Surging temperatures caused by climate change could lead to more premature births worldwide, a new study reports. Researchers found a strong association between exposure to extreme heat during the third trimester of pregnancy and the risk of premature delivery. “High night-time temperatures can disrupt circadian rhythms and potentially influence blood pressure, which may be an… read on > read on >
Data from dozens of studies supports the notion that mental health crises are a big factor behind rising rates of maternal deaths during and around pregnancy in the United States. “We need to bring this to the attention of the public and policymakers to demand action to address the mental health crisis that is contributing… read on > read on >
Many younger children could be permanently damaging their hearing by blasting loud music on their earbuds and headphones, a new report finds. Two in three parents say that their child between the ages of 5 and 12 regularly pop listening devices in their ears, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital… read on > read on >
Hormone replacement therapy might help women avoid depression as they go through menopause, a new study finds. Women treated with hormone therapy at a menopause clinic in Ontario, Canada, experienced a reduction in their symptoms of depression, researchers report Feb. 21 in the journal Menopause. This improvement occurred whether or not antidepressants were also prescribed,… read on > read on >
Amid an outbreak of measles at a Florida elementary school, the state’s surgeon general has defied federal health guidance and told parents it’s up to them whether they want to keep their unvaccinated child home to avoid infection. In a letter to parents of children attending Manatee Bay Elementary school in Weston, where six cases… read on > read on >
Microscopic bits of plastic have been found lodged in tissues in much of the human body, and new research shows they are also infiltrating the placenta. All samples of placental tissue take from 62 women were shown to contain microplastics, a team at the University of New Mexico (UNM) reports. Concentrations ranged widely — anywhere… read on > read on >
A third of trans masculine people who have undergone testosterone therapy and have stopped menstruating are still ovulating, a new study suggests. That means they remain at risk for an unwanted pregnancy, despite the absence of periods, Dutch researchers concluded. It’s not clear why ovulation ceases for some transgender people under these circumstances, and why… read on > read on >
Lockdown drills have become a shudder-inducing part of American life, preparing kids to lie low and keep quiet if a gunman chooses to roam their school. But a new study finds these drills help children who’ve been exposed to violence, helping them feel safer at school. The findings contradict claims that drills traumatize children rather… read on > read on >
Toddlers who are really into their food might have a higher risk of developing an eating disorder once they enter adolescence, a new study shows. Kids ages 4 and 5 with a strong urge to eat when teased with tasty food appear more likely to report a range of eating disorder symptoms by ages 12… read on > read on >
Talking about the “good old days” might elicit eye rolls from teenagers, but it could be the key to boosting a preschooler’s language skills, a new study finds. Reminiscing about past events with preschoolers presents young kids with high-quality speech as good as or better than sharing a book or playing with toys, researchers discovered.… read on > read on >
