Biomarkers in sperm may help identify men at risk of fathering children with autism, researchers say. For the study, investigators examined sperm epigenetics — the molecular processes that affect gene expression — in 13 men who fathered sons with autism and 13 who had children without the disorder. The American and Spanish researchers focused specifically… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Climate Change Is Spurring Malnutrition in Kids Worldwide
Rising temperatures caused by climate change are contributing to low diet quality and malnutrition among young children in many parts of the world, researchers say. Warmer temperatures now equal or exceed the impact of traditional causes of child malnutrition and low quality diets, such as poverty, poor sanitation and low levels of education, according to… read on > read on >
Pot Might Impair a Woman’s Fertility: Study
Though using marijuana for medical or recreational reasons is legal in a growing number of U.S. states, it may come with some unexpected side effects. A new study found that women who use cannabis may be reducing their fertility. “Cannabis use has continued to climb. More and more states have legalized it in recent years,”… read on > read on >
‘Awareness’ Under C-Section Anesthesia May Be Less Rare Than Thought
It’s a woman’s worst nightmare: You’re having a C-section under anesthesia, but you suddenly become aware of what is happening during your surgery. Now, a new study shows that phenomenon, known as “accidental awareness,” is more common than believed. In fact, it may occur in 1 in 256 women who have obstetric surgery and some… read on > read on >
Stuck at Home, Suffering With COVID? Experts Offer Guidance on Care
Most folks infected with COVID-19 will only have mild or moderate illness — but that means they’ll still be stuck at home and feeling really lousy. What’s the best way to cope? In many ways, you want to behave as you would if you were suffering from a cold or the flu, said infectious disease… read on > read on >
College Campuses Are COVID ‘Superspreaders,’ Study Finds
U.S. colleges could be COVID-19 superspreader sites, and the first two weeks of classes are the most dangerous, researchers warn. They studied 30 campuses nationwide with the highest numbers of reported coronavirus cases and found that more than half had spikes that peaked well above 1,000 cases per 100,000 people per week within the first… read on > read on >
New Insights Into How COVID-19 Damages the Brain
New research offers a novel explanation for the long-term brain problems many COVID-19 patients experience. Many coronavirus patients report headaches and “brain fog” for weeks or months after they recover from respiratory symptoms. It’s been believed that these lingering neurological issues are the result of nerve cell damage, but the new study suggests that the… read on > read on >
Study Outlines Role of Oral Sex in Rare Throat, Mouth Cancers
People who began having oral sex at a young age or at greater “intensity” may face an increased risk of a type of throat cancer, a new study finds. The study, published online Jan. 11 in the journal Cancer, focused on oropharyngeal cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The sexually transmitted infection can, in a… read on > read on >
Coffee Might Help Ward Off Prostate Cancer
A cup of java may not be a bad idea for men’s health: Drinking lots of coffee may reduce their risk of prostate cancer, researchers report. The investigators analyzed data from 16 studies conducted around the world. Together, the studies involved more than a million men, about 58,000 of who went on to develop prostate… read on > read on >
Pandemic Is Tied to Big Rise in U.S. Heart Deaths
In a finding that highlights another health consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, researchers report that the risk of dying from heart disease increased during the coronavirus lockdowns last spring, likely because people were too scared to go to the hospital. But the dangers of not seeking treatment for a medical emergency far outweigh that of… read on > read on >