Second pig heart transplant success; Short nap benefits; Winter/spring conception could lead to cerebral palsy - Morning Medical Update

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Second pig heart transplant success

The second ever pig heart transplant is a success, according to the team of Maryland doctors that performed the surgery. In fact, doctors said the patient was sitting up after surgery cracking jokes. The last pig heart transplant, performed by the same team, allowed the recipient another two months of life. “We will take every day as a victory and move forward,” Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, the Maryland team’s xenotransplantation expert said in an interview.

Short nap benefits

A short nap may improve alertness, increase creativity and productivity. Some companies, like Google, even encourage naps with on-site sleep pods and cashmere eye masks. However, experts warn against naps longer than 30 minutes because these can lead to grogginess.

Winter/spring conception could lead to cerebral palsy

Children conceived in the winter or summer have about a 10% higher chance of developing cerebral palsy than those conceived in the summer, according to a new study. Fall months carried about the same risks as summer months. Researchers believe risks may be tied to seasonal pollution and pesticide exposure.