Diagnosis

A new US$10m fund will back research into how the uterus affects immune function and why women face higher risks of chronic disease. The Fairbairn Menstruation Science Fund, launched by the MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative (MIT HEALS), is supported by a donation from philanthropists Emily and Malcolm Fairbairn. It will explore links between [...]

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new diamond-based sensor they say could be a “game changer” in detecting the spread of tumours. The non-toxic and non-radioactive device uses the unique properties of diamonds to diagnose metastasised breast cancer. Metastasis is the process where cancer spreads through the body, often through lymph nodes. [...]

Researchers from Kumamoto University in Japan have identified a distinctive CT imaging pattern that can predict which women experiencing severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) are most likely to need life-saving interventions. The new finding, termed PRACE (Postpartum hemorrhage, Resistance to treatment, and Arterial Contrast Extravasation), was observed in nearly one-third of patients undergoing dynamic CT scans [...]

Women going through the menopause are being cautioned against spending money on direct-to-consumer menopause services that may provide little benefit. A group of doctors raised concerns about overstated hormone therapy claims, aggressive promotion of supplements and tests, and marketing presented as advocacy. They argue that commercial menopause services raise questions about reliability and the risk [...]

Women with Alzheimer's disease have omega fatty acid levels up to 20 per cent lower than healthy women, while men show no such pattern, new research shows. The finding points to sex differences in how the disease develops and affects the body, prompting researchers to advise women to ensure enough omega fatty acids through diet. [...]

Prenatal exposure to paracetamol may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in children, new research suggests. The study is the first to apply the rigorous Navigation Guide methodology to systematically evaluate the rigor and quality of the scientific literature. Paracetamol is the most commonly used over-the-counter pain [...]

Giving pregnant women unconditional cash transfers of US$1,000 in rural Kenya cut infant mortality by 49 per cent, new research has found. The one-time payments, about three-quarters of annual household income, also reduced deaths in children under five by 45 per cent when the money arrived around the time of birth. The findings suggest that [...]

By Paula Bellostas Muguerza, Global Lead, Healthcare and Life Sciences at Kearney The lack of female representation in clinical research is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a driving factor of the gender health gap. With only 7 per cent of healthcare research focused on conditions that exclusively impact women’s health, it’s an area [...]

New research has found that heavy periods and menstrual pain in teenage girls are linked to lower grades and increased school absences. The study, described as the most robust to date on this issue, examined data from 2,698 girls aged 13 to 16 in the Children of the 90s study, linking health records to school [...]

Scientists have warned that chemicals in plastics are driving falling sperm counts, after talks on a global pollution treaty collapsed over disputes about chemical regulation. Last week, after nearly two weeks of negotiations, delegates left Geneva on Friday without agreement, after oil- and gas-producing nations objected to production limits and chemical curbs. Almost 100 nations [...]