Adding nevirapine to the regimen of newborns born to HIV-positive mothers halves their risk of contracting the virus, according to a recent study. The research found that the two-drug combination is effective in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission and is relatively easy to administer.
A study funded by the NIH found that surgery to support the urethra with a sling reduces incontinence rate, but carries risk of complications such as difficulty emptying bladder and urinary tract infection. The study suggests considering potential benefits and risks when deciding whether to have second procedure at same time as first.
A recent NIH study reveals that children born with HIV are more likely to experience hearing loss by age 16. The researchers estimated that 9-15% of HIV-infected children and 5-8% of uninfected peers may be affected.
A recent NIH study found that HIV-positive young men are more likely to experience low bone mass than their peers. Regular monitoring, exercise, and sufficient vitamin D intake can help prevent future fracture risk. The study's findings highlight the importance of addressing bone health in this vulnerable population.
A follow-up NIH study confirms that hypothermia treatment increases infant survival, without increasing long-term disability risk. Children who received the cooling technique were more likely to survive to ages 6 and 7 compared to those who received routine care.
A study of 2,000 U.S. infants born to HIV-positive mothers found that using the anti-HIV drug tenofovir during pregnancy did not result in smaller babies at birth, but those treated with the drug were slightly shorter and had smaller head circumference by age 1
A study found that bilingual children are faster at switching between tasks than their monolingual counterparts, showcasing improved executive functioning skills. However, bilinguals lag behind monolinguals in acquiring vocabulary due to language division.
A recent NIH study found that women take longer to give birth today compared to 50 years ago, with an average increase of 2.6 hours for first-time mothers. The study suggests that changes in delivery practices, including the increased use of epidural anesthesia and oxytocin, may be contributing to the longer labor duration.
A recent NIH brain imaging study found that viewing images of infant faces activates specific brain circuits associated with care giving behavior. These findings suggest a biological impulse governing adults' interactions with small children, which may have implications for preventing child neglect and abuse.
Children treated for cancer before age 4 experience delays in vocabulary, cognitive functions, and motor skills compared to their healthy peers. However, social and emotional development remains unaffected.
Researchers found that vitamin D reduced the size of uterine fibroids in laboratory rats by an average of 75% compared to untreated groups. This study provides promising evidence for vitamin D as a potential treatment for fibroids, which affect millions of women worldwide.
Researchers identify differences in brain structure in infants who later develop autism spectrum disorders, including stronger white matter connections at 6 months. The study suggests a period of dramatic brain changes between 6-24 months may be critical for ASD diagnosis.
High levels of cadmium in females and lead in males are associated with delayed pregnancy, according to a NIH study. Couples can reduce exposure by avoiding cigarettes or taking steps to minimize lead-based paint exposure.
A new NIH study found that moderate caffeine intake is associated with higher estrogen levels in Asian women and lower estrogen levels in white women. Caffeine consumption from caffeinated soda or green tea also linked to elevated estrogen levels in all ethnic groups, but without affecting ovulation.
A high animal fat diet before conception may increase the risk of gestational diabetes during pregnancy, according to researchers. Women who consumed a diet high in animal fat and cholesterol had a higher risk for developing the condition compared to those with lower intakes.
Efficient stoves could save nearly 2 million lives each year by reducing respiratory disease and deforestation. Women and children are disproportionately affected by inefficient stoves due to their role in gathering fuel.
Scientists create genetically modified mice with a built-in 'off switch' for their serotonin-producing cells, which control breathing, temperature regulation, and mood. The discovery sheds light on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and depressive disorders, two conditions linked to low serotonin levels.
A recent study analyzing over 14,000 young adults found that nearly 19% have high blood pressure. The analysis contradicts previous estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which reported only 4% of adults in this age group having high blood pressure.
A NIH study found that progesterone reduced the rate of preterm birth before 33 weeks of pregnancy among women with a short cervix. Infants born to these women were also less likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome.
Researchers have discovered that adding one or two drugs to the standard ZDV treatment can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to infant. The study found that treatment with two and three drug regimens reduced HIV transmission by more than 50%.
Researchers found that high levels of a particular protein in cancer cells can predict cancer spread with high accuracy. The protein, CPE-delta N, was measured in tumors and surrounding tissues from patients with liver and rare tumors, with results showing that it can accurately predict metastasis or recurrence.
Researchers discovered that genetic variations impairing phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) enzyme activity increase prostate cancer risk, affecting nearly four times more men than those without the variation. The study suggests PDE11A may have a role in genetic screening for predisposition to prostate cancer.
Researchers found that higher oxygen levels in preterm infants improve survival rates, but also increase the risk of retinopathy of prematurity. A new treatment using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is as effective as traditional ventilator therapy and may result in fewer complications.
A study of 1,364 children found that those in high-quality child care had slightly higher academic achievement and were less likely to exhibit acting-out behaviors as teenagers. The study also discovered a correlation between hours spent in child care and impulsivity and risk-taking tendencies at age 15.
Researchers successfully transplanted endometrial stem cells into the brains of mice with a Parkinson-like condition, restoring partially dopamine levels. This finding raises the possibility of women serving as their own stem cell donors and banks being established for men and women with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have identified the location of bone generating stem cells in mice and found factors that control their growth. The discovery opens up avenues for studying bone tumor formation and regenerating damaged or injured bone.
A recent NIH study found that vitamin C and E supplements starting in early pregnancy do not reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders and their complications. The supplements did not show any significant difference in preeclampsia or other pregnancy-related hypertension complications, contradicting earlier small studies.
A basic three-day newborn care training regimen reduced the rate of stillbirths by 23% to 15.9 per 1,000 deliveries, with improved outcomes among births attended by midwives and traditional birth attendants. The study, funded by NIH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, tracked over 120,000 births in six developing countries.
Researchers have identified DNA variants in mothers and fetuses that increase the risk for preterm labor and delivery. The variants were found in genes involved in inflammation and extracellular matrix regulation, suggesting a link between immune response and preterm birth.
Researchers found serotonin levels were 26% lower in SIDS infants' brain tissue, suggesting reduced capacity to respond to breathing challenges. The findings provide important clues to the biological basis of SIDS and may lead to ways to identify high-risk infants.
Researchers identified a new gene, Cyclophilin B, linked to osteogenesis imperfecta's recessive form. The protein plays a crucial role in modifying collagen, which forms the molecular scaffolding of bone tissue.
A study has identified three key factors linked to the choice of infant sleep position: physician recommendations, fear of choking, and comfort concerns. Back sleeping remains the most effective means to reduce SIDS risk, with a significant decrease in rates since the Back to Sleep campaign began.
Women with a history of preeclampsia may be at increased risk for reduced thyroid functioning, according to researchers. The study found that women who developed preeclampsia during pregnancy had higher levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and were more likely to have hypothyroidism later in life.
Researchers have successfully transformed human embryonic stem cells into germ cells, a breakthrough that could help identify causes of unexplained infertility and birth defects. The discovery opens new avenues for research and may lead to the development of diagnostic tools to pinpoint genetic changes underlying infertility.
A study found that treating pregnant women with mild gestational diabetes can reduce common birth complications among infants, including smaller, leaner babies and fewer complications during delivery. Treated mothers were also less likely to develop high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
Researchers developed a technique to prevent inherited mitochondrial disorders by transferring hereditary material from one egg to another. The method resulted in four healthy newborns and holds the potential for couples to have biologically their own child without defects associated with maternal mitochondria.
A study found that capuchin monkeys prefer the company of researchers who imitate them, spending more time with their imitators. The monkeys also chose to engage in a task with their imitators over non-imitators, indicating a sense of affiliation.
Researchers have developed a method to advance undeveloped human eggs to near maturity in laboratory cultures, paving the way for women with cancer to preserve their fertility after treatment. The technique focuses on the follicle and avoids concerns related to freezing ovarian tissue.
A new study has identified a second gene linked to familial testicular cancer, raising the risk of men with a family history. The PDE11A gene's mutations are found in about one out of every five families studied, and may modify an individual's susceptibility to developing a tumor.
The study reveals that ERK1 and ERK2 proteins trigger a chain of chemical sequences that bring about the release of the egg, transformation of granulosa cells into luteal cells, and production of progesterone. The finding has implications for treating infertility and developing new means to prevent pregnancy.
A breakthrough study has revealed that blood stem cells produce chemical signals of their own that influence their attachment to the bone marrow or migration into the circulatory system. This discovery holds implications for improving leukemia treatment and artificially culturing infection-fighting immune cells.
Scientists have developed a successful treatment for dogs with Duchenne muscular dystrophy using 'exon skipping' technology, which covers up genetic errors. The treatment involves injecting tailor-made DNA patches into the bloodstream, improving muscle functioning and reducing deterioration in skeletal muscles.
Women with low vitamin B12 levels have a 5 times increased risk of having a child with a neural tube defect compared to those with high levels. Vegans and vegetarians are at higher risk due to limited food sources, while intestinal disorders can also lead to deficiencies.
Researchers analyzed medical examiner records and found that swimming lessons provided some protection against drowning for young children. However, lessons alone are not enough to prevent drowning, and parents should still exercise caution when children are near water.
Primary ovarian insufficiency is a menopause-like condition affecting girls and young women, characterized by loss of menstrual periods, infertility, and hot flashes. A comprehensive plan provides recommendations for diagnosis and treatment, including hormone replacement therapy and counseling.
A new program, REDI Head Start, combines pre-reading skills with social-emotional learning to foster preschoolers' academic and social success. Children in the REDI program outperformed those in traditional programs on tests of emotional development, impulsivity, aggression, and reading skills.
A National Institutes of Health study found that people with WAGR syndrome, a rare genetic condition, have low blood levels of the brain chemical BDNF and are more likely to become obese. The study suggests that BDNF plays a role in regulating appetite and body weight.
Researchers found that mothers who received magnesium sulfate during preterm labor had a lower risk of cerebral palsy in their infants. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that magnesium sulfate may protect against cerebral palsy by stabilizing blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
A large group of American children showed a significant decline in physical activity between ages 9 and 15, with most failing to reach the daily recommended level of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. The researchers estimated that physical activity declined by about 40 minutes per day each year until age 15.
Two studies suggest breastfeeding can reduce infant mortality and HIV infection rates, particularly among infected infants. In resource-poor settings, abrupt cessation of breastfeeding after four months may be harmful, while extended anti-HIV treatment can greatly reduce the risk of infection.