherings play an important role in combating the spread of COVID-19, the researchers pointed out. “With vaccination rates… read on > read on >
Children whose mothers had diabetes during pregnancy are at increased risk for severe forms of common eye problems such as far- and near-sightedness and astigmatism, a long-term study suggests. Collectively, they’re known as refractive errors, conditions in which the eye is unable to properly focus images on the retina. “As many [refractive errors] in young… read on > read on >
Ten million high-powered magnetic balls and cubes have been recalled in the United States because they pose a risk of serious injury or death if swallowed, a new report shows. “Zen Magnets LLC is aware of two children who ingested Zen Magnets and required surgery to remove the magnets and parts of their intestines and… read on > read on >
In a paradoxical finding, new research reveals that more Americans of color have access to health insurance now than they did 20 years ago, but their perceptions of their health status have not improved at all. The study, published Aug. 17 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, paints a sobering picture. In the… read on > read on >
Lyme disease can exact a significant mental toll as well as a physical one on its sufferers, a new study confirms. Patients hospitalized for Lyme disease had a 28% higher incidence of mental disorders and were twice as likely to attempt suicide than people without Lyme, researchers report. “These findings highlight the need for greater… read on > read on >
TUESDAY, Aug. 17, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Linda and Clint Pilkinton had a healthy toddler when Linda got pregnant with their second child. They were eager to give Charlie a baby brother. The first trimester of her pregnancy proceeded much like it did with Charlie. Then came the standard 16-week ultrasound and another… read on > read on >
There’s strong evidence that the steroid drug dexamethasone can significantly lower hospitalized patients’ risk of dying from COVID-19, but many who might benefit from it the most aren’t getting it. “Dexamethasone is a steroid that is used for the treatment of arthritis, inflammation and allergic reactions,” explained Hemalkumar Mehta, who studied its use in treating… read on > read on >
Twenty seconds. That’s how long you need to wash your hands to remove germs, a new physics study confirms. Typical hand-washing guidelines — including those from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — advise scrubbing your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. To assess that recommendation, researchers used a mathematical model to… read on > read on >
While the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the United States has been dominating the news, an old viral enemy has been making a quieter comeback. In late spring, U.S. pediatric hospitals began reporting an unexpected rise in serious infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Unlike COVID-19, RSV is a long-established foe that normally emerges… read on > read on >
