Despite hints of promise from early research, a new clinical trial finds no evidence that kids with autism benefit from nasal sprays containing the “love” hormone oxytocin. Researchers called the findings disappointing. But they said the study also offers important information: Some parents of children with autism are already using oxytocin nasal sprays in the…  read on >  read on >

It could be a bad flu season this year — and for a couple of years to come — in places in the United States where COVID-19 restrictions like social distancing and masking have been lifted, researchers warn. These sorts of measures caused flu cases to decline by more than 60% within the first 10…  read on >  read on >

Doctors who discuss COVID-19 in the media frequently face abuse and harassment, including threats of death or violence, a new report reveals. More than two-thirds of experts surveyed have experienced trolling or personal attacks after speaking about COVID-19 in media interviews, a worldwide survey of more than 300 scientists found. Further, a quarter said such…  read on >  read on >

Americans who got Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose coronavirus vaccine may be better protected if they get a booster shot from Pfizer or Moderna, preliminary findings from a new government study suggest. Published on the preprint server medRxiv and yet to be peer-reviewed, the National Institutes of Health study found mixing different coronavirus vaccines was safe…  read on >  read on >

Many American arthritis sufferers aren’t getting any exercise despite its benefits for reducing pain and improving their quality of life, new research shows. Sixty-seven percent of U.S. adults with arthritis engaged in physical activity in the past month, most often walking, according to a new data analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and…  read on >  read on >

Plumped-up lips, wrinkle-free foreheads — they’re all part of the promise of dermal fillers, most reliably received at a cosmetic surgeon’s clinic. But cheaper, unapproved “at home” dermal filler pens, bought without a prescription, are another much more dangerous option, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These pen devices use high pressure to…  read on >  read on >

The coronavirus pandemic forced a significant shift to telemedicine treatment for addiction, but it’s not clear whether that approach is better than in-person care, a new study finds. Before the pandemic, addiction treatment services in the United States had many restrictions on telemedicine use, so only about 27% of addiction facilities offered telehealth services, while…  read on >  read on >

You can add obesity and its related health risks to the long list of threats posed by climate change, researchers report. In a new review, researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia outlined the association between climate change and obesity. As global temperatures increase, people may become less physically active and less able to…  read on >  read on >