Medical campaigns account for a third of monies raised on crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe, and many people who’ve fallen through the holes of the safety net have been helped this way. But studies show that fraud is rampant in crowdfunding, with fake patients and medical providers who are all too eager to take money for worthless treatment. Experts discuss these issues and the need for regulation.

This holiday season will be unlike any we’ve ever had before, with “loss” as a major theme—loss of little things such as routines as well as big ones. Two experts weigh in on how families can navigate this season while keeping it festive.

A look at the top medical headlines for the week of December 13, 2020 including anti-Covid mandates have generally been seen as hurting business… but a new study shows that some of them, short of shutdowns, actually help the economy. And finally… playing brain games before surgery may help recovery.

New COVID-19 vaccines won’t be available for most people until spring, and the months until then may have a staggering cost in lives and illness. A noted infectious disease expert discusses probable time lines and events between now and the vaccine’s availability, and how adherence to social distancing and masking could change outcomes.

Hiccups are annoying and uncomfortable, and doctors don’t know why we (and most other species) get them. An expert explains what we know about what hiccups are and why most home remedies actually work.

A look at the top medical headlines for the week of December 6, 2020 including: Doctors are continuing to find new ways among old drugs to cut the damage done by COVID-19. Then, if you live out in the quiet countryside, you may be at lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. And finally, a study finds that, especially during the pandemic, video games can be good for your mental health and well being.

Just about anyone can report a parent to a child abuse hotline. It’s meant to protect children, but often, parents are reported when no abuse or neglect exists in order to retaliate for a divorce or some other grievance. Some parents are reported for merely letting children play outside or walk to school without an adult in attendance, what was once thought of as normal.

Unlike most cells in the human body, the central nervous system cannot repair itself. People who suffer brain or spinal cord injuries, or neurological disorders such as MS and ALS have few alternatives. A neurological researcher describes how he has discovered previously unknown nerve growth factors that could someday allow such injuries and diseases to heal.

A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 29, 2020 including: Two COVID vaccines showing a better than 90-percent effectiveness rate now have the data to seek emergency approval from the FDA. Then, a study shows that signs of concussion can be detected in a person’s saliva. And finally, a new study finds that deflating soccer balls just a little could cut concussion injuries in the sport.

Women are the fastest-growing prison population, but when they’re released, they face far more barriers to successful reintegration into society than men, especially if they have children. Experts and a former inmate running a new program for moms in prison discuss barriers and ways to overcome them.