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New NIH Baby Toolbox offers breakthrough in early childhood development screening

Developmental scientists and medical social science experts at Northwestern University have spearheaded the creation of the most recent NIH Toolbox, providing the newest nationally standardized assessment of cognitive, language, motor and social-emotional skill development in infants aged 16 days to 42 months.

26 Aug 2025

Family history of liver disease significantly raises risk of severe alcohol-related hepatitis

In a groundbreaking study, research scientists from the Indiana University School of Medicine and Regenstrief Institute found that individuals with a parent who died from liver disease face more than double the risk of developing alcohol-associated hepatitis, one of the deadliest forms of alcohol-related liver disease, compared with similar heavy drinkers without that family history.

26 Aug 2025

Novel monoclonal antibodies show promise in preventing severe mpox disease

A team from the Microbiology Department at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has discovered three powerful monoclonal antibodies from a person who had previously been infected with mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).

26 Aug 2025

Parents of premature babies have poorer sleep quality, study shows

Long sleepless nights and little rest are for many the beginning of parenthood. But how big is the problem really, and how does it affect our health? Gunhild Nordbø Marthinsen has explored this in her doctoral research at the University of Agder.

26 Aug 2025

An insurer agreed to cover her surgery. A politician’s nudge got the bills paid.

For the most part, Keyanna Jones and her husband thought they knew what to expect when their daughter Chloë had eye surgery last fall.

26 Aug 2025

Common cold may offer temporary protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection

A new study led by researchers at National Jewish Health has found that recent infection with the common cold - often caused by rhinoviruses - may offer temporary protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

25 Aug 2025

Autism study shows vitamin D and iron deficiencies affect up to 40% of children

Researchers in Singapore found that 30–40% of children with autism spectrum disorder have vitamin D or iron deficiencies, regardless of eating habits. Age and ethnicity increased vitamin D risk, while picky eating was not a reliable predictor.

25 Aug 2025

Antibiotics in pregnancy and infancy do not raise autoimmune disease risk in children

A nationwide Korean cohort study found that antibiotic use during pregnancy or early infancy did not increase overall risk of childhood autoimmune diseases. Subgroup signals for Crohn’s disease and autoimmune thyroiditis warrant cautious follow-up.

25 Aug 2025

Children in low-opportunity neighborhoods face much higher risk of gun injuries

Children residing in "very low-opportunity" neighborhoods are up to 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for gun injuries than those living in the most advantaged areas, reports a new multi-state study published in Pediatrics.

25 Aug 2025

Mind wandering may hold key to better ADHD diagnosis in adults

Only a few decades ago, it was believed that ADHD was something one outgrew during adolescence. However, about half of those diagnosed at a young age carry it into adulthood.

25 Aug 2025

As measles exploded, officials in Texas looked to CDC scientists. Under Trump, no one answered.

As measles surged in Texas early this year, the Trump administration's actions sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists that kept them from performing the agency's most critical function — emergency response — when it mattered most, an investigation from KFF Health News shows.

25 Aug 2025

Why a common pesticide may alter brain growth in school-age children

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25 Aug 2025

Where is childhood obesity growing fastest in England?

The study identifies distinct childhood obesity trends in England, emphasizing the role of local policies and socioeconomic factors in shaping health outcomes.

25 Aug 2025

Most Americans drink less juice than guidelines allow, study finds

A new study of NHANES 2017–2023 data shows that most Americans drink far less 100% fruit juice than the Dietary Guidelines allow. Juice consumption was linked to better diet quality, higher nutrient intake, and did not displace whole fruit.

24 Aug 2025

WHO and WMO report highlights extreme heat's impact on workers

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have published a new joint report and guidance highlighting the growing global health challenges posed by extreme heat on workers.

23 Aug 2025

Inconsistent state laws undermine sexual education across the United States

While the majority of states require public school students to take at least one sexual education course, a patchwork of state-level provisions that mandate inaccurate, outdated, or politically motivated curricula may inhibit students from receiving essential information for their sexual health and well-being.

22 Aug 2025

Study finds major health burden from oil and gas pollution across the United States

Air pollution from oil and gas is causing 91,000 premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of health issues across the United States annually, with Black, Asian, Native American and Hispanic groups consistently the most affected, finds a major new study led by researchers at UCL and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).

22 Aug 2025