Even in the womb, where all oxygen is provided by the parental placenta, fetuses can-and do-yawn. More yawns during observation were associated with a lower weight at birth-potentially indicating mild fetal stress in the womb, according to a study published February 25, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Damiano Menin, of the Università … Read more
Using a standard dose of antidepressants during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby, suggests new research from the University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital. Persistently high doses, however, may be linked to changes in the placenta and a higher chance that the newborn needs intensive care. Many women who become pregnant while … Read more
Small fragments of plastic were found in nine out of 10 patients with prostate cancer, and in higher levels inside tumors than in nearby noncancerous tissue, a new study finds. The small, single-center study was led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, its Perlmutter Cancer Center, and its Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards. … Read more
Feb 12 2026 A novel artificial intelligence (AI) model accurately detected the presence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), a dangerous pregnancy condition that often goes undetected with current screening methods, according to new research presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting™. PAS is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, but … Read more
One day, there could be a new test to screen for type 1 diabetes, now that scientists have found markers in the blood of the umbilical cords of children who were later diagnosed with the disease. In new research published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists at the University of Florida and Linköping University in Sweden … Read more
New research reveals how trace metals mothers are exposed to during pregnancy can shape their babies’ gut bacteria, metabolic pathways, and even antibiotic resistance, potentially influencing lifelong health. Study: Prenatal exposure to trace elements impacts mother-infant gut microbiome, metabolome and resistome during the first year of life. Image Credit: Anusorn Nakdee / Shutterstock In a recent study … Read more
Special care must be taken with illnesses during pregnancy, as not all drugs are compatible for mother and child. This is why an international research team involving Empa is now developing nanomedicines that will enable safe and effective treatment of inflammatory processes during pregnancy. Pregnancy complications are often caused or accompanied by inflammation, but the … Read more
An updated systematic review finds that consuming cannabis while pregnant appears to increase the odds of preterm birth, low birth weight and infant death. The study by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University published today in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The lead author is a physician-scientist who provides prenatal care for high-risk pregnancies at … Read more
Organoids are small-scale models that mimic human organs. These models could help scientists understand diseases and test treatments, and potentially aid in regenerative therapeutic methods. Organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), represent a promising frontier in medical research. Unfortunately, growing organoids that are large and functional enough to be truly useful is … Read more
A new Weill Cornell Medicine and Oregon Health & Science University co-authored study provides critical insight for the development of a vaccine that can more effectively block the spread of cytomegalovirus, or CMV, across the placenta to babies before they are born. CMV is one of the most common viruses and most people don’t even … Read more