Frequent middle-ear infections are the nemesis of many parents and young children. Now a new study suggests that a common treatment — “ear tubes” — may not prevent future bouts. Middle-ear infections (or acute otitis media) are second only to the common cold in creating childhood misery. They occur when the air-filled space behind the… read on > read on >
In a decision that clears the way for schools to reopen safely next fall, U.S. health officials on Wednesday gave their final stamp of approval for Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine to be offered to children aged 12 to 15. The decision, which makes millions more young Americans eligible for immunization, came as COVID-19 cases and deaths… read on > read on >
Like certain health conditions including cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, new research shows that having HIV or AIDS increases a person’s risk of catching and dying from COVID-19. For the study, researchers from Penn State College of Medicine assessed data from 22 previous studies of 21 million participants in North America, Africa, Europe and… read on > read on >
Bacteria don’t set up house in the human gut until after birth, a new study finds. Gut bacteria are vital for digestion and overall health, but when researchers examined the stool (meconium) from 20 infants collected during breech cesarean deliveries, they found these critical germs show up in the gut after birth, not before. “The… read on > read on >
Strokes are on the rise among people younger than 50, and new research suggests that packing on the pounds during the teen years is a big reason why. The more overweight you were from ages 16 to 20, the greater your risk of having a stroke before age 50, the new study shows. “Given ongoing… read on > read on >
Contrary to misleading reports spread on social media, a new study finds the COVID-19 vaccine does no damage to the placenta in pregnancy. In a study of placentas from patients who were vaccinated for COVID-19 during pregnancy, researchers found no evidence of any harm. “The placenta is like the black box in an airplane. If… read on > read on >
Cora Oakley is a rough-and-tumble 4-year-old who loves gymnastics and outdoor activities, particularly if it involves bouncing on a trampoline. It’s hard to tell from looking at her that she was born without an immune system. Kids with this condition can acquire dangerous, life-threatening infections from day-to-day activities as simple as going to school or… read on > read on >
Rural school districts in the United States have led the way back to in-person instruction during the pandemic, a survey of school leaders finds. About 42% of rural school districts were fully back to in-school learning by February, compared with 17% of urban districts, the survey found. The opposite was true for online learning: 29%… read on > read on >
It may be possible to treat the thinking problems that result from repeated hits to the head, a new laboratory study suggests. The new experiments with mice are the first to offer a molecular analysis of what happens in the brain after repetitive but mild blows to the head, said researcher Mark Burns. He is… read on > read on >
Could there be a way to tell years in advance which girls are more likely to develop eating disorders? New research from Denmark suggests that childhood body mass index (BMI) may offer important clues. BMI is an estimate of body fat based on height and weight. The new research linked lower BMI as early as… read on > read on >
