A culturally relevant behavioral intervention significantly reduced new cases of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea among African-American and Mexican-American women. The study found a 34% lower infection rate at six months, 49% by the end of year one, and 38% overall.
Four Harvard physicians recommend a moratorium on reducing the national cesarean section delivery rate due to concerns about maternal and infant safety. They argue that economic forces are driving the goal, rather than patient well-being.
Researchers reviewing thousands of ultrasound scans found that many cases of premature delivery and poor fetal growth are likely determined by the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This suggests waiting until after conception to prepare for motherhood may be too late, highlighting a potential benefit from earlier intervention.
A study published in Nature Medicine suggests that high glucose levels during pregnancy can lead to embryonic cell death, resulting in higher rates of miscarriage and birth defects among diabetic women. The researchers found that controlling blood sugar levels is crucial for pregnant women with diabetes.
A comprehensive examination of 100 female statuettes carved in Europe between 30,000 and 20,000 years ago suggests they prioritized the health of mother and child during childbirth. The statuettes depict physical effects of pregnancy and show little evidence of long-term use.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study reveals foreign-trained doctors are crucial in addressing rural physician shortages. States like Florida, West Virginia, North Dakota, and Illinois have the highest rate of international medical graduates practicing in rural areas, often in exchange for staying in the US.
Researchers at Emory University found that vitamin E supplementation decreased autoantibodies associated with oxidation of lipoproteins in healthy women. The study suggests that antioxidants like vitamin E may help attenuate oxidation and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
Emory University researchers suggest that high estradiol levels increase MPO, which oxidizes LDL and clears it via the liver. This mechanism may explain estradiol's protective effects on cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine successfully isolated and cultured human embryonic stem cells, a long-sought achievement. The versatile cells have the potential to rapidly study human processes and develop new therapies for various diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and muscular dystrophies.
Researchers are evaluating a combined-risk assessment method that combines blood protein markers and ultrasonography measurements to predict fetal abnormalities. The test has an estimated detection rate of up to 90% and could lead to earlier diagnosis and reduced invasive procedures.
Measuring the levels of inhibin-a and inhibin-b in older women shows a more sensitive test for reproductive potential compared to FSH. The research found that inhibin levels drop as women approach menopause, indicating a direct measure of ovarian function.
The number of newborns infected with HIV has decreased significantly thanks to optimal anti-retroviral treatment for mothers, while the number of surviving HIV-infected children has risen. Early aggressive therapy, teamwork, and a holistic approach are key to keeping children well with HIV.
Elevated levels of corticipotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) may predict preterm delivery and shorter gestation lengths in pregnant women. The study found that higher CRH levels at 28-30 weeks gestation were associated with earlier deliveries and increased risk of preterm birth.
Scientists have grown healthy human placental cells in a laboratory using a new technique, providing a means to test the safety of drugs during pregnancy. The cells can survive and function like those in the womb, mimicking blood flow and nutrient exchange.
A study found that women with longstanding hypertension are more likely to develop preeclampsia if they have a history of high blood pressure and protein in the urine early in pregnancy. Women who developed preeclampsia were also more likely to experience complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.
The website provides a comprehensive educational program on genetics, genetic testing, diagnosis, counseling, and cancer risk assessment. It features three levels of education for different audiences and includes case scenarios, problem sets, and moderated discussion groups.
Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy face an increased risk of later developing type-2 diabetes. Using the mini-pill, progestin-only birth control pills, may put these women at a higher risk of developing chronic form of the disease, warns USC researchers.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that walking during the first stage of labor had no impact on labor duration, pain management, or infant outcomes. Women who walked showed similar results to those who rested in bed, with most indicating they would walk again in future labors.
A new study by NYU Langone Health researcher Susan Harlap found that breast cancer surgery timing has no impact on survival rates since the mid-1980s. Changes in medical practice, including improved anesthesia and post-operative care, may have contributed to this shift.
Infants of smoking mothers who breastfeed have higher urine levels of cotinine, a substance produced by nicotine breakdown, compared to bottle-fed children. The study highlights the importance of helping mothers quit smoking during pregnancy and nursing.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo found a link between specific sperm abnormalities and low pregnancy rates. They discovered that samples with premature chromosomal decondensation or acrosome reactions had only a slim chance of leading to a pregnancy.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a critical gene involved in yeast spore development that may also play a role in human sperm development. The study found that a gene called NDT80 stimulates the synthesis of proteins necessary for DNA division, and its malfunction can cause permanent arrest in sperm development.
Researchers found that lutenizing hormone (LH) plays a critical role in sustaining the growth of egg follicles until ovulation. The discovery has important implications for women undergoing fertility treatments, as it may be possible to reduce the risk of multiple births by manipulating LH and FSH levels.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have created an autologous ovarian cancer vaccine that stimulates an immune response in patients, showing promise for treatment. The vaccine is custom-made for each patient and has been safe with no significant side effects, paving the way for further clinical trials.
Researchers link biblical story of Hannah to first documented case of anorexia nervosa and its associated infertility. The article, published in Fertility and Sterility, suggests that extreme weight loss may have contributed to Hannah's inability to conceive.
Morbidly obese pregnant women can reduce their risk of developing gestational diabetes by engaging in moderate physical activity, a new study has shown. The study found that the presence or absence of exercise, not its frequency or duration, was the key factor in reducing diabetes risk.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center have linked the PTEN gene to endometrial cancer in a study published in Nature Genetics. The findings suggest that up to 50% of all endometrial cancers may contain a mutation in this gene, highlighting the potential for improved detection and treatment options.
A US research team, led by Dr. Barton Kamen, has made significant progress in treating stubborn cancers with aminopterin, a drug that was previously shelved due to toxicity concerns. The FDA has granted $447,534 for further studies on the drug, which shows promise in treating patients with leukemia and other cancers.
A multicenter study found that antidepressant sertraline highly successful in treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD), with significant benefits seen in mood symptoms and relationship problems. The study showed 62% of women treated with sertraline experienced marked improvement, compared to 34% on placebo.
A prospective study conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo found that surgery for endometriosis dramatically improves pain and discomfort in most women. The study also showed that women who had previously given birth were twice as likely to get pregnant again following surgery, while advancing age reduced fertility.
Research found that 2-3% of pregnant women acquire herpes during pregnancy, with the greatest risk to infants when acquired late. Routine testing for herpes can help prevent transmission and inform birthing decisions.
Dr. Nathaniel H. Murdock has been elected president of the National Medical Association (NMA), a group serving 22,000 minority physicians. His top priority is preventing teen pregnancy through education, which he believes is key to addressing this issue.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may experience menstrual irregularities, infertility, and increased body hair due to hormonal imbalances. Research suggests that PCOS may be inherited, affecting both males and females in the family.
Young physicians who undergo formal training in ultrasound testing on pregnant women perform better than those without such training, according to a Johns Hopkins study. The formal training program includes a checklist of sonographic skills and evaluates residents' progress through practical exams.
Researchers studied genetic mutations in patients with congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, a devastating disorder affecting steroid hormone production. The study revealed that StAR protein plays a central role in steroid hormone synthesis, with mutant proteins blocking cholesterol conversion and causing cellular damage.
A recent analysis of ACTG 076 data found that the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV can occur even when a woman has little or no detectable virus in her blood. Offering AZT therapy to all pregnant HIV-infected women is crucial, regardless of their stage of disease.
A new theory and computer model predict gestation length and preterm birth risk using 16 significant factors. The Mittendorf-Williams Rule is twice as accurate as Naegele's rule in predicting gestation, with potential to lower infant mortality rates.
A historian's research reveals that physicians' campaigns to control midwives were driven by stigmatization and a desire to suppress abortion. The campaign successfully restricted midwifery practices in the US by the early 20th century, despite the role of physicians in illegal abortions.
A two-year study on wild baboons found that environmental factors such as social status and seasonal conditions significantly impact reproduction. The research suggests that understanding these natural processes can inform the development of new treatments for human infertility.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a hormonal link between nutrition and reproduction, with leptin serving as a metabolic signal to the reproductive system. The study provides an explanation for how the body's energy stores determine reproductive readiness.