In a new study about 8% of West Virginia babies were exposed to alcohol binge drinking shortly before birth. These babies were more likely to be born premature and have a low birth weight. Alcohol exposure late in pregnancy can still lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/wvu-a8p022020.php

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-use.html

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-019-0731-y

Why are “Bat Viruses” (likely including the new Coronavirus) so deadly? Bats' fierce immune systems appear to drive viruses to higher virulence, making them deadlier in humans.

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/uoc--cor021020.php

https://elifesciences.org/articles/48401

Aerobic exercise training linked to enhanced brain function – and may decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease – University of Wisconsin

Resources

https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/ip-aet020220.php

https://content.iospress.com/articles/brain-plasticity/bpl190093

How long coronaviruses persist on surfaces and how to inactivate them – Ruhr-University Bochum

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/rb-hlc020720.php

https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(20)30046-3/fulltext

Seeing blue after the little blue pill? It is a possible side effect of Sildenafil, also known as Viagra, used for erectile dysfunction. Dramatic new report in Frontiers in Neurology.

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/f-sba013020.php

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.00067/full

Our biological clock plays a crucial role in healing after surgery. The time of day when anti-inflammatory drugs are taken may impact recovery – according to McGill University.

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/mu-obc012120.php

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-57215-y

Effortless learning during sleep is the dream of many people. The effect of smells on learning success when presented both during learning and sleep was previously proven in an extensive sleep laboratory study. A simplified approach using rose-scented incense sticks on the desks and bedside tables of sixth graders was recently studied.

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/uof-tso013120.php

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-57613-7

Horseback riding combined with brain-building exercises can help children with ADHD and autism spectrum improve motor skills – according to first-of-its kind research from Texas Woman’s University

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/emb_releases/2020-01/f-hrc012420.php

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00022/full

No novel coronavirus cases in the U.S. related to imported goods. What’s the likelihood according to the CDC?

Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

Where did the new Coronavirus come from? How did it spread to humans?

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/w-rtc012220.php

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jmv.25682