Long-term exposure to air pollution can wreak havoc on your lungs and heart, but new research suggests another vulnerability: It may increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. For the study, the researchers analyzed health information on more than 81,000 people in Italy submitted by more than 3,500 doctors between June 2016…  read on >  read on >

Homeopathy’s effectiveness may be significantly overestimated because most research supporting this form of complementary medicine is of poor quality, according to a new analysis. Homeopathy is a popular alternative to conventional medicine in many developed countries, including the United States, but remains highly controversial. This new paper found that many clinical trials involving homeopathy haven’t…  read on >  read on >

Even “safe” levels of ozone air pollution may increase adolescents’ risk of depression, a new study shows. Researchers analyzed four years of mental health data from 213 adolescents, ages 9-13, in the San Francisco Bay area and compared it with air quality data for their home addresses. Those who lived in areas with relatively higher…  read on >  read on >

A fresh review of recent government surveys suggests the well-being of 73 million American kids is under strain and seems to be getting worse. The upshot: anxiety, depression and behavioral problems appear to be on the rise, while the amount of time kids spent being physically active or getting preventive care has been on the…  read on >  read on >

Taken correctly, prescription drugs used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can help teens and young adults navigate their condition, but a new study finds many are dying from overdosing on these medications. In 2019, benzodiazepines like Xanax and stimulants like Adderall accounted for more than 700 and 900 overdose deaths, respectively, in the United States,…  read on >  read on >

A recently identified hybrid of the Omicron and Delta coronavirus variants is unlikely to become a serious threat, scientists say. The new hybrid, first found in samples collected in France in January, is formally called the AY.4/BA.1 recombinant but has been nicknamed Deltacron by some. Thirty-three samples of the new variant have been found in…  read on >  read on >