Cannabis use during pregnancy might affect the way a child’s brain develops after birth, a new study says. Brain imaging of children exposed to cannabis in the womb has revealed patterns consistent with reductions in brain inflammation, researchers reported July 4 in the journal Nature Mental Health. Too much reduction in inflammation in a child’s… read on > read on >
Researchers report they have discovered lead and arsenic in a wide variety of tampon products sold in the United States and Europe. Testing revealed lead in all 30 tampons from 14 brands obtained from major online retailers and stores in the U.S., the U.K. and Greece, according to a study published July 3 in the journal… read on > read on >
Researchers have identified a gene that can trigger obesity, behavior problems and postpartum depression when missing or damaged. The finding could lead to new treatments for postpartum depression and overeating: The study in mice suggests the so-called “love hormone” — oxytocin — may ease symptoms. Obesity and postpartum depression are major health problems worldwide. The… read on > read on >
Exposure to air pollution can significantly reduce the odds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) leading to a live birth, a new study says. The odds of a live birth are nearly 40% lower in women heavily exposed to particle pollution in the two weeks before her eggs were collected for IVF, compared to those with… read on > read on >
Pregnant women enrolled in a federal aid program have better outcomes than those who are struggling to put food on the table, new research shows. More than 1 in 10 households nationwide lack access to adequate and nutritious food, U.S. government data show. The U.S. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)… read on > read on >
A 30-minute sauna or warm bubble bath every day might help women of a certain age fend off unwanted weight gain. That’s the promising takeaway from a study in mice that shows the potential of heat treatments in postmenopausal women. Researchers found that older female mice who received a half-hour-long whole-body heat treatment gained less… read on > read on >
In a case that will test the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authority to approve or reject new vaping products, the U.S. Supreme Court said Tuesday it will weigh whether the agency was legally allowed to ban flavored e-cigarettes. In recent years, the FDA has declined to approve flavored vapes, saying they pose a health… read on > read on >
A girl’s genetics can indirectly influence the age when she has her first period, by accelerating her weight gain in childhood, a new study finds. A number of other genes also can directly affect the age of puberty, some with profound effects, researchers added. More than 1,000 genetic variants are tied to the age of… read on > read on >
When your preschooler pitches a fit, handing them a smartphone or tablet is probably the fastest — and the worst — way to stop it, a new study suggests. “If parents regularly offer a digital device to their child to calm them or to stop a tantrum, the child won’t learn to regulate their emotions,”… read on > read on >
Tending to a teething baby is tough: Parents want to help, but might not be sure how. Teething typically begins around 4 to 7 months of age, as the 20 or so “baby teeth” that will emerge by the age of 3 begin to form. The usual signs of teething include “mild irritability, a low-grade… read on > read on >
