Fully half of all women who have annual mammograms to screen for breast cancer will receive a false-positive test result over a decade of screening, according to a new study. False-positive results call for further testing and eventually rule out cancer. False alarms can certainly increase anxiety. “Women undergoing screening mammography should be aware that… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Does Social Media Harm Kids? It Might Depend on Their Age
Your child’s risk of harm from social media is higher at certain ages and it’s different for girls and boys, researchers report. To figure out how social media use affected “life satisfaction” among 10- to 21-year-olds, the investigators analyzed long-term data on 17,400 young people in the United Kingdom. The new study found key periods… read on > read on >
Rise in Birth Defects for Babies Whose Fathers Took Common Diabetes Drug
Babies born to fathers who were taking the common diabetes drug metformin may have a slightly increased risk of certain birth defects, a large new study suggests. Among over 1 million babies born in Denmark, just over 3% had a birth defect of some kind. But that rate was roughly 5% among babies whose fathers… read on > read on >
Mom’s Use of Workplace Disinfectants in Pregnancy Tied to Eczema, Asthma in Kids
If you’re a worker who plans to get pregnant, take heed of a new study that warns that pregnant women who work in hospitals and are exposed to disinfectants may be more likely to have children who suffer from asthma and eczema. The Japanese researchers focused on occupational disinfectant use, noted study author Dr. Reiji… read on > read on >
What Works (and Doesn’t) to Raise Success Rate of IVF
Ultrasound guidance and soft catheters are among the measures that can be used during embryo transfer to help improve the chances of successful in-vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a British study. “It is reassuring to see that some of the interventions that are used regularly in the U.K. … appear to increase the likelihood of… read on > read on >
‘Live’ Type of Flu Shot Is Safe for Kids With Asthma: Study
Yearly flu shots are especially important for kids with asthma as any virus can trigger an asthma attack. But in the not-too-distant future, these kids might be able to get a spritz instead of a jab, new research hints. Current recommendations suggest children with asthma get an inactivated flu shot (the flu virus is dead)… read on > read on >
HIV Meds May Also Shield Against COVID Infection
Certain antiviral drugs used to treat HIV may also guard against COVID-19 infection, a new study suggests. The researchers found that people with HIV who are on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with protease inhibitors may have a lower risk of COVID-19 infection. Protease inhibitors are antiviral drugs that block a critical enzyme (protease) that viruses need… read on > read on >
Had COVID or Gotten Vaccine? Hospitalization Is ‘Extremely Uncommon’
Been vaccinated? Already had COVID? New research shows that your chances of winding up in the hospital if you get a breakthrough infection are practically nil. In the study, scientists looked at more than 106,000 hospitalized primary care patients, aged 18 and older, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., who had tested positive for… read on > read on >
Deer Can Shed Coronavirus for 5 Days After Infection
White-tailed deer can shed and transmit the COVID-19 virus for up to five days after they’re infected, according to a study that also identified where the virus develops and replicates in deer. Five days is “a relatively short window of time in which the infected animals are shedding and are able to transmit the virus,”… read on > read on >
Out-of-Network Costs Raise Medical Bills for Special Needs Kids
Special needs children often require out-of-network care from specialists, which means more out-of-pocket costs and extra stress for families, a new study finds. “In the U.S., the reality is that the more health care needs you have, especially from specialists, the greater chance you will find your needs won’t be met, even if you have… read on > read on >