Jason Lee

While temporary sterility after childbirth lasts on average only a few weeks for a woman who does not breastfeed, it can last for months, or even more than a year, for one who does. But it was unclear how this contraceptive effect of breastfeeding is affected by a mother's 'energetic status' – that includes her nutrition and levels of physical activity. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Germany and the CNRS in France have just shown for the first time on a global scale that the effect of breastfeeding on ovarian function is highly dependent on environmental conditions. source https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-07-contraceptive-effect-breastfeeding-decreases-socio-economic.html

The Delta variant has taken hold in NSW and Victoria, which are both in lockdown, and now in South Australia too, which will enter a lockdown tonight. source https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-07-teens-covid-vaccine.html

Perth children are being exposed to thousands of junk food ads every year on their way to and from school, a study led by the Telethon Kids Institute has found. source https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-07-school-routes-junk-food-ads.html

A small study suggests there's no harm in masking up during exercise for most people. "What we found was, that it is safe to run at peak exercise in both an N95 mask and a cloth face mask," said lead author Matthew Kampert, DO, of Cleveland Clinic. source https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-07-mask-safe.html

The historic heat wave that hit the Pacific Northwest last month was not just uncomfortable and oppressive—it was deadly. source https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-07-strenuous-jobs-worker-health.html

Surgical scars treated with a molecule called alphaCT1 showed a long-term improvement in appearance when compared to control scars, according to multicenter, controlled Phase II clinical trials—a finding that could help surgeons improve patient outcomes. source https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-07-alphact1-molecule-skin-collagen-matrix.html

A new scoping review found that those with chronic health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune conditions, are not only at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection, they are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression or substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic. source https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-07-dearth-mental-health-pandemic-chronic.html