Protecting pregnant women from air pollution may improve the birth weight of their babies, a new study suggests. This is especially important for stressed-out mothers who live in neighborhoods burdened by poor air quality. A mother-to-be’s exposure to both air pollution and psychological stress during early to mid-pregnancy can disrupt delicate fetal growth, according to… read on > read on >
A large new study of U.S. veterans suggests that when prostate cancer screening rates go down, the number of men diagnosed with advanced cancer then rises. Researchers found that across 128 U.S. veterans health centers, the rate of PSA screening for prostate cancer declined between 2008 and 2019 — a period where guidelines came out… read on > read on >
A woman’s body appears to go on high alert after she loses her virginity, a new study reports. Specifically, her immune system ramps up activity in her vagina following her first sexual intercourse, researchers found. However, researchers can’t yet say whether these immune changes reduce or elevate a female’s risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted… read on > read on >
After a sexual assault, some victims are charged for the initial treatment and collection of evidence, even though U.S. federal law requires those services to be free. Now, a new federal bill aims to change that by requiring private insurance companies to cover these costs for their customers. “This legislation is needed because too many… read on > read on >
While monkeypox cases are declining in the United States, a new government report shows that patients with weakened immune systems, especially those living with HIV, have been hit particularly hard by the virus. Even after taking antiviral medication for monkeypox, those with untreated HIV were more likely to end up in the hospital, the researchers… read on > read on >
For cat owners who are convinced that their furry feline understands and even responds to the sound of their voice, here’s the reward they’ve been waiting for: A new French study finds that, yes, cats can identify their owner’s cooing and calling. After extensive work with 16 cats, the investigators concluded that cats can perceive… read on > read on >
Universities sometimes offer “Pet Your Stress Away” events offering a chance to relax while gently patting the head and stroking the back of a calm dog. But some people are more interested in interacting with cats than dogs, according to a new study that linked preference to personality type. “Our study shows that we may… read on > read on >
Perhaps to no one’s surprise, new research has determined that men do, in fact, have a much stronger sex drive than women. After reviewing more than 200 studies, investigators “found that men consistently report a higher sex drive,” said study author Julius Frankenbach, a doctoral student of psychology at Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany. En… read on > read on >
A new trend promoted on the social media platform TikTok has people taping their lips shut at bedtime — a practice that could be dangerous, an expert warns. The purpose of mouth taping is to keep from breathing through your mouth at night. “If you have obstructive sleep apnea, yes, this can be very dangerous,”… read on > read on >
China announced Wednesday that it has started giving its citizens a COVID booster that can be inhaled through the mouth. The oral vaccine was distributed in Shanghai. A video appeared on Chinese state media, showing people holding a translucent white cup with a short nozzle to their mouths. Text accompanying the video said a person… read on > read on >
