A Baby Cries & Mom's Breast Milk Releases: New Study Could Explain Why

Many a new mom knows that when her newborn cries, her milk releases.

Now, animal research reveals a newly discovered brain circuit that may explain why that happens.

This new study showed that when a mouse pup starts crying, sound information travels to an area of its mother’s brain called the posterior intralaminar nucleus of the...

Patient-to-Patient Transmission Not to Blame for Most C. Difficile Infections in Hospitals

A deadly infection associated with hospitalization may not be the fault of the hospital, but may instead stem from the patients themselves, a new study suggests.

Infection caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, is still common in hospitals, despite extensive infection control procedures. The new researc...

Few Doctors, Spotty Internet: Finding Mental Health Care Tough for Many Americans

Nearly one in five counties across the United States lack psychiatrists or internet service, making it difficult for around 10.5 million Americans to find mental health care, a new study shows.

The counties examined in the study were more likely to be in rural areas, have higher unemployment rates, and have populations that were more like...

Diabetes Drug Maker Sues Over Compounded Versions of Mounjaro

Another diabetes drug maker is taking legal action against businesses in several states, alleging that they’re “fraudulently claiming” that their compounded products are the same as its medication.

This time, it’s Eli Lilly suing certain medical spas, wellness centers and compounding pharmacies over its medication Mounjaro.

...

Average Hospital Bed Has a Big Carbon Footprint

How big is a hospital bed’s carbon footprint?

Pretty big, new research shows.

One hospital bed alone was roughly equivalent to the carbon footprint of five Canadian households, according to researchers studying a British Columbia hospital during 2019. They identified energy and water use and the purchasing of medical products as t...

Bats Don't Get Cancer, and Scientists Are Closer to Understanding Why

Bats have an extraordinary ability to avoid cancer and handle infections, and researchers now think they might know why.

Specific genetic adaptations caused by rapid evolution have made bats extremely cancer-resistant, researchers report in the Sept. 20 issue of the journal Genome Biology and Evolution.

“By genera...

You Survived a Heart Attack. Here's How Cardiac Rehab Can Help

Cardiac rehabilitation is a key part of recovery from a heart attack, helping to prevent another, perhaps more severe one.

About 800,000 people in the United States have a heart attack every year, about one-quarter of whom have already had a heart attack, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But rese...

Future of 'Artificial Wombs' for Human Preemies to Be Weighed by FDA Advisors

Advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will weigh the possibilities and parameters of experiments with artificial wombs for premature human babies.

Scientists have already had some success with the concept in animals.

During a two-day meeting that ends Wednesday, the Pediatric Advisory Committee will cover regulations and...

Job Frustrations Can Really Be a Heartbreaker for Men

A job that's demanding but less than rewarding may take a big toll on a man's heart health, a large new study suggests.

The study, of nearly 6,500 white-collar workers, found that men who habitually felt stressed on the job had up to double the risk of developing heart disease as their peers who were more content at work.

In some cas...

Parkinson's Patients Often Battle a Hidden Foe: Stigma

Patients with Parkinson’s disease already face poorer mental and physical health, but now a new study shows they also suffer from decreased levels of hope and self-esteem due to the stigma associated with their disease.

“There are patients who don't even disclose the disease to family members because they're afraid that the children m...

Common PFAS Chemicals Linked to Cancers in Women

Harmful "forever" chemicals are widespread in the environment, and new research hints they pose a particular health risk to women.

A new study suggests women who are exposed to higher levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, are more likely to have been diagnosed with certain cancers. Exposure is also linked to liver d...

An OTC Contraceptive Pill Is Coming Soon, but Who Will Pay For It?

The first over-the-counter birth control pill is slated to hit drug stores in early 2024, but questions about cost and insurance coverage loom.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opill (norgestrel) for preventing pregnancy without a prescription in July, but pill maker Perrigo has yet to announce the price of the contraceptive...

Early Morning Exercise May Be Best for Weight Control

When it comes to staying trim, timing may be everything.

That's according to new research that found adults who routinely engaged in moderate-to-vigorous exercise early in the morning were less likely to be overweight or obese than those who worked out later in the day.

“For individuals who exercise regularly, their body mass index...

Doctors Working With Trans Kids Oppose 'Unsafe' State Bans

A new survey of U.S. doctors specializing in the care of transgender kids finds they're alarmed by pressure to limit patient care, threats to personal and patient safety, and the possibility of legal action.

“The increasing number of bans on gender-affirming care in the U.S. and the negative impact on pediatric endocrinologists may ...

Many Women May Overestimate Risks From Genes Tied to Breast Cancer

Women who carry mutations in genes known as BRCA have an elevated risk of breast cancer. But a large, new study suggests that risk may be lower than generally believed -- especially if a woman has no close relative with the disease.

The study, of more than 400,000 British adults, found that women who carried mutations in either of two gene...