Author: healthtost

PRAMS has shaped maternal health policy for decades. Now his future is uncertain. For decades, the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, known as PRAMS, has been one of the most important tools we have for understanding what happens to women before, during and after pregnancy. Led by CDC in collaboration with state and city health departments, PRAMS collects data directly from people who have recently given birth, capturing experiences, behaviors and health outcomes that are often invisible only in medical records. PRAMS has helped shape how policymakers, researchers and advocates understand maternal and infant health across the country. It tracks…

Because communication is the most exciting trend in intimate wellnessWhen asked what trend in intimate wellness really excites him—not because it’s popular on social media, but because it has the potential to change the way people connect—Dr. Sagarin’s answer is clear: communication and transparency supported by research.Across the studies, a pattern consistently emerges. Relationships work best when partners know:what kind of intimacy the other person is looking forwhat fancies or curiosities they may havewhat are the boundaries and interests that matter mostIntimacy does not thrive on speculation. He thrives on knowing.Dr. Sagarin emphasizes that people cannot meet each other’s needs…

There’s a reason people call the second trimester the sweet spot. For many, morning sickness subsides, sleep comes a little easier, and energy returns enough to think beyond salty things and survival. You may still feel tired and sore, yet there is often a new stability to your days. This is when small habits add up, decisions are less urgent, and you can lay the groundwork for life with a newborn. This guide offers simple, doable steps to take care of your body, strengthen your support system, and handle the less-than-cute pregnancy manager. Keep what works for you, skip what…

Despite decades of research, the mechanisms behind the quick flashes of insight that change the way a person perceives their world, called “one-shot learning,” have remained unknown. A mysterious type of one-shot learning is perceptual learning, in which seeing something once dramatically changes our ability to recognize it again. A new study, led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, looks at the moments when we first recognize a blurry object, a primary ability that allowed our ancestors to avoid threats. Posted online at Nature communicationsthe new work identifies for the first time the region of the brain called the high-level…

DNA’s virtual double helix does more than “just” store genetic information. Under certain conditions it can temporarily fold into unusual shapes. Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, have now shown that such a structure, known as i-DNA, not only forms in living cells but also acts as a regulatory bottleneck linked to cancer. You can think of i-DNA as a kind of “peek-a-boo structure” in the DNA molecule. Its formation is strictly controlled in time and must be resolved at exactly the right time. We think it plays an important role in gene regulation because these structures can appear and…

Why beauticians love this ingredient for hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation is one of the most frustrating skin concerns I see in my treatment room. It’s persistent, unpredictable, and often made worse by (well-intentioned) skincare mistakes. When it comes to treating hyperpigmentation, no one topical ingredient does it all. You need a lot of ingredients in your hyperpigmentation toolbox and I’m especially excited about new developments like tranexamic acid (aka TXA). What makes it special is not only that it helps fade dark spots. That’s how it works. To understand why estheticians are excited about tranexamic acid, you first need to understand how…

A new study offers hope that kidney transplant patients could one day have a monthly treatment instead of multiple pills each day. The new treatment may also reduce side effects and increase the lifespan of the donor organ. Currently, kidney transplant patients must take a cocktail of pills every day for the rest of their lives. These standard immunosuppressants prevent the immune system from attacking the new organ, but over time they can damage kidney function and become less effective. Standard immunosuppressants are also associated with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and cause side effects that lead most transplant patients to…

There’s something quietly transformative about finding a makeup product that just works. No overthinking, no second guessing, just effortless beauty that enhances what’s already there. For those of us who can look naturally pale or struggle to find a bronzer that feels believable on the skin, the search for the perfect formula can be endless. That’s exactly why the news Rare Beauty Warm Wishes soft matte bronzer it immediately stood out to me. From the first application, it provided soft warmth, seamless blending and a natural finish that feels worn every day. It brings life back to the skin without…

Climate concern is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in Finns of all ages. However, these symptoms are less common in people whose climate-related hope is combined with various forms of action, such as volunteering, following a plant-based diet, or avoiding air travel. Hope that society is capable of mitigating climate change is also associated with fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. Conducted in more than 5,000 Finnish adults, the study examined the associations of climate concern, efficacy-based climate hope, and climate action with mental health, specifically symptoms of depression and anxiety. A commitment to climate action, along with…

Black and African Americans have seen great progress in mental health support, but barriers to quality care remain. These challenges exist year-round, but this February, you can honor Black History Month by exploring the importance of mental health in the Black community and taking action to remove these barriers to access. Below, we highlight the current challenges Black people face in the mental health space and how you can help find practical solutions to culturally competent care for yourself or a loved one. Black History MonthCultural CompetenceBIPOC Mental HealthAccess to health care In this article Discover why culturally competent mental…