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Medicine
Female surgeons outperform men on patient outcomes, studies show
Two new studies show that if patients want safe, effective long-term results, picking a female surgeon might be key. Photo by Engin Akyurt/Pixabay The field of surgery has long been dominated by men, and still is today. But…
Pig kidney still functioning in brain-dead man 6 weeks after transplant surgery: ‘Extremely…
A pig kidney is still functioning correctly more than six weeks after surgeons at NYU Langone Health in New York City transplanted the genetically engineered organ into the body of a 57-year-old man, who had been declared brain-dead.…
Over-the-counter Narcan to hit drugstore shelves next week
People who want to carry Narcan, the nasal spray version of naloxone, will be able to find it at Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart and CVS for a suggested retail price of $44.99 for a box of two doses. Photo by Evilleavenger/Wikimedia…
Amid ADHD drug shortage, FDA approves generic version of medication: ‘Opportune time’
In response to the ongoing shortage of ADHD medications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several generic versions of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity…
Lifestyle changes may preserve testosterone levels as men age
Researchers found a wide range of factors contribute to a decline in testosterone after age 70. These included heart disease, smoking history, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, excess body weight, reduced activity and even…
‘Laughter therapy’ is shown to reduce heart disease risk in Brazilian study: ‘Exciting to…
Laughter has been called "the best medicine" for many decades — and now there’s scientific proof. A study from the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre in Brazil has shown that regular chuckling expands heart tissue and promotes the…
Produce prescription programs yield measurable health benefits
When participants ate more fruits and vegetables as part of a produce prescription program, their blood sugar and blood pressure improved, the study found. Some also lost weight. Photo by RitaE/Pixabay An apple a day may…
Massachusetts sees first two cases of deadly West Nile virus
Two Massachusetts residents have contracted the mosquito-born West Nile virus in the state's first human cases of the year. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced Tuesday, August 29 that one woman in her 70s was…
More sector oversight necessary amid hundreds of oil, gas industry deaths, U.S. report finds
1 of 2 | A federal report on fatalities in the oil and gas industry found most of the deaths were related to vehicle accidents. The media, meanwhile, missed out on reporting on many severe accidents. File photo by Gary C.…
Ask a doc: ‘How can I prevent high cholesterol?’
Cholesterol has some important jobs in the body — such as creating hormones, aiding digestion, building cell membranes and generating vitamin D — but too much of the waxy substance can pose a health risk. "Cholesterol only becomes…
Australian study warns over parasitic infections after roundworm found in woman’s brain
A magnetic resonance image of the patient's brain led doctors at Canberra Hospital and Australian National University to conduct a biopsy during which they found and removed a live third-stage larval roundworm from her right frontal…
Yet another COVID vaccine? As Biden calls for new funding, health experts sound off: ‘A slippery…
Following President Joe Biden’s remarks on Friday that he plans to request funding for a new COVID vaccine amid rising cases in this country, doctors are sharing their input on whether another version is needed. "I signed off this…
COVID-19 evolves faster in deer than in humans and spreads between them, study shows
The COVID-19 virus appears to be passing between humans and deer, where genomic analysis showed at least 30 infections in deer were introduced by humans, researchers found. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo…
E.coli bacteria detected in Grand Canyon National Park’s water supply
E.coli bacteria has been detected in the water supply inside the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, according to an advisory released by the National Park Service (NPS). The announcement on Friday warned visitors at Phantom Ranch,…
Mental health spending in U.S. has skyrocketed since start of pandemic
A new study found that spending on mental health services rose 53.7% between March 2020 and August 2022 in a large group of people with employer-provided insurance. Photo by tiyowprasetyo/Pixabay When the pandemic began,…
Mistreatment in the maternity ward? Doctors weigh in on a new CDC report: ‘Overstretched…
After a recent CDC report found that up to 20% of women have been mistreated in some way during the labor and delivery process, doctors are sharing their perspectives on the state of U.S. maternity care. Several expressed concern about…
Small bite of marijuana edible can sicken a child
Signs of THC poisoning may include seizures, severe altered mental status, unresponsiveness, breathing issues, low blood pressure or fast heart rates. Photo by Elsa Olofsson/Pixabay Brightly colored "edibles" can be tempting…
Potentially life-threatening health scare on the rise in Virginia as Department of Health, CDC issue…
A public health concern with potentially deadly consequences is on the rise in Virginia, health officials said, as people are testing positive for Alpha-Gal syndrome. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a little-known meat allergy that is…
Weight-loss surgery may reduce cancer risk
Researcher found that patients who had bariatric surgery had a 25% lower risk of developing any cancers. Female surgery patients had a 41% lower risk for developing obesity-related cancers. Photo by TeroVesalainen/Pixabay…
Citing rising COVID cases, these US hospital systems have now reinstated mask mandates
Amid rising COVID cases and hospitalizations throughout the country, several hospital systems or hospitals have reinstated mask-wearing requirements for patients and staff, as reported by Becker’s Hospital Review. These announcements…