The future of COVID-19 treatments might include a tiny antibody made by llamas. British researchers credit a llama named Fifi with their finding. The investigators said these llama nanobodies, which are also produced by camels, could eventually be produced in a lab and administered by a nasal spray, binding tightly to the COVID-19 virus and… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Could Your Genes Be to Blame for Your Kid’s Aversion to Broccoli?
Parents and their children often share numerous traits — including a dislike for broccoli and other veggies in the same family. Noxious enzymes from bacteria in saliva may be the reason why, a new study suggests. Levels of these compounds are similar in parents and children, which might be why these vegetables are turnoffs for… read on > read on >
Common Hormone Disorder in Women Costs U.S. $8 Billion a Year
Treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — the most common hormone disorder in women of child-bearing age — is costly. In 2020, diagnosing and treating this disorder cost an estimated $8 billion in the United States, according to a new economic analysis. PCOS disrupts metabolism, and causes irregular menstrual periods and elevated testosterone levels. It affects… read on > read on >
Childhood Trauma Linked With Higher Odds for Adult Neurological Ills
Kids who suffer abuse, neglect or household dysfunction are more likely to have neurological problems like stroke or headaches as adults, researchers report. “Traumatic events in childhood have been linked in previous studies to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, riskier health behaviors like smoking and drug use, and decreased life expectancy,” said researcher… read on > read on >
Pregnant Women Who Get COVID Vaccine Pass Antibodies to Newborns
One way to help protect newborns from COVID-19 is for women to get their COVID vaccine while pregnant. A new study found that mothers-to-be who had either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine passed high levels of antibodies to their infants. Researchers from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine discovered that 100% of 36 newborns tested… read on > read on >
More Women Turning to Marijuana Products to Help With Menopause
Sleeplessness. Night sweats. Anxiety. Irritability. Aches and pains. Would smoking a little pot help women deal with these common symptoms of menopause? A good number of middle-aged women apparently think so, because they’ve been turning to marijuana to help handle the change of life, a new study reports. “Midlife women within the menopause transition period… read on > read on >
Migraines and More Severe Hot Flashes Could Be Linked
Women with a history of migraine headaches may suffer severe hot flashes during menopause, and this combo may boost their risk for heart disease, researchers say. Migraine doesn’t cause more or worse hot flashes — or vice versa. But both are believed to be related to changes in blood vessels known as neurovascular dysregulation, according… read on > read on >
Witnessing Abuse of a Sibling Can Traumatize a Child
Seeing a parent abuse a sibling can be as traumatizing as watching a parent hurt another parent, a new study finds. And it can lead to depression, anxiety and anger, researchers say. “When we hear about exposure to family violence, we usually think about someone being the victim of direct physical abuse or witnessing spousal… read on > read on >
Parents of Hospitalized Kids Need More Info on Costs: Study
Having a child in the hospital is distressing for families, and not knowing what that stay might cost can add to that stress, researchers say. A new study has found that three-quarters of U.S. families want to have conversations about the costs of care. Yet only 7% of families actually have had this financial counseling… read on > read on >
Antibodies to Early Strains of COVID May Not Fight New Variants: Study
Antibodies from current COVID-19 vaccines don’t bind well to the new variants of the virus, a study finds. Researchers collected data from previously published papers about the sequence of antibodies produced by the vaccines. They focused on antibodies against the spike protein, a part of the virus that binds to receptors on human cells to… read on > read on >