A UC Riverside-led study suggests that vanillin flavoring in e-cigarettes may disrupt the normal development of embryos in pregnant women who vape. Researchers found that high concentrations of vanillin can cause human embryonic stem cells to lose pluripotency and differentiate into endoderm, potentially leading to serious developmenta...
A study published in Human Reproduction found that vanillin, a common flavoring chemical in e-cigarettes, can disrupt the normal development of embryos in pregnant women who vape. High concentrations of vanillin caused cells to lose pluripotency and differentiate into endoderm, potentially leading to serious developmental issues.
Hospital admissions for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy have increased in England over the past two decades, with persistent socioeconomic inequalities observed. Deliveries declined significantly during this period.
A major new study suggests that age-related changes in the uterus may contribute to poorer pregnancy outcomes, with women aged 49 and over experiencing lower live birth rates and higher miscarriage risk despite donor-oocyte treatment. The study found that cumulative live birth rates declined substantially with age, from 80% among women...
A large Danish study found that bending forwards and walking a lot at work during early pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage. The study associated each additional hour of forward bending with a 36% higher risk, while walking was linked to an 18% higher risk.
A new study found that demand for abortion and miscarriage hotlines increased by double digits before the Dobbs decision, with states later enacting abortion bans seeing a significant surge. The hotline saw a 210% spike in use from June 2022 to June 2023.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that state-level abortion bans in the US are associated with a reduction in evidence-based medical care for miscarriage management. This has led to more women waiting longer for treatment and fewer choices, potentially putting their health and fertility at risk.
New research shows that Rytvela, an anti-inflammatory drug candidate, decreases premature birth and infant mortality when administered after the onset of preterm labor in a preclinical mouse model. The treatment prolongs gestation and fetal growth while allowing newborn organs to develop in utero.
A nationwide Finnish registry-based study found no increased risk of pre- or postmenopausal breast cancer among women with a history of induced abortion or miscarriage. Breast cancer risks were similar regardless of the number of abortions or miscarriages, as well as the time of first abortion or miscarriage.
A recent study found distinct changes in NAD-related metabolites in women with recurrent miscarriage, suggesting a deeper metabolic imbalance. The findings may lead to the identification of potential biomarkers for risk assessment and new avenues for treatment.
Researchers have discovered that optical genome mapping can reveal hidden causes of pregnancy loss, including chromosomal changes in genes known to be linked to recurrent pregnancy loss. The study found structural changes in the genome that were missed by traditional genetic sequencing methods.
Researchers found that women who had Caesareans during advanced labor are eight times more likely to develop scars near or within the cervix, increasing the risk of premature births. The study also discovered that scars lower down the womb heal less well than those higher up.
Research reveals that Bifidobacterium breve in pregnant mothers regulates the placenta's hormone production, reducing complications and improving fetal growth. The study opens up a new approach to assessing pregnancy health through gut microbiome analysis.
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers found that unplanned, premature births outside hospitals in Austria posed significant challenges for emergency teams. The study identified key findings on how to improve outcomes for mothers and newborns, including the importance of standardised protocols, training, and equipment availability.
Researchers uncover a key piece to the miscarriage puzzle, tracing risk back to a problem with the womb lining before pregnancy. The decidual reaction, which prepares the womb lining for pregnancy each month, often doesn't progress properly in women with a history of miscarriage.
A team at IRB Barcelona developed a tool to generate customized aneuploidies, precisely labeling cells carrying these abnormalities in living tissue. This allows for real-time observation of cell behavior, revealing the presence of haploinsufficient genes and their removal through cell competition.
Researchers have identified a new gene, FANCX, associated with an aggressive form of Fanconi anemia. Mutations in this gene lead to severe forms of the disease, including miscarriages and early death. The discovery could help identify carriers who can prevent Fanconi anemia in future pregnancies through IVF screening.
Nurses in states with abortion bans face communication gaps and moral distress when providing care to pregnant patients. They resort to 'work-arounds' like reading the room for allies or using online resources to find legal reproductive health care, highlighting the need for better guidance and support.
Elevated KLF12 levels impair placental development and lead to miscarriages. Researchers propose KLF12 as a biomarker for high-risk pregnancies and explore strategies to normalize its levels.
A recent study found that autophagy, a natural defense mechanism in cells, is less efficient in female eggs with moderate or severe DNA damage. Boosting autophagy can improve egg quality and reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. The study's findings offer new directions for improving reproductive health.
Researchers found that language used in healthcare settings can have a significant impact on the experience of pregnancy loss and future emotional recovery. The study recommends avoiding certain words and phrases, such as 'miscarriage' and 'incompetent cervix', which were deemed distressing by participants.
A new study suggests that boosting T-regulatory cells may improve the chance of healthy pregnancy and reduce miscarriage risk. Researchers found that treatment with interleukin-2 and antibodies targeting these cells improved pregnancy outcomes in mice, reducing miscarriage rates from 30% to 11%.
Using Clinical Design Support Systems (CDSS) can help make maternity services safer for pregnant women, with a meta-analysis of 35 studies showing a 1.69 times higher odds of improved outcomes. The findings support the use of AI and related software tools to improve pregnancy care.
Miscarriage affects 15-20% of pregnancies, causing devastating effects. Outpatient early pregnancy assessment clinics can provide compassionate and tailored care, but services are lagging.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that optimizing body mass index (BMI) from preconception to early pregnancy can improve fertility outcomes, including reduced miscarriage risk. The research suggests that maintaining a healthy BMI may be an important strategy for women and men seeking to conceive.
A large study found that women with asthma are more likely to miscarry and require fertility treatment, but most can still have babies. The study analyzed reproductive outcomes for over 700,000 Danish women, finding higher rates of foetal loss and fertility treatment among those with asthma.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics found multiple specialized types of DNA replication in early-stage embryos, including a period of instability prone to chromosomal copying errors. This discovery could lead to improved methods of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and better strategies for minimizing chromosomal abnormalities.
Research reveals that maternal prenatal smoking can limit a child's academic performance and put them behind their peers at school. The systematic review of 19 studies and 1.25 million participants found that 79% of studies reported reduced academic achievement in children exposed to maternal prenatal smoking.
A clinical study in Birmingham has found that nipocalimab can improve the survival rate of unborn babies with rare fetal anaemia. The majority of pregnant patients who received nipocalimab gave birth at or after 32 weeks without needing an intrauterine transfusion, resulting in a perinatal survival rate of 92%.
A study on horse miscarriages revealed that 42% of cases were due to triploidy, a condition characterized by an extra set of chromosomes. This finding provides insight into the frequency of chromosome errors during early human pregnancy, which has been difficult to determine.
The UK has released a pioneering Code of Practice for the use of stem cell-based embryo models in research, providing standards for rigorous ethics and maximizing benefits. The code sets out processes for decision-making in research using these models, allowing scientists to proceed confidently while maintaining public trust.
Despite concerns about data privacy risks in the post-Roe era, many American women continue to use popular period-tracking apps without taking steps to protect their information. The study found that users are unsure how to take control of their data and feel in the dark about how it is used and shared on these apps.
Researchers found a link between miscarriage and increased risks of developing gestational diabetes (44% higher) and pre-eclampsia (37% higher), but not with abortion. The study analyzed over 4 million pregnancies and suggests new ways to mitigate risks or prevent these conditions from progressing.
A new study examines the impact of the Dobbs decision on healthcare delivery, revealing a two-tiered system that worsens disparities for marginalized communities. Providers in restrictive and protective states report reduced quality of care, increased training gaps, and fewer trained healthcare providers.
A nationwide case-time-control study found an association between benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and an increased risk of miscarriage. The results suggest that healthcare professionals should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of using benzodiazepines to treat psychiatric and sleep disorders in pregnant women.
Research found elevated risks between intimate partner violence and childhood sexual abuse and various health conditions. Intimate partner violence was associated with increased risk of major depressive disorders, maternal abortion, and alcohol misuse, while childhood sexual abuse linked to increased risk of self-harm and alcohol use.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that COVID-19 vaccination in female and male partners does not increase the risk of miscarriage. In fact, vaccinated individuals had a slightly lower risk of miscarriage compared to unvaccinated individuals. The study analyzed survey data from over 1,800 female participants...
Researchers at Tulane University discovered that prior exposure to Cytomegalovirus (CMV) significantly reduces the risk of birth defects and miscarriage during pregnancy. The study found that pre-existing immunity effectively limits transmission and protects against associated birth defects.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found a doubling in the chances of pregnancy miscarrying or resulting in a stillbirth following a job loss. The researchers emphasize an association between job loss and increased probability of miscarriage or stillbirth, highlighting potential socioeconomic factors.
Researchers at Yale University have developed an expanded classification system for pregnancy losses based on pathologic examination of loss placentas. This system accurately determined the pathologic diagnoses for over 90% of previously unexplained pregnancies, including miscarriages and stillbirths.
Researchers found novel autoantibodies implicated in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, and recurrent pregnancy loss. These autoantibodies are also associated with infertility and endometriosis-associated infertility.
Researchers found a 30% higher likelihood of live births when eggs were collected in summer rather than autumn. They also discovered that bright sunshine on the day of egg collection increased the chances of a successful pregnancy.
A small study suggests that vaginal progesterone treatment can increase the chances of conception in couples with unexplained infertility. The treatment, which is safe and low-cost, showed more than double the birth rate among treated women, but further research is needed to confirm these results.
Researchers at Trudeau Institute and Texas Biomedical Research Institute found that prior dengue infection can worsen Zika virus outcomes during pregnancy. Pregnant marmoset monkeys infected with dengue passed significantly more Zika virus to their fetuses than those without dengue, suggesting a link between the two viruses.
A diet high in fruit and vegetables is associated with a lower miscarriage risk, with significant reductions seen for each food group. The meta-analysis of 20 studies found that consuming high amounts of fruit may reduce the risk by up to 61%, while high vegetable intake is linked to a 41% reduction.
Experts recommend managing SARS-CoV-2 like other endemic respiratory viruses using Standard and Transmission-based Precautions. They also suggest reconsidering pandemic-era strategies such as asymptomatic testing and contact tracing in the endemic era.
Researchers have found that embryos in pregnancies ending in miscarriage take four days longer to develop in the womb than those in live births. This delay is associated with a higher likelihood of miscarriage and may be used to estimate pregnancy outcomes.
A study led by University at Buffalo physician Elana Tal found that people in states with restrictive abortion policies are less likely to receive optimal care after a miscarriage. The researchers found disparities in the management of early pregnancy loss, including lower rates of uterine aspiration and mifepristone prescription.
A study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that breastfeeding can reduce arsenic exposure in infants compared to formula feeding. Researchers measured arsenic levels in mothers, babies, and breast milk, revealing a clear association between maternal and neonatal arsenic exposure.
A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health found that certain occupations in South Korea are associated with a higher risk of pregnancy loss. Women in health and social work, manufacturing, and education had increased risks of no live births and early abortive outcomes.
A Norwegian study of over 72,000 births found no increased risks of adverse outcomes for babies conceived within three months of a miscarriage or abortion. In fact, shorter intervals were associated with lower risks of small for gestational age and large for gestational age, as well as lower risk of gestational diabetes.
Scientists at Northwestern Medicine have discovered a causal link between environmental phthalates and increased uterine fibroid growth. Exposure to certain phthalates, such as DEHP, may activate a hormonal pathway that causes fibroid tumors to grow. This study explains the mechanisms behind this association.
The C-STICH clinical trial found that single-stranded suture threads may improve outcomes for mothers at risk of preterm birth by reducing the risk of infection. Researchers tested whether using single stranded sutures could decrease miscarriage or stillbirth rates due to an increased risk of infection.
A new paper published in Social Science & Medicine proposes that synthetic steroids were administered to female captives in Nazi concentration camps to prevent menstruation and fertility. The study, led by Dr. Peggy J. Kleinplatz, is based on historical evidence and testimony from Holocaust survivors, who reported suspicious food ratio...
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a new model of human extraembryonic mesoderm cells, which closely resemble their natural counterparts in early embryos. This breakthrough enables scientists to study processes previously inaccessible during development.
A new prenatal test called STORK can determine if a fetus or embryo has the right number of chromosomes in under two hours, reducing time and cost. The test is about 10 times less expensive to process per sample and can improve treatment options for women trying to get pregnant.
Scientists developed a same-day test to identify abnormal fetal chromosomes using prenatal tests and tissue from miscarriage or biopsies. The STORK test shows promise in diagnosing genetic causes of miscarriage and streamlining IVF, potentially saving time and cost.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology suggests that 'selfish chromosomes' may be the reason behind the high number of human embryo deaths. The research found that most fertilized eggs die early on due to chromosomal errors, and even those that survive may not reach term due to a process called centromeric drive. However, the study a...
A new study found that pregnant people in the South and Midwest experienced higher risk of miscarriage in late August and early September, respectively. Researchers suggest exploring links between extreme heat and pregnancy loss, highlighting the need for further research to understand potential causes.
A large analysis of reproductive health data has found a significant association between infertility, miscarriage, and stillbirth with an increased risk of non-fatal and fatal stroke in women. Women who experienced recurrent miscarriages or stillbirths were at higher risk of stroke, particularly those with a history of infertility.