ER visits escalate when kids with asthma also have depression, anxiety

Children with asthma have a higher likelihood of also suffering from anxiety and depression, and when all three conditions are present, patients are almost twice as likely as those with asthma alone to seek care in the Emergency Room.

Jackdaws learn from each other about 'dangerous' humans

Jackdaws can learn from each other to identify "dangerous" humans, new research shows.

Percentage of women in internal med residencies increasing

(HealthDay)—From 1999 to 2016, the percentage of women in internal medicine residencies increased, but the percentage in subspecialty fellowships decreased, according to a research letter published online Sept. 23 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Improved mapping of Swedish genes from 1,000 individuals

People—or more specifically just Swedes—are more like chimpanzees than previously known. This is indicated in a genetic mapping of one thousand Swedish individuals, where new DNA sequences that should be included in the reference genome have been identified.

Train tracks deadly for kids, but many parents underestimate the danger

(HealthDay)—Think the chances that your kid could be hit by a train are slim to none?

A healthy diet may help prevent kidney disease

Maintaining a healthy diet may help prevent kidney disease, according to an analysis of published studies. The findings appear in an upcoming issue of CJASN.

Only thing certain about flu season: you need to get your shot

(HealthDay)—Although no one knows yet how severe this flu season will be, now is the time to get vaccinated, health officials say.

High-intensity surveillance colonoscopy reduces CRC risk, is cost-effective for patients with colorectal adenomas

High-intensity surveillance colonoscopy is effective and cost-effective for managing patients who have had precancerous adenomas found during screening, suggests a cost-effectiveness analysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine. These findings support current but contended U.S. guidelines for surveillance colonoscopy.

Earth, wind, flora sway Trinidad sulfur levels

As scientists observe the force of nature through a satellite weather tracker, they only see the day's events. To observe the long-term atmospheric influence, University of Cincinnati geologists are taking research a step further by tracking and measuring the distribution of sulfur in plants in the Caribbean island of Trinidad.

Vitamin D and fish oil show promise in prevention of cancer death and heart attacks

The VITamin D and OmegA-3 Trial (VITAL) is the largest and most recent to test whether vitamin D or fish oil can effectively prevent cancer or cardiovascular disease. Results to date have been mixed but show promise for some outcomes, now confirmed by updated pooled (meta) analyses. The latest results from VITAL will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25-28, 2019.

Hot flashes shown to be linked to increased risk of later cardiovascular disease events

Previous studies suggested an association between hot flashes and cardiovascular (CVD) disease. But little research linked hot flashes to "hard" clinical CVD events like heart attacks and strokes. A new study measuring clinical CVD outcomes presents the strongest evidence of frequent or persistent hot flashes associated with higher CVD event risk. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25-28, 2019.

Microbes are a key marker of vaginal health during menopause

Certain species of bacteria are actually necessary to maintain vaginal health. The menopause transition, however, often upsets the natural balance of bacteria by decreasing the proportion of healthy bacteria and increasing vaginal pH. This can result in urogenital infections and other vaginal health problems. The importance of vaginal bacterial colonization patterns during menopause will be discussed at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25-28, 2019.

Lifestyle coaching proves effective in decreasing body fat and waist size

Losing weight during and after menopause is not easy, but it's not impossible, either. A new study out of Florida suggests that lifestyle coaching may be effective in reducing body mass index (BMI), body fat, and waist circumference, although the results are more easily obtained by premenopausal women. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25 to 28, 2019.

Why do estradiol levels vary among women using hormone therapy?

The benefits of hormone therapy (HT) on atherosclerosis relates to achieved estradiol levels among those women who initiate HT early in postmenopause. Despite the use of hormones, however, women's estradiol levels are often inconsistent. A new study identifies the various determinants of estradiol levels among healthy women using HT. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25 to 28, 2019.

Menopausal night sweats linked with cognitive dysfunction

Experts frequently tout the value of a good night's sleep. However, a new study casts doubt on the value of sleep time suggesting that women who experience night sweats are more vulnerable to cognitive dysfunction as their sleep duration increases. These paradoxical study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25-28, 2019.

Simple lifestyle modifications key to preventing large percentage of breast cancer cases

Expert reports estimate that one in three breast cancer cases could be prevented by lifestyle modifications. Those modifications include such basics as weight management, physical activity, nutrition, and alcohol consumption, among others. The latest research on risk management and most current lifestyle recommendations will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25-28, 2019.

Microplastics in the Great Lakes: Becoming benthic

From the Great Pacific garbage patch to inland rivers, plastics are among the most widespread contaminants on Earth. Microplastics—particles of plastic smaller than five millimeters—are especially pervasive. As they build up in Earth's waters, microplastics are also becoming a permanent part of the planet's sedimentary layers.

Child abuse associated with physiologically detected hot flashes

Childhood abuse has been shown to lead to an array of health problems later in life. A new study now shows that such abuse may be linked with physiologically detected hot flashes. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25-28, 2019.

Self-silencing may lead to increased risk of stroke

Expressing your true feelings is not only good for your mental health, but it could also be important for your physical health. A new study associates self-silencing (inhibiting one's self-expression) with greater carotid plaque buildup which could lead to a stroke and other cardiovascular problems. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25 to 28, 2019.

Deep brain stimulation for refractory severe tinnitus

Researchers from the University of California San Francisco and Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco investigated the safety and efficacy of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of refractory severe tinnitus in a small group of patients. They found the procedure to be safe and the results to be encouraging. Detailed findings are found in the article, "Phase I trial of caudate deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant tinnitus," by Steven W. Cheung, M.D., and colleagues, published today in the Journal of Neurosurgery.

Racial/ethnic mortality disparities widen among many age groups

Years of progress towards reducing disparities in racial/ethnic group mortality rates in the United States came to a halt between 2009 and 2012, according to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Prior to this inflection period, improvements in mortality rates within the African American population had largely been closing the gap. Since then, racial/ethnic mortality rate disparities have been widening rather than shrinking among many age groups, especially the very young and middle-aged.

More discussion needed about vulvovaginal health at well woman visits

Despite the wealth of information now available about menopause, women are still not comfortable in proactively discussing vaginal issues related to menopause with their healthcare providers, who appear equally uncomfortable and unlikely to initiate the conversation. That's according to a new study which will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25-28, 2019.

Hormone therapy linked to decrease level of diabetes biomarkers

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) remains one of the most highly quoted when debating the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. Now a new study based on WHI data demonstrates that, among other benefits, hormone therapy decreases a number of metabolites that are directly linked with Type 2 diabetes. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, September 25 to 28, 2019.