A two-year advisory that warned Americans against going on cruises has been dropped by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency first warned Americans against cruise ship travel in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, and last year said there was an increased risk of getting infected when on the crowded… read on > read on >
The Pfizer COVID vaccine significantly reduced U.S. children’s risk of severe illness and hospitalization during the recent Omicron surge, according to a new study. But researchers noted that only 27% of 5- to 11-year-olds in the United States and just 57% of 12- to 17-year-olds had received two vaccine doses as of March 16, and… read on > read on >
Many parents of preschoolers insist that naps are essential to recharge their little ones during the day and improve their mood. Turns out that daytime shut-eye may also boost early literacy skills. New research by scholars in Australia and England suggests that naps help preschoolers map letters to sounds, a key to reading success later… read on > read on >
Researchers report that overgrowth of a part of the brain that’s associated with autism occurs during infancy, a finding that may make it possible to diagnose the disorder at an earlier age. The amygdala is a small structure in the brain that’s crucial in interpreting social and emotional clues, such as understanding facial expressions or… read on > read on >
COVID-19 vaccines appear to be safe for kids who have had a rare complication called MIS-C after being infected by the coronavirus, according to a new small study. Some kids get MIS-C — shorthand for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children — four to six weeks after a bout with COVID. Many have few or no… read on > read on >
A sudden rash can be a puzzling and alarming symptom in a child. But as one expert explains, rashes are common in kids and often caused by eczema or an allergic reaction. “Eczema is a disease that causes patches of dry skin, which is often accompanied by intense itching. Scratching can damage the skin, make… read on > read on >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
