Babies exposed to air and light pollution have a higher risk of developing childhood thyroid cancer, a new study says. Airborne particle pollution and outdoor artificial light both increased babies’ risk of developing thyroid cancer before they turned 20, researchers recently reported in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. “These results are concerning, especially given how… read on > read on >
A panel of federal health experts on Wednesday recommended expanded vaccine options for several diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), meningitis and a mosquito-borne illness called chikungunya. The panel, known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), makes vaccine use recommendations to the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),… read on > read on >
Hepatitis A vaccinations could be lagging among men who have sex with men due to a mistrust of medicine, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups, a new study says. Only about 60% of surveyed gay and bisexual men were fully vaccinated for hepatitis A, even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention… read on > read on >
People might think they can reduce their risk of cancer by occasionally swapping their cigarettes for a vape pen — but they would be wrong, a new study says. So-called “dual users” — folks who both smoke and vape – are exposed to the same levels of nicotine and cancer-causing toxins as those who only smoke… read on > read on >
Newfangled eyedrops for dogs might be better at helping them fight off infections, a new study says. Eyedrops containing hyaluronic acid helped antibiotics better coat the eyes of healthy dogs, compared to traditional eyedrop formulations, researchers recently reported in the journal Veterinary Ophthalmology. As a result, higher concentrations of the antibiotics remained longer in the… read on > read on >
Folks with asthma might better control their symptoms by precisely timing when they use their inhaler, a new study says. A single daily preventive dose of inhaled corticosteroid is best taken at mid-afternoon for effective asthma control, researchers reported April 15 in the journal Thorax. That timing will suppress the usual nighttime worsening of symptoms… read on > read on >
A newly approved antibiotic to treat urinary tract infections may also help fight drug-resistant gonorrhea, a new study shows. The medication, called gepotidacin, could become the first new gonorrhea treatment since the 1990s. In an international study of more than 600 people, researchers found that it worked just as well as current standard treatments. “Gepotidacin… read on > read on >
Miscommunication between hospital staff regularly puts patients at risk, a new study says. Poor communications between health care workers contributed to 25% of hospital incidents that put patients’ safety at risk, researchers reported April 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. What’s more, miscommunication was the sole cause of patient endangerment in 1 out of… read on > read on >
It’s a common notion that overuse of smartphones, tablets, laptops and other digital devices is rotting people’s minds. But the opposite appears to be true – regular use of digital technology seems to protect the brain against decline and dementia, at least among those present at the dawn of the tech revolution. Everyday use of… read on > read on >
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends extra measles protection for people traveling to areas with active outbreaks in the United States, CBS News reported. In an April 8 letter, the CDC advised health departments that travelers going to outbreak areas in the U.S. should follow local vaccination guidance. These new… read on > read on >
