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Higher risk of stillbirth in longer pregnancies, study finds

A meta-analysis of 15 million pregnancies found that the longer a pregnancy continues past 37 weeks gestation, the higher the risk of stillbirth. The risk increased with advancing gestation, with a 64% increase in stillbirths between 40-41 weeks and 3.18 stillbirths per 1000 pregnancies at 42 weeks.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 2, 2019

The Lancet: HPV vaccination programs have substantial impact in reducing HPV infections and precancerous cervical lesions

A meta-analysis of 60 million individuals in high-income countries found significant decreases in HPV infections, anogenital wart diagnoses, and precancerous cervical lesions (CIN2+) after girls-only HPV vaccination. The study supports the WHO's revised position on vaccinating multiple age cohorts of girls aged 9-14 years old.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 26, 2019

Interventions with paclitaxel drug-coated balloons

The American Heart Association statement addresses the controversy surrounding paclitaxel-eluting stents and drug-coated balloons in peripheral interventions. Despite a 2018 meta-analysis suggesting increased mortality with paclitaxel exposure, individual sponsor-driven analyses have failed to replicate these findings.

SourcePCR·DateMay 21, 2019

Healthy aging entails reorganization of function in prefrontal brain areas

Researchers analyzed 82 studies on working memory mechanisms in adults of different age groups. Meta-analyses showed that brain function decreases agreement with aging, suggesting functional reorganization in the prefrontal cortex. This changes may be a sign of compensatory function or increased variability in older adults.

New study exonerates refined grains

A new study published in Advances in Nutrition reveals that refined grains are not associated with increased disease risk and premature death. Refined grain intake was found to have an inverse association with total cancer deaths and a statistically significant inverse association with all-cause death rate.

SourceThe Ginger Network·JournalAdvances in Nutrition·DateApr 8, 2019

The Lancet: High intake of dietary fiber and whole grains associated with reduced risk of non-communicable diseases

A study published in The Lancet reveals that consuming at least 25g to 29g of dietary fibre per day can reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer by 16-24%. Whole grains also show promise in reducing mortality rates and incidence of these diseases.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 10, 2019

Study finds popular 'growth mindset' educational interventions aren't very effective

A study by Michigan State University and Case Western Reserve University found that growth mindset interventions have little to no effect on academic achievement for typical students. The researchers suggest that the benefits of these interventions are overstated and that something other than mindset is causing the observed effects.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 22, 2018

High levels of workplace exercise linked to early death

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that men with highly physical jobs have an 18% higher risk of early death compared to those with inactive work. The analysis controlled for leisure time physical activity and found no such association among women.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018

Self-regulation in children, adolescents

A systematic review of 49 randomized trials involving 23,098 participants found that various self-regulation interventions were effective in promoting emotional control, social skills, and learning. The review suggests that these programs can help maintain health and well-being throughout life.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 16, 2018

New meta-analysis: Recreational football is broad-spectrum medicine

A new meta-analysis finds that 3-6 months of football training twice a week improves cardiovascular fitness by 3.51 mL/min/kg, lowers fat mass and resting heart rate, and reduces blood pressure in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Football is considered broad-spectrum medicine for lifestyle disease prevention.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJan 24, 2018

For stroke patients, rating scales predict discharge destination

A systematic review of nine studies found that standardized outcome measures like the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) can predict stroke patients' discharge destinations. Patients with higher scores on these scales are more likely to be discharged home, while those with lower...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Neurologic Physical Therapy·DateDec 18, 2017

Parental diet affects offspring immunity: Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of hundreds of studies found a close relationship between parents' diet and offspring immunity across various animal species. The study suggests that poor nutrition can negatively impact disease resistance and that the effects of a parental diet can be inherited and maintained in offspring even on a normal diet.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBiological Reviews·DateNov 27, 2017

Research finds entrenched hiring bias against African-Americans

A recent Northwestern University meta-analysis found striking stability in discrimination against African-Americans, despite a decline in Latino discrimination. Researchers analyzed data from field experiments of hiring between 1990 and 2015, finding that racial gaps in the labor force persist regardless of educational attainment.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 12, 2017

Lifestyle-modification programs for weight management in Arab states lack in effectiveness

A systematic review found that lifestyle-modification programs have no significant impact on body weight in Arab countries, highlighting the need for adapted treatment programs. The studies cited methodological flaws, including linguistic and socioeconomic context neglect, and sociocultural obstacles to female participation.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Diabetes Reviews·DateAug 7, 2017