Many people pop a zinc supplement at the first sign of a cold, and there’s new evidence supporting the habit. Australian researchers found that the supplements appear to help shorten respiratory tract infections, such as colds, flu, sinusitis and pneumonia. Many over-the-counter cold and cough remedies offer only “marginal benefits,” the researchers noted, making “zinc… read on > read on >
As teens dramatically stepped up their screen time during COVID-19 lockdowns, their well-being took a hit, a new study reveals. Recreational screen time among U.S. teens doubled from before the pandemic to nearly eight hours per day during the pandemic, according to the report. And this estimate doesn’t include time spent on screens for remote… read on > read on >
U.S. health officials say they’re keeping close watch on a ‘Delta plus’ variant that’s been detected in at least eight states. While the AY.4.2 “sub-lineage” of Delta may spread faster than the original variant, there’s no evidence that it causes more severe illness, and authorities say current vaccines remain effective against it, CBS News reported.… read on > read on >
Contaminated water is the leading cause of large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people, researchers say. These health threats are called zoonotic infectious diseases, and recent outbreaks include COVID-19 and Ebola. “In the age of COVID-19, it is understandable that many people may not realize how many outbreaks of… read on > read on >
Two placenta-related markers could reveal older women’s risk of serious pregnancy problems such as stillbirth and premature or very small babies, British researchers say. They analyzed blood samples and medical data from 527 pregnant U.K. women, including 158 in their 20s; 212 in their 30s; and 157 in their 40s. The study found that levels… read on > read on >
So-called “forever chemicals” might increase pregnant women’s risk of a dangerous condition known as preeclampsia, researchers say. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used and long-lasting chemicals found in the drinking water of many U.S. communities. A new study found a link between PFAS exposure and late-onset preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure and… read on > read on >
The U.S. government’s COVID-19 vaccination program for children ages 5-11 will be ready to roll on Nov. 8, the White House said Monday. On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved vaccines for the 28 million American children who fall into this age group, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still… read on > read on >
The joys of motherhood may be overshadowed in the United States since as many as 50% of new or expectant moms can’t pay their bills, including health care bills, new research suggests. “Financial hardship is highly prevalent among pregnant and postpartum women,” said study co-author Dr. Michelle Moniz. She is an assistant professor of obstetrics… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has delayed a decision on whether to approve emergency use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds until at least January, the company announced Sunday. That’s because the agency told the company on Friday that it needs more time to assess emerging international data on whether the vaccine… read on > read on >
A two-minute test can accurately detect vaginal bacteria associated with preterm birth, researchers have found, pointing to a possible way to identify pregnant women at increased risk of early delivery. In the United States, about one in 10 babies are born preterm, according to the nonprofit March of Dimes. Babies born preterm (before the 37th… read on > read on >
