Record Number of Fatal Drug ODs for Pregnant, Postpartum Women

Pregnant and postpartum women are dying of drug overdoses in record numbers, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made things worse, a new study shows.

Deaths increased about 81% over the past four years, hitting a record high in 2020, according to researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City.

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Could Bacteria in Your Gut Help Spur Depression?

Depression may be a disorder of the brain, but new research adds to evidence that it also involves the gut.

While depression is complex, recent research has been pointing to a role for bacteria that dwell in the gut -- suggesting that certain bacterial strains might feed depression symptoms, while others might be protective.

In ...

Cooler Noses May Be Key to Winter's Spike in Colds

Researchers may have sniffed out why colds are more likely in wintertime: The answer may lie within the nose.

A previously unidentified immune response inside the nose is responsible for fighting off the viruses that cause upper respiratory infections, according to researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Northeastern University in Bos...

Concerns Around Sex, Fertility Often Ignored in Breast Cancer Care: Survey

Shehzin Tietjen was 27 years old when she felt a lump in one of her breasts while in the shower.

That discovery led to a confirmation of breast cancer, an unexpected jolt at her age. "I was really shocked," said Tietjen, who lives in Atlanta.

Though breast cancer is more common in postmenopausal women, about 9% of new breast cancer c...

Eating Lots of 'Ultra-Processed' Foods Could Harm Your Brain

Chips, pizza, cookies: Delicious, but a diet full of ultra-processed foods like these may contribute to brain deterioration, researchers report.

Ultra-processed foods have lots of added and unhealthy ingredients, such as sugar, salt, fat, artificial colors and preservatives. Examples include frozen meals, soft drinks, hot dogs and col...

AHA News: Keeping High Blood Pressure at Bay for the Holidays

No matter what winter holiday traditions you celebrate, you probably won't find "think about blood pressure" on your to-do list, even after checking it twice.

But that would be a nice idea for your heart's sake, experts say.

High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke, said Dr. Angela L. Brown, director o...