Ticks may be responsible for the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wisconsin’s deer population, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that ticks can harbor transmissible amounts of the protein particle that causes CWD, a fatal neurological disease seen in deer, elk and moose. The pathogen, prion,… read on > read on >
Depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health problems sent record numbers of American kids, especially girls, to emergency rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once there, many waited days or even weeks to be admitted to the hospital, a new study reports. “The system was already stretched to begin with and then the pandemic hit and… read on > read on >
More than one-third of coupled Americans who want better sleep are opting for a “sleep divorce.” They’re not actually divorcing, but sleeping in another room so that they each sleep better. “We know that poor sleep can worsen your mood, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to argue with their partners. There… read on > read on >
The cleanup of industrial chemicals following a freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, early this year released high levels of some dangerous gases, including acrolein, investigators say. The Norfolk Southern freight train was carrying numerous hazardous chemicals. To avoid a catastrophic explosion after the Feb. 3 derailment, authorities opted for a controlled release of… read on > read on >
U.S. federal officials took a big step toward protecting children from a contaminant blamed for irreversible health effects, proposing tougher standards for removing lead-based paint in pre-1978 buildings and child care facilities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the proposed new standards Wednesday at an event in Newark, N.J. If finalized, the new rules would… read on > read on >
The centuries-old practice of mindfulness is having a moment in present times, and a new study finds the therapy can improve mental health for at least six months. Analyzing the results of 13 prior studies, U.K. researchers concluded that in-person, teacher-led mindfulness courses were tied to reduced stress and anxiety. Mindfulness “was the seventh step… read on > read on >
If you live in West Virginia you’re more likely to experience joint pain due to arthritis, according to a new study that looked at the differences in pain across states. “The risk of joint pain is over three times higher in some states compared to others, with states in the South, especially the lower Mississippi… read on > read on >
As extreme heat continues to blanket numerous parts of the United States, Americans with dementia may be particularly challenged. “Triple-digit temperatures and heat indexes are especially dangerous for someone with a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer’s disease, because the effects of dementia can impair their ability to notice if they are developing heat stroke or… read on > read on >
Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool capable of deciphering a brain tumor’s genetic code in real time, during surgery — an advance they say could speed diagnosis and personalize patients’ treatment. The researchers trained the AI tool to recognize the different genetic features of gliomas, a group of tumors that constitute the most… read on > read on >
Identifying genetic disorders in newborns and infants can help them get the care they need, but one approach — whole genome sequencing — appears far superior to another. In a new study, researchers compared whole genome sequencing with targeted gene-sequencing. They found that whole genome sequencing (WGS) was nearly twice as effective at finding the… read on > read on >
