Cases of HIV may be on the rise
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, an HIV prevention medication, is considered a cost-effective cornerstone of ending the epidemic. Federal law requires that private insurance companies fully cover PrEP, but a recent ruling has removed that mandate. A study published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases, conservatively estimates that this decision could lead to more than two thousand preventable HIV infections in just one year (Yale School of Public Health).
Why is multiple sclerosis underdiagnosed in children?
MS is an autoimmune condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord. There are specific criteria for diagnosis that uses an MRI, but recent research shows how these standards may not be good enough for pediatric patients. Even though the kids in the study did not have common MS symptoms and failed to meet the diagnostic requirements, many of them went on to develop the disorder. The paper is published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (Rutgers University).
Should fathers drink during a pregnancy?
It’s well documented that women shouldn’t consume alcohol while being pregnant, but new research investigates if the father’s drinking may effect the baby as well. A study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation finds that male alcohol consumption before conception causes fetal alcohol syndrome and facial growth defects. In fact, the results show that male drinking habits prior to conception have a much stronger effect on fetal health than women’s (Texas A&M University).
Protective gear in football is always evolving, but is the new padded cap making a difference?
Researchers tested the equipment for a study published in Annals of Biomedical Engineering. Their results show that it can add up to 20 percent more protection than just using a helmet, but in a few cases it led to more dangerous impacts (Stanford Medicine).
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