WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Many a new mom knows that when her newborn cries, her milk releases. Now, animal research reveals a newly discovered brain circuit that may explain why that happens.This new study showed that when a mouse pup starts crying, sound information travels to an area of its mother’s brain called the posterior intralaminar nucleus of the thalamus (PIL). This then sends signals to oxytocin-releasing brain cells (neurons) in another region called the hypothalamus, which is a control center for hormone activity.While most of the time, these hypothalamus neurons are kept in check by proteins acting as gatekeepers to prevent wasted milk, after 30 seconds of continuous crying, signals from the PIL were found to build up and overpower these inhibitory...

TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will weigh the possibilities and parameters of experiments with artificial wombs for premature human babies.Scientists have already had some success with the concept in animals. During a two-day meeting that ends Wednesday, the Pediatric Advisory Committee will cover regulations and ethics around creating an artificial womb that would help very premature humans to survive, with time to continue to develop their lungs, gastrointestinal system and brain. The advisors will also consider what clinical trials for this would look like. The purpose of an artificial womb would be to help the fraction of babies born before 28 weeks' gestation, which is less than 1% of infants. It could not be used from...

TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Harmful "forever" chemicals are widespread in the environment, and new research hints they pose a particular health risk to women.A new study suggests women who are exposed to higher levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, are more likely to have been diagnosed with certain cancers. Exposure is also linked to liver damage, fertility issues, high blood pressure and other health conditions. PFAS is a category of more than 15,000 compounds found in everyday household items, including shampoo, dental floss, cosmetics, nonstick cookware, food packaging, clothing and more. PFAS compounds can find their way into water and food supplies. They are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down and can last for...