Common pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia may slow infant development in the womb, according to a new study. This leads to newborns being biologically younger than their gestational age, according to researchers from universities across the United States who contributed to the study. Researchers estimated the infants’ biological or “epigenetic” age based on…  read on >  read on >

Public health officials are warning about an increase in drug-resistant strains of the bacteria shigella. About 5% of shigella infections reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year were caused by the drug-resistant XDR strain. That compares to 0% in 2015. Limited treatment options exist for people infected with XDR strains.…  read on >  read on >

Many women experience blinding migraine headaches around their monthly period, and now researchers have a clue about why. Levels of the female hormone estrogen fluctuate during menstruation, which may lead to increases in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). This protein widens blood vessels in the brain, which is part of the cascade of events that cause…  read on >  read on >

MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) – A new at-home test will help people struggling with upper respiratory symptoms figure out whether they have COVID-19 or the flu. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lucira under an emergency use authorization (EUA) on Friday. “Today’s authorization of the first OTC [over-the-counter] test that can detect…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s heavily criticized tobacco program promised changes on Friday, including a five-year strategic plan to better outline priorities. “As we enter this era of declining use of combustible tobacco and continued innovation in the e-cigarette industry, the societal concerns are not subtle,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf said in an…  read on >  read on >

Men who have physically demanding jobs and regularly lift heavy objects at work also have higher sperm counts and testosterone levels. A new study that is part of broader effort to explore how exposure to environmental chemicals and lifestyle choices affect reproductive health found the link. “We already know that exercise is associated with multiple…  read on >  read on >

Confused about emergency contraception? The experts have you covered. Here’s a breakdown of what emergency contraception is, the different types that are available, the side effects you may experience, and how emergency contraception works. Plus, you’ll find out where you can get emergency contraception. What is emergency contraception? Emergency contraception is a way to prevent…  read on >  read on >