An analysis of data concerning 339 primary school students revealed that those with sleep-disordered breathing, daytime sleepiness, and shorter sleep latency scored up to 7% lower on reading assessments than their peers without trouble sleeping. British Journal of Educational Psychology, June 2022

A review of data on more than 5,100 patients with sickle cell disease found that patients given oral corticosteroids were more likely to be hospitalized for a vaso-occlusive episode, a condition that can cause intense pain and irreversible organ damage. Research leader Dr. Ondine Walter adds, “Vaso-occlusive events and related hospitalization appear to follow corticosteroid…

Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers report that men with insomnia have an 11% increased risk for prostate cancer while those who normally take an afternoon nap may have up to a 9% reduced risk for the disease. Prostate, June 2022

According to a recent study, the combination of insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs related to pregnancy and birth may account for 20-30% of a low-income family’s annual income. Obstetrics and Gynecology, March 2022

An analysis of single-vehicle pedestrian crashes found that the risk of a pedestrian being killed by a right-turning vehicle was 89% higher for pickups and 63% higher for SUVs than standard cars. These findings suggest the need to examine the visibility designs of larger vehicles to reduce blind spots when making turns. Insurance Institute for…

Researchers analyzed data on nearly 5,000 people who underwent thorough exams during three specific age periods: 35-50, 51-60, and 61-70. They found that individuals who developed Alzheimer’s disease later in life were more likely to have had lower levels of high-density lipids (HDL) or “good” cholesterol and higher levels of triglycerides as early as age…

Researchers monitored 870 patients with a history of stroke and found that those with high triglycerides suffered repeat strokes at double the rate of those with normal triglycerides levels. Despite their findings, the research team is uncertain if triglycerides are fully to blame and will conduct further research to determine if lowering blood lipid levels…

Researchers report that postmenopausal women are 4.5 times more likely than premenopausal women to report sleep apnea, and they are also at increased risk for joint pain. Menopause, March 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption, and it is associated with a number of poor health outcomes. An analysis of data concerning 72,092 women under the age of 40 found that those with long or irregular periods were…

An analysis of data concerning over 600,000 adults found that e-cigarette use may be associated with a 54% increased risk for prediabetes—a term used to describe elevated blood sugar levels that have not yet reached the threshold for diabetes diagnosis. Senior researcher Dr. Shyam Biswal adds, “There is a real concern that there’s a perception…