Rats can become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a new study that found many rodents in New York City’s sewer system and elsewhere had been exposed. Rats collected in the study tested positive for alpha, delta and omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The findings were published March 9 in mBio,… read on > read on >
New U.S. federal regulations will require mammography facilities to tell women if they have dense breasts, a description of how the tissue looks on the X-ray. It can be more difficult to detect cancer in dense breast tissue on a mammogram. Having dense breasts is also a risk factor for developing breast cancer. The U.S.… read on > read on >
New moms who live on tree-lined streets may be somewhat less vulnerable to postpartum depression, according to a new study — the latest to link “green space” to better mental health. The study, of medical records from more than 415,000 new mothers, found that those living in urban areas with more tree coverage had a… read on > read on >
Jennifer Canvasser had never heard of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) before she gave birth to twins three months prematurely in 2012, but she has since devoted her life to raising awareness about this potentially fatal intestinal disease. Her son Micah developed NEC when he was 6 weeks old and died of complications in December 2012. He… read on > read on >
Calico Critters animal figures and sets that were sold with bottle and pacifier accessories are being recalled due to a choking hazard. Epoch Everlasting Play has recalled more than 3.2 million of the toys, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced. The Pine Brook, N.J.-based company recalled the flocked animal figures and accessories after… read on > read on >
Troubling new research finds that rates of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are continuing to increase in children and young adults. Asian or Pacific Islander, Black and Hispanic children had higher rates, the study found. “Our research suggests a growing population of young adults with diabetes who are at risk of developing complications from… read on > read on >
Pregnant women will no longer have any drug to prevent preterm birth after the maker of the only available treatment announced Tuesday that it will withdraw its product, Makena, from the market. Covis Pharma Group’s decision follows a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel vote last October that concluded the drug does not actually… read on > read on >
Some people may have a gene that helps protect them from respiratory diseases like COVID-19 — and helped their ancestors fight the plague. It comes at a cost. This same gene variation may be linked to an increased risk of autoimmune disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, according to British researchers. “This gene… read on > read on >
U.S. Federal health officials have issued recall notices for two more brands of eyedrops. In the latest round of recalls, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted notices after the companies voluntarily pulled several lots of their eyedrops from the market. These recalls do not appear to be connected to other recent recalls or an… read on > read on >
Fewer high school athletes are getting hurt playing sports, but those who do are more likely to suffer severe injuries that require surgery or a timeout from their chosen sport, new research shows. Which teens are most at risk? Those who participate in football, girls’ soccer and boys’ wrestling, the study authors found. Knee and… read on > read on >
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