April 8, 2021
As demonstrated by multiple studies, women who breastfeed have a lower risk for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, though the mechanisms by which these risks are reduced for lactating women are still not fully understood. Scientists recently completed a study to see if the presence of excess fat, specifically visceral and pericardial fat, could help explain this finding.
Health benefits of breastfeeding, for mother: Lactation and visceral, pericardial fat
April 6, 2021
Researchers found that when male and female patients expressed the same amount of pain, observers viewed female patients' pain as less intense and more likely to benefit from psychotherapy versus medication as compared to men's pain, exposing a significant patient gender bias that could lead to disparities in treatments.
April 6, 2021
A biomedical engineer is reporting a new deep neural network architecture - to be used on a standard laptop - that provides early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a rare autoimmune disease marked by hardened or fibrous skin and internal organs.
April 6, 2021
Exposure to phthalates, a class of chemicals widely used in packaging and consumer products, is known to interfere with normal hormone function and development. Now researchers have found evidence linking pregnant women's exposure to phthalates to altered cognitive outcomes in their infants.
Study links prenatal phthalate exposure to altered information processing in infants
April 6, 2021
New research led by the universities of Kent and Warwick has found that, contrary to previous beliefs, adolescents born preterm have the same levels of self-esteem and overall wellbeing as those born full-term.
Adolescents born preterm have similar self-esteem/wellbeing levels to those born full-term
April 6, 2021
Cardiometabolic diseases including heart disease, obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes, are at the crest of an impending tsunami of chronic health conditions as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that will affect society for decades. Interventions and universal health care are recommended to focus on prevention of cardiometabolic diseases, including programs that support healthy lifestyle behaviors, blood pressure control, obesity management and tobacco cessation.
COVID-19: Tsunami of chronic health conditions expected, research and health care disrupted
April 6, 2021
A study suggests outdoor education could be a promising tool to help close gender gaps in science.
For girls, learning science outside linked to better grades, knowledge
April 5, 2021
Getting outside for a walk can be a great way to exercise, but a new study conducted by researchers from Purdue University explored one common way that walking time can be less productive from a health standpoint. The team says having a partner to go on walks with can help encourage healthy habits, but it can also slow down the walking pace and lead to fewer health benefits. “In our study, we focused on couples because partners in committed relationships often provide essential support to promote one another’s healthy lifestyle behaviors, including exercise,” said researcher Melissa Franks.
Walking with a partner may lead to a slower pace, study finds
April 5, 2021
A new study suggests that masks and a good ventilation system are more important than social distancing for reducing the airborne spread of COVID-19 in classrooms. The research comes at a critical time when schools and universities are considering returning to more in-person classes in the fall.
Masks, ventilation stop COVID spread better than social distancing, study shows
April 5, 2021
The wealthiest nation in the world is also the most dangerous place in the industrialized world to be pregnant, but it doesn’t have to be this way. With guidance from—and the collaborative efforts of—many partners, we can decrease the Nation’s high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality (MMM). A recent special issue of the Journal of Women’s Health (JWH) —spearheaded by my colleague Samia Noursi, Ph.D., NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) Associate Director for Science Policy, Planning, and Analysis—takes an in-depth look at this public health crisis and proposes a new research agenda.
