Using a single-cell sequencing technique, Brazilian researchers have created the first cell atlas of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), a malformation of the cerebral cortex that leads to drug-resistant epilepsy. These cases are most common in children and adolescents, accounting for up to 50% of epilepsy surgeries in this age group.
Bird flu cases surging in UK but risk to humans remains low
A human case of bird flu has recently been detected in England. This news comes just days after restrictions were put in place to curb the virus’s spread among wild birds and poultry in England and Scotland.
Women don’t have a ‘surge’ in fertility before menopause, but surprise pregnancies can happen, even after 45
Every now and then we see media reports about celebrities in their mid 40s having surprise pregnancies. Or you might hear stories like these from friends or relatives, or see them on TV.
Metabolic activities are not global modulators of developmental tempos, study finds
A new study from EMBL Barcelona researchers shows that metabolic activities selectively modulate the segmentation clock, which varies depending on the species.
Is no amount of alcohol safe? Understanding risks and public health guidelines
The United States surgeon general recently called for a warning of cancer risk on alcohol labels. And I agree. But the discourse that has come out in the media, by health professionals and health influencers, has been alarmist and a disservice to informing the public on the real cancer risks associated with alcohol.
Americans still consider COVID major public health threat
People still see COVID-19 as an ongoing public health threat, even though the pandemic officially ended in 2023, according to a new HealthDay/Harris Poll.
Stricter abortion laws may cause increased infant deaths. Maternal and child health researchers explain the data
Infant mortality in the U.S. has increased by 7% since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned the constitutional right to abortion, according to an October 2024 study.
Air pollution may protect against skin cancer, finds new study, but the health risks are far more serious
Air pollution might protect against the most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma, a new study finds. However, it’s crucial to approach these results with caution and consider the broader context of air pollution’s effects on human health.
Age at first birth may influence later rheumatoid arthritis risk
Women with an age at first birth (AFB) younger than 26 or older than 35 years have a higher risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis later in life, according to a study published online Jan. 16 in PLOS ONE.
Opportunistic fallopian tube removal lowers ovarian cancer risk, modeling study suggests
A mathematical modeling study conducted in Germany suggests that ovarian cancer incidence could be reduced and health care savings boosted if women who have already completed their families were offered fallopian tube removal during any other suitable abdominal surgeries.