Indoor spaces often contains harmful chemicals, say researchers who found high levels of toxic flame retardants in the dust of some U.S. college classrooms. The chemicals have been linked to thyroid disease, infertility, decreased IQ, cancer and other health problems. They were released by furniture in the facilities. When they get into dust, the chemicals…  read on >

In a finding that should encourage scientists who are racing to develop coronavirus vaccines, a new study out of Iceland suggests that immunity to the disease may not be as fleeting as first thought. Among 30,000 Icelandic residents who were tested for antibodies to COVID-19, researchers discovered the antibodies stayed in people’s systems for at…  read on >

A new review may offer guidance on women who contract COVID-19 during pregnancy. Pregnant women with COVID-19 are less likely to have symptoms than those who aren’t expecting — but they’re more likely to require critical care, according to the study. Having COVID-19 also increases a mother-to-be’s risk of having a preterm baby and of…  read on >

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Monday that it would extend its flexible free school meals program through the fall, to help keep millions of kids fed as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hold the country in its grip. The program, which allowed parents and caregivers to collect free meals for their kids…  read on >

Pregnant women are understandably worried about everything that goes into their bodies. But here’s one worry they can cross off that list: flu shots. A large, new study has confirmed that an expectant woman’s flu shot doesn’t increase the risk of autism in her child. And that’s true even if the vaccine is given during…  read on >

Cellphone activity could be used to monitor and predict spread of the new coronavirus, researchers say. They analyzed cellphone use in more than 2,700 U.S. counties between early January and early May to identify where the phones were used, including workplaces, homes, retail and grocery stores, parks and transit stations. Between 22,000 and 84,000 points…  read on >

New insight into how pregnant women can pass the Zika virus to their fetus could point to ways to prevent it, researchers say. Babies infected with Zika in the womb can have abnormally small heads (microcephaly) and other birth defects. In this study, researchers examined placenta samples collected from pregnant women during the peak of…  read on >

Parents worry that COVID-19 can make a diabetic child’s condition worse, but an expert has some tips for keeping kids healthy during the pandemic. “If a child has good control of their diabetes, it does not seem as though there will be severe effects if they were to get the virus,” said Dr. Michael Yafi,…  read on >

As the number of coronavirus cases in the United states passed the dubious milestone of 6 million on Sunday, a new report shows COVID-19 is now spreading at a faster rate in children and teenagers than among the general public. The troubling data, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, comes just as schools and universities…  read on >