Males, Females Conceived In Equal Numbers.

research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that “when sperm meets egg, the two sexes are conceived in equal numbers.” Investigators came to this conclusion after looking at “data on nearly 140,000 embryos that had been routinely screened at fertility clinics in the United States and elsewhere for genetic problems.” http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/03/30/396384911/why-are-more-baby-boys-born-than-girls

Fast Food Consumption In Children Is Declining.

using data collected from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,” investigators “found that back in 2003-2004, nearly 39% of American kids were eating fast food regularly.” However, “in 2009-2010, about 33% of kids were eating it.” Meanwhile, “children consumed fewer calories from burger, pizza and chicken fast-food restaurants. http://time.com/3762123/kids-fast-food/

Pesticides On Vegetables, Fruits May Be Linked To Lower Sperm Count.

reports that the investigators “found that men who ate the highest levels of pesticide residue had a 49 percent lower sperm count and a 32 percent lower percentage of normally-formed sperm than men who consumed minimal amounts of pesticide residues.” But, the researchers “also found the overall quantity of fruits and vegetables consumed did not impact sperm quality.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pesticides-in-fruits-and-vegetables-linked-to-poor-sperm-quality/

Enterovirus 68 May Be Linked to Paralysis in Children, Study Says

A new strain of a common respiratory virus may be responsible for partly paralyzing scores of children nationwide, researchers reported on Monday. Since August, 115 children in 34 states have developed polio-like paralysis in an arm or a leg. The virus, enterovirus 68, has emerged as a leading suspect. A study published Monday in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases strengthens that possibility, although many questions remain. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/health/research/enterovirus-68-may-be-linked-to-paralysis-in-children-study-says.html

White House Unveils New Plan To Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.

the plan comes as “scientists, doctors and other public health officials have increasingly” asserted that “if antibiotic resistance were to continue at the current rate, routine infections could become life-threatening.” The Post also provided some of the specifics of the initiative. Under the plan, the CDC will endeavor “to cut Clostridium difficile infections by 50 percent, reduce carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections acquired during hospitalization by 60 percent and lower Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections by at least 50 percent.” Additionally, hospitals will be “required to put in place programs to improve infection control,” including “hand-washing and the judicious use of prescribing antibiotics for patients.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/03/27/white-house-announces-plan-to-fight-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/

GNC To Announce Additional Quality Control Measures For Supplements.

dietary supplement maker GNC is expected to announce Monday that the company has “agreed to institute sweeping new testing procedures that far exceed quality controls mandated under federal law.” The initiative comes just after the office Attorney General of New York accused the company and “three other major retailers of selling herbal supplements that were fraudulent or contaminated with unlisted ingredients that could pose health risks to consumers.” The company will use “advanced DNA testing to authenticate all of the plants that are used in its store-brand herbal supplements,” and will “extensively test the products for common allergens like tree nuts, soy and wheat.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/30/gnc-to-strengthen-supplement-quality-controls/?ref=health&_r=0

Women With Diabetes May Have Increased Risk Of Being Diagnosed With Advanced Breast Cancer.

research published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment suggests that “women with diabetes may have an increased risk of being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.” Investigators “analyzed data from more than 38,000 women ages 20 to 105 who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 2007 and 2012.” Approximately 16 percent of these individuals had diabetes. The researchers found that “women with diabetes were 14 percent more likely to have stage II breast cancer, 21 percent more likely to have stage III breast cancer, and 16 percent more likely to be have stage IV breast cancer.” http://consumer.healthday.com/cancer-information-5/breast-cancer-news-94/connection-between-diabetes-advanced-breast-cancer-seen-in-study-697770.html